A lot of couples are expected to tie the knot this year—the most since 1984, according to one market research firm. Ceremonies that were postponed by the pandemic added to newly scheduled nuptials account for much of the boom.
Central Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, is hoping to get in on the upsurge with a new promotion that offers couples a bonus of €2,000 (about $2,200) for getting married there.
The region has set up a fund of €10 million ($11 million) for the program, which aims to give a boost to local businesses hurt by the pandemic.
All Italian and foreign couples who "marry or civilly unite" in Lazio by December 31, 2022, are eligible, provided they "purchase services or products related to the event from Lazio companies," according to the initiative's official website.
The €2,000 reward will come in the form of reimbursement for local services such as flower arrangements, catering, car rentals, invitation printing, and other wedding-related expenses. Up to five receipts can be submitted per couple, totaling €2,000 per union.
Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2023—or until the fund runs out.
Visit the promotion's webpage to find a list of eligible expenses, instructions for applying, and other useful information.
Lazio's wedding industry could use some help right now. The Guardian reports that since the start of the pandemic, only 9,000 couples have wed in the region, compared with more than 15,000 in 2019.
We don't need to make a case for Italy as a romantic destination uniquely suited for a memorable wedding, do we?
If iconic Roman sights such as the Trevi Fountain (pictured above) and the gardens of the Villa Borghese don't set your heart aflutter, Lazio also has seaside ruins, stone villages, and lake-dotted countryside.
Anybody dreaming of a destination wedding should note, however, that the pandemic has made those trickier than before. Consult Pauline Frommer's recent article on the subject for helpful advice from experts.
We've got you covered for honeymoon ideas, too. The latest edition of Frommer's EasyGuide to Rome, Florence, and Venice is scheduled for release this spring.
