An Italian wedding brings together family, food, superstition and emotional moments. Although today’s celebrations have changed and every couple organises the ceremony in their own way, many traditional customs remain.
Some, such as the bouquet toss and first dance, also exist in other countries. Others are especially characteristic of Italy: the serenade, confetti, bomboniere, cutting the groom’s tie and the famous busta containing a gift for the newlyweds.
Below, we will discover what an Italian wedding is like and explore ten of its best-known traditions.
What is an Italian wedding like?
There is no single model for an Italian wedding. Customs vary according to the region, family and type of ceremony. However, many weddings include a civil or religious ceremony, a long reception, several toasts, music, dancing and strong participation from family and friends.
Food usually plays a central role. The reception may last several hours and include an aperitivo, different courses, dessert and a wedding cake. Speeches, jokes prepared by friends and small good-luck rituals are also common.
10 Italian wedding traditions and customs
1. The serenade before the wedding
The serenade is one of the most romantic Italian wedding traditions. On the night before the wedding, the groom sings or hires musicians to perform a song beneath the bride’s window.
This custom is particularly associated with central and southern Italy, although it is not celebrated in every region. The family and friends usually know about the surprise and wait together for the bride to appear at the window.
If you are interested in romantic declarations, you can also discover some Italian love poems.
2. The bride arrives a little late
According to an old popular belief, the bride should arrive a few minutes late to attract good luck and build anticipation before the ceremony.
Today, most couples try to keep to the schedule, and this is not a general rule. However, some families still accept a small delay as a symbolic part of the beginning of the celebration.
3. The procession, rice and cars honking their horns
The bride usually arrives with her father or another person close to her, while the groom waits at the ceremony venue. At some weddings, children take part in the procession by carrying the rings or scattering petals.
At the end of the ceremony, guests welcome the newlyweds by throwing rice over them, a gesture that traditionally symbolises abundance and prosperity.
The couple then travel to the reception accompanied by a procession of decorated cars. Honking the horns announces and shares the joy of the wedding. This scene is still particularly common in villages and small towns.
4. Cutting the groom’s tie
At some Italian weddings, the groom’s friends cut his tie into several pieces and symbolically offer them to guests in exchange for a small amount of money.
The money is given to the newlyweds to help with their honeymoon or the beginning of their life together. It is an informal, playful tradition, although many couples now choose not to include it.
5. The bride’s garter
Another traditional custom involves the garter worn by the bride under her dress. At some celebrations, the groom removes it during the party and throws it to the unmarried men as the male equivalent of the bouquet toss.
In other cases, it is kept as a souvenir or used in a game during the reception. As with cutting the tie, each couple now decides whether this tradition suits their style and comfort.
6. The bouquet toss
The bride turns her back and throws the bouquet towards a group of unmarried female guests. According to tradition, the person who catches it will be the next to marry.
Some brides order a second bouquet especially for this moment and keep the original as a souvenir. Others prefer to give it directly to someone special, such as a friend, their mother or grandmother.
7. Cutting the wedding cake
Cutting the cake is one of the most anticipated moments of the reception. The newlyweds hold the knife together and cut the first slice, symbolising the beginning of a shared life.
This moment may be accompanied by music, a group toast and even fireworks. The cake is then served to the guests alongside other sweets. You can discover more in my selection of typical traditional Italian desserts.
8. The newlyweds’ first dance
After the meal, the newlyweds open the dance floor with their first dance. The chosen song usually has a special meaning for the couple.
Family and friends join them shortly afterwards and the party begins. At many Italian weddings, the music combines current songs, Italian classics and popular favourites that bring different generations together on the dance floor.
9. Confetti and bomboniere
In Italian, confetti are not pieces of coloured paper but sugar-coated almonds. The newlyweds give them to their guests inside bomboniere, small keepsakes prepared to thank them for sharing the wedding day.
Traditionally, five confetti are given, representing health, wealth, happiness, fertility and a long life. Their number should be odd because it is considered indivisible, just as the couple’s union should be.
10. The cash gift: the busta
At many Italian weddings, guests give the newlyweds money inside an envelope, informally known as the busta.
Some couples prepare a box or discreet area where envelopes can be left during the reception. Bank transfers are also common today, but the busta remains a widespread alternative to a wedding gift list.
Typical Italian wedding phrases
If you have been invited to an Italian wedding or want to congratulate a couple, these expressions can be very useful.
Proposing marriage
- Vuoi sposarti con me? – Will you marry me?
- Mi vuoi sposare? – Will you marry me?
- Vuoi essere mia moglie? – Will you be my wife?
- Vuoi essere mio marito? – Will you be my husband?
- Sì, lo voglio – Yes, I do
During the ceremony
- Vi dichiaro marito e moglie – I now pronounce you husband and wife
- Vi dichiaro uniti in matrimonio – I now pronounce you married
- Accetti di prendere… come tuo legittimo sposo / tua legittima sposa? – Do you take… to be your lawful husband/wife?
- Con questo anello, ti sposo – With this ring, I marry you
- Prometto di esserti fedele, nella gioia e nel dolore – I promise to be faithful to you, in joy and in sorrow
- Finché morte non ci separi – Until death do us part
Congratulating the newlyweds
- Viva gli sposi! – Long live the newlyweds!
- Tanti auguri agli sposi! – Best wishes to the newlyweds!
- Congratulazioni! – Congratulations!
- Vi auguro tanta felicità – I wish you great happiness
- Che sia l’inizio di una vita meravigliosa insieme – May this be the beginning of a wonderful life together
Learn Italian through its culture
Italian weddings show how language, family and traditions are interconnected. From Viva gli sposi to confetti and the busta, each element also contains words and expressions that form part of the country’s culture.
In my online Italian lessons, we use real situations and cultural content to learn how to communicate naturally. This way, you can understand not only what Italians say, but also the customs and references behind their words.
