weddings from abroad

Dreaming of a wedding in Italy is easy. Making it happen… a bit less so.

But only if you don’t know where to start. More and more foreign couples — or Italian couples living abroad — choose to celebrate their wedding in Italy. Not just for the food, climate, and dream venues. But because our country still has that unique atmosphere made of authenticity, warmth, and genuine beauty.

In this article, we’ll guide you step by step to understand how to organize a wedding in Italy if you live abroad, avoiding stress and cultural misunderstandings. And of course, with special attention to Franciacorta and those who, like Al Burnec, make everything simpler (and memorable).

1. Choose the type of ceremony: symbolic, civil, or religious?

The first big question is this: do you want to get married officially in Italy, or just celebrate here with friends and family?

If you want the marriage to be legally valid, you’ll need to handle:

• official certificates and translations

• possible clearance certificate from your country of origin

• Italian bureaucratic procedures (consulates, municipalities, etc.)

Many couples, instead, prefer to celebrate a symbolic ceremony in Italy (romantic and personalized) after getting married civilly in their own country.

In any case, it’s important to have a local guide or an expert contact to assist you.

2. Find the right venue (that speaks your language)

It seems obvious, but it’s not. Choosing a venue that understands the needs of those coming from abroad, and perhaps also speaks English or German, is invaluable relief.

At Al Burnec, for example, we’ve been welcoming Swiss, German, and Austrian couples for years. We offer multilingual support, coordination with local suppliers, accommodation options in the area, and even advice to make your guests’ stay a small experiential journey in Franciacorta.

Look for venues that:

• understand the timelines of those coming from abroad

• have spaces for multiple days (see wedding weekends)

• offer flexibility in packages

3. Prepare documents in advance

If you’ve decided on a civil or religious wedding in Italy, find out immediately about the timelines. Some documents must be requested well in advance, legalized, and officially translated.

An example? The “clearance certificate” issued by your consulate to be able to marry in Italy. Or the request for banns from the Italian municipality where the ceremony takes place.

👉 Our advice: work with a local professional who handles the bureaucracy.

4. Organize remotely, but with the right people

The good news is that you can organize almost everything remotely. But only if you have reliable partners.

Basic checklist for remote organization:

• regular video calls with suppliers

• possibility of making a preliminary visit (maybe combining it with a tasting!)

• team with destination wedding experience

At Al Burnec, we also offer virtual tours of the venue and dedicated calls for defining the menu, table arrangements, decorations… all without taking flights.

5. Foreign guests? You need logistical coordination

Those coming from abroad need to know everything in advance. That’s why it’s useful to:

• create a wedding mini-site with all the info

• plan a welcome kit or a small event the day before

• choose a venue close to accommodation facilities (better if everything is in one estate)

In Franciacorta, many venues — like ours — offer solutions suitable for guests who speak German, English, or French.

The Extra Tip: Let Yourself be Guided, but Stay True to Yourselves

Every wedding is unique. But what doesn’t change is the need to feel understood, welcomed, represented. Especially when coming from another country.

With our team at Al Burnec, we transform every international wedding into a custom event: from choosing typical dishes reinterpreted with an international touch, to the possibility of having interpreters, bilingual ceremonies, and complete assistance for the weekend.