Here is a complete guide on how to elope in tuscany
Tuscany is a land of beauty, romance and beautiful landscapes and if you do decide to elope here, you surely won’t regret it! The nature of elopements is that they are tailor made and also yours can be. Whether you are for a romantic elopement, boho, chic or adventurous one, Tuscany has everything to offer to meet your wildest dreams.
Elopement means a “love escape to get married” and is a form of an intimate destination wedding in a location of your dreams. It means living a day of your life on your own terms and leaving everything behind. Whether just in two or with a handful of closest people, it’s becoming increasingly popular for the freedom it grants and the sense of adventure on your wedding day.
… and why in Tuscany?
Now, let’s jump into it!
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The good news is that you don’t have to live in Italy to get legally married here and there are two ways of eloping:
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Are you a food lover or do you seek an adventure? Would you like to drive around Tuscany on a Vespa or rather spend the day in a thermal spa? Define what your perfect day would look like and plan accordingly. There are infinite types of locations for elopement. You can get married in a rustic agriturismo or in the fields in the middle of nowhere. You can choose mountains, a beach, a vineyard or an olive grove. Narrow down your preferences and that will help you looking for the right location.
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Here are the most beautiful, in my opinion, locations to consider:
VAL D’ORCIA
Val d’Orcia is a valley in central Tuscany and if you’re looking for postcard Italy, this is where you’ll find it! Golden rolling hills, white cypress roads, romantic light and little cobblestone villages, it’s all here. In fact since 2024 Val d’Orcia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and locals feel very strongly about preserving it’s natural beauty and authenticity. You can choose whether to elope in the countryside with the fields in the backdrop or in one of the gorgeous little towns like Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino to name just a few. Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s where The Gladiator was filmed.
Around Siena
Equally beautiful to Val d’Orcia and a little less known (but just a little), the countryside around Siena is filled with picturesque corners for a scenic elopement. The area is home to countless rustic villas famous for destination weddings and elopements. If you’re after winding cypress roads and endless hills, you’ll find them here as well. A plus is the vicinity of Siena, one of the must-see cities in Tuscany, which itself is a fantastic location for an elopement or a post-elopement photo shoot. It has many cultural attractions and delicious restaurants that you could integrate into your elopement experience.
San Galgano Abbey
Would you like to feel like in a movie? Then San Galgano Abbey is your location. It’s a roofless cathedral located 34 km away from Siena. It’s poetic, timeless and romantic. Weddings and elopements are officially held here and you can choose whether to involve an officiant from the nearby Marriage Office to legalise your marriage or to have a symbolic ceremony.
Chianti
Are you a food and red wine lover? Then Chianti is your safe bet. At the very heart of Tuscany, it’s home to the world renowned Chianti wine and one of Italy’s most famous food and wine destinations. Combine your elopement with wine and olive oil tasting, cooking classes, road trip around endless vineyards and live an unforgettable experience in this world famous gem.
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Are you a foodie? Organise your elopement around delicious food and wine! Are you into nature, arts, music, photography, horse riding, vespas, canyoning… make your passions part of your big day and make it truly unforgettable. Your elopement doesn’t have to be just about getting married. You can integrate anything you can dream of into the day and make it an all-round experience. From a classical music concert to a hiking trip, Tuscany has a lot to offer to curious souls.
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Choose the season
SPRING is actually a perfect season for an elopement. From the middle of April to the middle of June the weather is glorious and it’s not so busy in Tuscany just yet. Even though it’s not the high season, it’s a very popular time of year for weddings and if you’d like to book a location, it’s best to plan a few months in advance.
SUMMER is the busiest season in Tuscany in terms of tourism. Even though many couples decide to get married in July and August, the temperatures get so high that enjoying the outdoors during the day may be challenging. Still, you can plan your elopement on a beach and go for a swim afterwards!
AUTUMN is also a popular season among couples who come to Tuscany to get married, but keep in mind that from the end of September the evenings start to become chilly and dining outdoors may be less pleasant. The days are also shorter and you may need to add an evening experience to your elopement if you want to take the most out of the day.
WINTER is definitely the least popular of all the seasons. In fact many locations close for the winter months and reopen for Easter. Yet, if you don’t mind cooler temperatures (by cooler I mean 5-10 degrees), mystic atmosphere and tourist attractions all to yourselves, then this is your safe bet! Winter in Tuscany is quite unpredictable, though. You may find bright sunny days with 18 degrees and you might get a week of rain. It’s a gamble.
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Are you an adventurous spirit? Make your elopement a thrilling experience! Apuan Alps is where you’ll find canyoning, rafting and paragliding. The seaside will grant you aquatic adventures. There are countless trekking and hiking trails all across Tuscany. Motor cross, quads, mountain bikes, horse back riding, they’re all a big thing in Tuscany. Your elopement day can be the most awesome day of your lives.
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Has Tuscany been on your bucket list for a long time? Or maybe you’ve been here already and come back time and time again because you love it so much? Tuscany is an absolutely fantastic destination for your honey moon so why not making it the extension of your elopement! There is a vast offer for both budget and luxury travellers and you can effortlessly make it a magical time of celebration.
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Your elopement attire will depend on how much adventuring you’d like to do on the day. Make sure that you can move freely and you can walk, sit down and climb the stairs effortlessly. Your comfort will have a huge influence on your mood and you don’t want to ruin your elopement day with inaccurate attire which looks stunning, but limits you.
THE BRIDE
If you’re wearing a dress, make sure it’s light and easy to walk in. Avoid a mermaid dress and tight skirts. If you’re eloping in spring or autumn, bring some extra layers to cover your back and shoulders. In summer bring a mosquito spray and sun screen.
THE GROOM
Similar rules apply when it comes to men. The groom’s attire should be comfortable, not too heavy for summer time and not too light for spring and autumn. The layers should be easy to take off and, please, remember to empty your pockets!
BOTH
What both of you have to absolutely remember about are comfortable shoes! Make sure you break them before your elopement, especially if you plan to walk a lot. Unless you plan to elope on the beach, then you can even come barefoot!
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Tuscany’s wedding market is rich in offer, but if there is somebody you’d particularly love to involve in your elopement, make sure to reach out to them as soon as you have the date and the location. In the past, weekdays were less popular, but nowadays couples get married from Monday to Sunday and it’s best to book early. Especially if you’re thinking about May-September months.
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The timeline will depend on the experiences you’d like to live on your dream day. Below you’ll find a couple of examples of a possibile elopement timeline.
Romantic Elopement
Adventurous Elopement
to sum up
There are many things to think about even though it’s not a big greek wedding. Make sure nothing escapes your attention and make a list of all the stages, vendors and experiences. Here is a short list of things that you should definitely have on your list:
I hope that you find this Elopement Guide insightful. Now that you have all the information in hand, you are ready to start planning your extraordinary elopement!
