If you ask ten planners about the best time to get married in Italy, at least eight will say late May, June or September. They're right, but it's not the whole story. Each month has its own light, its own weather and its own prices, and the right one also depends on where you're marrying.

This is how the year looks from behind the camera.

April: spring, with an umbrella

Gardens are waking up, the light is fresh and prices are lower. The weather is changeable, though, and Easter can fill hotels and churches. Good for city weddings and couples who don't mind a plan B.

May: green and fresh

One of the loveliest months. Roses and wisteria in the gardens, comfortable temperatures, long evenings. Early May can still bring rain showers, late May is much more reliable. Lake Como and Tuscany are at their greenest.

June: the classic

The longest days of the year, warm but not yet too hot, everything in bloom. It's the most requested month, so the best venues and suppliers book up first. In late June the sun sets around a quarter to nine in Rome, which means very long, very golden evenings.

July and August: summer at full volume

Hot, sunny and busy. The light is strong in the middle of the day, so ceremonies move later and dinners start after sunset. The Amalfi Coast and the lakes are crowded, and inland Tuscany can be very warm. Around mid-August many Italians are on vacation, so check that your suppliers are working. Not our favorite for comfort, but the nights outside are unbeatable.

September: the golden month

If I had to choose one month, it would be September. The heat fades, the sea is still warm, the countryside turns gold and the light gets softer earlier in the evening. By mid-September the sun sets just after seven in Rome, so golden hour comes before dinner. It's as popular as June, so book early.

October: harvest time

Grape harvest in Tuscany, warm colors, fewer tourists and better prices. Days are shorter and the weather is less predictable, so a covered space is essential. Early October can still be lovely on the coast.

November to March: the quiet season

Many hotels on Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast close for the winter, so this is the season for cities. Rome and Florence are wonderful in winter: fewer crowds, low sun on the stone, candlelit dinners in palazzi and, in December, the Christmas lights. Perfect for elopements and intimate weddings.

By region, in one line

• Lake Como: May, June and September. Many hotels close in winter.
• Tuscany: late May to early October, with September as the star.
• Amalfi Coast: May, June and September, to avoid the heat and the summer traffic.
• Rome and Florence: any month, with spring and autumn as the sweet spots.

The best time to get married in Italy is also a time of day

Whatever month you choose, plan the ceremony about an hour and a half before sunset. You get soft light on your faces, comfortable guests and time for portraits in the golden hour, before dinner. It's the single best piece of advice I can give.

Still choosing your region? Read where to get married in Italy, and when you have a date in mind, check our availability.