Italy’s romantic and enchanting charm is the reason why you should opt for a unique Catholic wedding in San Gimignano!
Also known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is a tiny walled town between Florence and Siena. Its popularity comes from its exotic medieval architecture as well as from its imposing towers, taller than any other building and giving an impressive portrait of the town from the surrounding valley. Important examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture are represented by many secular preserved buildings, such as several churches.
Why get married in San Gimignano, Tuscany?
Get married in San Gimignano, where your Catholic wedding can be solemnised in one of the many Baroque or Romanesque churches perching on the hilltop. Jewish and Protestant couples can choose among enchanting venues in San Gimignano and its suburbs. Civil ceremonies in San Gimignano, Italy, have legal validity within the European Union, the United States and in other countries; they can be held in gardens or on terraces, in prestigious villas or majestic castles. Symbolic ceremonies can be celebrated in any location at any time of the day, for example in front of the breathtaking scenery plunged in the warm light of sunset. Your Brilliant Events planner will find you the best possible venue.
Catholic wedding venues
A Catholic wedding in San Gimignano can be solemnised in one of the churches within the walled town or rather in the surrounding countryside, filled with incredible olive groves, vineyards with juicy ripe grapes and merry sunflowers.
The Cathedral of San Gimignano
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the cathedral of the town, is also a minor basilica located in the Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of the town. This enchanting church provides the perfect setting for a Catholic wedding, thanks to its amazing and splendid frescoes entirely covering the walls of the three naves. Find the most priceless art pieces going from the floor to the ceiling, with several inimitable paintings illustrating the life of Christ and scenes from the Old and New Testaments. These fresco cycles include the magnificent paintings by Masters such as Bartolo di Fredi, Benozzo Gozzoli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Lippo Memmi and Taddeo di Bartolo.
The Church of Saint Augustine
As the second largest Catholic church in Italy, The Church of Saint Augustine is considered as an example of the unique artistic heritage of the town. The large nave ends in the presbytery, with two chapels at each side featuring an authentic Gothic style. After the wedding ceremony, this cloister provides the perfect setting for both enchanting and magical photo shots.
Cappella di Santa Fina
In the right aisle of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Early Renaissance Saint Fina Chapel is to be found. The chapel was designed in 1468 by Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano, in order to enshrine the relic of Saint Fina. Frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio cover the side walls, depicting two scenes from the Saint’s life.
The Pieve di Santa Maria, Cellole
Another lovely venue for a Catholic ceremony in San Gimignano is the vintage Pieve di Santa Maria, a church located in Cellole and rebuilt several times between the 12th and 13th centuries. This parish church, consecrated in 1238, has three naves with dividing pillars and columns, culminating both inside and outside in a semi-circular apse. This apse has a decorative arch, which is set to carved lunettes with embedded shelves featuring the typical motifs of the Val d’Elsa area.
If you would rather plan your wedding in the outskirts of San Gimignano, Brilliant Events can suggest some nice churches in the lovely surrounding country villages, with breathtaking views on the famous Tuscan hills.
About Catholic weddings in San Gimignano
San Gimignano is the perfect option for nature-lover couples who wish to enjoy the wonders of the most enchanting Tuscan countryside. The perfect wedding venue for them is one of the most picturesque and famous Tuscan villages in Italy. Before the wedding, couples are requested to meet the priest in order to talk about the ceremony.
Rituals in Catholic wedding churches
The priest begins the ceremony with an opening prayer, where he names the couple and asks for God’s blessing. The following step is Liturgy of the Word, often done by a family member reading Biblical passages, selected by the couple and preapproved by the priest. After that there is the priest’s brief sermon about the Significance of Marriage. The congregation stands while the couple exchanges their vows and declares the commitment to each other. After the couple states their “I do’s,” rings blessed by the priest are exchanged.
If the ceremony takes place without a mass, this is the conclusive part. Otherwise, if the mass is part of the ceremony, the priest also requests the congregation the sharing the peace, by greeting or shaking hands. The Holy Communion comes next and the ceremony concludes when the priest recites an ending prayer and the nuptial blessing, asking for strength and protection for the couple.
Your Catholic Wedding
Planning the perfect Catholic wedding in San Gimignano can be challenging, but hard work will ensure great rewarding results! The astonishing natural landscape and the unrivaled beauty of Tuscany is a matchless backdrop for a romantic wedding. For Catholic weddings, historic churches are the right venue. Anyway, the drinking and the evening party can be hosted in one of the majestic villas, castles or lovely local restaurants.
The authentic Italian touch will provide your wedding with exceptional and breathtaking sceneries that guests and newlyweds will enjoy and immortalize in unique pictures. Choose Brilliant Events to create the best possible event!
