Are you about to say yes, but haven’t yet decided on the date and location of the wedding?!
Florence is not only a renowned tourist and cultural destination, but a fairytale setting for a dream wedding: the Florentine city is in brimming with wonderful churches and extraordinary villas, but if you prefer the landscape, the Chianti, the Val d’Orcia and Mugello will be the ideal backdrop!
In this article we will discover the picture-perfect wedding venues… idyllic locations for religious and civil rites, but also endless landscapes awash with breathtaking views where you can say your vows, without forgetting the inevitable behind-the-scenes artists of your day: florist, photographer and wedding planner.
If there is anyone among you that believes this article should not take place, speak now or forever hold your peace!
Get married at the city hall in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
The Prior’s Palace was built by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1299 as the headquarters of the Priors of the Republic of Florence. Better known as Palazzo della Signoria, in 1540 it became the second dwelling of Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo. Its name became therefore Ducal Palace. Later, when Eleanor of Toledo purchased Pitti Palace in 1549, on the other bank of Arno river, the Medici family moved to the new palace, and the Ducal Palace became the “old palace”. Hence its present-day name: Palazzo Vecchio. In 1865 Florence became Italy’s capital and Palazzo Vecchio was the Parliament’s seat. Palazzo Vecchio is the city hall of Florence since 1872.
If you would like to get married at the city hall, you can celebrate your wedding in the Room of Cosimo I, known as the Sala Rossa of Palazzo Vecchio.
Photo: Polina Razumovksaya for Elena Golina’s wedding, a colleague and tour guide in Florence
For those citizens residing in Florence the civil marriage in the Sala Rossa of Palazzo Vecchio is free of charge on particular days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, in the morning only.
For no-residing citizens, it is necessary to pay a rate which can vary according to your city of residence.
If you don’t like the Sala Rossa, it is possible to celebrate the marriage in other rooms of Palazzo Vecchio, such as the Room of Lorenzo, the Hall of 500, and the Lilies Room. It is essential to check the availibility, the dates and the opening times in advance.
If you prefer an outdoor ceremony, you can ask at the city hall of Palazzo Vecchio and get the permission to get married in the Roses Garden in Florence or at Villa Vogel.
Photo: Polina Razumovksaya for Elena Golina’s wedding, a colleague and tour guide in Florence
Photo: Polina Razumovksaya for Elena Golina’s wedding, a colleague and tour guide in Florence
Where to get married in Florence: the churches
In Florence you are spoiled for choice.
Getting married in the Duomo is certainly a difficult undertaking, but why not try? The first stone of Santa Maria del Fiore was laid on 8th September 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio. The construction site of the Duomo lasted for centuries: after all, in the 13th century Florence had around 95,000 inhabitants, of which 1/3 worked in the wool trade. The Florentine people were eager to build a grandiose cathedral, of monumental size: 153 meters in length. The dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi between 1420 and 1436, the gilded copper ball was placed by Verrocchio above the lantern in 1472. The façade was completed by Emilio de Fabris only between 1871 and 1887. A centuries-old and glorious history for one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.
The Duomo is followed by several churches replete with extraordinary works of art, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella which houses the Crucifix painted by Giotto, the Trinity by Masaccio, the Crucifix sculpted by Filippo Brunelleschi and the main chapel frescoed by Ghirlandaio. The beautiful façade in marble inlays was completed by Leon Battista Alberti for Giovanni Rucellai in 1470.
The Basilica of Santa Croce was founded by the Franciscan order in the 13th century; also in this case the construction is due to Arnolfo di Cambio. The Basilica of Santa Croce is famous not only for its splendid works of art, such as the Cavalcanti Annunciation and Donatello’s Crucifix, but also for being the illustrious pantheon of the most famous Italians. In fact, Michelangelo, Galileo, Niccolò Macchiavelli, Vittorio Alfieri, just to name a few, are buried here.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo is the oldest church in Florence, consecrated by Bishop Sant’Ambrogio of Milan in 393 AD. Restored by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1420-1430 for the Medici family, it houses the tombs of the first members of the dynasty, including Giovanni di Bicci, Cosimo the Elder and Piero the Gouty.
The Basilica of Santissima Annunziata is a magnificent baroque church. Preceded by the famous Cloister of the Vows frescoed by Andrea del Sarto, Franciabigio, Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino, it is the most sumptuous church in Florence. The extraordinary dome was built by Leon Battista Alberti in the 15th century and painted by Volterrano between 1680 and 1683.
