A wedding in a French château, a Tuscan villa or a Spanish finca is a dream for many American couples, and it is more achievable than it looks. The key is knowing a few things early: how the legal ceremony works, when to go, what to budget, and why the venue you choose matters more abroad than at home. This guide walks through each step.
1. Decide where the legal marriage happens
This is the first thing to settle, because it shapes everything else. The rules differ by country:
- Italy is the most straightforward. U.S. citizens can marry legally by making a declaration of intent at the town hall where the wedding takes place, with two witnesses and documents such as a passport and an apostilled, translated birth certificate (Consolato Generale d’Italia a New York).
- France requires one of you to have lived in the town for at least one month of continuous residence before the wedding, which rarely works for a destination wedding (Direction de l’information légale et administrative, 2026).
- Spain handles the pre-marriage file through a notary or civil registry where one of the partners is domiciled, which makes a legal civil wedding difficult for couples living abroad (Ley 20/2011, del Registro Civil, 2011, art. 58). Most international couples choose a symbolic ceremony there.
Many couples keep it simple: they sign the legal papers at a courthouse at home, then hold a symbolic ceremony in Europe with family and friends. For many guests the day feels the same, and you have full freedom over the setting and the words. Requirements change, so confirm the details with the local town hall or the US embassy before you book.
2. Choose the right season
May, June and September are among the most popular months for weddings in France, Italy and Spain. The days are long and warm, without the peak heat of July and August. Early October can be beautiful in the south, and some venues offer lower rates outside high season. If you have a specific region in mind, check whether the venue closes for part of the year, since some only host weddings in certain months.
3. Plan twelve to eighteen months ahead
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12–18 months before | Set the budget and guest list, shortlist venues and book your date |
| 9–12 months before | Send save-the-dates, book a planner, photographer and caterer if not included |
| 6–9 months before | Arrange the legal side, plan guest travel and accommodation |
| 3–6 months before | Send invitations, confirm the schedule for the weekend |
Guests flying from the US need more notice than for a wedding at home. An early save-the-date gives them time to book flights and take time off.
4. Choose a venue where your guests can stay
At home, the venue is mostly about the day. Abroad, it is about the whole weekend. A venue with rooms on site means your guests are not scattered across hotels, nobody needs to drive after the party, and the wedding becomes a few days together: a welcome dinner, the wedding day and a relaxed brunch the morning after.
When you compare venues, look at how many guests can sleep on site, the minimum number of nights, and whether the price includes the rooms.
Venues where guests can stay
- Le Vieux Castillon in the South of France, a hotel near the Pont du Gard with rooms for up to 80 guests.
- Château de Sentout near Bordeaux, with 24 bedrooms for up to 50 guests across a full weekend.
- Casa Cornacchi in Tuscany, an estate with villas sleeping up to 93 guests.
- Hotel Castell d'Empordà near Girona in Spain, with rooms for up to 132 guests.
See all wedding venues with accommodation.
5. Set a realistic budget
Venue prices in Europe are often quoted differently from the US. Some cover only the property, others include rooms, catering or coordination. Two venues with a similar headline price can end up costing very differently, so always ask what is included.
As a rough guide, venue hire on BelleVenue starts from a few thousand euros for a smaller estate and rises above €30,000 for exclusive use of a large property with rooms for several nights. For full budgets by guest count, read our guides to wedding costs in France and wedding costs in Italy. If budget is a priority, browse affordable wedding venues in Europe.
6. Make it easy for your guests
- Airports: choose a venue within easy reach of an international airport, or a short train ride from Paris, Rome, Florence or Barcelona.
- Transfers: a shuttle from the airport or between the hotel and the venue saves guests a lot of stress.
- A wedding website: share travel tips, a schedule for the weekend and ideas for things to do nearby.
- A local planner: someone who knows the suppliers and speaks the language is especially valuable when you plan from abroad. Browse our destination wedding planners.
Where to start
Start with the country and the season, then shortlist two or three venues that fit your guest count and budget, and ask each one for availability and a full price breakdown. Explore venues by destination: France, Italy and Spain.
References
Consolato Generale d’Italia a New York. Atto notorio for marriages in Italy: US citizens. Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. https://consnewyork.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano/servizi-notarili/atto-notorio-for-marriages-to-be-celebrated-in-italy/atto-notorio-for-marriages-in-italy-us-citizens/
Direction de l’information légale et administrative. (2026, September 16). Mariage en France. Service-Public.gouv.fr. https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F930
Ley 20/2011, de 21 de julio, del Registro Civil. (2011). Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE-A-2011-12628. https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2011-12628