PHOTOGRAPHER

We know and work with the best professionals in the country in all budget ranges from a deluxe package complete with hand sewn leather album to a more modestly priced but equally professional service. Our packages includes some black and white photos as well as color and pictures are large format in various sizes. Couples on a budget can opt for amateur photographers and save a considerable amount of money.

VIDEO

In whatever format is required, VHS, PAL or other. Italians are artistic and creative and our videos are top quality.

GOWNS

Our staff can help you purchase the gown of your dreams. All budgets, from designer to simpler creations. Possibility of a custom fitted gown delivered within 3 days.

FLOWERS

Some brides require a small bouquet - others want the entire church custom designed in a fantasy of flowers to suit their color scheme. The choice is yours, we can either create something unique or follow your request.

MUSIC

Baroque quartets in 17th century costumes, gifted solo musicians or something different and contemporary. Here too the list is endless and depends entirely on your budget and taste.

INVITATIONS

For couples seeking originality, it is possible to select and mail all wedding invitations from Italy. From hand made paper in the Renaissance tradition to more modern renditions we are able to arrange for the necessary printing and if required mailed out with original Italian Postage. Invitations can be addressed by hand in Calligraphy upon special request.

WEDDING FAVORS

A unique service we provide is the opportunity of giving a gift to your wedding guests. This is a tradition here in Italy and can range from a $3.00 confetti creation in tulle to a more extravagant silver gift box. There are literally thousands of possibilities for every color scheme, taste and budget.

Example:

A lovely Murano hand blow rose (any color glass) with beautiful silver plated stem attached to a gauze confetti candy creation. Inside the confetti is the name of the bride and groom engraved in a very small card. Cost: starting at $20 per person.

Pill Boxes or containers of any shape, size material and color. Silver, ceramic, paper, etc. Crystal or glass objects OR Utilitarian (very charming mini espresso makers in bright colors).

TRANSPORTATION

FOR THE WEDDING

FOR THE GUESTS

Pick up at airports and travel arrangements to the hotel.

INTERPRETER AND WITNESSES

These are required by law in both civil and religious services. We provide both but if you have guests or relatives who will be attending they can serve as witnesses.

PAPERWORK

At first sight it appears a bit confusing. Email us and request our "understanding the paperwork requirements" sheet to shed light on this "dark" subject!! Our staff truly does assist you in every way.

Plus:

Rehearsal dinners
Cooking classes
Honeymoons and more are at your disposal

Italy Marriage Paperwork Requirements

BRITISH NATIONALS AND OTHER NATIONALS PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE IN ITALY

Foreigners planning to marry in Italy must present certain documents and comply with specific requirements in order to obtain a marriage license. The documents required and the procedure to follow are described below.

US passport for a civilian, birth certificate and permission to marry issued by the Commander from the military.

If applicable, evidence of the termination of any previous marriage such as final divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate.

Sworn Statement by parents or legal guardian consenting to the marriage if the person is under 18.

TO BE DONE IN ITALY: Declaration, sworn to by the US citizen at a US Consulate (this must be done in Italy) stating that there is no legal impediment to his/her obstacle. Your legal status must be such that you can legally marry another person under Italian and US Law. After obtaining the declaration from the Consulate, it must be taken to the Prefecture to be authenticated (legalized), as described in the following paragraph.

TO BE DONE IN ITALY: Authentication (legalization) of the aforesaid declaration must be done by the Legalization office of the Prefecture. Usual office hours are from 10am to 1pm Monday through Saturday. The required legalization can be obtained at any Prefecture. There is one in every provincial capital.

THESE TWO ABOVE STEPS ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND CAN BE ARRANGED FOR THE SAME MORNING OR AFTERNOON IN ONE OF THE 5 CONSULATES THROUGHOUT ITALY

Atto Notorio. This is a declaration, in addition to the sworn statement described under point 4 stating that according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in the United States there is no obstacle to his/her marriage. This declaration is to be sworn to by two witnesses (a witness may be if any nationality, but must be over 18, with proper identification), before an Italian Consul outside of Italy, or in Italy before a Court official. US citizens coming to Italy to get married are urged to obtain this declaration for a Consul of Italy, before leaving the United States. In Italy an appointment should be arranged in advance. A fee of 50.000 lt. Lira is charged (figure subject to change).

