Planning a classic style wedding requires a perfect balance of tradition, elegance and authenticity. A classic Italian wedding is the epitome of tradition, elegance and family warmth. It is an event that encapsulates the essence of Italian culture, interweaving centuries-old rituals, extraordinary food and breathtaking scenery.

Location and Atmosphere:
The first step is to choose the location, which plays a key role in an Italian wedding.

After the ceremony, guests move to a location, which is usually an elegant villa, castle or farmhouse nestled in the countryside. The hills of Tuscany or the coast of Sicily are among the favorite choices for these celebrations. These locations, with their rustic or aristocratic charm, provide the perfect backdrop for an Italian-style reception .Options range from ancient villas, historic castles, medieval villages, to vineyards or agritourisms nestled in the countryside. Each choice contributes to the typical Italian atmosphere, full of charm and history. Settings with classical architecture, lush gardens and panoramic views are ideal for a timeless touch.

Ceremony:
In many cases, the traditional Italian wedding is celebrated with a religious rite, often in a historic church. Couples who choose this route marry in front of spectacular frescoes and sacred artwork, adding a note of solemnity and beauty to the ceremony. Churches, from grand cathedrals to intimate chapels, are places steeped in history, where the sacredness and symbolism of marriage are deeply felt.

The ceremony often takes place in a historic church, for those who opt for a religious ceremony, or in an outdoor space with breathtaking views, if a civil ceremony is preferred. Italian churches, with their centuries-old frescoes and decorations, lend the ceremony an aura of solemnity and beauty.

The bride's entrance is a highlight: traditionally, she arrives accompanied by her father, while the groom waits excitedly for her at the altar. The bride wears an elegant gown, often in lace or silk, with a refined and timeless style. The groom also stands out in a classic dark suit, perhaps a tailored suit, enhanced by understated but high-quality accessories.

Decorations:
Decorations should evoke the elegance and simplicity of Italian design. Neutral colors such as white, ivory, and cream predominate, enhanced by touches of olive green and gold. Floral arrangements, with roses, peonies, and olive trees, are arranged with understated and refined taste. Handcrafted details such as linen tablecloths, fine ceramics, and crystals complete the arrangements.

Food and Wine:
The Italian wedding banquet is a culinary experience that celebrates the flavors of tradition. Food is undoubtedly one of the central elements of a classic Italian wedding. Lunch or dinner is long and hearty, often with a multi-course menu that celebrates local flavors and regional culinary traditions. The menu includes several courses, starting with an aperitif rich in local products such as cheeses, cold cuts and focaccia, followed by first courses such as fresh pasta or risotto, main courses of meat or fish , all accompanied by fine wines, such as Chianti in Tuscany or Nerello Mascalese or Nero D'Avola in Sicily, and no doubt Prosecco cannot be missed.

A classic Italian seafood wedding menu reflects the richness of regional culinary traditions and the quality of seafood. Here is a typical sequence of courses for an elegant and refined wedding banquet:

Aperitifs and Appetizers

The aperitif is an informal moment that introduces guests to the banquet, often accompanied by bubbles, such as Prosecco or Franciacorta, and seafood finger foods. Appetizers offer a variety of flavors and textures.

• Seafood crudités: Oysters, shrimp, tuna, swordfish or salmon carpaccio.
• Seafood salad: Squid, octopus and shrimp dressed with olive oil, lemon and parsley.
• Sarde a beccafico or marinated anchovies: Sicilian or Campanian specialties with Mediterranean accents.
• Battered codfish or mixed fritters.
• Marinated shrimp or mussels in a guazzetto sauce

First Dishes

Seafood-based pasta dishes are often the heart of the feast, with pasta and rice becoming the stars accompanied by seafood ingredients.

• Seafood Risotto: A classic of Italian cuisine, with clams, mussels, shrimp and squid.
• Linguine allo scoglio: A flavorful long pasta dish with a light tomato sauce and shellfish.
• Paccheri with swordfish ragu and eggplant: A typical seafood dish from southern Italy.
• Trofie with pesto and shrimp: A dish that combines the freshness of Ligurian pesto with the delicacy of shrimp.

Main Dishes

Main courses are more structured dishes, often accompanied by light side dishes such as grilled vegetables or fresh salads.

• Mixed fish grill: Grilled sea bass, sea bream, king prawns, scampi and squid, served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon.
• Sea bass in salt: An elegant dish in which the fish is cooked under a salt crust, which preserves its tenderness and flavors.
• Sea bream fillet in potato crust: A refined variation, with the fish made crispy by potato slices.
• Roasted octopus: Served on a bed of mashed potatoes and topped with oil and parsley.

Side dishes

Side dishes are simple and fresh to accompany the delicate flavors of the fish.

• Seasonal salad: With fresh vegetables, perhaps with added citrus for a touch of acidity.
• Grilled vegetables: Zucchini, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.

Sweets and Desserts

After the fish, we move on to typical Italian desserts, which end the banquet on a high note.

• Wedding cake: Often made of sponge cake, chantilly cream and fresh fruit.
• Lemon sorbet: To refresh the palate, before or after dessert.
• Small pastries: Sicilian cannoli, cream puffs, chocolate pastries, and fresh seasonal fruits such as strawberries or figs.

Music and Entertainment:
To complete the atmosphere, live music is a winning choice. Groups playing classical, jazz, or traditional Italian music such as tarantellas and Neapolitan songs provide an authentic touch. . After the banquet, the bride and groom and guests go wild with dancing that can range from classic Italian music, such as tunes by Eros Ramazzotti or Andrea Bocelli, to traditional local tunes. At many weddings, the tarantella is a must-have moment, a folkloric dance that brings all the guests together in a whirlwind of energy and fun. The bride and groom can close the evening with a dance under the stars, surrounded by friends and family

Dresses:
Dresses reflect the understated and elegant style of the classic Italian wedding. The bride usually opts for a silk or lace dress with clean lines and romantic details, while the groom wears an elegant dark suit, often accompanied by an Italian silk bow tie or tie.

To finish:

Among the details that characterize a classic Italian wedding are confetti, small almond- or chocolate-based sweets that are given to guests as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In addition, there is no shortage of toasts with sparkling wine or prosecco, and the traditional tossing of the bouquet, a ritual in which unmarried women vie for the bride-to-be's symbol.