How is the Italian Civil Wedding?

 THE ITALIAN CIVIL WEDDING IN THE RIVIERA

Many and many couples decide to have their wedding in Italy and many now choose the romantic and charming Italian Riviera, but often both bride and groom do not know how the rite goes on and having a quick description of it will help them to understand better what is awaiting them.

If you are going to get married in one of the tiny villages of the Italian riviera, being Monterosso or Riomaggiore, Vernazza or Portovenere you have to know that probably your best choice it to rely on a trustful local wedding planner. Only a local could know all the tricks and wits of this curios and still old-time place.

After preparing all the documentation during the months before the event, the couple arrives in Cinque Terre Riviera. If they are staying in a villa, hotel or apartment, they will probably met on the day of arrival by their wedding planner, so to organize all last appointments before the great day.

 On the day of the declaration, the wedding planner will meet the couple at their hotel or apartment or in front of the Town Hall. This is really a a moment of great excitement, because what has been planned for months is finally getting closer! The planner/interpreter accompanies the couple to an informal room inside the Town Hall, where the details are handled. No need to be dressed up yet! Very often, this “papers” rooms are very chaotic and full of documents in Italy, so this is really an informal part, but necessary to put the gear on.

Depending on the country of origin of the couple, there are different rules for these procedures. For some nationalities, the wedding planner will have provided the Town Hall with all the required documents. Those couples only need to bring their valid passports with them. For other nationalities, where part of the documents must be prepared in the couple’s country, the couple must bring those specific papers along with their passports. See our Guidelines Blog for more info.

The declaration is made in front of a Registrar, who reads it in Italian. Then it is translated by the interpreter, who has sworn to fulfill her task “well and faithfully”. The text is very simple. It confirms the will of the betrothed to be married in a Town Hall (without banns, since they do not reside in Italy). The particular data of the bride and groom are on it. At that time the document is checked for accuracy and spelling. Names must correspond to those on the passports, including middle names, since they will be copied on to the final wedding certificate. So, spelling is very important. The city of residence is also indicated there, as well as the date and place of birth of the couple. Please, check everything before signing, since this would prevent future mistakes and cause invalidation of the wedding act.

Then, the couple affirms that there are no impediments to their wedding. All “articles of law” are read aloud and translated, and you must attest to such things as not being close blood relatives, having no mental illness, etc! At this point, the certificate will be signed by all present. It takes less than half an hour. At this point half of the path has been done and people exit the registrar office with a sense of relief.

Once this step is over, the wedding planner and the couple move on to appointments – perhaps the hair dresser and make-up artist or the catering company for last details on food and table setting -  there’s always something to do as a last minute arrangements, since wedding couple and wedding planner probably just met, even though they had a long lasting correspondence during the previous months.

Bride and groom have so many questions and things to see since sometimes they barely know the area.

Most lucky and well organized ones have free time to enjoy some sightseeing, bask in the Italian sun, and relish Italian food!

Finally, the day of the wedding arrives! The bride and groom make their way to the Town Hall. Usually, the groom and guests are there 15 to 20 minutes in advance. They meet the wedding planner/interpreter outside and head up to the Hall where the ceremony will take place. The Mayor or another officer, who represents the Mayor, will be present, in official dress. He/she will be bearing the traditional stripe bearing the colors of the Italian flag.

After the bride has made her entrance, the three articles of law from the Civil Code of the Republic of Italy, (with the translation of the interpreter) which relate to mutual rights and duties of married couples will be recited. Then the final certificate will be signed. The exchange of vows and rings comes next.

In most cases, couples choose to have some live music such as a violinist, a flutist or a soprano or just an iPod playing their beloved songs. The Town Hall usually do not provide recorded music, so, if wedding couple like to have a wedding march for the entrance of the bride and another piece for the signing of the deed, please request this in advance. The whole ceremony lasts about half an hour. Some celebrants like to do a little speech offering their best wishes, which might increase the amount of time a bit. Then, off to wedding meal or reception!

If the wedding couple is accompanied by guests and relatives, usually they precede the wedding couple to the exit, so that they are ready to throw dry rice, pasta or flower petals such as lavender to Mrs. & Mr. Newlywed!

If the photographer and videographer are present, they will continue taking the last shots with the Mayor, and outside the Town Hall.

For those choosing a no frill and cheap wedding La Spezia Town Hall is perfect for doing the rite and the gardens and the marina close to it are really gorgeous to take a fantastic photographic service. Then Cinque Terre and Portovenere can be easily reached by boat (if the weather is nice) or by car and, in case of Cinque Terre villages, even by train.