How to elope in tuscany, The Ultimate Guide
You fell in love with all the Tuscan charm and eloping to Tuscany is now how you feel like your wedding day should be. Italy is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and, fair enough, we feel you, choosing the destination that best reflects your taste is no easy task. Touristic places are of course one of a kind (they wouldn’t be that touristy otherwise, right?!), but how can you avoid the crowds and still have the intimate and emotional day you’ve been dreaming of?
Having a secluded ceremony and enjoying the best destinations in Italy on your elopement day is totally achievable. One of the top tricks is to ask for the help of vendors and suppliers that know the area and know what to expect from an elopement in Italy. This guide will also do perfectly as a first good step into your beautiful adventure to start planning an elopement in Tuscany!
So come with us and discover our step by step guide on how to elope in Tuscany!
* If you are new to the “elopement” topic and want to learn more about it, help yourself with the many resources we have on our blog:
Table of Contents:
You have set your heart on an elopement in Tuscany, that means that you are after a cosy experience in one of our most refined regions, where country chic influences meet culture and history. But, how do you plan an elopement in Tuscany?
First Things First: What is an Elopement?
If you look it up in the dictionary, an elopement is literally “the act of leaving home secretly in order to get married”. Over the years though, the term “elopement” has gained a whole new range of meanings, where experience and raw intimate moments are chosen over big and (at times) stressful events.
The best thing about elopements is surely the freedom: on your elopement day you are free to do whatever feels the most YOU as a couple and as individuals so that you can truly live to the fullest and in the pure way possible your wedding day.
So, are you ready? Let’s dig in!
How to Elope in Tuscany?
If your dream is to elope in Tuscany but you are not an Italian resident, fear not! You do not have to live in Italy to elope here. However, when it comes to choosing whether to have a legally binding or a symbolic ceremony, our best advice would be to opt for the second choice and have a symbolic ceremony! You can take care of all the paperwork at home and instead have no bindings whatsoever on your day. In this way, you will make things much easier, more flexible and cheaper.
If instead you want your ceremony to be legally binding, then GET IN TOUCH and we will happily talk you through the process.
Where Can You Elope in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the most versatile regions we have in Italy. Whether you love the mountains, vineyards, olive groves, the seaside or historical cities, Tuscany has it all! Below you will find our TOP 5 PICKS for your Tuscan Elopement, but believe us, the list is endless and we will be more than happy to help you choose the destination that best reflects your vision.
Elope in Val d’Orcia
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you think “Tuscany Elopement” are cypresses, rolling hills and little cobblestones villages, then you are probably picturing Val d’Orcia, one of our favourite areas in the region!
From the finest culinary experience to the most beautiful and iconic landscapes, from historical villages to natural hot springs to enjoy in every season of the year, Val d’Orcia has everything to offer. We love this region so much that we wrote a guide to everyone that wants to come and visit it, please help yourself with it!
And don’t forget to check out how a typical elopement in Val d’Orcia would look like:
Fully planned and documented by Benni Carol Photography
Elope in the Apuan Alps
The Apuan Alps are another hidden gem of this most stunning region. Surely not as well known as the more famous sisters of the north, the Apuan Alps nestle little secret places that will make your jaws drop. If you want to enjoy gentle hikes in one of the most secluded mountain areas in Italy, then the Apuan Alps would be just the right fit for you.
Elope in San Galgano Abbey and Siena
If, instead, on your elopement in Tuscany you are after an historical and cultural experience, then you cannot overlook Tuscany stunning cities and towns. From Florence, to Lucca, from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni, the list is once again endless.
One of our favourite tours starts in San Galgano Abbey, a roofless abbey simply perfect for an intimate ceremony and ends in Siena, one of our favourite Tuscan cities.
Check out how a typical elopement between San Galgano and Siena would look like:
Elope in Monte Argentario
If you are more of a sea lover and are looking to have a lovely walk on a beach or some beautiful gentle hikes overlooking dreamy sea towns, then Monte Argentario is probably the right destination for you. In Spring time or in October, you can’t really go wrong with it!
Elope in Chiantishire
If you are a food and wine lover and want to dive into the ultimate culinary experience while also enjoying all the most typical Tuscan environment, then the Chiantishire is what would suit you best. Wine and olive oil tastings as well as cultural experiences like joining a “vendemmia”, are only a few of the many things you can do on your elopement in Tuscany!
