Abruzzo Weddings | Venues & Planning

Abruzzo is Italy's best-kept secret—a region of dramatic contrasts where snow-capped Apennine peaks give way to rolling hills, ancient forests, and a pristine Adriatic coastline. Known as 'the greenest region in Europe' thanks to its three national parks and one regional park covering over a third of its territory, Abruzzo offers couples an extraordinary wedding destination that feels both wild and warmly welcoming. Here, celebrations unfold against a backdrop of raw natural beauty and centuries-old traditions that few other Italian regions can match.

The landscape of Abruzzo is nothing short of spectacular. The Gran Sasso massif—the highest peak in the Apennine chain at 2,912 metres—dominates the western horizon, while the Majella and Sirente-Velino ranges create a dramatic mountain amphitheatre. Between these peaks, high plateaus like the Campo Imperatore (nicknamed 'Little Tibet') stretch endlessly under enormous skies. Eastward, the terrain softens into vine-clad hills and olive groves before meeting the Adriatic Sea along a coast of long sandy beaches and charming fishing villages. Wedding venues range from restored medieval borghi perched on hilltops to elegant masserie overlooking the sea.

Abruzzo's culture is deeply rooted in its mountain heritage and pastoral traditions. Medieval stone borghi like Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno, and Pescocostanzo have been beautifully preserved, their narrow cobblestone streets and ancient piazzas providing atmospheric settings for intimate celebrations. The region is home to skilled artisans—goldsmiths in Pescocostanzo, ceramicists in Castelli, lace-makers in L'Aquila—whose crafts date back centuries. Transhumance, the ancient practice of moving livestock between mountain and lowland pastures, is a UNESCO-recognised tradition still practised here, connecting modern Abruzzo to its deep pastoral roots.

Abruzzese cuisine is bold, honest, and deeply satisfying. The iconic arrosticini—skewers of tender lamb grilled over charcoal—are the region's signature dish, best enjoyed outdoors with friends and family. Chitarra pasta (named for the guitar-like tool used to cut it), saffron from the Navelli plateau (among the finest in the world), Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, pecorino cheeses aged in mountain caves, and wild herbs foraged from national parklands all feature in wedding menus. Meals here celebrate the land's bounty with a rustic generosity that turns every feast into a memorable event.