Florence is famous for its artistic legacy, beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and incredible history. Having a Florence wedding allows you to start your beautiful journey in the cradle land of the Renaissance.
But if this is your first time thinking of a Florence destination wedding, you may find it overwhelming to plan from scratch.
Our comprehensive guide gives you tips on how to get to Florence, the best time to get married, and the weather to expect. Read on to learn more about the best wedding venues in Florence and what they offer to make your day memorable.
About Destination Weddings in Florence
Florence has a lot more to offer than Italian vibes. Whether you’re planning a small, intimate ceremony or a lavish, grand wedding, the city has something for every budget.
Here’s why you should consider Florence as your destination of choice.
Why Get Married in Florence
Some of the reasons to have a Florence wedding are:
Florence Provides a Beautiful, Picturesque Setting For Your Wedding
Tucked away against the green rolling hillsides and surrounded by stunning stone palaces, Florence has the ideal setting for your destination wedding. Take beautiful photos with the Piazzale Michelangelo as your background and enjoy the reception in a classic Medicean villa.
You can opt for a civil ceremony in the majestic Palazzo Vecchio or have a symbolic wedding in a romantic villa.
Explore Hidden Gems and Lots of Activities
Florence has the best day trips in Italy. You and your spouse can take a short day trip to the countryside where you can rent a bike and explore, harvest grapes for the season, visit the vineyard for wine tasting, or stop by the medieval hilltop towns and learn about Tuscany’s culture.
Visit the modern art galleries or sample some delicious Italian dishes. You’ll love the creativity and positive energy radiating this magical city.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Florence
The average cost of a destination wedding in Florence is 30,000 Euros. That includes flight tickets, a wedding venue, and catering. The costs can go higher depending on the number of guests, choice of wedding venue, and other extras you may consider adding.
The Best Florence Wedding Venues & Florence Wedding Packages
Some of the best Florence wedding venues and wedding packages are:
Villa Le Fontanelle
Villa Le Fontanelle is a historic Florence venue with a romantic gothic charm and a breathtaking landscape. The venue is five minutes from Florence’s city center, which makes it easily accessible.
Couples looking for a wedding venue with accommodation will find Villa Le Fontanelle perfect, thanks to its modern exclusive suites.
You can opt to have your wedding ceremony in an indoor setting that accommodates up to 60 guests or an outdoor celebration in the garden with a capacity of up to 150 guests. The garden can be furnished with your ideal theme, and the background is magical for your photoshoot session.
There’s also a private chapel where you can celebrate your symbolic ceremony.
The panoramic terrace overlooking Florence hosts wedding receptions.
After the ceremony, immerse yourself in the incredible landscape as you sip some wine or dip in the stone pool. You can also relax in the greenhouse sitting room or step out and explore what Florence has to offer.
Villa La Fontanelle has a wedding package for up to 40 guests that include:
- A symbolic wedding ceremony and reception
- Wedding planning and coordination
- Rental fee for the exclusive use of the villa and chapel
- Wedding ceremony setup and decor
- Catering
- Buffet breakfast
- Three-night accommodation for 14 guests in seven luxury suites
Castello Di VinciGliata
A Florence wedding in Castello Di CinciGliata is guaranteed to make your day unforgettable thanks to its picturesque setting and lovely lush gardens.
The countryside castle enjoys commanding views of Florence and Tuscany hills, allowing you to exchange your vows on the beautiful lawn as you enjoy the cool breeze. Later you can sip cocktails at the garden terrace and have a romantic outdoor dinner at the courtyard gardens.
After the ceremony, explore the beautiful castle’s interior, frescoes, and antique furniture.
Although Castello Di VinciGliata is a ceremony/reception venue alone, you can easily access accommodation in the nearby Villa San Michele or IL Salviatino.
Castello Di VinciGliata has a wedding package for guests that includes:
- Exclusive use of the castle fee
- An on-site wedding planner to supervise the day
- Wedding ceremony and reception
- Booking and fee for the catholic church to perform a legally binding ceremony
- Assistance with paperwork for legal requirements
- Marriage certificates
- Coordination fees and taxes
Four Seasons Hotel, Florence
Experience unparalleled luxury and elegance on your special day at the Four Seasons Hotel, Florence. The urban resort features unique historical architecture with stunning Renaissance detailing.
