What can I ask guests to pay for at my Italian wedding?
Money. The subject no one really wants to talk about, but when organising your Italian wedding you might need to ask guests to pay for certain extras to help you out with those never-ending costs!
So, what’s fair to ask your guests to contribute towards and what is just going to be downright uncomfortable?
Our word of advice here is communication is key. Lay out the options, prices and payment deadlines at the very start with your wedding website, so you and your guests don’t have any surprises along the way.
Around 80% of Italian wedding couples ask their guests to pay for their own accommodation. Problems tend to arise when communication hasn't been clear from the start. And be wary that it is sometimes tricky chasing people for money.
The best way to manage this is to explain to your chosen guests that you have held them a room at the venue. Including this on the initial communication....so wedding website or save the date works well. State how much the room will be, explain that this is optional but you would love them to get the most out of your stunning venue and be at the heart of the wedding. Give clear deadlines for confirmation and for payment.
LL Tip: We suggest looking at alternative accommodation in the area to gauge prices and use this to work out what to charge you guests per night or for the few nights they will be staying.
Photo: Colin Ross
Transport requirements tend to be split into airport shuttles and wedding day transport. We advise that organising airport transfers is such a great way to help guests feel taken care of from the start. But this can be a bill which the guests pick up.
Again, the best way to manage this is to give guests options on the wedding website for a shuttle or shared taxi from the airport to their accommodation. Perhaps highlight the cost saving vs a car hire, giving them a ballpark cost at this stage and asking for confirmation if they would like to benefit.
LL Tip: Make accommodation recommendations for guests not staying at the wedding venue on the wedding website. This way you can have all guests staying within a certain radius of the venue which will make transport logistics so much easier.
So, your guests have arrived, settled at their various accommodation in the area and now it's time to all get together. Whether this is for a pre-wedding gathering or for the actual wedding day, they will need to have transport.
9/10 couples pay for the guest transport on their wedding day. Primarily, you want your guests to arrive to your day on time, relaxed, happy and ready to party. The vibe of your day is very much linked to the mood of your guests and if they've had a hassle-free journey this massively helps.
LL Tip: If budget simply won't stretch to wedding day transport, we suggest asking for a contribution for this early in your guest communication and again, request confirmation via your wedding website.
Photo: Red on Blonde
We all know that Italian weddings are not usually one day affairs. And you will want to keep your guests amused, fed and hydrated!
But, we also all know that weddings are pricey and you may well not have the budget to back the whole 3-dayer. So, it is absolutely fair to include these events - wine tasting, mozarella making etc as optional events.
Use your wedding website to clearly specify what optional activities are available - include the day/time, cost, deadline for confirming place and the deadline for making payment. Sometimes payments can be made directly to the activity company on the day.
Other extras may well include food hampers at the venue for guests staying there, a well-stocked fridge and meals pre or post wedding day.
LL Tip: Package the additional food and drink costs into the total sum you have requested for the room at the venue. Guests will find it easier to just have one total which they can confirm they are happy to pay, minimising any confusion.
To put it bluntly - cash bars and Italian wedding do not go well together.
Your guests have flown out, taken time off work, paid considerable amounts to celebrate with you (all before actually arriving at your wedding), so we strongly advise prioritising your budget so that you can pay for those free-flowing drinks all night long.
Additionally, Italian caterers struggle with cash bars (as it is not a thing in Italy).
Why not ask other Italian wedding couples what their guests paid for and tips on approaching the juicy subject? Come on over to our private Facebook group, and join the conversation with over 800 couples in your shoes.
Written by Emily Jennings, marketing person and wedding day-dreamer; lover of a boho vibe and a wedding night filled with a thousand lights.
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