Who can have an Orthodox church wedding in Italy?

*Both spouses are Orthodox

*One partner is Orthodox and the other is Catholic or Protestant

Choosing to have a church wedding in Italy blends the spiritual blessing of marriage with the unique atmosphere of one of the most romantic countries in the world.

Italy is home to many Orthodox churches with remarkable history and architecture—such as St. Catherine Church in Rome.

You’ll recognize the Church of the Great Martyr St. Catherine instantly.

Its golden domes shine above Rome’s greenery, just ten minutes from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The idea of building “an Orthodox church worthy of Orthodoxy” in the city of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul arose back in late 19th-century Imperial Russia, but the project materialized only in the 2000s. Today, the church holds regular services and hosts a parish school for children.

• Full organization of the wedding service
• Date reservation
• Donation to the church
• Choir during the ceremony
• Orthodox wedding certificate
• 5-hour photoshoot in Rome
• Bridal bouquet & groom’s boutonnière
• Stylist services (bridal makeup & hair)
• Russian-speaking coordinator throughout planning and on the wedding day

Orthodox church wedding on Lake Como
When people think “Italy,” many picture Lake Como. With its cinematic landscapes and festive atmosphere, it’s the dream place for a wedding—and you can add a sacred touch with a church wedding in a historic Italian church. On Lake Como there’s an Orthodox community based at the 14th-century Church of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph).
Price for a church wedding at San Giuseppe: €8,900
Included:

• Full organization of the wedding service
• Date reservation
• Donation to the church
• Choir during the ceremony
• Orthodox wedding certificate
• 5-hour photoshoot on Lake Como
• Bridal bouquet & groom’s boutonnière
• Stylist services (bridal makeup & hair)
• 1-hour boat ride in a Venetian limousine with aperitif
• Russian-speaking coordinator throughout planning and on the wedding day

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• You must have a civil marriage certificate (no translation required)
• Baptism certificates
• Confession and Holy Communion 3–4 days before the wedding
• Fasting before the wedding is recommended (3–10 days)

• Two icons — Christ and the Mother of God (can be purchased on site)
• Candles for the wedding (can be purchased on site)
• Rushnyk (ceremonial cloth; can be purchased on site)
• Rings

• If one partner is an atheist, unbaptized, or insincere about the sacrament
• If the couple is closely related by blood (forbidden up to the third degree) or related through godparenthood
• During the four major fasts
• Cheese Week
• During Easter
• Christmastide
• Saturdays
• Eves of the Twelve Great Feasts
• On major church feast days
• On the eves of fasting days
• Before (and during) the Beheading of St. John the Baptist
• Before (and during) the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

• Document preparation and fees
• Full organization of the church ceremony
• Date reservation
• Donation to the church
• Marriage certificate
• 5-hour photoshoot
• Stylist services (bridal makeup & hair)
• Full-day coordination

• Nulla Osta in Italian
• Birth certificates
• Baptism certificates (mandatory) / Certificato di battesimo
• For Catholics — Confirmation certificate (Certificato di cresima)
• If one partner belongs to another Christian denomination (Orthodox or Protestant), a written consent to raise future children in the Catholic faith
• Premarital course certificate / Attestato di partecipazione al corso prematrimoniale (we can assist on request)
• Documents prepared by your local parish priest / Certificato di consenso religioso alle nozze

Originals of all documents must be ready at least 45 days in advance.

• If the couple is underage
• If the couple is closely related
• If one partner is dishonest with the other (e.g., hiding unwillingness or inability to have children)
• In Catholic doctrine, marriage is indissoluble and lifelong; unlike in Orthodoxy, there is no concept of “divorcing” a sacramental marriage

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