The result is a celebration that does not ask you to choose between Italian beauty and your values. It lets you gather the people you love in a real medieval village, enjoy excellent food and long evenings together, and create a wedding experience that is mindful of landscape, energy and materials.
FAQ: Eco-Friendly Weddings at SPAO
Is SPAO an eco-friendly wedding venue in Italy?
SPAO follows a place-led, low-impact approach rather than positioning sustainability as a superficial add-on. Its key practices include restoring an existing medieval borgo with local materials, relying on the natural thermal insulation of ancient stone, sourcing food locally and seasonally, cooking fresh on-site, and avoiding unnecessary single-use decor.
Can Scandinavian couples have a legal civil wedding at SPAO?
Yes. SPAO is authorised to host legal civil ceremonies on-site in Umbria. This means couples can choose a legally binding civil ceremony at the borgo, subject to the documentation requirements of their country of citizenship and the relevant Italian authorities.spao+1
What documents are needed to get married in Italy from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland or Iceland?
Requirements differ by nationality and personal situation. In general, couples need documents proving that they are legally free to marry, together with valid identification and, in some cases, official translations and apostilles. Start the process early and confirm the exact requirements with your local authority, embassy or consulate. SPAO can support the local coordination for a civil wedding at the borgo.
Can SPAO create vegetarian, vegan or allergy-friendly wedding menus?
Yes. Because SPAO works with an in-house chef and creates menus with each couple, it can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements. The chef will guide you through seasonal ingredients and create dishes that suit both your guests and the time of year.spao
How does on-site accommodation reduce the impact of our wedding?
With up to 100 guests able to stay inside the borgo, you can avoid repeated journeys between hotels, ceremony locations and reception venues. Guests arrive once, walk between wedding moments during the weekend and need fewer transfers overall.borgosantopietro+1
Can we organise low-waste flowers and decor at SPAO?
Yes. SPAO can guide couples towards design choices based on seasonal flowers, reusable decor, natural fibres, glass, linens and materials that complement the historic borgo and its gardens. The goal is not to eliminate beauty, but to avoid wasteful, single-use production.
