ROME -- Couples can now exchange vows amidst the beauty of San Vero Milis’ shell beach in a clothing-optional ceremony. The decision comes following Mayor Luigi Tedeschi’s recent endeavours to make the naturist beach of Is Benas the setting for official civil ceremonies. 

  Tedeschi was initially inspired to open the beaches to ceremonies after a German couple expressed their desire to wed without any clothes on the Sardinian shell beach. It is one of the six nudist beaches on the island of Sardinia and one of twenty-three in the whole of Italy.

  “Sardinia is a true paradise for those who love living in close contact with nature.” Explained the mayor, “We pinpointed Is Benas because it offers the possibility of marriage both with or without garments. There are beaches in Sardinia where official marriage is also allowed. And some even choose to say yes underwater.”

  The demand for beach weddings is substantial, particularly from Europe, boasting around 20 million nudists, compared to the 500 thousand residing in Italy. 

  This growing interest in naturist ceremonies reflects a broader cultural shift towards embracing nudity as a natural expression of freedom. Supporting this shift is the Nudiverse Association, whose president, Pamela Deiana, commented on the initiative, “The culture of shared nudity and the social perception of the nude universe in Italy, in its principles linked to wellbeing, sustainability, inclusion, caring for places, the theme of consent, untying everything from the preconceptions and prejudices of those who associate nudity with sexual availability, has a cultural aspect to be overcome.” 

  “We are working to break down barriers, so that there may be nude areas without fences, in peaceful proximity and coexistence between those who decide to keep their clothes on and those who choose not to wear them, simple integral nudity that, if told in the right words, unites rather than divides.”