Getting married in Rome is a dream for many Irish couples, who in recent years have been increasingly drawn to the beauty and culture of Italy. By blending their faith with the art and history of the Eternal City, they turn their wedding into a unique and deeply meaningful experience.
Rome holds a strong appeal for Irish couples thanks to its connection with the Catholic faith and the historic, romantic charm of the Italian capital.
The Eternal City is home to the Popes and the heart of the Catholic Church, making it a sacred and symbolic place for believers. Celebrating one’s wedding in Rome thus takes on a highly emotional and spiritual significance.
In Ireland, the Catholic faith has always played a vital role in people’s lives and family traditions. For this reason, choosing to get married in Italy — and especially in Rome — is not just a matter of fashion or trend, but a way to reaffirm their religious roots within the sacred bond of marriage, and to experience a solemn ceremony in a truly unique setting.
Our city is home to several Irish churches, such as St. Patrick’s Church and St. Isidore’s Church, which become ideal venues for weddings as they offer a familiar and welcoming environment for those coming from Ireland, with celebrants who speak English and understand their traditions.
Many Irish couples also choose to celebrate their wedding at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which, with its Baptistery Chapel, is perfect for more intimate ceremonies.
Symbols and Traditions
For over 15 years, our wedding planning agency has been organizing weddings in Rome for Irish couples. Fully aware of their desire to preserve their customs and wedding traditions, we are always happy to include them in their special day.
One of the most important Celtic rituals performed during the ceremony is the Handfasting, where the hands of the bride and groom are tied together with a ribbon, symbolizing their physical and spiritual union.
Other customs that enrich the wedding celebration with magic and spirituality include the ringing of wedding bells to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck to the couple, the lucky sixpence hidden in the bride’s left shoe as a wish for prosperity, and the recitation of Celtic blessings in Gaelic, expressing wishes for happiness, abundance, and eternal love.
An iconic Irish symbol is the famous Claddagh Ring, featuring a heart, hands, and a crown, representing love, friendship, and loyalty, respectively. Depending on how it’s worn, it symbolizes different stages of a relationship: the search for love, engagement, and marriage.
Music and Attire
Irish music, with its joyful and deeply emotional spirit, is one of the most important elements for couples, capable of connecting tradition and festivity in an unforgettable experience for everyone. Often, traditional Irish folk songs are chosen, performed with typical instruments like the Irish flute, fiddle, bagpipes, bodhrán (a frame drum), and the accordion.
During both the ceremony and the reception, guests enjoy lively tunes such as reels and jigs, traditional songs that entertain guests with dancing and storytelling through melodies that carry centuries of history about life, adventure, and love.
Many Irish weddings also include live performances by a band or DJ. Given the importance of music and dancing for Irish couples, it’s essential to check the venue’s curfew for music and entertainment. We will be happy to guide you in choosing the most suitable musicians for your wedding in Rome.
The attire for Irish weddings is another reflection of tradition, adding style and identity to every event. The groom often wears a traditional kilt with a jacket, vest, and tie or bowtie in the colors of his family’s clan, a proud tribute to Celtic roots and culture.
The bride typically chooses a classic white dress, often enhanced with traditional lace.
Our agency can assist brides in selecting their dream dress from the city’s most renowned ateliers.
At more traditionally styled ceremonies, guests may wear traditional accessories like pins, scarves, or shawls featuring Celtic motifs or the shamrock, the national symbol of Ireland.
Venues and Catering
Irish couples who choose the Eternal City for their wedding tend to favor historic, romantic, and green-filled venues that recall the natural beauty of their homeland.
These venues offer evocative experiences in the heart of Rome or its surrounding areas — for example, the Castelli Romani, which are especially popular among Irish newlyweds.
Aperitifs with a view of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums or in the Vatican area are also very popular.
Catering is a key aspect of the event, as in addition to famous Italian cuisine, some couples wish to include typical Irish dishes on their wedding day in Rome.
Often, couples also request an open bar with international drinks and are eager to feature some familiar Irish touches for their guests, such as Guinness beer and fine Irish whiskey.
In Italy, there are numerous craft breweries that produce beers of the highest quality, which are also greatly appreciated by Irish couples. Thanks to the wide selection available, even the most refined connoisseurs will find those best suited to their tastes.
Our agency will assist you in selecting the best catering options to suit your culinary preferences and accompany you in tastings of the selected dishes, wines, and beers.
Marriage Abroad
Organizing a wedding abroad can be challenging, but with our support, expertise, and experience, we can guide you through every step of the most important day of your life — from the preparations in Rome to all the paperwork, right through to the cutting of the wedding cake.
As passionate lovers of different cultures and traditions from around the world, our agency will be delighted to bring a touch of Ireland to the heart of Rome, for a love that speaks both languages.