Journal · Destination wedding

How to Plan Your Destination Wedding in Le Marche, Italy

Rolling hills like waves, stone villages, the sea on the horizon and the mountains behind you. Here is everything you need to know to get married in Italy’s best-kept secret.

Why Le Marche

Le Marche is one of those places you discover almost by chance, and never want to leave. In less than an hour you can go from the beaches of the Adriatic to medieval hill towns, all the way to the Sibillini Mountains, snow-capped in winter and covered in wildflowers in summer.

This is authentic Italy, where traditions are still alive, wineries are family-run and food is still cooked the way it always has been. A wedding here never feels like a production: it feels like a celebration among the people you love, in a place that seems made just for you.

And then there is space. Villas and country estates set deep in the countryside, with gardens, pools and terraces overlooking the hills, where the celebration can last three days, with no neighbours, no rush and no other event next to yours.

When to get married: the most beautiful months

The perfect season runs from May to July, when the Marche countryside is at its very best.

April, August, September and October

Each has its own charm, with a few more things to keep in mind.

April has extraordinary light. Spring arrives on the hills: almond and fruit trees blossom, the fields turn a fresh green and the air is so clear you can see the snowy peaks of the Sibillini on the horizon. Days are mild, but after five in the afternoon the temperature drops considerably, so an outdoor evening party is not possible. The morning and early-afternoon light, however, is wonderful: for an April wedding we suggest a late-morning ceremony followed by a long lunch outdoors, in the sun.

August is the heart of summer: hot days, often above 30°C, and magical evenings. After mid-August the first summer storms can arrive and cool the air suddenly. It is also Italy’s holiday month, so venues, suppliers and accommodation should be booked well in advance.

September is a stunning month: the vineyards prepare for the harvest, the light becomes soft and warm, the fields turn ochre and the sea is still warm. With the first rains, though, evening temperatures can drop suddenly: it is wise to plan an indoor space, or a few elegant blankets for your guests.

October paints the hills in autumn colours: after the harvest the vineyards turn red and gold, the oak woods glow copper and amber, and the low sun bathes everything in a soft, warm light. It is also the season of truffles, chestnuts and freshly pressed olive oil. In recent years October has given us some lovely surprises, with mild, sunny days well into the month, and the villa pools are still open: if you don’t feel the cold too much and luck is on your side, you might even enjoy a swim. Evenings are cool, so plan dinner and dancing indoors, or by the fire.

The weather can never be predicted with certainty, and every month has its pros and cons. That is why, whatever date you choose, we always help you prepare a plan B.

The light at sunset

Here the sun sets behind the hills and mountains, and for an hour everything glows pink and gold: the light photographers call the “golden hour”. In June it arrives at around 8.30 pm, in September at around 7 pm. Planning the day around it, with the ceremony just before and your couple portraits just after, is the secret to photographs that look like paintings.

A tip: ask your photographer to visit the villa the day before, at sunset.

Getting there

The most convenient airport is Ancona, with direct flights from several European cities, including London and Munich, and connections with Rome and Milan. Our villas are around 25 to 35 minutes from the airport and half an hour from the sea.

Alternatively, you can fly into Bologna, about two and a half hours away by car, or Rome, about three hours away. If you are travelling from further afield, such as Australia or the United States, the easiest option is to connect through a major European city and continue with a short flight.

Getting your guests around

For the wedding days, we recommend arranging your guests’ transfers with licensed chauffeur cars or minibuses (known in Italy as NCC): from the airport, between their accommodation and the villa, and above all at the end of the night. It is safer and easier for everyone, and many villas require it for events, as parking is reserved for overnight guests.

Civil or symbolic ceremony?

It is the question every international couple asks us. There are two options.

The civil ceremony

It is legally binding and recognised in your home country. It is performed by the mayor or a delegate, at the town hall or in a venue authorised by the local Comune. You will usually need:

• a valid passport and your birth certificate;
• a Nulla Osta, a certificate of no impediment proving you are free to marry, issued by your consulate or embassy in Italy;
• if either of you has been married before, your divorce decree or a death certificate;
• documents with an Apostille, translated into Italian;
• a “declaration of intent to marry” at the Comune a few days before the wedding, with an interpreter if you do not speak Italian, and two adult witnesses for the ceremony.

Requirements vary by nationality and by Comune, so check with your consulate at least six months ahead. We can help you with the Comune and find an interpreter.

The symbolic ceremony

It is the favourite choice of many international couples. It has no legal value: you take care of the paperwork at home, before or after your trip, quite simply. In return it gives you complete freedom: the ceremony can take place wherever you wish, in the garden, under a pergola, by the pool or facing the mountains, at sunset, with words and rituals that feel like yours and a celebrant who speaks your language.

Choosing your venue

An exclusive-use villa changes everything: you are not guests at a venue, you are the hosts for a few days. Many couples choose a three-day celebration:

• a welcome evening, with a relaxed dinner, pizza from the wood-fired oven or an aperitivo at sunset;
• the wedding day;
• a farewell brunch the morning after, by the pool.

When you look at a villa, ask yourselves: how many guests can it host for the event, and how many can sleep there? Where will the others stay? Is there an indoor plan B in case of rain? Until what time can there be music? Simple questions that prevent surprises.

A realistic budget

The cost of a wedding depends above all on the number of guests. The villa is only one part: catering, styling, flowers, lighting, music, photography, transfers and service all grow with your guest list. That is why we always ask for a budget that is as realistic as possible: it allows us to suggest only what can truly bring your vision to life, with no disappointments and no surprises.

A good place to start: decide first how many people you want by your side, then build the budget around them.

Your planning timeline: from 18 months to the big day

Here is how to spread out your to-do list, so you arrive at your wedding relaxed.

• 12–18 months beforeChoose the date and an approximate number of guests, set your budget and book the villa. If you need a wedding planner, now is the time to choose one. And if you can, arrange your menu tasting straight away: choosing the caterer is one of the very first things to do.
• 9–12 months beforeBook your other key suppliers, such as photographer and music. Send your save-the-dates and organise your guests’ accommodation.
• 6–9 months beforeDecide between a civil and a symbolic ceremony and, for a civil one, start gathering your documents. Choose your dress, invitations and celebrant, plan flowers, styling and lighting, and book the NCC transfers for your guests.
• 2–6 months beforeConfirm your guest numbers, seating plan and timings for the day. For a civil ceremony, book your appointment at the Comune for the declaration of intent to marry.
• The week of the weddingArrive in Le Marche, final walk-through, welcome dinner. Then enjoy every moment.

Have you decided to get married within six months? We can still help: all it takes is a little flexibility with dates and suppliers, and we will do everything we can to make your dream come true.

Local food and wine

At the table, Le Marche is one surprise after another. Olive all’ascolana, stuffed and fried olives, are perfect with the aperitivo. Vincisgrassi, a rich and fragrant baked pasta, is the dish of celebrations. On the coast you will find brodetto, the Adriatic fish stew, and everywhere cured meats, cheeses and extra virgin olive oil from small producers. To raise a glass: Verdicchio, an elegant, mineral white; Pecorino, fresh and fragrant; and Rosso Conero, a deep, warm red born on the hills overlooking the sea.