What happens when you fall in love with the romantic atmosphere of Lake Orta and breathtaking panoramas of Lake Maggiore? You choose both! Just like Cassy and Gary did.

Cassy and Gary opted to have their civil ceremony to Villa Bossi on Lake Orta and their reception to Villa Rusconi on Lake Maggiore. The two most beautiful lakes of Piemonte region together for a wonderful event!

Cassy ang Gary came from United Kingdom with their relatives and friends and decided to have their accommodation in Orta San Giulio.

Before the ceremony all guests met Gary in Orta main square for wonderful pictures with
St. Julius island in the background and some drinks. Then all of them walked to closer town hall.

As soon as main square was empty Cassy arrived by foot with her dad and 4 pretty and blond green-dressed bridesmaids.

Acid green was Cassy and Gary’s theme color together with white. A very trendy and elegant color scheme. Cassy wanted them for all little details of her wedding: bridesmaids’ dresses, best man and ushers’ ties, and of course flower arrangements made by Monika, La Piccola Selva floral designer.
Monika paid her lovely attention preparing Cassy’s bouquet relized with Super Green roses, white Phalaenopsis orchids, green hydrangeas and Pittosporum greenery.

From Orta main square Cassy, her father and bridesmaids get on board of rowing boats to reach the town hall where relatives and friends and most of all Gary in his elegant light grey tight suit, were all waiting for them.

After civil ceremony, they had lovely wedding group pictures and a romantic trip to St. Julius Island for some other unforgettable photos. A coach was waiting for guests and a private care was waiting for Cassy and Gary to move all the party on Lake Maggiore, Villa Rusconi Clerici was their destination.

The weather was wonderful and gave the occasion to the group to have a rich aperitif in the garden of the villa just on the shores. A delicious dinner to follow in the wide pavilion arranged with white tables and chairs and most of all a unique floral arrangement.

It perfectly respected Cassy’s ideas: a floating rose inside a tall glass vase with a round-shaped composition on top in which Monika put the same kind of flowers she used for the bridal bouquet. She simply added some green Hypericum berries and white gerberas, and a little touch of falling ivy on one side. Cassy chose for her wedding stationery an acid green theme with little crystals catching sun rays.

Atmosphere was magical thanks to an amazing sunset on the lake. After the dinner, dances,open bar and sweet buffet in the cellar of the villa with a “grand final”: a huge wedding cake with cream, white chocolate and lovely Monika’s flowers.

An unforgettable night followed by a great summer vacation that newly wed with their relatives and friends spent just on Lake Orta. What a Summer!

For more information about weddings on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore please contact the Italian Lakes Wedding Team.

Note from the authors:
This post was meant to be published with lot of the delay because of loss of professionalism of official photographer of the event who come from UK: Edward Cheater from Hotshots Photography.
After 9 months from Cassy and Gary’s wedding, in spite of many promises we did not receive official photos of the event. For this reason we decided to publish this post using SposiamoVi pictures (which are lovely too). If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding we would suggest to choose him or her not only by his/her skills but also by his professionalism and seriousness. Isn’t it Mr. Cheater?

Some days ago I told you about Aleksandra and Chris’ Winter Wedding on Italian mountains close to the lakes.
Aleksandra and Chris got married in a precious little church in a mountain village and had their reception in a hotel ski resort. They decided for a white silver theme wedding with Christmas details that added a touch of romanticism to their day.
You will feel the warm atmosphere even if it was very cold outside… just few days before a great snowy weather on Piemonte!
Just today Photographer Andrea Dapueto gave us the entire wedding photogallery.
Have a look to their pictures and you will fall in love with this magic atmosphere!

Italian Lakes are famous for romantic atmosphere, great landscapes, lovely village: all these elements create a perfect combination for destination weddings in Italy.
That is not enough! Italian Lakes District is surrounded by wonderful mountains and Alps valleys that during Winter season they become enchanted snowy landscapes easily reachable by car: the perfect venue for a winter wedding!

