Italian wedding traditions

Ciao! I am Emiliano Russo. If you have found your way here, it is because you are not looking for a “cookie-cutter” wedding. You are likely dreaming of something deeper—a celebration that feels like a scene from a classic film, where every toast, every dance, and every bite of food carries the weight of history and the lightness of La Dolce Vita.

As an Italian who has lived my whole life surrounded by these rituals, and as a destination wedding photographer who has documented them for over a decade, I can tell you one thing for certain: an Italian wedding is not just an event. It is a sensory explosion. It is a merging of families that often starts with a whisper and ends with a village-wide celebration.

When you choose to have a wedding in Italy, you aren’t just booking a venue. You are stepping into a centuries-old story. Whether you are planning a grand gala in a Roman palace or an intimate Tuscany elopement understanding our traditions will make the difference between feeling like a tourist and feeling like you truly belong here. Let’s look past the clichés and talk about what really makes our weddings the most soulful celebrations in the world.    

The “Scaramanzia” Factor: Why We Take Luck So Seriously

In Italy, we have a word that doesn’t translate perfectly into English: scaramanzia. It’s a mix of superstition, playfulness, and a deep respect for the “unseen” forces of fate. You might see a modern, tech-savvy couple still insisting on a ritual from the 18th century. Why? Because we believe these small gestures invite prosperity and keep the “evil eye” (malocchio) at bay.    

I often tell my couples that these superstitions aren’t meant to be stressful rules. They are layers of “magic” added to your day. They create moments of laughter and anticipation that look incredible through my lens.    

The Iron and the Mirror

One of my favorite “secret” habits involves the groom. Historically, and still quite often today, the groom will carry a small piece of iron (toc ferro) in his pocket.  Why? To ward off envy and evil spirits that might try to “spoil” the union. It’s a quiet, masculine tradition that speaks to his role as a protector.   

For the bride, the rules are even more specific. There is a long-standing belief that she should not look at her full reflection in a mirror once she is fully dressed in her gown.  If she feels she must take a final peek, she has to remove one small item first—maybe an earring, a shoe, or a glove. This makes her “incomplete” in the eyes of fate, effectively tricking any bad luck into looking elsewhere.   

The Gold Prohibition

You might be tempted to wear your most beautiful family heirlooms, but in traditional Italian culture, the only gold the bride should wear on her wedding day is her wedding ring.  Any other gold jewelry is thought to bring bad luck to the marriage. Instead, we follow the “four somethings”—but we give them our own flavor:   

• Something Old: To honor the bride’s past and her connection to her family.    
• Something New: To symbolize the life you are building and the challenges you will face together.    
• Something Borrowed: Representing a bond with a loved one who will stay by your side through the transition.    
• Something Blue: A symbol of purity and sincerity, often hidden in a garter or a tiny ribbon inside the dress.    

The Pre-Wedding Rituals: From Serenades to Green Silk

The celebration doesn’t start at the altar; it starts the night before. In many parts of Italy, especially the South, we have La Serenata.  Imagine this: the groom arrives under the bride’s window with a group of musicians and all their friends and family. He sings love songs to wake her up. It’s loud, it’s theatrical, and it’s incredibly emotional. If she opens the window, the “mission is accomplished,” and the whole neighborhood often ends up joining in for a spontaneous street buffet with wine and pastries.    

But once the music stops, the “isolation” begins. The couple must spend that last night apart. The bride traditionally stays at her parents’ home—her last night as a “daughter” before becoming a “wife.”    

The Lucky Rehearsal

At the rehearsal dinner (or the Promessa), there is a beautiful tradition where the bride wears green.  Green is the color of luck, hope, and fertility in our culture. Seeing a bride-to-be in a vibrant green dress against the backdrop of a Tuscan vineyard or a Roman terrace is a visual feast for a photographer. It signals to the world that she is ready for a fruitful new chapter.  

The Ceremony: Tying the Knot and Breaking Glass

When you work with a wedding celebrant in Italy, you’ll find that our ceremonies are deeply symbolic. Even if you aren’t having a religious wedding, we love to weave in these historic touches.    

