Masseria wedding venue near Bari: how a wedding works at Tenuta Montevitolo

Where we are, and how you get here

Tenuta Montevitolo is in the countryside of Andria, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, in northern Puglia. We are inland, on the Murgia plateau, at about 340 metres: not in the Salento, not in the Valle d'Itria, not by the sea. A masseria is a historic Apulian farm estate; ours dates from the 19th century and was acquired and restored by my family, who have been making oil and wine since 1859.

The two numbers to remember: 50 minutes from Bari airport, 15 minutes from the centre of Andria. From the masseria you can see Castel del Monte on the horizon. Parking is free, inside the estate entrance.

Bari is the natural airport for us. Brindisi is the other airport in Puglia, but it is considerably farther away, so check the drive before you book. A hire car gives you freedom; guests who will not drive need to know before they land how they will get here. More on getting here on our contact page.

One event a day

We host one event a day. On your wedding day every space at the masseria is for you and your guests. No other wedding in the next courtyard, no change-over at six o'clock, no music from someone else's party. It sounds obvious. Ask every venue anyway.

How the day usually flows

Every wedding is tailored, but the masseria has its places. Usually the ceremony is outdoors in the olive grove. The aperitivo, the Italian pre-dinner drinks, is in the vineyard at sunset. Dinner is in the Corte Grande, the large courtyard, under luminarie (the traditional Apulian festival lights) and beside the trullo, the conical stone hut typical of Puglia. The cake goes where you prefer: by the little white church, under the horse chestnut tree or by the pool. The party ends on the terraces.

For a daytime wedding we use the Orangerie, the Corte Piccola (the small courtyard) and the Winter Garden, which has an olive tree growing in the middle. I build the timeline backwards from sunset; Mario explains how in sunset times for wedding photos.

A legally valid civil ceremony, here

The masseria is a Casa Comunale of the Comune di Andria. In plain English: the town council has authorised it as a place where civil weddings can be celebrated, with the same legal value as at the town hall. Civil weddings and civil unions celebrated here are legally valid, and they are performed by a delegate of the registrar. If you would rather marry legally at home, a symbolic ceremony is also possible. For foreign couples the paperwork matters more than the place, so read civil weddings in Italy for foreign couples before you book flights.

Kitchen, plan B, rooms and the guests' app

• Kitchen: our own kitchen and pastry, with wedding menus built around you. Our wines in the glasses, our family's olive oil on the table.
• Plan B: every moment of the day already has its alternative at the masseria. If the weather turns, the party moves; it does not stop.
• Rooms and spa: there are rooms, and a spa in the old granary for the two of you the day after. Ask for them together with your date.
• The guests' app: each guest gets a personal link by WhatsApp and confirms for themselves; a group leader can confirm for a whole family. You see RSVPs in real time, with diets, allergies and shuttle requests.
• On the day: a seating plan with a «Seat the rest» button, a live photo gallery with a photo hunt, song requests sent to the DJ, a gift list with your bank details, and guest check-in on a tablet.

Couples who married here rate the masseria 4.9 out of 5 on Matrimonio.com, and it was among the winners of the Wedding Awards 2024.

Planning from abroad, and how to enquire

Most of the planning works perfectly well by email and video call. Three things do not: the paperwork, the visit and your guests' travel. My checklist for couples who live abroad:

• Send your date or period and a rough number of guests through the enquiry form or on WhatsApp, +39 329 449 4120. We reply within two working days, with availability and a tailored proposal.
• Come and see it. Visits are by appointment and we recommend them. If you can, fit one into a trip to Puglia, ideally at the hour of your ceremony.
• Start the legal side early, with your embassy or consulate and the civil registry, months before the date.
• Give your guests the two numbers with the invitation: Bari airport 50 minutes, Andria 15 minutes.
• Do not wait for the perfect year. Dates in the busiest months fill first, and there is only one event a day.

There is no price list, because every wedding here is built to measure: the quote depends on the date and season, the number of guests, the menu and wines, the spaces, the styling and any extras such as rooms and spa. Tell us your date and we will tell you, honestly, what the day can look like.

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