You will have lots of choose. Lake District has many ski resort location on in its territory and touristy little villages. Mt. Mottarone is between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, on its top you could have stunning view of 7 lakes and all the Alp chain. On the North there is Ossola Valley and a little bit far from there there are Olympic Valleys, Sestriere, Bardonecchia and Sauze d’Oulx that hosted 2006 Winter Olympic Games.
Around Lake Como the best location are Chavenna and Madonna di Campiglio and around Lake Garda the wonderful Mt.Baldo (close to Malcesine) and Dolomites ski resorts in Val Gardena such as Ortisei and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Why choosing a Winter Wedding?
Aleksandra and Chris did it! They came from England to celebrate with friends and relatives their wonderful day on Italian mountains. You can see some pictures of their beautiful wedding here. There is something magic and sophisticated in a winter wedding. Sparkling snow, Christmas lights and warm typical atmosphere of Winter season.

In the last few years there are many couples like Aleksandra and Chris that chose Autumn or Winter to getting married. Of course getting married in Winter could have some cons but consider all the pros: you could save money, many hotels and venues on Italian Lakes are are low season in this period and could have lower prices and most of all you could have all the suppliers at your disposal!
The churches will be available, wedding planners, photographers, florists and musicians will be at your complete disposal.
A winter wedding could be even intimate and very glamour and cinematic: with right elements could be a unique innovative wedding a real Winter Wonderland!

For more information about weddings around the Italian Lakes please contact us.

The Sacro Monte della SS. Trinità di Ghiffa is located on Piemonte’s shore of Lake Maggiore very close to Verbania Pallanza. It is reachable from the lakeshore road that coasts the Lake aside of villas and parks.

Ghiffa is a touristy and wellness village on a small promontory and characterized by an all year warm weather. Ghiffa and its Sacro Monte with quiet Lake Maggiore and charming mountains near Verbania offer a harmonic combination of nature and culture that make those places the perfect frame for your wedding on Lake Maggiore.

The Sacro Monte of Ghiffa is a baroque monumental complex that includes churches, porches, frescoes and chapels at 360 metres on sea level with stunning view on a wide part of Lake and hills.
This place is a Natural Reserve too. It is located at foot of Cargiago Mt.
The park is 200 hectares. It has many little roads with its tiny stone made walls and votive chapels.
The Sacro Monte of Ghiffa includes 3 main chapels voted to bible characters and 2 other chapels and Via Crucis porch. This place was very popular and seems it should have been a wider project representing episodes from old and new testament, but unfortunately its was never brought to end.

Wedding ceremonies are celebrated in the main church, the Sanctuary of SS Trinity.
It was built between 1605 and 1617 on an ancient medieval building. The church can host about 80 people and can be decorated with stunning flower arrangements especially on external columns, on tiny altar and on the inner balcony.
At the end of the ceremony bridegrooms can have their beautiful wedding pictures appreciating the mystic scenery of the Sacro Monte and unforgettable views over Lake Maggiore far below. Near the church there is a tiny restaurant with wide parking area for bridegrooms and their guests.

Among the reasons that determined this new trend there: second weddings, that can be celebrated only at the town hall, the open-mindedness and swiftness of this kind of bending and also the increasing number of Destination Weddings.

Many think that civil weddings are less expensive and less formal than one celebrated in the church. But for sure it is not less important!
It is definitely a very important a sacred celebration equivalent to swear in a court. In fact Italian Law wants two witnesses present to the ceremony to be a guaranty, with their sign, of the absolute legitimacy of the bending that will bond between bride and groom.

In effect, civil ceremony is a celebration that has to be done in perfect agreement with Italian Laws instead of religious ones.
Civil bendings can be celebrated by mayors, or delegates and has to be done in authorized venues such as Town Halls, but also Villas, Castles, Hotels or even Garden, but all those places have to be authorized.

Your civil bending could be enriched by the beauty of many Town Halls, unforgettable villages, sinuous hills and hospitality of the ones who host bridegrooms for the celebration at the Town Hall.
For the couples that wish to celebrate their wedding on Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore, civil bending is available in almost every town: Stresa, Orta San Giulio, Verbania, Arona, Oleggio Castello, Baveno, Cannero Riviera, Laveno, Luino, Angera and Mergozzo. For a real fairy tale wedding the most wanted venues are Villa Bossi, Castello Dal Pozzo and Villa San Remigio.

