Dreaming of having an Italian wedding, but don’t have the budget to travel overseas? No problem—you can host an Italian-inspired event right here at home! All it takes is some creative touches to make your family and friends feel like they’ve been transported to Italia without having to board a plane.

Design an Italian-Style Invite

The invitations are likely the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding theme, so let them know it’s all about Italy. For example, choose a stationery suite that includes shades of blue and yellow to emulate an Italian summer on the Amalfi coast. Finish things off with hand-written calligraphy and a wax seal.

Add Italian Décor to Your Venue

There are so many ways to incorporate some Italian style into your big day. Find ways to incorporate traditional ceramic tiles into your décor, giving a nod to the country’s ornately patterned tiles. You can use them as escort cards, at place settings, or even hand out monogrammed tiles as favors.

Guests can also sit at rustic wood tables with place setting boasting Italian patterns and terracotta pots in an assortment of sizes for your centerpieces to emulate genuine Italian pottery.

Dress the Part

If you want to look like a traditional Italian bride, donning a lace dress is the way to go. Italians, for the most part, dress conservatively for their church ceremonies and long lace sleeves are popular. You can then feel free to get more daring with your reception look if you want to change into a second option. As for the grooms, Italian men aren’t afraid to show off their own sense of style, so don’t shy away from patterned jackets, bold colors, and personalized accessories.

Choose Authentic Blooms

The flowers you choose for your event truly add a special touch to your décor. Couples can find inspiration from the bright blooms—pinks, oranges, and yellows—that can be found on the Amalfi coast in the spring and summer. Or you can go for a more rustic vibe by using olive branches for your centerpieces. Place garlands of it across guest tables, and then surround the branches with gorgeous lemons to add a pop of color.

Serve up Italian Cocktails

Greet your guests to the cocktail hour with an aperitivo—the popular Aperol Spritz or a limoncello, for example—to get the party started. You can also serve up a selection of Italian wines and Proseccos throughout the event that your guests will love.

Create an Italian Menu

Italians love to eat and for good reason—the food is amazing! Ask your caterer to come up with an authentic Italian dinner. Each table can have a charcuterie board with a selection of Italian meats, cheese, and olives. Then a salad, pasta, and the main course of chicken, beef, or fish, but see if the caterer can come up with an Italian twist for each. And of course, you’ll need homemade Italian bread with some olive oil at every table!

Dine Family-Style

Italians are all about being with loved ones, which is why family-style dining is so popular. If you’re having a smaller wedding, you can sit with all of your guests at one large, long table. If it’s a bigger affair, think about creating the effect by having food served on large platters that everyone can pass around.

Finish It off with Dessert

If you really want to have an authentic Italian wedding cake, you need mille-feuille, which is traditionally prepped with puff pastry layers, Chantilly cream, berries, and powdered sugar. You can also offer a dessert table featuring Italian pastries, and a gelato bar where guests can sample a variety of delicious flavors.

Rent an Italian Car

Make a grand exit in a vintage Italian car that you can rent for the day. Out of your budget? Maybe ride off for the first time as a married couple on a Vespa!

Hero photo courtesy of Mariel Hannah