About us

Dom Hebblethwaite, founder

Dom is a bilingual translator and interpreter who has worked between Britain and Italy for most of his career. For over a decade he ran Live in Italy, helping English speakers buy homes across Italy, which meant years of getting things done inside Italian bureaucracy: contracts, comuni, notaries, deadlines, and the phone calls in Italian that turn a plan into an outcome. A number of Live in Italy's clients wrote up their stories at the time: past property clients, in their own words (PDF, 12 pages).

He set up Italian Elopements because the practicalities and bureaucracy of an Italian wedding are the part couples find hardest, and the part he knows best. Most couples start with a call with Dom to talk through what they have in mind. He advises on where and when to marry, what the paperwork involves for your nationalities, and how to fit it around your date. Then he deals with the comune in Italian, so you know where you stand long before you fly.

Giulia Lucania, Italian wedding logistics

Giulia is an Italian translator, interpreter and hospitality expert who works for Italian Elopements on the Italian logistics of your wedding. She looks after the official translations of your documents, sworn before a court in Italy when the authorities require it, and she is available to interpret at your wedding and to help on the ground in Italy when it is needed.

A qualified member of AITI, Italy's professional association of translators and interpreters, she also holds a master's in hospitality management and worked in tourism before turning to languages.

Doris Cheng, design and creative consultant

For couples who would like help with how the day looks, Doris advises on what to wear, the flowers and the small details that make a simple ceremony feel considered. Her help is an extra; just ask, and we'll tell you what it would cost before you decide. She graduated in fashion design from Central Saint Martins and has spent twenty years in couture, bridal wear and fine jewellery.