Civil Wedding

The majority of marriage ceremonies that we organise in Italy are civil ceremonies.
Your dreams and ideas regarding your wedding in Italy will determine the location for your wedding ceremony and based on our initial discussions with you, we will provide you with a selection of ceremony locations that we believe will best meet your requirements by taking into account the location of your reception venue and your ideas for the running of the day.
When you visit to select your wedding venue, we will also show you the various ceremony venues that would best work for you. Here are some ideas to help you get a better picture.
Civil Ceremony Locations on Lake Garda :
The most famous and sought after venue is the majestic castle in Malcesine overlooking the lake and with amazing views and atmosphere.
The picturesque historic lakeside town hall at Salò, with its grand staircase and frescoed ceiling.
You can also hold a civil ceremony on the exclusive Isola dela Garda (Garda Island) surrounded by Lake Garda and it’s stunning scenery.
The town hall in Bardolino set directly on the lakefront and with the colourful harbour as a backdrop.
Lonato's ancient hilltop castle with stunning views of the lake and surrounding countryside.
The stunning Wow factor historic tower venue in Gardone Riviera.
Many of our Lake Garda reception venue villas also hold a license to celebrate a legal civil ceremony. Ask us for further details .
Civil Ceremony Locations in Verona :
The famous Juliet's Balcony steeped in history and where we were first ever wedding planners to celebrate a civil ceremony here.
The stunning Palazzo Barbieri which is Verona's townhall and has stunning frescoes and the famousRoman  Arena as a backdrop.
Palazzo della Ragione with it's stunning staircase is right in the thriving heart of the city.
Many of our Verona reception venue villas also hold a license to celebrate a legal civil ceremony. Ask us for further details.
Civil Ceremony Locations in Le Marche :
The cloisters at our historic convent villa set in the shade of Gradaar's Castle is a stunning venue with sunsets to die for.
Cattolica's Historical Palace Townhall with it's sparkling fountains as a backdrop.
Legal Civil Ceremonies can also be performed on some of the beautiful sandy beaches in this area.
Many of our Marche reception venue villas also hold a license to celebrate a legal civil ceremony. Ask us for further details.
Civil Ceremony Locations in the Valpolicella Area :
Many of our reception villas in the Valpolicella area hold a license to celebrate a legal civil ceremony. Ask us for further details.
Wherever you decide to hold your civil ceremony in Italy, the paperwork required is the same and we will assist you every step of the way to make sure that everything runs smoothly with every last small detail covered.
The ceremony itself will be carried out by the local registrar in Italian and translated into English by myself.

Italy is notoriously a country of bureaucracy where huge amounts of paperwork are required for anything from applying for a driving licence to having gas or electricity connected in your home.
We often need to jump 5 times through a hoop backwards unravelling miles of red tape at the same time and tipping our cap as we smile sweetly at the right person in order to get there!!!
Organising Civil Wedding documents in Italy is surprisingly one of the easier things to achieve so don’t worry or listen to horror stories about it being impossible. In our hands, it is very straightforward having  many years experience with no hitches along the way.
We have excellent relationships with the British / Irish Embassies and Consulates here in Italy and with our local townhall officials who are extremely diligent and helpful.
It goes without saying that while this is the least exciting part of the preparations for your wedding it is the most important. You will receive an International Marriage Certificate after your ceremony.
Below is a step by step guide to completing your paperwork for your wedding in Italy.
This is the procedure that should be followed if both bride and groom are UK nationals living in the UK.
UK nationals residing somewhere else have different procedures to follow and it is now more complicated. Please contact me for further advice.
Irish nationals have yet another format to adhere to, please get in contact.
I frequently assist non british couples with their weddings in Italy and if this is your case please state this when you get in touch.
Step 1:
Obtain a certificate of no impediment
You will need to make an appointment at your local town hall/registry office to obtain a certificate of no impediment. The appointment should be NO MORE than 6 months before your wedding date if you are resident in the UK, 3 months if you are resident in Scotland
You need to obtain a certificate of no impediment which is issued in the UK. To do this you must give notice of marriage to your local registry office. After your notice has been posted for the required period of time you will be issued with a ‘Certificate of no impediment ‘ signed and dated by your local registrar. The names that you give to the registrar MUST match the names on your passports. Please take your passport with you to the registry office just to be sure.
Step 2:
The Statutory declaration
While you are waiting for your certificate of no impediment you should make a statutory declaration before a solicitor or public notary in the UK. You will be supplied with a prepared form to complete. Use this form please and insist with your solicitor if they resist.
The declaration is required by the Italian authorities and gives additional information that isn’t given on your certificate of no impediment. The solicitor or notary public will charge a fee for this service so it will be worth shopping around.
Step 3:
Legalising the documents for the Italian authorities
When you have your certificate of no impediment and you have made your statutory declaration you will need to send them both to the FCO legalisation office in Milton Keynes to be legalised, this can only be done by post, however an application form is to be filled in before posting the documents. There is a cost for legalising the documents, please check the link for updated prices and methods of payment.
Your legalised documents are returned to you by post, there will be a charge for this.
Step 4
Send the documents to Italy
Send me the documents that have been returned to you from Milton Keynes, along with a photocopy of yours and your witness passports. If possible please send these by registered post or even better by courier service.
Step 5
Translation of your certificate of no impediment.
This will be done by ourselves at Dream Academy and I will then take them to the Italian law courts on your behalf where it will have an Italian equivalent apostle. There will be a small cost for the various stamps required and I will advise you at the time.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Under Italian law , if the bride has been divorced and wishes to re-marry in Italy,  300 days must have passed from the date of her divorce.
You must be over 18 to get married in Italy.You must have 2 witnesses who must also be over 18.
The above is only a guideline to give you an idea but don't worry as I will send you a very detailed list of what to do.
I will be with you every step of the way to ensure it is an easy process and without having to jump through too many hoops!That's Amore !