At the opposite ends of Via Tornabuoni there are two churches more: San Michele and San Gaetano, of the Theatine order, with baroque interiors, and Santa Trinita, of the Vallombrosan order, founded in the Middle Ages in Gothic forms and then remodeled in mannerist style by Bernardo Buontalenti. Santa Trinita houses notable frescoes by Ghirlandaio in the Sassetti Chapel.
Other churches slightly off the beaten track are the Badia Fiorentina, Santi Apostoli, Santa Felicita, Santo Spirito and Ognissanti.
In the Pandolfini Chapel of the Badia Fiorentina, Dante Alighieri’s “Commedia” was read to the public by Boccaccio for the first time in history. On that occasion, it was Boccaccio himself who added the adjective “divine”.
In the Church of Santi Apostoli the historic stones of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem are preserved, donated by Goffredo di Buglione to Pazzino de’ Pazzi, a Florentine knight, during the first crusade in 1099, to pay homage to his courage.
Santa Felicita, beyond the Arno river, was one of the first churches founded in Florence; it preserves an altarpiece by Pontormo, a masterful example of the mannerist style, and has the particularity of being crossed by the Vasarian Corridor.
Santo Spirito, also beyond the Arno, was Filippo Brunelleschi’s last work. It has 40 chapels, and in the Sacristy it houses the Crucifix sculpted by Michelangelo in thanks to Prior Bichiellini who hosted him in 1494 after the second exile of the Medici.
Ognissanti, finally, is the church where Simonetta Vespucci and Sandro Botticelli are buried.
But the most popular church for weddings in Florence is the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. Founded in 1018 in an elevated position on the Monte delle Croci, in the place indicated by San Miniato (persecuted and beheaded in the 3rd century AD), it boasts a fine floor in marble inlays dated 1207. The view extends over Florence, just a few steps from the famous Piazzale Michelangelo.
In the outskirts of Florence do not forget:
- the Certosa di Galluzzo, entrusted by the Acciaiuoli family in the 14th century;
- the Badia a Passignano, where the painter Ghirlandaio painted the Last Supper ;
- San Martino a Mensola, founded by Andrew the Scot in ancient times;
- the Santuario di Montesenario in Bivigliano, in the Mugello, founded by the order of the Servi di Maria, 817 meters above sea level (coolness is guaranteed in summer too!). Do not miss to taste the “Gemma d’Abete”, the local liqueur produced by the friars!
Photo: Leonardo Giannini
Photo: Leonardo Giannini
Where to get married in Florence and in Tuscany: the villas
If you prefer a civil ceremony in an elegant and refined setting, overlooking the Florentine hills, suspended between sky and vineyards, Florence and Tuscany will not disappoint you.
Here is a personal selection, divided by geographical criteria, of the most beautiful villas in Florence and Tuscany where to get married.
NB: choosing was very difficult, I apologize in advance for the locations that I was unable to name… but an article in a blog certainly cannot be enough to list all the wonders that there are in this region!!! For space reasons, the coast of Tuscany, the Maremma, the Casentino and the province of Pisa are therefore missing. Thank you for your understanding.😊
FIESOLE
Belmond Villa San Michele: former Franciscan monastery, then property of the Davanzati family, today a prestigious luxury hotel of incomparable charm. The most elegant and classy location in Fiesole, a few steps from Villa Medici, a UNESCO heritage site, and the archaeological site.
SETTIGNANO
Villa Gamberaia: former possession of the fathers of San Martino a Mensola, birthplace of the sculptors Antonio and Bernardo Rossellino, home of Andrea Zanobi di Lapi, then residence of the famous Romanian princess Jeanne Catherine Ghyka Keshko, today the private property of the Marquis Zalum. Villa Gamberaia is a historic residence of significant importance, a member of the Grandi Giardini Italiani and a location of absolute elegance.
VALDARNO
Torre a Cona: the first settlement dates back to 1066, when it was known as Quona Castle. Destroyed in the following centuries – with the exception of the tower – it was rebuilt until 1750, when it became known as Tenuta di Torre a Cona. Today it is a splendid historic villa located about 300 meters above sea level, a few steps from Florence, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, cypresses and splendid Italian gardens.
