How much does a destination wedding weekend in Italy really cost?
Short answer: it depends on where (costs in Lake Como is different from Puglia), how many guests, and what kind of weekend you want (string quartet and aperitivo on the lake vs late-night masseria party under the olives). Below is a no-nonsense guide with three sample budgets and easy ways to trim costs without losing the experience.
Why Como costs differ from Puglia’s
Lake Como is premium. Think iconic villas, boat transfers, strict sound rules, limited late-night options, and higher staffing costs. Beautiful… and pricey.
Puglia is value-with-charm. Masserias (farmhouse estates) often include more (spaces, furniture, power), have friendlier late-night policies, and vendors are generally less expensive than the north.
Italy also shifts by season (June–September is peak), day of week (weekends cost more), and access (boats on Como, coaches on country roads, etc.).
Sample budgets (realistic, not bare-minimum)
These examples show typical, good-quality weekends I plan. They exclude guest travel and guest hotel rooms (most couples let guests book their own). All figures in EUR and include an ~10% contingency.
1) Lake Como, 100 guests, classic weekend
Aperitivo by the water, elegant dinner, dancing within local sound rules
Venue (2-night buyout): €35,000
Catering (food + beverages, service) ~ €350 pp: €35,000
Rentals & production (tables, chairs, glassware, lighting, power): €18,000
Florals & décor (ceremony + dinner + details): €20,000
Music & entertainment (ceremony trio + DJ/AV): €9,000
Photography + video: €11,000
Planning & design (full service): €15,000
Transport (boats/coaches for guests): €8,000
Stationery, cake, permits, incidentals: €5,000
Contingency (10%): €15,600
Estimated total: €172,000
Where the money goes: the villa fee, professional F&B service, and production (power, lighting, boats) are the big drivers on Como.
2) Puglia, 80 guests, masseria weekend
Welcome pizza night, garden ceremony, long-table dinner, relaxed party
Venue/masseria (2-night buyout or exclusive fee): €18,000
Catering (food + beverages) ~ €200 pp: €16,000
Rentals & production (often partly included): €9,000
Florals & décor (impact moments + tables): €12,000
Music & entertainment (live + DJ/AV): €6,000
Photography + video: €9,000
Planning & design: €12,000
Transport (airport shuttles/local coaches): €4,000
Stationery, cake, incidentals: €4,000
Contingency (10%): €9,000
Estimated total: €99,000
Why it’s lower: inclusive venues, fewer logistics, longer party windows. You get atmosphere without heavy add-ons.
3) Lake Como, 30 guests, micro-wedding
Private villa/day hire, boat ride to dinner, intimate live music
Venue (day rental/smaller villa): €12,000
Catering (food + beverages) ~ €380 pp: €11,400
Rentals & production: €5,000
Florals & décor (focused, refined): €6,500
Music (string trio or solo + DJ/AV): €3,500
Photography + video: €8,500
Planning & design (scaled): €8,000
Boats/transport: €2,500
Stationery, cake, incidentals: €2,500
Contingency (10%): €6,000
Estimated total: €66,000
Note how guest count changes the maths fast (F&B, rentals, transport) while fixed costs (venue, creative team) don’t shrink as much.
What changes the budget quickest
Guest count: every 10 people adds meaningful F&B, rentals, service, and transport.
Build vs use-what’s-there: marquees, staging, extra power and late-night sound management add thousands.
Entertainment level: live band, extended backline, sound engineer vs a great DJ and a small live set.
Boat time on Como: magical, but charged by hour, boat size, and docking rules.
Season and day: Saturday in June is not Wednesday in October.
Design density: flowers everywhere vs concentrated “impact moments” (ceremony, head table, bar, entry).
Smart ways to trim (without it feeling “less”)
Shrink the guest list, not the dinner: keep a beautiful menu; reduce headcount.
Concentrate design: big ceremony moment, one hero table and a refined candlework beats “a little everywhere.”
DJ plus one live element: strings for ceremony or sax with the DJ at night instead of a full band.
Weekday/shoulder season: same venues, calmer vibe, lower minimums.
Choose inclusive venues: masserias with existing furniture/power save on rentals and generators.
Simplify logistics: one event location or walkable flow instead of boats/coaches /transfers.
Clear cut-off: in strict areas (Como), plan a stylish “last dance” instead of chasing fines.
What not to cut
Planning & on-site direction: this is what protects your budget, timeline and mood.
Lighting & sound tech: good audio and flattering light make photos, film and atmosphere.
Photography/film quality: you’re investing to remember it, this is not the line to squeeze.
Enough staff for service: thin staffing is where “luxury” feels… not luxury.
A quick note on fees & taxes
Italy often quotes plus VAT (typically 10–22%) and service on F&B. Ask for “all-in” figures when comparing. Delivery to remote properties, late-night labour, generator fuel and power distribution are common hidden lines, plan for them up front (that’s why I include a 10% contingency).
So… what should we budget?
For a classic 100-guest Como weekend, plan €160k–€200k all-in (excluding guest hotels/travel).
For an 80-guest Puglia masseria weekend, €90k–€120k is realistic for a refined, generous experience.
For a 30-guest Como micro-wedding, €60k–€80k covers something intimate and beautiful without heavy builds.
If your vision sits outside these examples (Amalfi cliff venues, Capri boats, Sicily estates, etc.), the same logic applies: location access, guest count, build level will decide your number.
Want a number tailored to you?
Tell me your guest count, preferred regions, and what the weekend should feel like. I will reply with a realistic country/venue shortlist, a budget sanity check, and a simple timeline from today to celebration day.
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