Nothing could be more romantic than to proclaim your everlasting love in the "Eternal City"-and it's worth every bit of the planning required to do so.
By: Margaret Jaworski
By law, all legal wedding ceremonies (except for Catholic church weddings) must take place in one of the city's two town halls; be performed by an Ufficiale di Stato Civile, the Italian equivalent of a justice of the peace; and be interpreted by a translator. (Once the civil ceremony is over, you're free to have your reception wherever you'd like.) Fortunately, the town halls are lovely, and they have plenty of space, so you can invite your guests to watch the ceremony.
The first option: Sala Rossa, the ornate wedding salon in the main town hall. The salon, which looks like a small ballroom, with damask curtains and plenty of gilding, holds up to 90 guests. In contrast, the stone walls of the wedding hall at Terme di Caracalla, which holds up to 140 guests, reflect the building's former incarnation as a convent.
And then you're off to the reception. The St. Regis Grand hotel, located near the tony Via Veneto, is an elegant option for couples with long guest lists (think Murano chandeliers and frescoed ceilings). The hotel's Ritz ballroom seats up to 240 for a sit-down dinner. For more informatin visit stregis.com/grandrome .
One good option for a small wedding: the rooftop terrace of the Raphael Hotel, in the Centro Historico, which holds up to 70 guests. At sunset, the city is bathed in light, creating a glimmering backdrop. For more information visit raphaelhotel.com.
A wedding in a private home is a beautiful choice for couples seeking an intimate affair. The Villa Livia, which you can rent through Weddings International, is located just outside the city. Built at the turn of the last century and furnished with period pieces and Renaissance paintings, the villa creates the illusion of another era; the dining hall seats up to 150 guests for dinner. Finish the day by following the Roman tradition of letting all the male guests kiss the bride for luck. For more information visit italianwedding.com.
