A Wedding in Rome

What a great place to get married, however every time I am asked to organize a wedding in Rome, I think of a themed wedding as the capital is just so appropriate for such an event. I imagine being greeted by a Roman centurion and making my way up to a terrace where a panoramic view of Rome overwhelms me and my guests. Torches are lit and the whole terrace comes alive with small votives on the tables and terracotta style candles. Of course all my guests have arrived in evening wear and they are greeted by my centurions who serve canapés and a range of hors d’oeuvres to guests who also help themselves to the fountain which just exudes red and white wine ….. it is now time to head to the grand ballroom where the table is laid out imperial style and the reception commences… dish after dish, this is an extravagant affair….. Oh sorry I am dreaming again !!!!

Rome is a capital city, beautiful and romantic but the reality is also that all the normal factors like traffic, noise, pollution are also part of the every day reality, so when considering Rome, make sure that you are not expecting quiet and tranquil as Rome is definitely not tranquil. The beauty of getting married in Rome is simple and below is some of my reasoning:

1. For a civil wedding, you have 3 places to choose from. The buildings where the weddings take place are historical and are all located in the centre of the city. There is something here for everyone, from the simple to the formal, from the small and intimate to the large.

2. For all those of you wishing to have a religious wedding, there are many options to choose from. It is possible in Rome to either have a Catholic or a Protestant wedding as this is allowed. The options just keep on getting better and couples can get married in the Vatican and even in St Peter’s Basilica or my favourite building the Pantheon.

3. If you wish to marry outside the confines of the town hall, there are a few gardens in Rome where the wedding can take place or even terraces, however we often suggest that our couples head outside Rome for this wedding type.

4. Rome is easy to get to from the UK and from Ireland as there are 2 main airports and the connections are great even from a world wide perspective with the Roman airports like Fiumicino and Ciampino being the main hub connecting the world.

5. The offer for accommodation is good so couples have great options which can accommodate everyone’s budget, from the luxury hotel and apartment to the B&B and hotel. Most of the accommodation on offer is centrally located so it is possible for your guests to stay as close as possible to you and to the main historical sites without spending a fortune to get from one place to the other.

6. Finding a place where it is possible to have your reception is another great offer. Here again there are many places where this is possible and the list is endless. Whether you are looking for the traditionally homemade Roman cuisine or the gourmet restaurant, there is something here for everyone. There are places where the reception can be held in a private room or held outside in the open air… it is all subject to what your requirements may be.

7. Logistically Rome is easy… it is easy to get to from the airport and it is also easy to get around if you base yourself in the centre.

8. Rome is full of many things to see so it is truly impossible for your guests to get bored when they come to your wedding as there is just not enough time for them to see Rome and get bored…

The positives as you can see overcome the negatives however the one main thing to bear in mind about Rome is that marrying here is very much under demand so due to the increase in couples wanting to tie the knot here, Rome has decided that they will only confirm the date when the couple’s paperwork is received in Rome. This rule applies to everyone however if you are confirming accommodation for guests and flights etc, this may not give you the surety that you require, however it is worth knowing that 10 out of 10 wedding requests get their requested date and time.

I hope that this has given you a better insight into considering Rome as a wedding destination as it is truly worth it and has something for everyone, whether you are eloping or want an extravagant celebrity style wedding, Rome is the ideal destination.