A woman whose previous was terminated within the last 300 days must obtain a waver from the Procura della Repubblica (Discrict Attorney), which is issued on presentation of a medical certificate that she is not pregnant.

Declaration of Intention. The banns are posted only after the Declaration of Intention to Marry has been performed. Finally, the date of the wedding can be established.

BANNS AND MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Banns are automatically waived if neither party of the marriage is an Italian citizen or a resident in Italy.

If a religious ceremony is to be performed by a Catholic priest, a separate civil ceremony will not be needed, as the priest will register the marriage with the civil authorities. The Roman catholic Church incidentally requires documentation in addition to the documents listed for complete information you should check with your priest because of the special Italian requirements applicable to marriage performed by non-Roman catholic clergymen, the latter usually insist on a prior civil ceremony before performing a religious ceremony should consult the priest, minister or Rabbi as far in advance of the ceremony as possible.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Anyone wishing more detailed information should consult the appropriate Italian authorities, such as an Italian Consular Officer nearest you, Civil Registrars at City halls, or a lawyer licensed to practice in Italy.

It is also emphasized that the documentation listed at the beginning of the information sheet should be procured in the order in which it appears.

US Consular Offices in Italy are located in Rome, Florence, Naples and Milan.

All documents originating outside Italy (Birth Certificate, Divorce Decree, etc....) MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO ITALIAN. Both the original documents and the translations MUST BE LEGALIZED for use in Italy with so-called "APOSTLE" stamp, in accordance with the Hague Convention on the legalization of foreign public documents. In the USA, the "Apostille stamp is placed by the Secretary of State in the State where the document was issued.
Under Italian law, all public documents - regardless of their origin, are considered to be VALID FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS from the date of issue. Americans are therefore advised to make sure that all documents to be submitted to Italian authorities have not been issued more than six months ahead of the marriage.

UNDERSTANDING THE PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS

At first sight the paperwork requirements appear a confusing maze of bureaucratic nonsense but in fact there are only 3 items that are necessary to marry in Italy.

Here are some clarifications for the most frequently asked questions….

ATTO NOTORIO – what is it.
It consists of a meeting in front of the Italian Consulate with witnesses in which a declaration relative to the civil status (single, divorced etc…) of the couple is made. An official document is then drawn up to present to us for filing purposes here in Italy.

APOSTILLE of a DOCUMENT
This peculiar word means that the original documents (birth and if applicable, divorce) presented to the Italian Consulate has been:

a) Translated into Italian
b) Sent to the Secretary of State’s Notary Public of the state from which the document originally is from for authentication (or Apostille seal)
The APOSTILLE is simply the seal of the Notary Public of the State in accordance to the Hague Convention which means that the documents can be used officially even in a foreign country.

Example:

Jane Smith was born in Miami, Florida. She therefore sends her Birth Certificate and TRANSLATION to the Secretary of State’s Notary Public office in Tallahassee requesting an Apostille. It is returned to her with the Apostille and Seal.

NULLA OSTA
Is the final declaration to be made IN ITALY before the US CONSULATE or EMBASSY stating you are free to marry. Then this declaration must be authenticated in any Prefect’s office. The 2 procedures do not take more than 1 morning.

Basically these are the main procedures, but we always advise you to contact the Italian Consulate directly since each Consulate can vary slightly the timing and scheduling of all the above.

OUR OFFICE PROVIDES TRANSLATION SERVICES. WE RECOMMEND YOU ALWAYS SPEAK WITH YOUR LOCAL ITALIAN CONSULATE AS PROCEDURES MAY VARY SLIGHTLY

RECEPTION

Certain couples require only an intimate champagne luncheon for two while others request a 12 course wedding banquet for 100. Menu printing, wine lists, seating arrangement, and finding the perfect setting - are some of the details involved in selecting a reception locations. Whether you decide on a simple champagne luncheon for two at an intimate restaurant or prefer to celebrate with a magnificent reception in the Great Hall of a Palace or Castle our staff will work with you on:

From sophisticated Northern Cuisine to rustic Tuscany country banquets, we cover all the bases to meet your requests.

Some sample menus: these are just to give you an idea - every location has many possibilities:

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