Italy has one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe. Rome's goes back more than two thousand years, Venice gave the world the word ghetto when it created its Jewish quarter in 1516, and Florence, Livorno and Trieste have beautiful historic synagogues. A Jewish wedding in Italy can be deeply traditional or simply inspired by tradition, and both are beautiful. The practical side needs early planning: the rabbi, the date, the legal steps and the food.

The legal side

Many couples sign their legal marriage at home and hold the religious ceremony in Italy. In Italy, a wedding celebrated by an Italian rabbi can also have civil effect, under an agreement between the State and the Jewish communities, but for foreign couples the paperwork is long. If you'd like your marriage to be legally valid here, speak to your rabbi and a planner early. Read more about getting married in Italy as a foreigner.

Finding a rabbi

The Italian Jewish communities, in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and other cities, are largely Orthodox and will work with couples who meet their requirements, usually with documents prepared by your rabbi at home. For Reform, Conservative or interfaith ceremonies, most couples bring their own rabbi from home, or your planner can help find one who travels to Italy.

The date

• Weddings aren't held on Shabbat, from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall. In summer, Shabbat ends late, after nine in June, so a Saturday wedding can't begin until well into the evening. Sundays are popular.
• Most traditions avoid the major holidays, the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, except Lag BaOmer, and the Three Weeks in summer before Tisha B'Av.
• Ask your rabbi early: these periods change every year with the Hebrew calendar.

A Jewish wedding at Villa Miani, Rome

Mr. & Mrs. Moock married at Villa Miani, on Monte Mario, with the whole of Rome and the dome of St. Peter's behind their guests. The chuppah was a canopy of white flowers on the panoramic lawn, the groom waited wrapped in his tallit, and after the ceremony the ballroom filled with music for the hora, with the bride lifted high on a chair. Their weekend also included a welcome pizza party in a garden above the city, with tambourines, live music and gingham tables. Watch their wedding film at Villa Miani and their pizza party in Rome.

Traditions in an Italian setting

• The bedeken, the veiling of the bride, in a quiet salon before the ceremony.
• The ketubah signing, a lovely quiet moment to photograph, perhaps in a library or a frescoed room.
• The chuppah, built with local flowers, olive or lemon branches, or a family tallit, in a garden or above the lake.
• Breaking the glass, and the shout of mazel tov.
• Yichud, a few minutes alone together right after the ceremony, which we'll protect for you.
• The hora, with the couple lifted on chairs.

Kosher food, and Roman-Jewish cooking

Kosher catering is available in Rome, Milan and some other cities, supervised by the local rabbinate, and can travel to venues with notice. Many couples choose a kosher-style menu of fish, vegetables and dairy, which lets Italian cooking shine. And Rome has its own Jewish cuisine, centuries old: carciofi alla giudia, artichokes fried until they open like flowers, are one of the great dishes of the city and a beautiful aperitivo idea.

Venues

Rome, with its Jewish quarter and the Great Synagogue on the Tiber, and Venice, with the historic ghetto, carry particular meaning. But a villa on Lake Como, a Tuscan estate or a palazzo in Florence all welcome a chuppah and a hora. Check that the venue's kitchen can host a kosher caterer, and that a Sunday or a late Saturday is available.

Questions couples ask us

Can we have a Jewish wedding in Italy on a Saturday?

Only after Shabbat ends, which in summer means a late evening start. Many couples choose a Sunday instead.

Can an interfaith couple have a Jewish ceremony in Italy?

Yes, usually with a rabbi from home who officiates interfaith weddings, as local Orthodox communities generally don't.

For the venue, read our Villa Miani wedding guide and our guide to Rome wedding venues. We photograph and film Jewish weddings in Rome and all over Italy: tell us about your plans.