Best Places to Elope in italy!
- fcavalcantiphoto
- Nov 27, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
So you've decided to get married in Italy but don't know where? Search no more! I’ve been photographing elopements and helping couples to tie the knot for 8 years and I'm really pleased to share some of my favorite locations with you to 'say yes'! Grab a piece of paper, a pen and a glass of wine and enjoy the read!
Italy is a beautiful country with all kind of landscapes ideal for doing an elopement. In here you can easily find mountains, hills, lakes, beaches; a rich range of different scenarios that will certainly give you breathtaking and bespoke ceremonies. In fact, it can be overwhelming since you can easily get lost among all the options. So how to begin? Start with "where I would like to be when I say yes?". The answer might give you a hint to start your search.
I have separated in this article three locations that I considered the most unique ones for elopements: Lake Como, Tuscany and The Dolomites.
Lake Como
If you're looking for classic, elegance and more luxurious experience yet with an intimate backdrop then this is your place! An exceptional option for couples who seeks for an exclusive scenery, Lake Como is one of the world's most iconic location known by its charming lakeside villages and historic villas.
An elopement in Lake Como allows you to design a personalised ceremony held in stunning venues like Villa Monastero, Villa del Balbianello and Villa d'Este, many of it have been featured in films and commercials. Some of them are private and open just for visit and others offers also hotel-style services allowing guests to stay. In any case, you won't have problems when looking for hotels at Lake Como as the villages around it have plenty of good options.
If you want to see more about an elopement at Lake Como have a look at Marcela and Eduardo Elopement featured on my Love Stories session.
Besides the ceremony, the bride and groom can enjoy a private classic boat tour around the lake while doing the couple photo shooting. It is a magical and unique experience! A valuable information you should know before booking it: if it rains the boat won't go out so check the weather before to ensure you won't have any problems.
If you want to know more about the boat tour, access the Lake Como Boat website for more details regarding availability, duration and prices. And if you still need help drop me a message here! I'll be pleased to assist you and capture your dreaming boat experience!
At this point you might be wondering how to arrive at Lake Como and which are the best options to do it. It is easily reachable either by car or train since it is roughly one hour away from Milan. The two main train stations in Como are Como San Giovanni (Western Shore Access) and Como Lago (Central Como Access). A third option would be Varenna-Esino (Central Lake access) in Varenna where you cal also get the boat. For train tickets, availability and timetable check the Trenitalia website.
I strongly recommend before you book any kind of transport to carefully plan your stay and experience in advance as it might be tricky regarding to walk distances and/or accessing the villages around the Lake. Some of them are only reachable by car, ferry or bus and depending on the season, the traffic in the tiny streets across it can be heavily increased. So, dedicate some quality time to do a good research on the best way to reach your final destination.
I've been in Lake Como 4 times for shooting elopements and I've taken different kinds of transport to arrive there. All of them were very easy and functional but I dedicated myself to study the best solution for me.
If you need more assistance on planning your elopement at Lake Como and are looking for a photographer get in touch! I'll be delighted to be there for you!
Tuscany
There is something magic when it comes to Tuscany. I can't decide if it is because of its authentic, warm and natural beauty or because its romantic atmosphere. Either way, if you wish to elope in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cypress-lined roads, this is your place!
Tuscany is the perfect location for enjoying the countryside, eat amazing food and drink the best Italian wines. While in Lake Como you have more of an elegance, classic and luxury atmosphere, in Tuscany you can expect a more bucolic, rustic, down-to-earth and relaxed one.
It is my favorite region of all Italy and I simply love to deep inside its costumes and history! Most of the nowadays wedding venues were originally stablished as family-run farms focused on feeding the family and selling surplus locally. They still do that. Only now they also host events and it's an exquisite opportunity to live its history.
Tuscany never disappoints! No matter the place you chose to elope, you'll have one of a kind experience! Not only because of the stunning scenery and loving environment but also because you can combine your elopement with other awe-inspiring events such as wine tasting tours and cooking classes. You'll have more flexibility to do your ceremony: in an open Tuscan hill or at a historic castle. You can have a very intimate dinner with a personal chef after the nuptials and even more, extend your stay and turn it into a flawless honeymoon.
