Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
EspañolSymbolic ceremonies
Symbolic wedding ceremonies in Italy
A ceremony shaped entirely around your story, values and beliefs, with no fixed script. Anywhere in Italy, in your language, led by an experienced celebrant.
What a symbolic ceremony is
Complete freedom of style and content
A symbolic ceremony can take place anywhere in Italy: a villa garden, a castle terrace, a vineyard or a beach. There are no fixed formulas, only the space to create something authentic.
It can be a humanist or non-religious wedding, a spiritual or interfaith celebration, a commitment ceremony or a blessing, and it can include religious elements for couples who wish. We welcome every couple, including the LGBTQ+ community.
A symbolic ceremony has no legal value. Many couples marry legally at home and celebrate in Italy; if you want a legally valid wedding here, see our civil ceremonies.
What's included
Every ceremony comes with
- A free video call to get to know you and your story
- A ceremony written for you, with unlimited emails until it feels right
- Help with vows, readings and music, with examples to choose from
- Rituals chosen with you, such as handfasting, a sand ceremony or a time capsule - wine box ceremony
- Your celebrant on site at least 1 hour before the ceremony
- A symbolic wedding certificate printed on Florentine-style parchment
Rituals
Rituals that make it yours
Rituals are a beautiful way to make your ceremony unique. We help you choose the ones that fit your story and your cultures.
Handfasting
Your hands are tied together with ribbons or cords, an ancient gesture of union.
Sand ceremony
Two or more colours of sand poured into one vessel, impossible to separate again. A lovely way to involve your children too.
Time capsule - wine box ceremony
Love letters and a favourite bottle sealed in a box during the ceremony, to open together on a future anniversary.
Tree planting
Soil from the places where you grew up nourishes a young tree that will grow with your marriage. Children love to help too.
More rituals
Other rituals couples love
- Unity candle - two candles, often lit by your mothers, light one shared candle.
- Love letters or time capsule - letters to each other sealed during the ceremony and opened on a future anniversary.
- Ring warming - an Irish tradition: your rings pass among the guests, who hold them for a moment and send you their good wishes.
- Wine ceremony - red and white wine poured into one carafe and shared, your two lives becoming one.
- Breaking the glass - the Jewish tradition that closes the ceremony with a cheer of "Mazel tov!".
- Jumping the broom - you jump over a broom together at the very end, sweeping away the old and welcoming your new life.
- Exchange of books - for couples who love reading: you exchange books that shaped your lives or your story.
- San-san-kudo - the Japanese sake ritual of three cups shared three times, for good fortune.
For many rituals we bring everything that is needed; for others, such as a time capsule, you prepare what goes inside. Outdoors some rituals need realistic expectations: candles, for example, do not like the wind, so we will suggest what works best in your setting.
Have a tradition from your family or culture? Tell us: we love including it.
Personalisation
What we write together
Your celebrant asks about your love story (the favourite part of our work) and turns it into words that sound like you, with the experience of ceremonies we have led since 2009.
Your story
How you met, what you love about each other, the details that made you fall in love.
Your vows
Examples to inspire you, help with writing, and printed vows if you send them by email.
Readings and music
A selection of readings to choose from and music cues agreed with your musicians.
Rituals
Handfasting, sand ceremony, time capsule - wine box ceremony, unity candle and more.
Reviews
What couples say
Our wedding was conducted by Raffaele, who was very friendly and professional at the same time. He came on time and gave us a wonderful ceremony that everyone enjoyed. Communication to plan the event was solely done through e-mails with Francesca and Chiara, who were very helpful to us in providing information and answering our questions. We thank them and Raffaele for that very special moment on that very special day.
Our wedding planner introduced us to Beatrice for our October 2023 wedding in Tuscany. We met via a zoom call (we were based in London, she was in Italy), and as soon as me and my husband met her, we had a good feeling. She did a great job at talking us through all the options for a symbolic ceremony, and introduced as to some traditional Italian options which we were intrigued by. At the end we decided to have a simple ceremony, Beatrice really took her time to learn about me and my husband as individuals and as a couple. This resulted as a very personalised ceremony, she was able to tell stories to our guests that helped them understand our journey and paint a picture as to why we decided to get married in Italy on that specific weekend. She truly made the ceremony so special and we will always be grateful to have had her officiate our special day. I would highly recommend!
We are an austrian couple and enjoyed every second of our weeding in toscana. Both, the wedding planner as well as the celebrant were just great and are responsible, next to the amazing location and the caterer, that our time in Tuscany will be remembered forever.
Other ceremonies
You may also be interested in
FAQ
Questions couples ask us
Is a symbolic ceremony legally valid in Italy?
No. A symbolic ceremony has no legal value. Many couples marry legally in their home country and celebrate in Italy, or choose a civil ceremony here.
Can we include religious or spiritual elements?
Yes. Our celebrants lead humanist, spiritual and interfaith ceremonies and can include religious elements for couples who wish.
Which rituals can we include?
Many: handfasting, a sand ceremony, a unity candle, a time capsule - wine box ceremony, ring warming, a wine ceremony, breaking the glass, jumping the broom, an exchange of books, a tree planting and more. We help you choose the ones that fit your story, your beliefs and your families' cultures. For many rituals we bring what is needed; for some, like a time capsule, you prepare the contents yourselves.
Can we have a candle ritual outdoors?
Yes, but candles do not like the wind, so outdoors we will help you set the right expectations and, if needed, choose a ritual that works better in your setting.
Do we receive a certificate?
Yes. You sign a symbolic wedding certificate at the end of the ceremony, printed on Florentine-style parchment in Italian or English. It has no legal value, but it is a lovely keepsake.
Do we need a rehearsal?
Usually not. Your celebrant arrives at least an hour before the ceremony, goes through everything with you and guides you step by step, so a rehearsal is not needed. If you would still like one, it is possible at an additional fee, often the same as the ceremony fee.
How long does the ceremony last?
About half an hour. We suggest keeping it to 20-25 minutes: long enough to tell your story, short enough for every guest to stay present. If you ask us, it can be longer or shorter, although we do not usually recommend it.
Check availability
Tell us about your wedding
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.