Get to Say I Do in the Convent Ballroom, which features gold decorations and crystal chandeliers, or at the Tempio Lawn, which features nature’s vibrant colors and the fresh aroma of beautiful flowers.
Sip on some Champagne in the Lobby of the hotel before heading outdoors in the garden for a traditional aperitif that lasts for one and a half hours. The hotel mixologist takes over, customizing a selection of full open-bar drinks, ensuring you and your guests uniquely celebrate your special day.
After the ceremony, relax and rejuvenate at the two-floor spa with nine beauty treatment rooms or swim at the stunning pool as you enjoy the landscape and fresh air. Visit the fitness center for a workout, take a stroll, and explore the hotel’s unique architecture.
Four Seasons Hotel, Florence, has a wedding specialist who works with you to create your dream wedding. They have different wedding packages depending on your budget and wedding needs.
Villa Cora
Villa Cora should be your go-to venue if you dream of a fairytale setting for your Florence destination wedding. The exclusive villa has hosted international guests like Princess Eugenia and Claude Debussy.
Nestled close to the famous Boboli gardens, you can comfortably Say I Do to the love of your life as you enjoy stunning city views. Apart from the multi-colored rose-hedge gardens, you can also have an indoor ceremony in the Mirror Room that features handcrafted embellishments. The villa’s rooftop terrace hosts the best receptions thanks to its panoramic views.
After the ceremony, lounge and relax as you sip cocktails from the Le Pool Bar, and in the evening, you can let your taste buds sample the taste of Florence at Le Bistrot Restaurant. Take a stroll in Florence to see incredible artwork, and stop by Ponte Vecchio.
Villa Di Maiano
Villa Di Maiano offers the perfect setting for an exclusive and elegant wedding ceremony and reception. Retaining its original antiques, frescoes, furniture, and a breathtaking view over the city, your Florence wedding is bound to be unique and memorable.
The stunning historical Villa is ten minutes from downtown Florence.
With a capacity to accommodate up to 100 guests, Villa Di Maiano allows couples to exchange their vows in the private Chapel of the villa, inside halls, or the breathtaking Italian Oak Garden.
You can have your reception at the garden with a terrace over Florence or in the Tapestry Hall, which can accommodate 110 guests. Dance to your favorite music at the Carriage Hall till 1.30 a.m or outside the villa on the terrace until 24.00 hours.
Relax at the swimming pool overlooking the Tuscan hills or rent a bike and explore different trails.
Villa Di Maiano has a wedding package of 60 people that includes:
- Wedding planning and coordination
- Bridal bouquet and boutonniere
- Flower and candlelight table decor
- Full-day photography and videography
- DJ sound and light equipment
- Catering
- The wedding reception includes a cocktail hour and sit-down dinner
- 3-hour open bar
Florence Destination Wedding Legal Requirements
Like similar cities in Italy, Florence allows couples to have a civil, religious, or symbolic wedding.
Here’s everything you need to know about Florence’s destination wedding legal requirements and costs.
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
You can have a legal wedding in Florence if you don’t mind filing the required documentation.
However, when planning a civil ceremony, you should note that Florence restricts where you can exchange your vows. All civil ceremonies are held in the town wedding hall or a venue assigned by the local municipality.
Legal weddings in Florence can be celebrated in:
- The rose garden, an outdoor botanical garden overlooking the city center and Arno river
- Salone dei Cinquecento at Palazzo Vecchio
- Sala di Lorenzo marriage hall at Palazzo Vecchio
- Sala Rossa marriage hall atPalazzo Vecchio
There’s also an option of having a symbolic ceremony, which isn’t legally binding. You can have a civil wedding in your home country and celebrate your symbolic wedding in your favorite location in Florence.