The Ribbon and the Log

You may have heard the phrase “tying the knot.” In Italy, we often take this literally. A large ribbon is tied across the entrance of the church or the ceremony space.  As the couple enters or exits, they are symbolically “tying” their families together. In some mountain regions, the couple is handed a double-handled saw and must cut through a log together.  It’s a fun, slightly chaotic moment that shows the guests (and each other) that they can work as a team to overcome any obstacle life throws at them.

The Shower of Fertility

As you walk out of the ceremony as newlyweds, expect to be showered! In the North, we throw rice.  In Sicily, they might throw wheat.  Both represent a wish for abundance and a “fruitful” life. If your venue has rules against rice for environmental reasons, flower petals or bubbles create an equally magical effect in your gallery.  

A Regional Mosaic: Customizing Your Dream Backdrop

Italy is not one single culture; it is a mosaic of regions, each with its own “soul.” As a Lake Como wedding photographer, I see a very different vibe than when I am working as an apulia wedding photographer. Your location choice will naturally influence which traditions feel most authentic.

The Rustic Elegance of Tuscany

If you are looking for a Tuscan photographer, you are likely drawn to the cypress-lined roads and the soft, golden light of the Val d’Orcia.  In Tuscany, traditions are tied to the land. We use a lot of rosemary in our decor because it brings peace and good fortune. Historically, Tuscan brides actually wore black dresses with white hats, though today the white gown is the standard.  A Tuscan wedding is all about “Slow Luxury”—long imperial tables under the stars, simple but perfect ingredients, and a connection to the ancient stone villas.    

The White Magic of Puglia

Down in the “heel” of the boot, Puglia is high-energy. The masserias (fortified farmhouses) are made of white stone that reflects the sun in a way that is simply blindingly beautiful.  You cannot have a Puglian wedding without the Pizzica—a hypnotic folk dance involving tambourines and red scarves.  It’s a celebration of life that gets every guest, from the youngest child to the oldest nonna, on their feet.

The Cinematic Glamour of Lake Como and Lake Garda

The Northern Lakes are the definition of sophisticated romance. As a Lake Como wedding photographer, I always suggest a private wooden boat ride.  It isn’t just about the photos; it is a tradition that allows the couple to have a moment of “suspension” between the ceremony and the party, looking at the historic villas from the water. On the nearby Lake Garda, the vibe is equally magical. As a wedding photographer Lake Garda, I love the medieval charm of Malcesine and Sirmione.  The light here is soft and pastel, perfect for a gallery that feels like a timeless fable.    

Grandeur in the Eternal City

Rome is where history meets the heartbeat of modern Italy. As a photographer in Rome, I love taking couples into the ivy-clad streets of Trastevere for their portraits.  A unique Roman tradition involves the groom walking into the new home (or the venue) before the bride to make sure she doesn’t stumble—a Roman belief that protected her from spirits waiting at the threshold.  It is a city that turns every wedding into a grand, historic adventure.    

The Feast: Food as our Universal Language

Let’s be honest: one of the main reasons your guests are excited about your Italian wedding is the food. In Italy, the meal is not just a dinner; it is an event that can last for hours.  We believe that being a good host means making sure your guests leave “pieni” (full) and happy.    

The Journey of the Menu

A typical Italian wedding menu is a marathon of flavors. It begins with the Aperitivo—a standing cocktail hour with prosecco, Aperol spritz, and endless “finger food” like arancini, local cheeses, and cured meats.    

• Dolci: The dessert buffet. In Sicily, this might be a “Venetian Hour” with tables overflowing with cannoli, fruit, and pastries.    
• Antipasto: Usually a light, plated starter like seafood crudo or a Caprese salad.    
• Primi Piatti: This is the heart of the meal. We often serve two different pasta or risotto dishes.    
• Secondi Piatti: The main meat or fish course, accompanied by seasonal “contorni” (side dishes).    

The Millefoglie and the Confetti

Instead of a heavy, tiered buttercream cake, most Italian couples choose a Millefoglie.  It translates to “a thousand layers,” and it’s made of light puff pastry, chantilly cream, and fresh berries. The best part? The pastry chef often assembles it right in front of your guests. It’s a theatrical moment that signals the start of the party.   

And we cannot forget the confetti. In Italy, “confetti” are not bits of paper; they are sugared almonds.  We give them out in bomboniere (favors) in odd numbers—usually five.  Why five? Because they represent five wishes for the couple: health, wealth, happiness, long life, and fertility.  It is a sweet, crunchy way to say thank you to your guests.

