Civil weddings in Florence take place in the Sala Rossa - the Red Room.

The room is situated in the Florence Town Hall - The Palazzo Vecchio, perhaps the most famous medieval building in Italy - placed on a corner with the Ufizzi Gallery, the Loggia dei Lanzi, and Piazza della Signoria.

The town hall is reached through a series of covered and open courtyards, with stunning frecoes and impressive marble columns.

The "sala", on the first floor, was originally Cosimo de' Medici's bedroom, and where he conceived three of his children, the mothers of whom are depicted in the tapestries that line the walls of the room.

The red room is fresh and quiet, and velvety - sumptuous drapes, gilt framed mirrors, antique velvet upholstered chairs and splendid floral arrangements.

horse drawn carriage from Piazza della Signoria