How much does a wedding in Italy cost?

On average, most couples spend anywhere between €15,000 and €60,000+, depending on the number of guests, location, and type of experience they want to create.

Smaller, more intimate weddings or elopements can cost significantly less, while larger destination weddings with multiple events will naturally require a higher budget.

Planning a wedding in Italy is one of those dreams that feels almost too good to be real. Golden light, incredible food, breathtaking locations.. it’s easy to fall in love with the idea!

But then comes the question we hear all the time:

“How much does it actually cost?”

The truth is, weddings in Italy can vary a lot.
A larger destination wedding can easily range between €30,000 and €60,000+, depending on the guest count and level of experience.

But — and this is important — it doesn’t have to look like that!

Over the years, we’ve seen more and more couples choosing a different approach: smaller, more intentional celebrations that focus on the experience rather than the scale.

And this is where Italy really shines.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what things actually cost, what impacts your budget the most, and how to plan a beautiful wedding in Italy without feeling like you have to overspend.

Quick Cost Overview

Intimate wedding (10–20 guests): €15,000 – €25,000

Small wedding (20–50 guests): €25,000 – €50,000

Larger weddings (50+ guests): €50,000+

If you’re already leaning towards something smaller and more personal, you might enjoy reading more about intimate weddings in Italy and how they can completely transform the experience. Explore our guide where you will find real examples and detailed budgets.

Couple exchanging vows during their symbolic ceremony on an intimate wedding in Italy

Table of Contents:

Costs of a wedding in Italy | Confetti shot of a couple on their destination wedding in Italy

What Does a Wedding in Italy Actually Cost in Real Life?

Most destination weddings in Italy today fall somewhere between €35,000 and €45,000 — typically based on a celebration with around 50 guests and not including accommodation.

To make this easier to visualise, here’s how budgets typically break down by guest count:

Wedding Type Guest Count Estimated Budget
Intimate wedding 10–20 guests €15,000 – €25,000
Small wedding 20–50 guests €25,000 – €50,000
Larger wedding 50+ guests €50,000+

But these numbers only tell part of the story.

There are many factors that can significantly influence the final budget. This is exactly why two weddings with the same number of guests can end up with completely different budgets.

For example, a 30-guest wedding in Tuscany with a private villa and a multi-day experience will naturally cost more than a simpler one-day celebration in a quieter location.

What matters most is not just the number of guests, but how you choose to experience the day..

This is exactly why many couples today are moving towards smaller, more intentional weddings — allowing them to invest in what truly matters, rather than stretching the budget across a larger guest list.

When setting your budget, it’s important to stay realistic and work closely with your suppliers to prioritise what truly matters and avoid unnecessary costs.

Over the years, most of the weddings we design and photograph in Italy fall within the intimate to small range, typically between 20 and 40 guests.

If you’d like to see how this translates into real celebrations, you can explore our guide to intimate weddings in Italy, where we share real examples and detailed budgets.

Couple cheering with their small wedding party right after their symbolic ceremony in the Amalfi Coast

WEDDING COSTS BREAKDOWN IN ITALY: WHAT YOU’RE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR

Planning a wedding in Italy isn’t about one single cost, it’s a combination of different elements that come together to create the overall experience.

Some of these will have a much bigger impact on your budget than others.

Below, you’ll find a realistic breakdown of the main costs to consider when planning a destination wedding in Italy.

Category Typical Cost Range What It Includes
Venue hire €3,000 – €18,000+ Private villas, estates, or exclusive-use venues (often for 1–3 days)
Catering €150 – €250 per person Multi-course Italian meal, drinks, staff, table setup
Photography €3,500 – €8,000+ Full-day coverage, editing, storytelling approach
Planning & coordination €2,000 – €6,000+ Supplier sourcing, logistics, timeline, on-the-day coordination
Florals & styling €1,000 – €5,000+ Bouquet, ceremony setup, table decor
Hair & makeup €600 – €1,200+ Bridal HMUA, sometimes including trial
Celebrant / officiant €400 – €900 Symbolic ceremony or humanist celebrant
Music €800 – €2,500+ Live musicians or DJ
Transport €300 – €1,500+ Car hire, driver, guest transport

These ranges reflect what we typically see across Italy today, based on real weddings we design and photograph.

As you can see, some elements — like catering and venue — tend to shape a large part of the budget, especially as your guest count increases.

Others, like photography or planning, are less dependent on the number of guests but play a huge role in the overall experience.

This is also where priorities start to matter.

Some couples choose to invest more in the setting and guest experience, while others prefer to focus on photography, atmosphere, or a multi-day celebration.

There’s no single “right” way to do it, only what feels right for you.

One thing we’ve seen over the years is that combining photography and planning into one seamless experience often helps couples simplify the process and keep better control over their budget — while still creating something truly meaningful.

If you’re considering a more intimate approach, you can also explore our guide to small weddings in Italy.

THE DESTINATION & WEDDING VENUE

The wedding venue is usually one of the biggest investments when planning a wedding in Italy — and one of the elements that most directly shapes the overall cost.

If you’re wondering about the cost of a wedding venue in Italy, the answer can vary quite a lot depending on a few key factors.

Across Italy, venue hire typically ranges between €3,000 and €18,000+, depending on the type of venue, location, and overall experience. This range reflects the wide variation in wedding venue prices across Italy, from simple countryside settings to exclusive villas and estates.

Rustic chic wedding table in ancient ruins in Italy

What affects the cost of a wedding venue in Italy?

More than anything else, venue pricing is shaped by the kind of experience you want to create.

A private villa with exclusive use over several days will naturally sit at a higher end of the budget compared to a one-day rental or a more simple setting. Elements like views, privacy, architecture, and on-site accommodation all play a role in defining the final cost.

In many cases, venues that offer accommodation for you and your guests also become part of the overall experience, not just a backdrop for the ceremony, but a place where the entire celebration unfolds.

If you’re still exploring what kind of setting might suit you best, you can browse our guide on where to elope in Italy to get a clearer idea of the different landscapes and styles available.

How your wedding location in Italy affects venue prices

The region you choose can significantly influence the cost of your wedding venue.

Areas like Tuscany, Lake Como, and the Amalfi Coast tend to be among the most requested — which naturally impacts pricing. At the same time, Italy offers a huge variety of equally beautiful but less saturated regions where you can often find better value while maintaining an incredible setting.

If you’re considering Tuscany specifically, you can explore our curated selection of wedding venues in Tuscany to understand what different styles and price ranges look like in that area.

Choosing the right location is not just about the landscape, but also about accessibility, seasonality, and how easily your guests can travel — all factors that can indirectly affect your overall budget.

Elegant and Sophisticated wedding table in Italy

Day rental or overnight stay?

When renting a venue for your wedding in Italy, you can usually choose between a day rental or a multi-day stay.

The average cost for a one-day venue rental is around €12,000, while a 2–3 night exclusive stay typically ranges between €20,000 and €25,000, depending on the property.

Most of the weddings we design and photograph tend to favour multi-day stays, especially in countryside locations, where couples can host a more relaxed and immersive experience with their closest guests.

If you choose this option, it’s worth considering how many people can stay on-site and planning alternative accommodation nearby for additional guests. Transport may also become an important factor to organise.

On the other hand, a one-day rental can be a great option if you prefer to keep things simpler and more contained.