How Much Does a Luxury Wedding in Italy Really Cost?

The Million-Dollar Question

It’s the question every couple planning a wedding in Italy asks us: “How much does it cost to get married in Italy?”

And the honest answer is: it depends!
Planning a destination wedding in Italy is a journey filled with creative decisions, emotions, and unexpected turns. Each event evolves uniquely depending on your vision, priorities, and the professionals involved.
Planning a wedding is very much like building a home: you start with a solid foundation, and then layer on all the elements that bring beauty, comfort, and personality.
Each detail, from architecture to finishing touches, contributes to the overall harmony of the space. A wedding works the same way: the venue, design, cuisine, entertainment, and guest experience all come together through thoughtful planning to create something timeless and uniquely yours.

Understanding the True Investment
When we talk about luxury, we’re referring to an experience that’s deeply personal, immersive, and meticulously curated, from the venue and design to the food, entertainment, and guest experience. Every decision: from choosing between Lake Como or Tuscany, to selecting your floral designer - can dramatically influence the final investment.

Below, we’ve outlined the starting costs couples can expect when planning a luxury wedding in Italy for about 100 guests, together with an overview of the main elements that shape the overall investment (based on 2026 planning season)

1. Venue costs

The venue sets the tone for your celebration. Whether it’s an iconic villa on Lake Como, a Renaissance palazzo in Florence, or a private Masseria in Puglia, venue fees can vary widely depending on exclusivity, location, number of days of stay, and what’s included (accommodation, facilities, etc.).

It’s also important to note that luxury hotels or resorts with in-house restaurants often require a minimum food and beverage spend, as well as additional fees for the exclusive use of their outlets and event spaces. These costs need to be added to the overall venue budget when planning your celebration.

2. Catering & Culinary Experience in Italy

(from €200 + 10% vat pp)

Italian weddings are famous for their food, and for good reason. Expect multi-course menus, wine pairings from renowned vineyards, and the kind of hospitality Italy is known for.

The cost for a wedding banquet in Italy may vary depending on the number of guests, the number of courses, and the type of ingredients used (for example, fish instead of meat, truffle, lobster, etc.) It’s also important to understand whether the service is provided by a hotel or an external catering company. In Italy, caterers usually offer the option to customize the table setting with various styles of tablecloths, chairs, plates, cutlery, and so on.

Hotels, on the other hand, typically use their in-house table settings; if the couple wants something different, they must rent it separately.

Caterers generally include local wines in their offers, while hotels almost always charge wine separately. We usually calculate ½ bottle of wine per person, and we advise couples to budget €35–50 per bottle for good local wines.

Open Bar – Hotels may charge per drink, typically ranging from €15–25 per drink, or they may offer a package price of around €30/35 + 10% VAT per hour for a standard package.

Caterers usually offer open-bar packages covering 2 hours after dinner, costing approximately €25 + 10% VAT per hour for premium brands.

3. Design & Décor

(From. €35,000–€100,000+)

Based on our past events, we recommend a starting budget of around €35,000 (VAT included). The overall cost of décor varies depending on several factors, including the number of guests, the type of design, the chosen florist, the logistics required to reach the venue, and stylistic preferences such as rectangular versus round tables or the use of seasonal versus out-of-season flowers. Budgets may increase according to the level of customization desired and complexity of decor.

4. Photography & Videography

(€12,000–€35,000+)

In the luxury market, Italy’s top photographers and videographers are true artists, known for their editorial style and cinematic storytelling. For multi-day celebrations, fees typically range from €12,000 to €35,000+, depending on the professional’s reputation, creative approach, and the size of their team. These experts often work internationally, bringing a refined aesthetic and bespoke service that ensures every moment is captured with timeless elegance.

5. Music Entertainment

(From 12,000 +)

Music entertainment for weddings in Italy is often one of the most debated aspects of a wedding budget, as costs vary widely depending on the type of performance and the moments covered during the event — whether it’s music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, or the after-party. A string quartet, depending on its reputation and popularity, can range between €1,800 and €3,500 + VAT.

A 5-piece jazz band covering the cocktail and dinner portions of the event generally starts from around €7,000 + VAT, excluding travel expenses.
For live show bands, pricing depends on the size and composition of the group — from compact setups with DJ, ½ singers, sax or percussionists, to large bands featuring multiple live performers. Italian show bands typically start around €10,000+, while international artists can range from €20,000 to €30,000 and beyond, excluding travel and their technical rider. Entertainment plays a crucial role in defining the energy and atmosphere of the celebration, and investing in high-quality performers ensures an unforgettable guest experience from start to finish.

6. Lighting & AV Production

(from € 35.000 +)

Lighting and audio-visual production represent another highly variable aspect of a luxury wedding budget. Costs depend largely on the venue layout, the number of spaces requiring illumination, and the technical support needed by performers to deliver a seamless show.

