Congratulations, you are officially engaged! Many couples are opting for destination weddings in Europe, specifically in Italy. To ensure you have a seamless experience, we want to set you on the right path.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF UNIONS IN ITALY

Civil Marriage: The most common way to swear a marriage oath in Italy is under the civil code. Traditionally, a civil marriage takes place in the town hall, but you can always opt for wedding venues, followed by your wedding reception. What you should know about civil marriages:

• A mayor or a city officer leads the ceremony

• You can write your vows or include songs in the ceremony

• The ceremony is done in Italian only, so you should hire an interpreter if you don’t speak Italian

Religious Marriage: Many couples choose Italy as their preferred wedding destination for religious reasons; the papal seat lies in the very heart of Rome. If you wish to get married under the auspices of the Catholic Church, here are some important things to keep in mind:

• You will need a Catholic priest to conduct the ceremony

• Either you or your partner must be a Catholic

• The bride must cover her shoulders — so be sure your wedding dress offers covered shoulders, or you have a custom add-on to your dress, allowing your shoulders to stay covered for the ceremony

Civil Union: For our same sex couples, a civil union offers you the same rights as hetero couples, with a few exceptions:

• You cannot adopt children

• No need to abide by marital fidelity

• It is much easier to dissolve than marriages

Symbolic Ceremony: Many couples will go this route, especially if they don’t want to abide by Italy regulations for marriages.

• Also referred to as non-denominational or secular ceremony

• Not legally binding

• Can be performed by a pastor, an officer or family member or friend

THE LETTER OF THE LAW

Once you’ve decided you want to get married in Italy, the first item on your list will need to be the legalities. Italy recognizes both civil and religious wedding ceremonies — the good news is, there is no legal residency requirement, so anyone can get married in Italy.

Getting married in Italy will require some documents, and depending on your nationality and your type of ceremony desired, those will vary. One of the most important documents will be your Nulla Osta — a certificate proving you are legally allowed to get married [also known as a [NIC] or “No Impediment Certificate.

Additionally, all wedding legal documents must be in Italian and certified by an Italian consulate. Your documents must be translated into Italian and then stamped with the apostille including marriage certificate translation before you can use them in Italy.

Before heading to Italy, be sure to gather the following documents:

• Your passport

• Birth certificate

• Baptismal and confirmation certificates [if you will be having a Roman Catholic wedding]

• Divorce, annulment, or previous spouse’s death certificate, if applicable

• Atto Notorio — a sworn statement and declaration noting there are no obstacles to your marriage as per the US legal system

• Aside from having your documents translated, you will also need to authenticate all your documents at your nearest Italian consulate -- additionally, they will assist you with obtaining the Atto Notorio affidavit.

Once you arrive in Italy, you will need a few more documents in advance to your wedding celebrations. Visit the US consular office and request:

• Nulla Osta -- a sworn statement like the Attor Notorio, to be signed in the presence of an American consular, which will be valid for three months.

• Declaration of Intent to Marry -- must be filed three days prior to your wedding in front of a civil registrar.

For our US couples, we strongly encourage you getting married by the Justice of the Peace in the United States, and then have a symbolic wedding ceremony, also known as a non-denominational or secular ceremony. A symbolic wedding is not legally binding, allowing couples to personalize their ceremony to reflect their beliefs and values.

Symbolic ceremonies can be performed by a pastor, an Italian officer or a family member, allowing you to include your personal vows, any religious elements or favorite readings. When opting for a symbolic ceremony, you have more freedom to host your wedding in some of Italy's most spectacular settings, whether you opt for a villa, a castle or a beautiful vineyard.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Stay tuned for more tips on your Italian destination wedding. In the meantime, visit one of our previous post on travelling to Europe:

HOW EUROPEAN DESTINATION WEDDINGS WILL BE affected for 2024 — A Day To Remember - Houston and Destination Wedding Planners