I absolutely love the idea of Italy Villa Weddings and if you’re planning on getting married in Italy then I think this is an option you should definitely explore!
So first things first – what is a Villa Wedding in Italy?
Quite plainly and simply, it’s an alternative to having your wedding reception in a classic restaurant or in a function room in a hotel. In Italy there are four types of villa weddings and I think it’s important to be aware of the subtle differences between each type.
Daniela from Italy Italian Weddings very kindly explains the different types of Villa Weddings that you can have in Italy.
Italy Villa Weddings – Holiday Villas
In Italy you can rent Holiday Villas on an exclusive weekly basis or depending on the season, on a two or three day basis.
Many Holiday Villas will allow you to host your wedding reception on their premises but before you go ahead and hire a Villa, it’s important to first ask the owner if it’s possible. Particularly, as most Italian Holiday Villas will charge you an extra fee if you wish to hold your wedding reception at their Villa, you will need to factor in the extra cost to the overall rental fee.
Even if you are planning an outdoor reception, in case of rain it’s important that you ascertain the size the Villa’s Main Hall to determine how many guests it can hold. Many Holiday Villas do not have large dining rooms, so you will often need to hire a Marquee in case of inclement weather. It’s important to note that in Italy marquees and extra tent rentals are quite expensive. If you are going to have a Marquee ensure that you factor in an extra day both sides of your wedding for assembly and disassembly.
Ensure that you ask the owner if they have any music restrictions after dinner and for recommendations on excellent catering companies and service vendors in the area.
Italy Villa Weddings – Historical Private Villas
In Italy there are wonderful Historical Private Villas (many from the Renaissance and Baroque periods) that you can rent in exclusively for your Wedding Day. (Note: they do not offer accommodation).
These Villas have been built in the past centuries by wealthy noble Italian families and are located in favorable positions overlooking art cities, lakes or have stunning sea views. Historical Villas in Italy are furnished with authentic antique furniture, decorated with precious frescoes and paintings and have wonderful manicured Italian gardens. Most have a private chapel for religious ceremonies whilst others may have a church within short walking distance.
For Italy Villa Weddings, Historical Private Villas need to meet high standards for each and every event they host. Because of this, each Villa will often have a list of trusted vendors that you can choose from (banqueting services, musicians, florists etc) and will often not allow you to bring in outside service vendors that they do not trust.
Historical Villas in Italy are quite popular also among local Italians and need to be booked at least one year in advance, especially for a wedding during the weekend. Some Historical Villas have a Bridal Suite which they can offer to the Bride and Groom on their wedding night.
Music is generally allowed until early morning (an extra rental fee may apply).
Tips: Ask in advance how many guests the Villa can accommodate indoors in case of inclement weather and if the Villa has included a marquee in their rental fee that can also be used in case of rain for an outdoor reception.
Italy Villa Weddings – Country Vintage Style Wedding Villas
Country Vintage Style Wedding Villas can be rented exclusively for wedding receptions and celebrations. (Note: they do not have accommodation facilities).
These types of Villas are privately owned and have been finely restored with a charming Italian atmosphere. Many of the Villas are surrounded by gardens, olive groves, pergolas, rose groves and small vineyards and have wonderful lake, countryside, sea or art city views.
Rental fees are much less expensive than Historical Private Villas and many of them also include the wedding menu for small parties in their rental fees. Most of these villas have nearby accommodation facilities to suit all different tastes and budgets.
These Villas will source the best companies in their region in order to guarantee a successful wedding reception but they are also flexible if you wish to source your own service vendors (music, florists etc). Country Vintage Style Wedding Villas are more flexible with having music after dinner until the early hours than other types of Wedding Villas.
The atmosphere for wedding receptions at Country Vintage Style Villas is intimate, romantic and totally relaxed and they represent the new trend for wedding ceremonies and receptions in Italy offering country chic themes that many modern brides love!
Many of these Villas need to be booked at least one year in advance as they are starting to be highly requested by the locals.
So why not “do as the Italians do” and save some money on rental fees and have a romantic Country Vintage Wedding in Italy?
Italy Villa Weddings – Historical Villa Hotels
Historical Villa Hotels can be rented exclusively for your wedding reception and offer accommodation facilities for you and your guests.
Some Villa Hotels in Italy may only have a small quantity of rooms and you may be asked to book all rooms for at least 1 or 2 nights in order to host your Wedding reception at the Villa.
Often you can receive good accommodation rates and receive in-house cuisine for your reception. Music restrictions may apply if all rooms at the Villa Hotel have not been booked by you or your guests.
Flexibility
Italy Villa Weddings will offer you flexibility for a relaxed event with a great atmosphere – it’s an ideal way to keep your ceremony and reception warm and intimate.
You can have your welcome cocktails, seated meal and after dinner celebrations in different settings and areas of the Villa enabling you to enjoy the beautiful views, both indoors and outdoors: all the right ingredients to WOW your guests for an unforgettable Wedding in Italy.
Images via Italy Italian Weddings, images 1,4 & 5 courtesy of Nabis Photography
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