Ready to get married on the Amalfi Coast?
Latest news for US brides on planning their dream destination wedding in Italy
You may have been dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy since you got engaged, but the continued uncertainty surrounding travel and the Covid-19 pandemic may have made it impossible for you to even consider that this could be a viable option for your most special day. For those couples who booked their nuptials in Italy pre-pandemic, 2020 and early 2021 have been undoubtedly challenging, as guidelines and international regulations were changed and updated, but we now appear to have turned a corner. The vaccination programme in the US (and also across Europe) has now started to offer some much longed-for stability and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi finally confirmed that weddings in Italy can begin from June 15 with no guest limits. Such welcome news for us all.
Italy has also been reporting its lowest weekly rates of coronavirus infections since October 2020, and the Rt number, showing the rate of transmission, is at its lowest since this time last year. Nearly all of Italy’s 20 regions are classified as ‘low risk’ in the latest health data monitoring report from the Italian health ministry on Friday June 11th.
So let’s break down what the latest guidelines mean for weddings in Italy for US citizens :
Travel
Americans have been welcome since mid-May and international tourists in general have been welcome since June 3. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) this week downgraded the Covid travel advisory for more than 120 countries (including Italy) to a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. The Department of State’s Level 3 Travel Advisory recommends that travelers reconsider travel to Italy due to COVID-19.
As far as entry into Italy is concerned you should arrive on “COVID-tested flights” (meaning that passengers are tested before and after the flight and must fill out documentation to facilitate contact tracing if required) to avoid having to self-isolate upon arrival for 10 days. Travelers from the United States must provide a negative molecular or rapid antigen test taken within the last 72 hours prior to entering and self-isolate in their home/hotel for 10 days. After the period of self-isolation, it is mandatory to take a new molecular or antigen test. Exceptions regarding the self-isolation and testing requirements include if you flew on a “COVID tested” flight . Please see the Italian Ministry of Health’s website for further details on the exceptions.
UPDATE : Italy has decided to eliminate its ‘Covid-tested’ protocol for arrivals from the United States, a month after travel from the US was approved on these types of flights. The upcoming flights will now only have to follow the standard requirements when entering the country.
Weddings
Focusing specifically on weddings, the Italian government has confirmed that weddings in Italy can resume from June 15th, both indoors and outdoors.
All guests (including the bride and groom) will need a ‘green pass’ in order to attend. The ‘green pass’ is currently in the form of a paper certificate proving that the holder has been vaccinated, has had Covid-19 and recovered, or has shown a negative test result within the previous 48 hours.
The ‘green pass’ is something that is being used nationwide and also throughout Europe in order to restart International travel and for family and friends travelling to Italy for a wedding, guests should also be able to get these certificates in their country of origin which should be accepted by the Italian government.
Vaccination and recovery certifications will be valid for six months, the certificate relating to the negative test will be valid for 48 hours. Certifications issued in European Union member states are recognised as equivalent, as are those issued in other countries who have been vaccinated with a European Union recognised vaccination.
Venues must follow strict guidelines which include ensuring tables are adequately distanced (two meter distance), no self service options, and keeping a list of attendees for 14 days to ensure tracing is possible should anyone test positive at a later stage for Covid-19.
Buffets are possible but must be served by the venue and not by the guests themselves.
Dancing is also permitted outside but with a 1.2 square metre zone required for each person. Dancing indoors is said to be allowed in white zones, but only with 2 square metres allocated per person.
Wearing masks remains a current requirement even outside, although they can be removed when seated. We have been informed that the government is looking at relaxing rules on masks, specifically for outside/open spaces, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Engaged couples planning for 2022
Our advice to newly engaged couples is to start planning ASAP. As many Italy destination weddings of 2020 (and early 2021) postponed into 2022, availability is limited but not certainly not exhausted. So whether you are dreaming of a romantic elopement wedding in Positano or a larger celebration in Ravello, to name but two of the incredible locations we are fortunate to work in, we would love for you to reach out and share your wedding vision with us.
Contact us here to set up a complimentary, informal and with no obligation, Zoom call. We can’t wait to chat!
To read more about some of the beautiful locations we work with click here : Italy Weddings — Sophisticated Weddings
Dislaimer : the information on this blog has been prepared in good faith but with restrictions subject to change at short notice, it’s very important to keep up to date before your trip.
For more information on the current restrictions and guidelines in Italy please see the Health Ministry’s website (in English)
For official travel advice from the USA to Italy click here
Photo credit : Francesco Quaglia Photography