Tuscany is the birthplace of Renaissance, home of historic cities like Florence and ancient medieval towns such as San Gimignano, Montalcino - where the famous red wine Brunello di Montalcino is produced - and Siena - home of the known Palio di Siena.
Tuscany can be divided, let's say, in two main regions: the Chianti region - where the Chianti wine is produced - and the Val D'Orcia region. In both you'll have an incredible number of wedding venues from all kind, size and taste often providing a wider range of price points allowing for multi-day stays with all guests - or just the two of you - in one location. All these gives you infinite possibilities to personalise your elopement and it can be more budget friendly than Lake Como.
Nine out of ten elopement requests I get are in Tuscany so it is a very popular destination for couples worldwide.
Elopement at San Quirico Cypress forest, Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy
If you are curious to see how does it look like to have an elopement in Tuscany check out my
Featured Love Stories session to inspire yourself.
Different from Lake Como, the countryside of Tuscany is only reachable by car and most of the towns, attractions and sightseeings are at least one hour and a half away from Florence so when planning your elopement and trip consider staying no less than 4 days. In my opinion, this is the minimum sojourn needed to enjoy everything this majestic place has to offer you.
I live in Florence, Tuscany, and often go to explore the countryside with my husband and our dog, Pallina, so feel free to ask me for any advices.
If you need more assistance on planning your elopement at Tuscany and are looking for a photographer, get in touch! I'll be delighted to be there for you!
The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in the north of Italy near the Austrian border. Geographically speaking, you can divide into Western - featuring Val Badia, Val Gardena - and Estern Dolomites - featuring Cortina D'Ampezzo. By regions, Trentino Alto - Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. They're most known by its landscape and hiking activities. If you haven't been there yet, put it on your wish list!
Aw, The Dolomites! Such a magical place to be! I simply love the mountains no matter the occasion or season because it gives you an effortless cinematic love story with golden light, misty mornings and dramatic weather. It is a place with raw and powerful beauty that allows couples to create a meaningful and genuine memory far from clichés. The versatile locations and seasonal beauty will give you timeless photos in an untouched and idyllic panorama. Besides, when chosing to elope in the Dolomites you choose to respect the environment and embrace sustainable practices.
Every year I spend one week in the mountains during Summer and Winter and it is incredible how the landscape changes offering you different sceneries in such a magestic way! During summer and spring you have wildflowers and greenery, in autumn stunning golden hues and in winter an epic snowy wonderland!
So when it's the best time to tie the knot in the Dolomites? I'd say from June to October as you'll have longer days, perfect sunsets and access to shelters and from December to February when the snow takes over presenting you a magical winter and cosy welcoming. Avoid March, April and November when a lot of facilities are closed and the weather is very much unstable.
All in all, you'll have a fairytale ceremony with endless variety of stunning and breathtaking photos combining freedom and authenticity having the opportunity to experience a weekend of relaxation, nature and adventure.
There are several places to have a dream elopement at the Dolomites, my favorite ones are Lake Braies, Prato Piazza, Lake Carezza and Alpi di Siusi.
In 2024, I had the opportunity to shoot a pre wedding session at Lake Braies and it was absolutely stunning! The couple flew all their way from Singapore to Northern Italy for that and to spend some days exploring the mountains. We had the photos by the Lake that even under a pouring rain didn't disappointed!
And speaking in having dreaming experiences, during your elopement or photo shooting, you can rent a boat and rowl around the lake. It is very ease to book and all you have to do is check their prices and availability in here La Palafita.
If you need help for organising your ceremony at Lake Bries send me a message and I'll be pleased to go through all the details with you!
Last but not least, to go to the Dolomites, in a general way, is quite simple actually. If in Italy, you can just rent a car. In my opinion, it is the best way since you'll have more flexibility to move around the tiny villages around the valley and easier access to the trekking/hiking routes. Besides, you can enjoy the astonishing landscape so characteristic of this region.
I hope this guide had helped you clarify any doubts you had about where to elope in italy and, most of all, be inspired by it. As I said at the beginning, Italy is full of amazing and unique places to get married and I'll be delighted to help you capture your special day!
Also, check out my guide on How to Elope in Italy. It’s full of valuable information to help you plan your Italian elopement from beginning to end.
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