Villa Bossi is in the ancient village of Orta San Giulio just on the lakeshore and in front of St. Julius Island.
In Villa Bossi, Orta San Giulio Town Hall gives couples coming from all over the world, to say “YES” living a charming atmosphere that only this village offers.
The most wanted way to reach the town hall is by boat for sure! You will be accompanied by the soft sound of the waters and from the magnificent façades of villas that provide a unique frame for your big day.
An idyllic scenario that you will remember forever. Many tourists come here once they just fall in love with the place and decide to come again to celebrate their civil bending.

Castello Dal Pozzo is in Oleggio Castello, in a strategic position between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. There are many reason to choose this solution for a civil bending. It is right into a secular park, the castle is a real English-style venue from gardens to furniture, fro the little lake to the family chapel in Tudor style.
Moreover the castle allows their guests to appreciate a spectacular panorama on Lake Maggiore and use the wonderful rooms to organize the wedding reception.
Civil celebrations at Castello Dal Pozzo are held in the ancient family library, an elegantly furnished room with precious ceiling and documents.
Castello dal Pozzo is the perfect venue to live just like in a fairy tale, just like in a dream.

The third most important venue for a beautiful civil bending in Lake District is surely Villa San Remigio in Verbania Pallanza.
It is right into the green area of Castagnola hill, by famous Botanic Gardens of Villa Taranto. Villa San Remigio is a magical place that will add a touch of emotion to an unforgettable day.
In Villa San Remigio civil bendings are celebrated in the Sala della Musica (Music room) among frescoes, antique furniture a grand fireplace and a stunning piano.

Italian Lakes Wedding can help you arrange all types of weddings: a valid civil wedding, religious wedding, catholic or protestant, symbolic or orthodox ceremonies or a simple blessing.
There are necessary papers to be drawn up and presented to the local authorities.
These documents vary according to the type of ceremony and the nationalities of the bride and groom.
Italian Lakes Wedding has long experience in working with these documents and can guide you smoothly through the process.
For more information please contact us.

The lake is famous for the first and only docg wine in the Veneto Bardolino as well as for its delicious food/cuisine. Lake Garda charmes with its splendid colors, ranging from the calm deep blue to “that” lake storm dark green. This place is one of the most romantic places in the world, forits proximity to Verona, the famous home of Romeo and Juliet. That’s why many couples from all over Europe/the world come to its shores to pleadge/promise each other eternal love.
Being able to describe this magic place is impossible, but the truth is that once you visit it it ends up becoming part of you.

This place rich in history and nature,it has always charmed from the past, even Dante talks about it in his Divine Comedy. Ever since ancient times the lake shores have witnessed paleolithic and neolithic civilisation flourishing (the name of the village Pai comes from the Italian word “palafitte” that means “primeval houses”). A human settlement of Gauls has followed the Bronze Age, until the arrival of the Roman. The long peninsula of Sirmione, described by Valerio Catullo’s poetical lines, still
shows a huge roman mansion. The so called “Riviera degli Olivi” (the veronese shore of Lake Garda) named after the olive trees that produce a world wide famous olive oil is a popular destination of fiancées who want to associate their love dream to this wonderful lake.

Lake Mergozzo is also recommended for young sportive couples as here it’s possible to practice water sports in safety as the lake is forbidden to engine boats.

The lake, dominated by the Mount Montorfano and surrounded by ancient woods, is a fantastic starting point for many lovely walks from which the visitor can enjoy a fantastic view on to the lake Maggiore, the Pianura Padana and the Alps chain. Beside its amazing location, Lake Mergozzo hasn’t been invaded by mass tourism yet.

The romantic village of Mergozzo, that takes its name from the lake, is a knotty system of narrow picturesque alleys, arches and flowering balconies. The beautiful waterfront is featured by the bright colours of the houses that overlook the main square. Taking a stroll in the quiet corners of the old town, the visitor can admire ancient wrought-iron doors and lots of building made of the local stone and beole and, of course, the fading affreschi (frescoes) of the saints at protections of the houses and their inhabitants.

