Regional music traditions across Italy
Italy's musical traditions change from region to region, and weaving a little local music into your wedding is one of the nicest ways to honour where you're getting married. Here's what to look for in each of the most popular wedding regions.
Tuscany
Tuscan weddings lean towards elegant, understated music: string ensembles for ceremonies in villas and chapels, and jazz or swing for long aperitivos among the vines. For welcome dinners, small folk groups with accordion, guitar, mandolin and violin play traditional songs and Italian classics in a relaxed, convivial style.
Puglia: the pizzica
The pizzica comes from the Salento peninsula, the heel of Italy. Driven by the tamburello (frame drum), it's fast, hypnotic and made for dancing. Many Puglia weddings in masserie (fortified farmhouses) bring in pizzica musicians and dancers for a spell during the party, and guests rarely stay seated.
Naples, Campania and the Amalfi Coast
This is the home of the canzone napoletana, the Neapolitan song tradition behind 'O sole mio and Funiculì funiculà, and of the tarantella. Mandolin and guitar duos are perfect for aperitivos on Amalfi Coast terraces, and a tarantella late in the evening gets everyone into a circle. Local bands such as The Principals and The Turnpikes mix Neapolitan songs into their sets.
Sicily
Sicilian weddings often feature folk music with friscaletto (a small flute), marranzano (jaw harp) and tambourine, and local versions of the tarantella. Ancient settings such as Taormina also suit operatic and classical music: Sicily gave the world Bellini and Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, set on the island.
Venice and the Veneto
Venice is Vivaldi's city, and baroque strings in a palazzo or church are hard to beat. Some couples arrange a gondola serenade, and elegant jazz suits the city's grand hotels. Remember that water transport for musicians and equipment adds cost and planning.
The Italian Lakes
Lake Como, Garda and Maggiore have a glamorous, classic style: classical ensembles for ceremonies, jazz and crooner sets for aperitivos on lakeside terraces, and polished party bands in the evening.
Rome and Lazio
Rome suits grand, cinematic music. Morricone themes and operatic pieces for the ceremony, swing for the aperitivo, and Roman classics alongside the party band.
Want to include a local tradition? Mention it when you ask for quotes. Many musicians can add a short traditional set, or recommend specialist folk musicians and dancers. See also Italian songs for your wedding.
Questions couples ask
What is the pizzica?
The pizzica is a traditional dance from the Salento area of Puglia, driven by the tamburello frame drum. It's popular at Puglia weddings.
What is the tarantella?
The tarantella is a fast, joyful folk dance from southern Italy, especially associated with Naples and Sicily, often danced in a circle at weddings.
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