A Wedding in TROPEA – Calabria, Italy

I FEEL ALIVE

Destination wedding in Tropea, Calabria, Italy

It is widely known that Italy has been a popular destination when it comes to celebrating your wedding, but what makes it special and unique for each couple is the plethora of locations to choose from. Therefore, if we are all being completely honest – the real question isn’t why you should plan an Italian destination wedding, but where, when, and how! Even though the northern and central parts are particularly famous for sophisticated country celebrations, the south entwines effortless elegance, charm, and al fresco dining. Gorgeous dramatic coastlines and immaculate beaches are the notes that will define your South Italy wedding, and the rich culture with delicious cuisine? They will crown your nuptials. That is why today I will guide you through what you need to know when planning and some amazing hotspots to consider!

WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON FOR A SOUTH ITALY WEDDING?

Choosing a date is one of the most important steps, particularly the season. Usually, the southern parts of Italy have mild Winters which make these lands ideal for celebrations all year round. However, the Summer periods are very hot and dry – which can be easily cured with a relaxing dip in the Meditteranean sea! Yet, I would recommend Spring and Autumn for the ultimate relaxing experience. Furthermore, during Summer, it is usually crowded especially when it comes to those popular destinations like Amalfi Coast, Apulia, and Sicily. But I am always all about finding the most secret and breathtaking locations that haven’t reached the popularity of other places and are even more awe-inspiring! This brings me to the next point:

LOCATION HOTSPOTS IN THE SOUTH FOR AN ITALIAN DESTINATION WEDDING

Simply put, wherever you choose to tie the knot in this gorgeous part of the country, you won’t regret it. Whether it would be Positano or an iconic beach in Sicily, it will be memorable. However, I am all about iconic and one-of-a-kind experiences, so during my travels and videography work; I fell in love with one particular region in between called Calabria. It is nestled on the toe of the southern Italian peninsula – basically close before Sicily. Having a Calabria wedding means treating your guests to one of the most fabulous beaches, and the best part? They are less crowded than their Amalfi counterparts! Those that I highly recommend are the beaches around Tropea and Scilla. The incredibly charming villages, old towns, and rugged scenery will offer amazing backdrops for your wedding videography and enrich the guest experience! The cuisine has some unique features like foods preserved in oils which are a real treat. Paired with a fantastic Italian wine? It basically means one thing – planning a Calabria destination wedding equals living la dolce vita.

One of my absolute favorite places here is Tropea – which has actually been voted as the best village in Italy for 2021!

Not only is it a secret gem that is not fully discovered by tourists, but it has it all for your Italian destination wedding. Think rugged coastline, the monastery on the cliff Santa Maria dell Isola which is a gorgeous landmark; white sand beaches, old-world architecture, and romantic views that are jaw-dropping! It would be an understatement to say that every part of this town will look gorgeous for your visual memories. Some of the venues to consider for a Tropea destination wedding are Capo Vaticano Resort, Hotel Villa Paola, Infinity Resort, and Villa Chiringuito for a spectacular Tropea wedding!

Hiring a wedding planner specializing in this region will save you time, nerves, and even money. As they know the best vendors and will go above and beyond to make your special day magical, you can be sure that you will be in safe hands. Besides, they will perfectly curate everything down to the last detail – including sorting out all the legalities! Not to mention, many of the locals do not understand English well so there might be a struggle to communicate and plan everything on your own.

CAN I GET LEGALLY MARRIED IN ITALY EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT A RESIDENT THERE?

Simply put, yes you can! Many countries have strict terms when it comes to destination weddings, however, with so many celebrations happening there, it is possible to have both – a civil and a religious ceremony. Of course, there is the paperwork and it varies depending on where you are hailing from.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

First, you need to see what the requirements are based on your country. Here you can check out for US and UK citizens. As to any wedding, the essentials are to prove your identity and that you are not legally bound by any other marriage.

ALTERNATIVE

Instead of handling all the paperwork, you can have a wedding planner to do it for you – which I highly recommend for a stress-free experience! Plus, they know all the tips and tricks to pull off your dream event. An alternative to getting legally married in Italy would be having a symbolic or blessing ceremony instead of the civil (which you can do in your homeland prior to this). This is not legally binding but it is beautiful, precious, and equally romantic – followed by an amazing South Italy wedding reception!