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Romantic Weddings in Florence
With its remarkable Renaissance history, rippling landscape and
light that seems like liquid gold, this Italian wonderland is a
magical place to get married.
There’s something almost dizzying about Florence. With its
remarkable Renaissance history, rippling landscape and light that
seems like liquid gold, it’s a magical place to get married.
Just imagine saying your vows under a masterpiece by Leonardo or
Michelangelo ”while there’s an Italian soprano opera singer
singing ’Ave Maria’ in the background,” suggests
Rebekah Serin of WeddingsItaly.com.
Sure beats the banquet hall back home.
Where to say I do
Although Italy, has rules about where religious ceremonies can be
held, anyone can get married in Florence’s civil office, the
stunning Sala Rossa, or Red Room, once the bedroom of Cosimo de Medici.
With its ”deep red carpeting, gilt-frame mirrors and chandeliers
and large hanging tapestries, all dating back to the late Renaissance,”
it makes for a most striking ceremony, notes Ben Singleton, of ItalyWeddings.com.
For a Catholic ceremony Serin suggests the church of Santa Trinita,
right by the Arno. And for larger affairs, the options are enchanting:
”We arrange rehearsal dinners at beautiful wineries in Chianti
where the guests have wine tastings together and visits to the wine
cellars,” Serin says. Or some couples opt to rent a Tuscan villa
for a week ”and they have the ceremony and reception right there,”
she says.
Where to stay
Lodging options abound. Budget-minders can try the Hotel Beacci Tornabuoni,
a small hotel on the top three floors of a Renaissance palace, on
Florence’s glittering Via Tornabuoni (call 011-39-055-212-645).
Also reasonably priced is the Morandi all Crocetta, a 10-room hotel
housed in a 16th-century convent. (call 011-39-055-234-4747). For
luxury, try the Hotel Excelsior, once home to Napoleon’s sister,
Caroline. (011-39-55-271-757 or fax 011-39-55-239-6097). And for real
drama, stay at the Villa San Michele, in a 14th-century monastery
on a hillside overlooking Florence (call 011-39-055-59451 or fax 011-39-55-598-734).
Local wedding traditions
Want to really immerse yourself in Florence? Consider buying your
wedding dress when you get there! Amazingly, in this city of hand-craftsmanship,
you can get a custom-made garment done in a few days. Florence has
countless ateliers ”where one can see how their wedding dress
is being sewn, or their suit is being made, or their wedding bands,
or their shoes or furniture for their new home,” Serin says.
And for good luck, you could adopt an old Italian tradition and wear
green the night before your wedding, suggests Singleton.
Make it legal
When you’re tying the knot in another country, it’s particularly
important to consult with professionals. Try WeddingsItaly.com,
or ItalyWeddings.com
for starters, and then shop around a bit. Be sure to get references
and talk to couples that have used whatever company you choose. For
information on the legal requirements for marriage, visit
http://travel.state.gov/italy_marriage.html. You’ll need
to plan well in advance to get all the proper documents and make appointments
with the correct authorities. And remember, Italy, home to the Vatican,
is a very Catholic country, so you’ll have to consider their
rules about where people of different religions can have non-secular
ceremonies before you choose your venue.
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