Egalitarian Wedding
With the 2016 Cirinnà Law (Law 76 2016), it is possible to celebrate egalitarian marriages, or gay nuptials, in Italy as well. It should be emphasized, however, that this legislation only covers the civil ceremony and not the religious one, which is why it will not be possible to celebrate the ceremony in places of worship such as churches or cathedrals.
Initially many couples saw this (mistakenly) as a limitation, not considering that there are many locations that allow civil weddings surrounded by beautiful atmospheres.
Here’s everything you need to know to celebrate a gay-friendly wedding with the utmost style and zero hassle.
Documents needed to perform egalitarian marriages
The documents required to perform an egalitarian marriage are similar to those required to perform any other marriage, namely:
- Birth Certificate.
- Contextual Certificate (including Marital State, Residence and Citizenship).
- Affidavit (stating that there are no legal impediments to marriage).
Of course, the required documentation will vary from municipality to municipality, and in case one of the spouses is divorced, the divorce decree will have to be added to the documents. In addition to the documents, there will be the relevant stamps and fees to be paid, which will be specified by the municipality itself.
In order to make everything run smoothly, it is recommended to plan the wedding at least one year before the scheduled date.
But does the marriage have to be performed at the City Hall? The answer fortunately is no.
Gay wedding locations
With the legalization of gay nuptials, many facilities have arranged to celebrate same-sex civil unions. This opens the way for two possible celebrations to be held at the chosen wedding venue, namely:
- The actual Civil Rite
- A Symbolic Wedding
Let’s look in detail at what the two proposals offer for celebrating gay weddings.
Civil Rite
Civil marriage has become the most popular choice in Italy. The bureaucratic process for civil weddings has been streamlined in recent years, but it is not always possible to hold the ceremony at the chosen location.
In fact, it is usually compulsory to perform the rite proper in the town hall, which often does not allow one to set up a ceremony as one would like. In addition, the bureaucratic aspects of obtaining permission to celebrate outside the municipal house are time-consuming to fulfill. Here two witnesses are expected to be present, which could increase if the decision is made to celebrate outside.
But then how to do it? Many gay and non-gay couples opt for the double rite.
Symbolic Rite
The double rite involves the performance of the civil ceremony in the municipality, but the actual ceremony in the chosen location.
This is called the symbolic rite and is often the most exciting part in an egalitarian wedding. In fact, the couple will start by choosing the setting and a celebrant for their wedding.
The symbolic rite includes the wedding march (with pages and bridesmaids if preferred), the exchange of vows, and if desired, the reading of lyrics and poems, which can be of any kind.
To perform the symbolic rite usually are chosen:
- The Rite of Sand
- The Rite of Water
- The Rite of the Rose
- The Rite of Light
- The Ribbon Ceremony
- The Broomstick Jump
To make it more atmospheric and romantic, it is necessary to choose the right set-up and a charming location.
Gay wedding planning: the location
The south is one of the most chosen places in Italy for celebrating gay weddings, this is because of the type of weddings it culturally offers. In fact, the south is accustomed to long weddings with dreamy arrangements, which is often preferred by couples to make their special day more prominent.
There are many styles that can be chosen for ceremony and reception arrangements that often vary with the season. Natural Chic, Total White and Provençal are just a few of the suggestions for which you can get an idea by browsing through our Gallery.
If you would like more information and would like to visit Villa Althea to plan your dream wedding, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
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Whether you are looking for an atmospheric wedding villa or a location for a unique event, you can plan your special day at Villa Althea. Contact us to book your visit to Villa Althea Park.