When Shall You Elope in Tuscany?
SPRING
A big YES! Spring time is the best time to elope in Tuscany. May is beautiful here, with mild temperatures and blue skies and much fewer tourists around!
SUMMER
The beginning of the Summer as well as the end of it are still nice periods to elope in Tuscany. July and August should totally be avoided: temperatures are crazy high and the region is packed with tourists. If you can elope only in Summer time, then try to choose the beginning of June or the beginning of September.
AUTUMN
Autumn is again one of our favourite periods for elopements in Tuscany! Again, temperatures are mild and tourists only a few. PLUS, you get to experience all the best ever colours as the landscape turns orange, red and yellow with one of the most impressive foliages you can get in Italy.
WINTER
With shorter and colder days, Winter has its pros (as well as its cons). You get to experience Tuscany in its cosiest and most intimate way, but of course Winters here are rather cold and at times wet.
What Does a Typical Elopement in Tuscany Look Like?
As for any elopement, there is not right or wrong, must or mustn’t. Plans, timelines, experiences, everything varies depending on you and on what you want to do on your day. With that said, we can still show you what a typical elopement day in Tuscany would look like.
* Please, note that the timeline below would apply to an elopement in the late Spring months:
11am Getting ready
13pm First Look
13.30pm Ceremony and exchange of vows
14.15pm Bubbles and first toast to your union
14.30pm Light lunch
15.30pm Head off to some lovely exploring
17.30pm Typical Italian aperitivo or Gelato stop
18.30-19.30pm Golden hour pictures
19.30pm Special intimate dinner
(often accompanied by a wine or olive oil tasting experience)
How much does it Cost to Elope to Tuscany?
The costs for an elopement in Tuscany vary depending on the vendors you decide to book and the experience you want to have. A rough estimate of the basic costs for an elopement in Tuscany would be:
Photography and planning team Starting at €6000
Makeup and hair stylist from €500
Bouquet and buttonhole from €500
Celebrant from €450
Tasting menu for two from €200 pp
Total Coast starting at around €7800
* The cost of the venue depends on the venue, area, season and day chosen. With our all-inclusive elopement package, we would help you research and find the venue that best suits your needs.
4 Perfect Venues for Your Elopement in Tuscany
Want to find the venue that will best suit your needs and taste? DROP US AN EMAIL and tell us all about the vision you have for your day, we can’t wait to share all our expertise with you!
What Should You Wear on an Elopement in Tuscany?
When it comes to choosing the attire for your elopement in Tuscany (but this applies to any elopement in Italy), as a general rule you should try to picture your day as much as you can. Will you be hiking? Are you eloping in late Spring or in late Fall? Are you planning to have an “Al fresco” dinner?
Layers are always the best choice, you can easily put on or take off a shawl or a jacket and avoid feeling too cold or too hot.
When it comes to choosing the dress, our suggestion is always to opt for something light, possibly with a long light skirt (they always look great in pictures, especially when there is a nice breeze blowing!). It would be best to avoid thick layers and too big dresses, as they would impeach your movements.
REAL BRIDE EXPERIENCE – Tracey on her elopement in Val d’Orcia wore the most beautiful two piece dress. As the first piece she wore a soft white sheath dress and as a second piece, she added a chiffon skirt. Not only did it look stunning, but it was also comfy, light and perfect to make it blow with the breeze!
Definitely a rate 10 elopement dress!!
When choosing your shoes, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to stick to only one pair! Depending on how the day is going to be planned out, you can do your ceremony in your heels and then change into trainers or comfy flip flops for more agile walks. Also, who said that you can’t do your ceremony bare feet? The options are endless!
As for the suit, again consider the season in which you are eloping and avoid thick jackets in late spring and early/late summer as it can get very hot!
Book Your Tuscany Elopement Package With Us!
If you like what you see and can’t wait to turn your dream of eloping to Tuscany into a real adventure, then get in touch and enquire about our elopement packages!
We can’t wait to explore with you all your wonderful options and help you plan a day you’ll never forget!
Check out our all-inclusive packages for elopements in Italy
Useful Links to Plan Your Elopement in Tuscany
by Benni Carol
Elopement Planners & Photographers covering elopements all over Italy