CARMIGNANO
Tenuta di Artimino: also called Villa dei Cento Camini, it was the ancient Villa La Ferdinanda, a Medici villa and a UNESCO heritage site since 2013. In 1596 Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici commissioned the villa from Bernardo Buontalenti. Born as a hunting lodge, in 1608 it hosted Galileo Galilei. Curiosity: in the kitchens of the Cantine Granducali, an ancient rotisserie based on a design by Leonardo Da Vinci is on display.
MUGELLO
Villa di Bivigliano: reaching the villa is already an experience in itself. The cypress avenue stands out magnificently among the Mugello hills and accompanies the bride and groom step by step. The villa, designed by Buontalenti, was the home of the Ginori and then of the Pozzolini family, the current owners. Surrounded by a vast forest, it offers a formal Italian garden adorned with a fountain, a pergola, an orchard and a wonderful view, ideal for contemplation.
CHIANTI
Villa Le Barone: enchanting hotel in Panzano in Chianti, it welcomes newlyweds for its family intimacy, the romanticism of the furnishings in the bedrooms, the excellent cuisine, the local history, and the relaxing landscape that touches and cradles the heart.
LUCCHESIA
Villa Grabau: celebrating the wedding banquet in the superb Limonaia of Villa Grabau is an unforgettable experience. Equipped with a vast English-style botanical park, Villa Grabau was built at the end of the sixteenth century and then renovated in neoclassical style during the nineteenth century. The Limonaia is the most original in all of Tuscany: seven ashlar portals, seven oval windows, Pompeian red plaster: inside it houses a wall fountain with the head of Bacchus.
SENESE
Villa Cetinale: let’s conclude this exciting overview of dream locations with Villa Cetinale, a true institution when it comes to weddings. Commissioned by Cardinal Flavio Chigi in 1680 to the architect Carlo Fontana, a pupil of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Villa Cetinale offers formal gardens adorned with statues and lemon basins and a superb cypress avenue that leads up to the Scala Santa, where, after a climb of 300 very steep steps, you reach the Romitorio, in a symbolic ascending path of purification from the sins of earthly life.
The sin, in this case, would be to miss the opportunity to get married in that jewel that is Villa Cetinale…
Wedding in Florence and in Tuscany: the florist
Barbara, Cristina and Sabine are the florists of Fiorilandia, the reference floral boutique in Mugello. Fiorilandia shop is located in Piazza Giotto, in Vicchio, and always offers the right answer to your needs! Barbara follows the requests for floral arrangements for your wedding, listens to your wishes and truly knows how to interpret them perfectly. It was Fiorilandia that I turned to for my wedding! 😊
Wedding in Florence and in Tuscany: the photographer
A name, a guarantee: Leonardo Giannini!
Leonardo in a nutshell: photographic studio in Barberino di Mugello since 2004, passion for chiaroscuro (I find him a little Flemish, a little Caravaggio!), obsession with windows 😊
Leonardo Giannini is an ENAC authorized pilot, offering aerial photography and video services. He has worked for RAI, Expomeeting, Sirti, RIFLE, Bahia Cafè, OXO Italia, Sailing Challenge, Cieli di Toscana, COOP, Comitato Organizzatore Toscana 2013 Ciclismo, Comune di Firenze, Anni Azzurri, PAMAPI (Centro abilitativo per disturbi di spettro autistico), Marzocco, KOS Group, Hotel Brunelleschi Firenze, Catalyst, BMG Barberino Designer Outlet. He can work everywhere in Tuscany.
Photo: Leonardo Giannini
Wedding in Florence and in Tuscany: the wedding planner
Experience, passion, listening, attention to detail, refinement and professionalism: these are the tenets of Serena Bezzo, a young and skilled Italian wedding planner.
Graduated as a wedding planner in Milan, she specialized in destination weddings and in recent years she has organized wedding ceremonies in Cortina, Taormina and Venice (you can admire her setups on her website). Recently her area of action has moved to Tuscany, where she operates mainly between Florence and Siena.
Little time available and too many things to think about? Let a professional in the sector take care of everything for you: you won’t regret it!
Wedding setup in Taormina, Serena Bezzo Wedding Planner.
Photo: Matteo Michelino, Michelino Studio.
I hope this article was useful and you enjoyed it, I wish you a splendid wedding in Florence and Tuscany!
Useful links:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Fiorilandia-100063747570547/
https://www.leonardogiannini.it/
