Elopement wedding in Italy: the must have in your suitcase!
What to pack if you are planning an elopement wedding in Italy? Here are my practical tips.
There is nothing more romantic than organizing a sweet getaway for two, the ultimate goal of which is marriage. And if the destination is my beloved Italy, everything becomes even more special and magical. Yes, today we still talk about elopement weddings, or super intimate weddings in which the bride and groom are alone, without guests and often even without witnesses (or they are a couple of friends, who then share the Italian experience with you), to get married intimately and then enjoy the beauty of the honeymoon, visiting the most spectacular places in the country chosen for destination wedding. And Italy, believe me, is very rich of these amazing places!
However, what to pack for an unforgettable elopement wedding? Because in this case, the fulcrum of everything is the ceremony, which is short, but above all everything is played on the photo shoot, of which the protagonists are you and your love story. Not to mention the honeymoon, a real holiday experience, often a few weeks long.
Here I will give you some practical advice on what to pack; if you want some suggestions on what to visit in Italy, especially in the lake areas of Northern Italy (my chosen areas), then I suggest you to read this other post of mine.
The elopement wedding is a very intimate wedding, in which only and exclusively the spouses take part and with the presence of their witnesses when required by the law or very few friends. If you have chosen Italy as a destination for your elopement wedding, here’s what to pack.
- The ceremonial dresses
It seems obvious, but the first thing to put in your suitcase is the wedding dress, the matching shoes and everything you need for the ceremony: the shrug, the tiara, the headband or the veil. For him, in the same way, the suit, tie, shoes, cane or top hat (if required by the outfit). If, on the other hand, you have had your clothes made in an on-site atelier, you will not have this thought, because they will be waiting for you – together with me! – directly to the place chosen for the ceremony, together with the bouquet. But you will still have to think about the rest of the suitcase!
- The props for the photo shoot
An elopement wedding does not include a reception or a post-ceremony party, as usually the departure for the honeymoon is scheduled … immediately! So I advise you to invest everything in a nice pre and post ceremony photo shoot, which tells a lot about you, your personal story and love. So, remember to pack everything that contributes to the story: if you met in Africa, during a safari, bring the Indiana Jones hat you wore that day; did you give yourself your first kiss at Christmas? Bring the Christmas sweaters you were wearing on that occasion. Did your grandmother give you her engagement ring? Don’t forget to wear it during the shooting. There is only you and your love story: tell it with all the memories and emotions you have.
- The must haves for a holiday
Finally, pack everything you need for a long and adventurous holiday in your suitcase. So, a light luggage, full of versatile clothing that can be reused in a thousand ways.
Green light to caftans and sarongs, which can become skirts or dresses depending on how they are worn; yes to light and comfortable dresses, perfect with both sneakers and heels. Yes to a pair of jeans and two pairs of trousers in breathable and natural fabrics (such as cotton and linen), a pair of T-shirts and shirts, perfect for both walks and also for visiting places of worship. As for the shoes, flip flops for the beach, a pair of sandals for the evening and for the day, comfortable shoes like sneakers to walk without problems. Finally, pack a pair of swimsuits, sunglasses (in Italy sun is blinding!), sunscreen and a hat to protect your head, with a wide brim, if you feel like a real diva!
And if you want some advice on which places to visit in Italy, especially in the North, where I live and work, I will be happy to give you some advice on places not to be missed, as well as organizing an elopement wedding for you that you will not forget.
Photo credit @stil