Required legal Documents & Cost
For you to get married in Florence, you’ll need the following documents:
- Both the bride’s and groom’s birth certificates
- Previous marriage certificates and decrees absolute
- Translated and authenticated death certificate if a spouse is a widow or widower
- Get the passport stamped at the border
You and your spouse need to book an appointment at the American Consulate for Tuscan weddings and fill out the Nulla Osta Form.
Afterward, take the wedding certificate back to the prefecture to make it legal in the United States.
Some of the costs you’ll incur for your civil ceremony depend on your preferred venue.
Here’s the breakdown of Florence’s wedding halls.
- Rose Garden-3,500 Euros
- Sala Rossa-2,500 Euros and Saturday afternoon 3,000 Euros
- Sala Di Lorenzo- 3,000 Euros
- Sala dei Cinquecento-5,000 Euros
Legal Marriage Timeline
The city of Florence has no residency requirements.
Nonetheless, you must arrive in Florence at least a week or two before getting married if you’re having a civil ceremony to submit the required documents.
Florence Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Florence is perfect for a destination wedding, but it may be overwhelming to figure out the best time to wed or how to get there.
Here are some handy tips to have in mind when planning a Florence wedding.
How to Get There
Florence is between Rome, Milan, and Venice, making it easily accessible.
You can fly directly to Florence Airport or Pisa International Airport, which is 100 km west of Florence. From Pisa Airport to the west of Florence is a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive and to Bologna is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
You can also land in Milan or Rome airports from the United States. It takes 3 hours and 40 minutes to get to Florence from Milan and 3 hours from Rome. You can also access direct international flights to Pisa Airport via Delta Airlines. It’s the only carrier that offers non-stop flights between Tuscany and the U.S.
Some airlines like Lufthansa have connecting flights to Florence Airport from Washington, New York, and Chicago. You can also get connecting flights from JFK to Florence Airport via Alitalia and Airberlin.
Florence Weather
Florence is in the heart of Tuscany, near the River Arno and on the hills. The city has a tropical climate, and you can expect good weather all year round.
The hot season starts from June to early September, with an average daily temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are the hottest months in Florence, with an average high of 88 degrees Fahrenheit. In August, most Italians go on vacation, and most shops and venues are closed for at least two weeks to a month.
November to March is the cool season, with an average daily temperature below 58 degrees Fahrenheit. January is the coldest month, with a high of 51 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
November receives the most precipitation. However, October, December, March, and April also receive some rain.
Budgeting Tips
Florence is more reasonably priced compared to bigger cities like Rome and Venice.
However, it’s still possible to save money on your Florence wedding. Below are some tips to have in mind when planning.
Find a Villa That Doesn’t Charge a Venue Hire Fee
Although most villas will charge you per head, some also have an extra venue hire fee. That could be some thousand Euros expensive. Instead, find a villa without this set fee and save some money.
Opt For a Symbolic Ceremony
The cost of a civil wedding, including translation and filing of documents, can quickly add up to the total cost of a Florence destination wedding. Additionally, renting a venue for your legal wedding can be expensive as Italy has strict rules on where to have a civil wedding.
You can have a legal ceremony in your home country and a symbolic ceremony in Florence to avoid all the paperwork and fees.
Get Married During the Low Season
A peak-season wedding is more expensive than a spring or winter wedding. Avoid scheduling your Florence destination wedding between May and October.
You’re likely to get reduced prices or discounts for a wedding during the winter or spring months.
Settle For a Honeymoon in the Same Location
Organizing a separate honeymoon from your wedding can be expensive, especially in a different country. You can extend your stay in Italy and honeymoon in another part of Florence. Alternatively, you can explore the Amalfi Coast if you prefer another location.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Florence
The best time of year to get married in Florence is from May through September. You can be sure of sunny weather with plenty of warmth. The peak season and pleasant weather attract many tourists and welcome arts and music festivals.
Demand for accommodation and venues peaks between June and August. Book your preferred venue and accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.
Alternatively, you can opt for a winter wedding between December and February. It’s possible to get luxury villas and hotels at discounted rates, and you’ll have fewer crowds and a better chance of taking stunning photos of Florence.
