Italian Wedding Photos & Photoshoots

Italian Wedding Traditions in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

Italian weddings in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland often blend classic Catholic or Christian ceremonies with big, food focused receptions inspired by Italian hospitality. Whether families have recently immigrated or have been in Canada for generations, many couples choose to keep key Italian customs like long multi course meals, toasts of “Per cent’anni” and traditional bomboniere favours.

You can see how cultural traditions fit into real celebrations around the city in the
multicultural wedding traditions in Vancouver
guide and in venue based features like the
Italian Cultural Centre wedding venue photos
which highlight one of the main Italian community hubs in East Vancouver.

Ceremony, Faith and Family

Many Italian and Italian Canadian couples in Vancouver choose a Catholic or Christian church ceremony, with a full Mass or service that includes readings, vows, rings and blessings. It is common to involve family members as readers, witnesses and participants in symbolic rituals, keeping the focus on faith, family and community.

After the ceremony, guests often gather outside the church or venue to shower the couple with rice or confetti (sugar coated almonds) as a symbol of prosperity and fertility. You can see how church based ceremonies photograph in general in the
church wedding photos
gallery and throughout the
wedding photography portfolio.

Food, Courses and “Per cent’anni”

A standout part of most Italian style weddings is the reception meal, which is usually long, generous and central to the celebration. While not every Vancouver wedding follows the full Italian format, it is common to see antipasti, multiple courses, dessert, espresso and late night snacks that keep guests at the table and on the dance floor for hours.

Guests and family often toast the couple with “Per cent’anni” (for a hundred years), wishing them a long and happy life together. Venues like the
Italian Cultural Centre (Il Centro)
are particularly well suited for this style of reception, offering Italian menus, large halls and space for live music and dancing.

Bomboniere and Confetti

One of the most beloved Italian wedding traditions is giving bomboniere – small favours – to guests as a thank you and blessing. These often include five sugared almonds (confetti) wrapped in tulle or presented in decorative boxes, representing health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.

Some couples also set up a confettata, a table filled with jars of different confetti flavours and sweets where guests can fill their own bags or boxes. These details photograph beautifully and add a strong cultural touch to reception decor and flat lay images.

Italian Weddings in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

In Vancouver, Burnaby and the surrounding cities, Italian and Italian Canadian families often host receptions at community hubs like Il Centro, as well as at hotels, golf courses and wineries that can accommodate big, family oriented celebrations. Many weddings combine Italian elements with Canadian traditions, such as formal speeches, first dances and cake cutting.

When researching venues that work well for Italian style receptions, couples often use the
Vancouver wedding venues guide
and the
Fraser Valley wedding venues
article to compare spaces, guest capacities and food options that can support large family dinners and long evenings.

How I Approach Italian Weddings Here

Italian weddings tend to centre on family connection, great food and long, lively receptions, so I focus heavily on candid moments at the tables, during toasts and on the dance floor. I also make time for portraits with extended family members and grandparents, knowing how important those relationships are in Italian culture.

Off camera lighting and careful timeline planning help ensure we capture both the romantic side of the day and the fun, sometimes chaotic energy of a big family celebration. If you are planning an Italian or Italian inspired wedding in Vancouver or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, you can reach out through the
contact form
to talk about your church, venue and how much of your Italian heritage you want reflected in your photos.