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Symbolic or civil wedding in Italy: how to choose
A clear comparison from celebrants who have led both since 2009: legal value, paperwork, language, places and how personal each ceremony can be.
The short answer
Legal value or complete freedom
A civil wedding makes you legally married in Italy. It follows an official procedure, with documents, a set legal text and an Italian official.
A symbolic ceremony has no legal value, but it gives you complete freedom: any place, any language, your own words and rituals.
Many couples do both: they marry legally at home, or with a short civil ceremony in Italy, and then celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in front of all their guests.
Side by side
The main differences
What changes between a civil and a symbolic ceremony in Italy.
Legal value
Civil: legally binding. Symbolic: no legal value, a celebration of your commitment.
Who leads it
Civil: an Italian civil registrar, usually the mayor or a delegate. Symbolic: your celebrant.
Where
Civil: the town hall or a venue authorised by the municipality, or, where a special procedure is available, other places. Symbolic: anywhere you like.
Language
Civil: in Italian, with a certified interpreter if one of you, or one of your witnesses, does not speak it. Symbolic: in your language, or several.
Paperwork
Civil: documents that depend on your nationality and residency, prepared in advance. Symbolic: none.
How personal
Civil: a formal legal text, with some room for personal moments. Symbolic: written entirely around you.
Same-sex couples
Civil: a civil union, available in Italy since 2016. Symbolic: open to every couple.
Symbolic ceremony
Choose a symbolic ceremony if
- You are already legally married, or will marry at home
- You want the ceremony in your language, or in two
- You want your own words, vows and rituals
- You want to avoid Italian paperwork altogether
Civil ceremony
Choose a civil ceremony if
- You want to be legally married in Italy
- You have time to prepare the documents
- You love the idea of a historic town hall
- You are happy with a more formal ceremony, or will add a symbolic one
The best of both
Can we have both?
Yes, and it is a very popular choice. Some couples marry legally at home before travelling; others have a short civil ceremony in Italy with a few witnesses and then a symbolic ceremony with all their guests.
Paperwork for civil weddings is handled by our specialist partners at WeddingInTuscany.info; we take care of both ceremonies.
FAQ
Questions couples ask us
Is a symbolic ceremony legally valid in Italy?
No. It has no legal value. For a legal wedding you need a civil (or religious) ceremony following the Italian procedure.
Can a civil ceremony be in English?
The legal text is read in Italian. If one of you, or one of your witnesses, does not speak Italian, a certified interpreter translates it, as required by law.
Can we have a civil ceremony outside the town hall?
Usually a civil ceremony takes place in the town hall or in a venue authorised by the municipality. Where a special procedure is available, we can also lead legally binding ceremonies elsewhere: we explain how it works on a call once we receive your request.
How far in advance should we start the civil paperwork?
As early as possible, because requirements depend on your nationality and residency. Our partners will tell you exactly what you need.
Which is more personal?
A symbolic ceremony, because it is written entirely around you. A civil ceremony has a set legal text, although some personal moments can be added.
Check availability
Tell us about your ceremony
Share your date, place and languages. We usually reply quickly and suggest a call; in high season it may take a little longer, but we always get back to you.