With Tuscania Events expert guidance, it is possible to hold nearly any type of ceremony to suit your own personal customs and traditions. In all cases, Tuscania Events will be instrumental in helping you obtain the proper documentation to marry in Italy. By doing almost all of the paperwork for you on-site in Italy, you can relax and know that the legal issues have been taken care leaving you to enjoy the celebratory events with your family and friends. Documentation needs differ for each couple depending on their nationality, and type of service they choose. We invite you to contact us directly for individual information.
Civil Ceremony
A civil ceremony is the only legally recognized ceremony in Italy. The only religious ceremony that is allowed to include both religious and civil requirements is the Catholic marriage service. All other marriage ceremonies must, therefore, have a civil service performed beforehand, in order for the marriage to be legally recognized. The Civil ceremony must take place at a town hall and not on private grounds, and requires a translator and one witness each. For US Nationals, we will do 99% of the paperwork for you, and only require you to be in Italy on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning at least two days prior to your wedding. For British and European Nationals we will walk you through the process of obtaining the necessary documents from your home country, personally process your documents through the proper Italian authorities and only require you to be in Italy at least two days prior to your wedding.
Catholic Ceremony
This is the only ceremony that can meet both religious and civil marriage requirements. There are several important prerequisites a couple must meet to be married in the Catholic Church. You must go through Pre-Cana with your home parish and receive an authorization from your home diocese in order to be married in an Italian church. All documentation must then be sent to the diocese in Italy for approval. Couples who wish to celebrate either a full mass or only a simple blessing must have all the required documents. At least one member of the couple must be Catholic. If you have been married before in the Catholic Church you must have an annulment. And finally, 99% of all Catholic weddings must take place in a church, not outdoors (very few exceptions apply).
Catholic churches in Italy are usually parish churches and the parish priests are free to accept or deny use of their church to a couple that lives outside the parish. Our services are quite important for Catholic weddings. First, we assist the couple in finding the perfect church that will also be receptive to the couple. Second, we assist the couple in understanding the documents they need to submit to their home diocese and follow through making sure all documents arrive and are approved by the diocese in Italy. Third, we assist in finding an English (or other language) speaking priest who will celebrate the marriage in the couple’s native tongue.
Protestant Ceremony
The Anglican Church and the Episcopalian Church are the two most predominant Protestant Churches in Italy. If you are a member of another Protestant Church, we will do our best to procure the right church for you. While the Protestant Church has fewer requirements than the Catholic Church, you must still receive pre-marital counseling from your home parish. The Protestant church will also allow marriage blessings between couples of mixed religions without heavy paperwork or Nulla Osta. The Protestant Church will also allow for re-marriage without an annulment. Protestant Churches are not located in every city, however they typically have beautiful locations and their priests will travel to marry on private grounds or outdoors when requested. It is required that the civil ceremony take place prior to the religious ceremony, and may be performed either in Italy or in the couple’s home country.
Symbolic Weddings
A Symbolic Wedding is a beautiful exchange of vows between the bride and groom with their guests present to share in their joy. You will not need to complete any paperwork or have a witness or translator for this ceremony. Tuscania Events can hire a non-religious celebrant to conduct the ceremony, or you may choose a family member or friend to conduct the ceremony of your creation. Many couples choose to write the ceremony themselves or with our assistance, further personalizing this special day. A Symbolic Wedding leaves you free to express any type of sentiment or religion without the hassle of required documentation. It is important to note however that these ceremonies are not legal and the couple must have a civil ceremony in order to have their marriage recognized by the proper government authorities. The civil ceremony can take place before or after the Symbolic Wedding, either in Italy or your home country.
Other Religious Ceremonies
Tuscania Events has the ability to organize any number of wedding ceremonies in Italy with many different religious institutions. We have experience with the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches, the Lutheran Church, Jewish Synagogues and others. Documentation and requirements will vary for each ceremony; therefore it is best to discuss them on an individual basis. It is important to note that these religious institutions are not located in every part of Italy so you may have to be more flexible in choosing your wedding venue. If you prefer, you may bring your own celebrant from your home country to celebrate the marriage here in Italy. Many churches will host a foreign celebrant if they are of the same religion. If the couple’s celebrant is in agreement you may also hold the ceremony on private grounds.
