A symbolic ceremony and stylish reception for an Australian couple in Umbria, Italy. Crafted and hosted by English-speaking celebrant & wedding MC Attilio Reinhardt.
Location
Umbria, Italy
Date
September 2025
Guest Count
70
Challenge
J&D, a couple from Australia, needed to plan their destination wedding in Italy while managing the significant time zone difference between Australia and Europe. Additionally, they were initially uncertain about the style and tone they wanted for their ceremony, starting with a casual approach but gradually evolving their vision over the months of planning.
Brief
The couple contacted me in December 2024 looking for an Italian wedding celebrant and Wedding MC who could officiate their symbolic wedding ceremony in Umbria. They wanted a ceremony that reflected their love for Italy, incorporated Italian elements, and captured their fun, ironic personalities—particularly highlighting the groom’s notoriously long time in proposing. Despite the distance, they needed a celebrant who could work closely with them to create something truly personal and unforgettable.
Solution: Script & MC Approach
Overcoming Distance Organizing a destination wedding in Italy across different continents is absolutely feasible thanks to video calls and emails. While time zone differences and working days require consideration, the couple and I always managed to find the best time to communicate. We scheduled our meetings away from work hours and other commitments so that both of them could always be present. Once, we even had the pleasure of connecting while I was preparing breakfast and they were making dinner!
Adapting to Their Evolving Vision In their very first email, the couple explained they wanted a very casual and fun wedding. Gradually, over the months we worked on the ceremony script, they changed their mind. Step by step, I adapted the style and tone of the script accordingly. Long story short: at the wedding, we were all in black tie and evening dresses, but still kept it super fun.
Crafting a Personalized Script The couple was always enthusiastic and full of ideas. Being passionate about Italy, they asked for references to my country to be woven into the ceremony. Since they’re both quite funny and ironic, they wanted the script to hint at how long it took the groom to propose to the bride. Starting from their requests, I crafted a script rich in emotions and romance, with phrases in Italian to emphasize the passion of certain passages, and with a running gag about the groom’s timing to provide relief during the more touching moments.
Outcome
During the 9 months we stayed in touch via video calls and emails, Josh and Destiny knew that I was personally taking care of them and their wedding ceremony. Even with an ocean between us, we managed to create an original script in which they felt truly represented as individuals and as a couple, and which moved all the guests. So much so that someone even asked for my copy of the ceremony booklet!
The ceremony perfectly balanced elegance with the couple’s natural humor, incorporating Italian phrases that emphasized the romantic atmosphere while keeping guests engaged and entertained throughout.
Testimonial
“We had the pleasure of first meeting Attilio a year or so before our wedding in Umbria, and throughout the entire process he was thorough, kind & very welcoming.
Constantly doing his due diligence and making the time for us all the way across the other side of the world all to get to know us as a couple and take in our multiple requests, and ultimately lead us and our guests from Australia as MC and Celebrant on the wedding day.
We loved our time getting to know Attilio and his professionalism speaks volumes.
Grazie Mille Attilio”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Via Google Business Reviews
What Went Well
- Effective long-distance collaboration: Despite the 9+ hour time zone difference, we maintained consistent communication and built a strong working relationship
- Flexibility and adaptability: Successfully pivoted from a casual to a formal black-tie aesthetic while maintaining the fun, lighthearted spirit the couple wanted
- Cultural integration: The Italian phrases and references resonated deeply with the couple and guests, creating an authentic destination wedding experience
- Emotional impact: The ceremony script struck the perfect balance between romance and humor, moving guests while keeping the atmosphere joyful
- Guest engagement: The personalized storytelling and running gag created memorable moments that guests talked about long after the ceremony
Lessons Learned
Working with J&D reinforced several important insights about destination weddings in Italy:
- Embrace evolving visions: Couples planning a destination wedding often refine their ideas over time. Multiple requests and changes of heart are absolutely normal for those who want their wedding in Italy to be perfect and unforgettable. Remaining flexible and responsive is essential.
- Personal touch matters across distances: Even with an ocean between us, maintaining personal attention and dedicating time to understand the couple’s story creates authentic, meaningful ceremonies.
- Cultural elements enhance authenticity: For couples passionate about Italy, incorporating Italian language and cultural references transforms a symbolic wedding ceremony from generic to genuinely Italian in spirit.
- Humor is a powerful tool: Well-placed irony and lighthearted moments provide emotional relief during touching passages, making ceremonies more engaging and memorable for everyone present.
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Cover image: sunset during the Australian couple’s wedding in Borgo Bastia Creti, Umbria, Italy