The Reception: Celebration and Playful Chaos

Once the food is finished, the energy shifts. Italian receptions are full of life and a few “bizarre” customs that always make for the best photos.

The Cutting of the Tie

This is a northern tradition that has spread across the country. The groom’s friends will “steal” his tie and cut it into tiny pieces.  They then “auction” these pieces off to the guests to raise money for the couple’s honeymoon.  It’s loud, it’s funny, and it always gets a great reaction from the crowd.    

The Tarantella and the Streamers

The first dance is often wrapped in tradition—literally. Guests will sometimes hold colorful paper streamers and wrap them around the couple as they waltz, “tying” them together with good wishes.  But the real highlight is La Tarantella.  This fast-paced circle dance brings everyone together. It’s an ancient folk dance that was once thought to “cure” a spider bite, but today, it’s just a joyous way to celebrate community and love.    

The Busta: A Practical Gift

In Italy, we don’t really do “gift registries” with blenders and towels. Instead, it is traditional for guests to give la busta—an envelope with cash. The bride often carries a small satin bag called a borsa to collect these envelopes.  Sometimes, male guests will even “pay” for a dance with the bride by placing an envelope in her bag. It is a practical way to help the new couple start their life together.   

Looking Forward: 2026 and 2027 Wedding Trends

If you are planning for 2026 or 2027, you are entering a new era of destination weddings in Italy. We are seeing a move away from “performative luxury” toward what we call Slow Luxury or Quiet Luxury.    

The Multi-Day Experience

Instead of just a 6-hour party, couples are now choosing 3-to-5-day celebrations.  This might include a welcome pizza party in a vineyard, a group boat trip on Lake Como, and a relaxed “recovery brunch” the day after the wedding.  It allows you to actually spend time with your guests and enjoy the destination without the stress of a ticking clock.   

Meaningful Design and Sustainability

We are seeing a shift toward bolder colors—rich jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue that pop against our historic stone backdrops.  Sustainability is also becoming a priority. This means using local, seasonal flowers (like rosemary and olive branches in Tuscany), avoiding plastic, and choosing venues that support the local community.

The Intimate Guest List

The “micro-wedding” is here to stay. By inviting fewer people (usually 40-80), couples can invest more in high-quality, immersive experiences for their closest friends and family.  It turns a wedding into a deeply personal shared adventure.

My Philosophy: Capturing Your Story in Motion

Your wedding day will fly by in what feels like a heartbeat. My job is to make sure those memories last forever. I don’t believe in “caged posing”—that stiff, uncomfortable way of standing that makes you look like a stranger to yourself.    

Instead, I use a mix of “intentioned reportage”—capturing those spontaneous laughs, the tear in your father’s eye, and the way you look at each other when no one is watching—and editorial portraits that make you look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine.    

Because I know that motion and sound are just as important as a still image, I also offer integrated services with my wedding videographer Italy team.  We work as a single unit, ensuring that your photos and your video have the same “feeling of a fable,” with consistent colors and a shared rhythm. 

Practical Advice for Your Italian Dream

Planning from thousands of miles away can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few “insider” tips:

• Hire Local: Working with people based here means you get insider knowledge you just can’t find on a travel blog.    
• The Paperwork: If you want a legally binding ceremony, start early! You’ll need a Nulla Osta and an Atto Notorio.  Many of my US couples choose to do the legal part at home and have a beautiful symbolic ceremony here in Italy to save on stress.    
• The Light: The “Golden Hour” just before sunset is when the magic happens. I will work with your planner to make sure your timeline allows us to catch that perfect, ethereal glow.    
• The Weather: Don’t fear the rain! In Italy, we say “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata”—a wet bride is a lucky bride. Rain can create some of the most romantic, dramatic, and unique images you can imagine.    

At the end of the day, your wedding is about the two of you. Our traditions are simply here to add layers of joy, history, and a bit of Italian soul to your commitment. Whether you choose to dance the Tarantella until dawn or simply enjoy a five-course meal overlooking the hills of Tuscany, I hope you embrace the spirit of our culture.

Italy is a place where time slows down, where every meal is a celebration, and where love is always at the center of everything. I would be honored to help you tell your story and capture the timeless memories of your big day. Let’s make your dream of an Italian wedding a reality!