Calling all couples: Italy to pay back $2,250 if you choose to marry in Rome

Lazio is fighting to reclaim itself as a dream wedding destination and one should make use of such an opportunity.

Thinking of having a destination wedding opposite historical monuments with culinary options to die for, but too afraid it’ll cost an arm and a leg? Well, it seems Italy – a dream destination – has you covered.  

As per Forbes’ Alex Ledsom, Italy’s Lazio, which includes Rome, is fighting to reclaim itself as a top spot for weddings this year, especially after the pandemic. The Italian region with its iconic Coliseum, the Trevi fountain and the Spanish steps, is a perfect inspiration for the classic obligatory wedding photographs. And it is offering a refund of around $2,250 (approximately 4 lakh) on wedding costs to couples until December 31. 

The scheme, Nel Lazio con amore (From Lazio, with Love), is allowing residents and foreigners alike, to reclaim their money with just five wedding receipts. These receipts, as per The Guardian, can include wedding photographers, cake makers, caterers and bridal shops.

The president of Lazio, Nicola Zingaretti, announced, “the scheme is needed to support a sector that has suffered badly from the economic crisis. We have put the significant investment in place also with an eye on the tourism sector, and with the awareness and pride of being able to boast about every part of our region, with many locations among the most magical and fascinating in the world thanks to an unparalleled cultural heritage.”

While the weddings must take place in December 2022, couples can submit the receipts till the end of January 2023 – or until the money has all been used up. Local authorities hope the plan will encourage couples from around the world to choose Lazio as their wedding destination. Especially since the pandemic erupted, only 9,000 couples have gotten married in the region, compared to the 15,000 that tied the knot in 2019.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.