Choosing a destination wedding in Italy can be an incredibly exciting experience and will create life-long, special memories for a couple as well as their family and friends.
Planning a wedding abroad can often work out more financially favourable than paying for a venue and suppliers closer to home with the added bonus that you will exchange vows in a truly unique setting.
But it is important to remember that planning and budgeting for any wedding can be incredibly challenging. There are many things to consider during the planning process. Here are some tips for how to budget for a wedding in Italy so that you can enjoy your special day and avoid any unexpected costs along the way.
Set a clear budget
It is important that you take the time to do your own research in order to figure out if you can afford to get married in the kind of venue and setting you dream of. Wedding in Italy cost can vary. The benefit is it has such a variety of locations from fancy cities and quaint villages to dramatic coastline hotels and mountainous resort that there is really something for every couple no matter their budget.
Once you know how much things are going to cost and what parts of the celebrations are non-negotiables, for example, you want a great band but a 5-course meal is not necessary, then you can begin to set a realistic budget. Then, make sure you stick to the budget, adding littles things along the way can easily see the budget grow in an unmanageable way.
Hire a wedding planner
Once you have decided on a budget, the next step is to start booking your venues, vendors and suppliers. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of a planning a wedding in Italy is the language barrier. Hiring a wedding planner will be money well spent as they will be able to offer assistance in English and take care of all the details for you including contacting venues and negotiating prices. Another positive is that they will make sure that everything goes off without a hitch on your big day so you can just enjoy the experience.
Consider all-inclusive packages
It can work out as quite costly to travel to book all aspects of your wedding day individually. For this reason, it can be a good idea to consider an all-inclusive package. Many hotels and venues in Italy offer packages which include accommodation, meals, as well as hosting the wedding on the property. This can be a great way to ensure that you stay within your budget while also being able to enjoy all of your pre-wedding activities without having to budget for them separately.
Plan in advance
Italy is a popular wedding destination for foreign couples but also for Italians themselves, therefore great venues book up fast. Make sure you plan well in advance. You are also more likely to get better deals. It will also mean you can find more competitive deals on airfare for yourself, family and friends.
Book off-peak
It goes without saying that certain times of the year and days of the week will be more popular and therefore push the price up. Consider booking slightly off peak in shoulder seasons when the weather throughout the country is still warm and pleasant.
If you are travelling to Italy to get married, it is likely that you are staying for an extended period, so consider a mid-week wedding as opposed to the weekend. This way you are more likely to find better deals.
To conclude
These tips can help to ensure that you stick to your budget and stay on track for the big day. This will help you avoid any potential stress in the build-up and you will be able to make the most of the beauty of Italy.
