James Atkinson and Samantha Fortino recently explored Tuscan vineyards, learning to make pasta and bolognese sauce alongside family and friends in Florence.
Atkinson found himself drawn to Chianti, while Fortino seemed to have a soft spot for Hugo Splitz during their time in Italy.
Over the last ten years, Italy has hosted numerous glamorous weddings. A notable recent event was the lavish festival for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice.
Outside of celebrity extravaganzas, an increasing number of everyday Americans have been choosing Italy for their special celebrations.
“A wedding in America can feel a bit too extravagant and impersonal,” Fortino, 28, a newborn nurse from Skaneateles, New York, shared. “We wanted something more intimate and significant.”
Recent research from the Florence Tourism Research Center indicates that over 15,000 foreign couples tied the knot in Italy last year, marking a 64% increase since the pandemic. U.S. couples represented nearly a third of that number.
According to The Knot, a wedding planning site, Italy has emerged as the top international choice for post-Mexico American weddings.
For many Americans, Italy symbolizes a charming, romantic experience reminiscent of a bygone era. The pleasant weather and breathtaking landscapes—from coastal views to mountainous backdrops—add to its appeal.
The cuisine is both familiar and delightful for many. However, a significant factor driving this trend might be the numerous opportunities for unique excursions combined with wedding festivities, tapping into a growing consumer preference for experiences.
“In the U.S., things tend to be pricier for just one night, so I opted for a two-night stay to gather experiences,” Atkinson, 31, who owns a business, remarked. “Traveling with family and loved ones holds more value for us.”
“No one will cancel”
Guests unfamiliar with Italy were hesitant to inquire about the invitation but ended up joining a side trip to Venice and subsequently Cinque Terre with the wedding party. Gary Prochina, who often found his work commitments overwhelming at his paving company, managed to join just in time to help with the venue’s flooring. The 15th-century villa offered stunning views of Florence and its iconic Duomo.
“I got married in the U.S. and thought our venue was fantastic, but now I realize it was just a different experience,” Prochina, 68, reflected.
Mercy Blum, a well-known event planner based in Manhattan, mentioned that nearly 90% of her weddings are held in Italy.
“Italy is popular because it’s where your guests want to go,” she noted. “We can send invitations for weddings in places like Capri or Positano, and everybody wants to be there. They won’t cancel.”
Jack Ezon, CEO of Embark Beyond—a luxury travel and destination event service—said that before the pandemic, 60% of his events took place outside the U.S. Now it’s around 90%, with most events divided between Italy and France.
The tariff concerns during Donald Trump’s presidency also sparked an interest in destination weddings.
Ezon relocated six events from the U.S. to Europe this year, largely due to anxiety about potential tariffs inflating bar bills.
Cost comparison
This shift towards destination weddings has enhanced planners’ connections with Italian vendors. A group that organized Atkinson’s wedding, Wedding Italy, revealed that American clients typically spend three times as much as Italians on weddings, often due to more elaborate decorations and events.
According to The Knot, the average wedding expense in the U.S. last year was around $32,000.
In contrast, weddings in Italy generally cost about $70,600 and often involve numerous guests, as highlighted by the Florence tourism research.
In the garden where the Atkinsons celebrated, cypress trees swayed gently as Samantha, wearing a stunning lace mermaid gown, walked down the aisle. The Star Wars theme played, adding a unique touch to the moment.
Sneaking a tear from the groom was her clever trick, and it worked effortlessly.
Before the rings were exchanged, their officiant humorously quipped, “Traditionally, we would ask if anyone objects to this union. But since we’ve all made it to Italy, no one’s going to say anything!”
Cheers erupted all around.
