Over 15,000 couples chose a romantic destination wedding to Italy last year and few places capture the country’s magic quite like Assisi in the Perugia province of Umbria. Set among olive-covered hills and steeped in centuries of history, the once 15th-century Benedictine monastery has been lovingly restored into a venue offering a sense of quiet and timeless beauty – as well as some great Italian food!
Tucked just beyond its ancient walls, Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi stands out as one of the region’s most enchanting wedding venues and it’s just a 15-minute drive from San Francesco d’Assisi Airport – with plenty of flights from the UK so it’s perfectly located for your guests.
Founded in 1444, Borgo Antichi Orti began as a monastery where monks cultivated medicinal herbs, flowers and vegetables in glorious, terraced gardens. That sense of care and hospitality still defines the borgo today.
The restoration prioritised sustainability, using reclaimed materials and preserving the integrity of the original structures, allowing the building’s history to remain visible. Rather than feeling staged or overly polished, the estate retains a quiet authenticity, something increasingly rare in modern wedding venues.
Many wedding venues in Italy are undeniably beautiful, but few feel as immersive as Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi. The team behind the scenes have worked their magic to make it feel very special and succeeded in creating somewhere that feels authentically Italian and wonderfully romantic.
The borgo unfolds like a small, private village just waiting to welcome you and your guests. Paths wind through olive groves and herb gardens, opening onto quiet courtyards and terraces with sweeping views of Assisi.
You can reserve the entire estate, transforming it into an exclusive setting for your wedding celebrations. With just twelve rooms and suites on site, the experience remains intimate, allowing close family and friends to stay together in one place. This makes it particularly well suited to multi-day weddings. A celebration here rarely feels like a single event; instead, it becomes a shared experience, beginning with welcome dinners and continuing through to post-wedding brunches. The pace is unhurried, giving guests time to fully absorb the surroundings and enjoy each moment.
Beyond the celebrations themselves, the borgo offers a range of fabulous ways to relax. A panoramic outdoor swimming pool invites guests to unwind while the intimate spa and wellness spaces provide moments of calm before or after the big day. Morning yoga sessions, often held in the gardens or on sunlit terraces, add a restorative element to the wedding weekend, allowing guests to fully embrace the slower rhythm of Umbrian life.
One of the many strengths of Borgo Antichi Orti is the variety of spaces available for ceremonies and receptions. Each area has its own character, allowing couples to create a natural flow throughout the day without ever leaving the estate.
At the heart of the borgo are the Hortuli gardens, which stretch across approximately 10,000 square metres. These historic herb and flower gardens provide a stunning setting for outdoor ceremonies for up to 300 guests, with olive trees, fragrant plants, and views of Assisi forming a naturally romantic backdrop. Nearby, the garden terrace offers an ideal setting for aperitivo hour for up to 200 guests, particularly at sunset when the light softens across the hills.
For dining, couples can choose between outdoor and covered spaces. La Pergola, a wooden structure that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, offers a balance of openness and shelter for 40 guests and up to 130 in its secluded garden, while the Botanical Lab provides a stylish indoor option that works beautifully for evening receptions or cooler seasons for up 120 guests. This flexibility ensures that weddings can be tailored to both the couple’s vision and the time of year.
Because everything takes place within the borgo, the wedding day unfolds effortlessly. Guests move easily from one moment to the next, from a late-afternoon ceremony in the gardens to cocktails infused with herbs grown on site, followed by dinner beneath the stars or in softly lit interiors. As evening falls, celebrations continue with cake cutting, music, and dancing, all within the same intimate setting.
This is Italy so, of course, food plays a central role at Borgo Antichi Orti, reflecting the region’s rich culinary traditions and the estate’s connection to the land. Ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced, with many coming directly from the borgo’s own gardens.
The on-site restaurant, Tartù is dedicated to showcasing Umbria’s most prized ingredient, the truffle. In the kitchen, chef Ilaria Ripanti leads with a vision that blends tradition and creativity, resulting in dishes that feel both refined and deeply rooted in the region. In the dining room, her husband Andrea Funghi oversees service, ensuring a warm and attentive experience. Handmade pastas, slow-cooked meats, and garden-led vegetarian dishes are complemented by an extensive selection of local wines.
Alongside this, Lab Botanico offers a more contemporary dining and cocktail experience. Herbs grown in the hortuli are transformed into inventive drinks and light dishes, making it an ideal setting for aperitifs or informal gatherings.
Wedding menus can be tailored to suit individual preferences, accommodating dietary requirements while maintaining a strong connection to Umbrian flavours.
Choosing Borgo Antichi Orti also means choosing Assisi as your destination. Known for its UNESCO-listed heritage and spiritual significance, the town offers a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from more crowded Italian wedding locations.
Guests can explore its medieval streets, enjoy local food and wine, and experience the slower pace of Umbrian life. With convenient access from Rome and Florence, it remains both accessible and distinct, an ideal combination for a destination wedding.
