Ah, Puglia! Everyone loves it. But you really have to want it.

With its olive trees, warm light, white-stone masserie, dry-stone walls and a cuisine that feels like home and celebration, a wedding in Puglia doesn’t pretend to be something else. It’s deeply rooted, authentic, convivial. Everything here has its own strength, an ancient story, a clear identity. That’s why it only works if you fully embrace it.

Puglia is vast, so keep this in mind when mapping out distances. The Valle d’Itria, Salento and Gargano each offer very different landscapes and atmospheres, yet they all share the same sense of hospitality. Couples get married among olive groves and prickly pears, on terraces overlooking the sea, in the courtyards of masserie or through the winding streets of whitewashed towns like Ostuni, Locorotondo and Cisternino.

There are plenty of venues, well-organised and fully equipped to meet the expectations of international couples. Some have become true icons:

• Borgo Egnazia, for large-scale and perfectly structured events

• Masseria Moroseta, blending minimalism, design and authenticity

• Masseria Potenti, for a more relaxed, boho atmosphere

• Tenuta Tresca, in the heart of Salento, ideal for events immersed in nature

• Pettolecchia la Residenza, for those seeking a private villa with a sea view

• Masseria San Giovanni, elegant and understated, perfect for a refined event deeply rooted in the local culture

Food is another great reason to choose Puglia: bread, vegetables, cheeses, raw seafood, handmade orecchiette, intense wines. Here, every table tells a story and every dish becomes part of the experience.

What to know before choosing Puglia?

Puglia is one of the best organised regions in Southern Italy for weddings, but careful planning remains essential.

The two main airports, Bari and Brindisi, make much of the region accessible, but some venues can be time-consuming to reach due to a road network that still needs improvement. It’s important to arrange a chauffeur-driven car service (NCC, noleggio con conducente) to ensure guest comfort and to carefully plan arrival and departure schedules. Calling a taxi in the middle of the night to pick up guests in the countryside is simply not an option.

Many venues require a multi-day buyout, which means the event often becomes an immersive experience with three key moments: welcome dinner, ceremony, and brunch.

Some specialised vendors are not based locally and will need to be brought in from other regions. The most sought-after venues tend to get booked more than a year in advance. The best season runs from May to September, with June and September being the most pleasant months.

One more thing to consider: Puglia is one of the most popular summer destinations, not just for Italians but for tourists from all over Europe. In July and August, the region gets crowded: beaches are packed, roads are slow, and hotels are often fully booked. Planning a wedding in peak season means every detail, especially guest accommodation, must be organised with extra care.

Booking well in advance is essential and both venue and vendor prices can increase significantly. It's important to carefully consider the time of year based on the kind of experience you want to offer your guests.

Is Puglia right for you?

It is, if you dream of a wedding with a Southern soul, where true hospitality takes centre stage.

If you love good food, convivial tables, and places that don’t cater to clichés.

If you’re ready to be inspired by the land, with no need for embellishment.

If you’re looking for something spectacular yet unpretentious.

If you want your guests to enjoy an authentic experience in a land that welcomes and surprises.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, if you want a Puglian wedding. Not just a wedding in Puglia.

Yes, if you’re open to being guided by the strength of the landscape, the materials, the flavours.

Yes, if you have the time to plan carefully and the desire to build something with real roots.