If you’re dreaming of a wedding with soul, flair, and undying romance, look no further than Italy. Italian weddings aren’t just events — they’re rituals steeped in symbolism, music, and deep familial ties. While even modern Italian couples tend to follow global trends, certain customs remain timeless — and irreplaceable. Here are three Italian wedding traditions you should know about.
1. The serenata: a love song beneath her balcony
“With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls, / For stony limits cannot hold love out; / And what love can do, that dares love attempt…”
Shakespeare gave Romeo the perfect line, but long before him Italians had already mastered the art of love beneath a window. The serenata is a centuries-old pre-wedding tradition, especially cherished in Southern Italy, where the groom surprises his bride-to-be with a musical declaration of love under her balcony. In medieval times, it was more than romance — it was strategy: a bold performance meant to win over not only the bride, but her entire family. Today, it’s all about pure, poetic romance.
2. Confetti — not the kind you throw!
In Italy, confetti doesn’t mean paper — it means sugared almonds. These sweets have been a fixture of Italian ceremonies since ancient Rome, when almonds were given as symbols of prosperity. The sugar coating was added much later, during the Renaissance, to soften the natural bitterness and make the gift more celebratory. Traditionally, five almonds are wrapped in tulle, tied with ribbon to represent five wishes — health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity — and given to guests as wedding favors.
3. The veil: a symbol of purity (and protection)
The bridal veil is a global tradition, but in Italy, its roots run deep. In ancient Roman times, brides wore bright yellow veils (flammeum) to ward off evil spirits. The veil later evolved under Christian influence to symbolize modesty and purity, often covering the bride’s face until the father lifted it during the ceremony. In Southern Italy especially, veils were long and elaborate, sometimes passed down for generations. They were also believed to protect brides from the malocchio — the evil eye — a superstition that still lingers in some rural communities.
Italian wedding traditions aren’t just quaint rituals — they’re rich in emotion, stunning in form, and rooted in culture. Whether you’re Italian by blood, marriage, or simply in love with the country’s charm, these customs bring more than aesthetic: they bring the weight of history. Incorporate them thoughtfully, and your wedding won’t just look beautiful — it will mean something.
