Flowers for symbolic weddings and vow renewals in Italy

What a symbolic ceremony is and what it means for the flowers

A symbolic ceremony has no legal value: the couple has already married at the town hall, or will marry legally in their home country, and in Italy they celebrate with a celebrant of their choice, in a garden, on a terrace, in an olive grove or on a beach where allowed. It is a popular choice for destination weddings, for couples of different faiths and for vow renewals after years of marriage.

For the flowers it means freedom. There are no parish or town hall rules, only those of the venue, the weather and the light. The ceremony is usually built around three elements: a focal point behind the couple, the aisle between the chairs, and the flowers for the couple and their witnesses.

The elements of the ceremony

• Arch or backdrop: a round or square arch, two flower columns at the sides, an asymmetric ground arrangement, a flower-dressed celebrant's table. Read the guide to the ceremony flower arch.
• Aisle: floor vases or arrangements, lanterns, petals, garlands on the end chairs.
• Rituals: many couples include a symbolic gesture (planting a tree, sand blending, handfasting). The floral designer can dress the table for it.
• Reuse: the arch and ground arrangements can be moved to the reception, behind the top table or at the entrance.

The guide to flowers for a symbolic ceremony has examples and sizes.

Wind, sun and plan B

Outdoors, wind is the enemy. An arch has to be weighted or anchored, tall arrangements on light chairs can topple, and petals blow away. Midday sun quickly wilts delicate flowers such as hydrangeas and peonies, and it is hard on guests too. Ask your floral designer which flowers cope with the heat in your season, and ask the venue where the ceremony moves if it rains. The guide on plan B, marquees and gazebos helps you prepare it in advance.

How much it costs

For a symbolic ceremony, the cost depends almost entirely on the backdrop. Industry guides put an arch or backdrop for an outdoor ceremony at an indicative 800 to 3,000 € and more, depending on the structure, how dense the flowers are and how hard the set-up is. A small ceremony for a few guests, with one ground arrangement and a few vases along the aisle, can cost much less. Bouquet, buttonholes and reception flowers come on top, as at any wedding. Item-by-item ranges are in the guide to wedding flower prices.

Vow renewals and elopements

A vow renewal is often more intimate: a dinner, a few guests, the children as witnesses. A bouquet, a light backdrop and a well-dressed table are enough. The same goes for an elopement, a ceremony for two with just the photographer: here the flowers work mainly for the photos, so focus on the bouquet and one well-made focal point. Read the guide to eloping and micro weddings in Italy.

What to ask the floral designer

• Have you styled ceremonies at this venue? Where should the arch go for the best light?
• How do you secure structures in the wind?
• Which flowers will hold up in the sun at the time of the ceremony?
• Can the arch and aisle flowers be moved to the reception? Who does it?
• Where does the ceremony go if it rains, and what changes in the quote?

If you are coming to Italy from another region or from abroad, see also the page on floral designers for destination weddings. Once you have a venue and a date, ask for up to 3 quotes.