CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONY IN TUSCANY

Every girl would want to get married in a place as dreamy and romantic as Tuscany. I know I would. On this post, we will let you in on the ‘what to do’s and how to do it’ in planning a civil wedding ceremony in Tuscany.

Let us talk about the basic legalities first. If you are asking if an Italian wedding ceremony is recognized worldwide, then we say ‘Yes!’ no matter what your citizenship is. Residency is a non-requirement here in Italy. Legal requirements for civil wedding ceremonies in Tuscany varies depending on your citizenship, all will be discussed later on other posts.

The venue plays a big part in the decision making for most soon-to-weds and the thing with Tuscany is that it offers variety of places where you can hold your civil wedding ceremony, but it must take place in a building approved by the Italian goverment. You can have it in the town halls, historical palaces, castles, villas, gardens; all will look so effortlessly breathtaking background in your photos, like we all girls would always wanted right?

The civil wedding is conducted in Italian and officiated by the local Mayor or by the civil registrar with an interpreter on the side to translate the ceremony and vows. It usually lasts for about 20 minutes or so. Two witnesses are necessary.

As required by the law, Italian Civil Code articles 143, 144 and 147 will be read by the officiant.

Reciprocal Rights and Duties of the SpousesArticle 143 – Reciprocal Rights and Duties of the Husband and Wife.

Upon marrying, the husband and wife acquire the same rights and assume the same duties. The state of matrimony requires a reciprocal obligation to fidelity, to moral and material assistance, to collaboration in the interest of the family and to cohabitation.

Both husband and wife are expected to contribute to the needs of the family, each pledging in relation to their own financial circumstances and personal capacity, related to their profession, whether inside or outside the family home.

Article 144 – The Address of the Family

The spouses agree together on the address where they will establish their family life and fix the residence according to the needs of both and the pre-eminent needs of the family. The course of familiar life must be chosen by mutual consent.

Article 147 – Duties Towards Children

The wedding imposes on both spouses the obligation to maintain, instruct and educate their children keeping in mind their capacities and natural inclinations and aspirations.

Declaration of Content

Does Mr. ________declare to want to take as his wife Ms. ________ here present?
Does Ms. ________declare to want to take as her husband Mr. ________ here present?

After both affirmative declaration I declare in the name of the law that Mr. ________and Ms. ________ are united in Matrimony.

(Ring Exchange)

Marriage Act Reading

The year ____on the ____ day of the month of ____at ____ (hour), in a room open to public in the Town Hall of ____in front of me____Registrar of the Town Hall of ____are present:

Mr. ________ and Ms. ______________ (Groom & Bride generalities)

Who have asked me to unite them in matrimony and to this end they have exhibited the documents described below, which after having been read by me, will be filed in this register together with the documents produced for the posting of the banns. After examining these documents, I see no impediments to this marriage. I have read to the newly married couple the articles of the Italian civil code number 143, 144, 147 and I have asked the groom if he will take ____as his wife and if the bride will take ____as her husband; and having both answered YES of their own free will and before the witnesses present, I have declared them united in matrimony.

For the witnesses ________ and______________; The request, the declarations and answers to the above questions by the Bride and Groom, who do not speak Italian were communicated to me through an interpreter at my request, represented by ____witness who is sworn according to law. Through the same interpreter I communicated to the bride and groom the above mentioned Civil Code articles, I asked each one of them if they intended to be united in matrimony and I communicated to each of them the affirmative answer of the other, as well as the declaration to have united them in matrimony.

The interpreter has translated the foregoing act of matrimony. This act, after having been translated to the bride and groom and read by me to all present, has been signed by the newly married couple, by the witnesses listed above and by me.

After the marriage act has been read spouses, witnesses and mayor sign the wedding register. At the end of the ceremony, the registrar will give to the husband and wife the family record book which contains the marriage act.

Play your own music, wear your most gorgeous (and appropriate dress), bask in the beauty of Tuscany while looking into the eyes of the man you will soon spend the rest of your life with. Civil weddings in Tuscany should be right up on your choices list!

Bureaucracy in Italy can be confusing and frustrating, even for Italians! But don’t worry, we’ll assist you in planning so that you can relax and enjoy this special time without a care.

Don’t hesitate to contact me to find out more information. We’d love to get the conversation started to plan your civil wedding in Tuscany!