Stage creation, backdrop design, dancefloor, band lighting, party lighting, and the rental of musical instruments and technical equipment all have a significant impact on the overall investment.
For luxury productions, including a band, the budget generally starts from around €35,000 and upward, depending on the scale, complexity, and creative requirements of the event.

7. Beauty Services

(from Euro 1,200 to 2,500 +)

Professional hair and makeup artists in Italy specializing in destination weddings start from €1,200–€2,500 for a bridal service inclusive of trial, depending on the artist’s profile and whether trials or multiple looks are required.

8. Side Events

Pre- and post-wedding experiences (such as welcome dinners, pool parties, or farewell brunches) are an integral part of the destination wedding journey. Each event can require €20,000 +, depending on location, catering, entertainment, and production. These gatherings set the tone and offer guests an authentic taste of Italy’s hospitality.

9. Stationery

(from 3,500 to 10,000 +)

Luxury stationery is about craftsmanship and personalization — from hand-pressed invitations and calligraphy to custom signage and day-of details. Budgets start around €3,500–€6,000, with bespoke suites or artisanal designs reaching €10,000 +, especially when incorporating fine printing, wax seals, or watercolor artwork.

10. Officiant

(from 800 to 1,500 +)

The cost of a wedding officiant in Italy depends on the type of ceremony. Symbolic celebrants typically charge €800–€1,500, while civil or religious ceremonies may involve additional administrative or translation fees. English-speaking officiants familiar with destination weddings provide both guidance and personalization.

11. Plan B – Marquee or Tent

For outdoor wedding celebrations in Italy, having a Plan B structure is essential to ensure weather protection and guest comfort. However, not every venue requires a marquee! Many Italian estates, villas, and resorts feature indoor halls that can comfortably accommodate a dinner reception if needed. When selecting an Italian wedding venue that does not offer an indoor option, couples should factor in the cost of renting a marquee. Luxury tents generally start from around €40,000 and upward, while stretch tents offer a more economical option at significantly lower rates.

The final price depends on multiple factors:
– the type and design of the tent (traditional, glass, or stretch)
– the supplier’s location relative to the venue (local vs. external provider)
– the flooring material (wood, carpet, or customized PVC)
– and the installation logistics.

It’s also important to note that setup and dismantling require time! Typically one to two days before the wedding for assembly and at least one day after for removal. When choosing a venue in Italy without an in-house structure, ensure there’s flexibility to access the property in advance for installation.

12. Welcome Gifts & Guest Amenities

(from Euro 60 +)

Thoughtful gifting enhances the guest experience. Curated welcome boxes, local delicacies, or branded keepsakes typically start at Euro 60 +, depending on customization and packaging. Many couples also include personalized notes or itineraries that introduce their guests to Italian culture.

13. Transportation

(from Euro 5,000 +)

It’s quite difficult to define a fixed cost for transportation, as it depends on several factors: the number of vehicles required, distances to be covered, type of vehicles (cars, vans, buses, vintage cars, etc.), and the duration of the service. In general, transportation costs start from around €5,000 and increase based on the complexity of the logistics and the level of service required.

14. Special Entertainment

(from Euro 5,000 +)

Beyond live music, many luxury weddings feature immersive performances such as dancers, acrobats, live artists, or fireworks displays. Costs start around €5,000–€10,000, while large-scale shows or pyrotechnic productions can reach €20,000+, depending on safety regulations, duration, and creative direction.

15. Rentals & Personalized Décor

16. Italian wedding planners fees & coordination services

Behind every flawless wedding is a team of experienced planners who manage logistics, vendor relations, and creative direction.
For a luxury full-service wedding in Italy, the investment in professional planning and coordination typically represents around 10–18% of the total wedding budget. This fee reflects a complete service, from initial concept and design direction to on-site coordination, ensuring every detail aligns perfectly with the couple’s vision and the overall guest experience.

What are the additional Factors That Shape the Budget

• Time of year: May to October is peak season, with higher demand and pricing.
• Week-end vs Midweek dates: Weekends are generally more expensive due to higher venue and vendor demand, while midweek celebrations can offer better availability and cost savings.
• Region: Locations like Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast carry premium rates compared to Umbria, Puglia, or lesser-known gems.
• Guest experience: Multi-day events, welcome dinners, and farewell brunches will naturally increase the investment.

A Realistic Starting Point for a Wedding in Italy

For a guest list of approximately 100 people, the starting budget for a luxury destination wedding in Italy generally falls within the following ranges:

• Around €230,000-250,000 — for an elegant, refined celebration with finest venues, premium catering, and professional vendors.
• € 400,000 + — for a fully bespoke, ultra-luxury experience at Italy’s most exclusive venues, with comprehensive planning, design, and multi-day events.

These figures serve as a reference point. Actual costs vary depending on factors such as location, time of year, guest count, and the overall scope of events. The most important consideration remains the quality of the experience created for the couple and their guests.