Guide
Italian Wedding Traditions Your Guests Will Meet
Sugared almonds, a serenade, a midnight plate of spaghetti: Italian weddings have customs that surprise guests from abroad. Here is what they mean and how to use them.
5 min read · Updated 2026-09-19
Key facts
- Confetti
- In an Italian wedding, confetti are sugar-coated almonds, traditionally given in odd numbers for luck
- Bomboniere
- Favours that hold the almonds and thank guests for coming
- Regional variation
- Customs differ between the north, the centre and the south, so ask your venue and local suppliers what is usual where you marry
Confetti and bomboniere
Sugar-coated almonds, called confetti, are close to essential at an Italian wedding. They are usually displayed on a dedicated table, the tavolo della confettata, and given to guests in a small favour called a bomboniera. The almonds are traditionally given in odd numbers for good luck, and the mix of sweet and bitter is said to stand for married life.
The serenade
In parts of central and southern Italy, the groom sings to his bride the night before the wedding and brings flowers. It can fit naturally into a welcome evening if he is willing.
The ceremony
- Weddings are traditionally held on a Saturday or Sunday, and Friday is considered unlucky by some
- Rice is often thrown as the couple leave, for fertility and prosperity
- Wedding rings are called fede, meaning faith, and are typically gold, worn on the left hand
The reception
- Long, multi-course meals, seen as a sign of love and respect for guests
- La spaghettata di mezzanotte: a plate of spaghetti served around midnight to keep the dancing going
- The bouquet toss to unmarried women
- In southern Italy, the tarantella, a lively folk dance in which guests join hands and circle
Regional customs
- Northern Italy: the groom's tie is cut into small pieces by friends and sold to raise money for the couple
- Central Italy: rosemary branches may be added to bouquets for luck, and the spouses may leave home left foot first
- Southern Italy and Sicily: several bridal customs around the dress and the bouquet vary by family and town
How to include them in your wedding
- Set up a confettata table and choose bomboniere that guests can pack home
- Ask the caterer for a midnight snack, or a plate of pasta for the last dance
- Book a folk band or a musician for a tarantella if your guests would enjoy it
- Tell guests what to expect in your wedding programme so nothing surprises them
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to follow Italian traditions?
No. Couples mix the customs they like with their own. A confettata table and a midnight snack are the easiest to add.
Why are the almonds given in odd numbers?
Tradition holds that an odd number, often five, brings luck and stands for wishes such as health, happiness and a long life.
Are customs the same across Italy?
No. They vary by region and family, so ask your venue and local suppliers what is usual where you are marrying.
Sources
Facts on this page last reviewed: 2026-09-19.