Along the lake promenade, a row of linden trees runs by the shore and a pluri-secular olmo (elm) towers over a few meters from the lake. At the shadow of this elm, in the 17th century, the town magistrates used to sit and discuss about public administration, justice and capital executions. This monumental tree has been listed in the plants heritage of Piedmont.

The natural charm of the landscape, together with the traces of centuries of histories, make certainly Mergozzo worth of a visit and why not…an unusual and challenging new wedding destination!

Human traces in Mergozzo date back 5000 years, but it’s only during the Impero Romano (Roman Empire) that this little town becomes an important centre of commercial interchanges. Mergozzo,or Meregocium as it was called in ancient times, however, accommodated more ancient settlements and now we can see evidence of them in the Antiquarium, a museum hosted in the Preacher’s House (Casa del Predicatore). In these rooms there are items dating back to pre-history, the Bronze Age and Roman Age; many of then were found in local necropolises.

The Romanic church of Santa Marta (16th century) is a little architectonical gem. The parish Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption (17th c.) is well-known for its 18th c. poarch called “le Cappelle” (the Chapels) and the stations of the Via Crucis. It’s mainly in this church, in the very heart of the town, that all the weddingsWeddings-Private-Estates take place.

After about a one hour walk along a medieval mule-track, the most adventurous couples can reach the small village of Montorfano, laying amidst chestnut woods and proudly featuring the most interesting and best preserved Romanesque church in this area (11th-12th centuries dedicated to St. John the Baptist. This charming sacred jewel is particularly appreciated by the newly-weds. This church was made using the marble coming from the nearby mount Montorfano. This name, sounding like ‘orphan mount’ in Italian, was given to the mount for its standing alone close to the Lake Mergozzo.

A last curiosity: at 7km from Mergozzo there’s the little hamlet of Candoglia. The marble used to build the Cathedral (Duomo) of Milan were taken from the famous quarries of Candoglia, still operative today.

Although Mergozzo can appear as a tiny little village it offers very high quality choices for exclusive weddings.

The Italian Lake Region is the ultimate place to vow life-long commitment to each other…so, what are the suggested steps to plan a fantastic event over there?

• Get organised
  Buy a proper wedding planner that includes checklists and folders so you can store venue’s details, suppliers’ contacts, contracts, budget information, ideas you get from wedding magazines. Make a list of what needs to be done by way of preparations for the big day. Set yourself a realistic target and aim to complete a few tasks each week.
• Stay focused
  Close your eyes and imagine your wedding…write down how you see it, the colours you like, the setting you dream of, the atmosphere you aim to create, the music you would like to hear. Look at guidebooks to choose the perfect lakeside location, search the Internet for the most magic villa, flick through magazines and books for design suggestions.
• Start emailing
  Once you have a clear idea of what you are after, start communicating with the selected venues via email, ask for prices and comprehensive information. Shortlist a few and take the time to visit them. Once you have found the one you really like, ask them to recommend their preferred suppliers and get in touch with each one of them. Don’t forget to check their websites first to ensure that you like their style.
• Delegate tasks
  Remember, you are not a super hero and you might need some help. Get your friends and relatives involved as much as possible, as delegating tasks is the key to saving time. Most of the people around you are dying to help out anyway…
• Consider hiring a planner
  To help manage your time efficiently and make life easier for yourself generally, consider hiring a wedding planner that speaks the language and knows the local culture. They will be able to locate suppliers and negotiate contracts while keeping you update on progress. Many wedding planners also offer partial wedding organisation, they will only arrange certain aspects of your day, leaving you to handle the most interesting bits.
• Talk to brides
  Talking to other couples, who got married in the same area can help ease your workload. You may want to post a note on a few wedding forums to ask for tips and suggestions.

Good luck!

Italian Lakes Wedding Team is made up of several professional wedding planners and floral designers with a long experience on Italian Lakes locations.
The Team knows the territory in every single detail and will be able to follow you on every important choice you will take.
Our coordinators are based locally in the areas we serve so whether you decide for a wedding in Rome or Bracciano, a wedding in Como or Stresa, or a Wedding on lake Garda or Lake Orta, we will grant the same level of service.
Our Team will be able to provide you every kind of supplier, florist, photographers, musicians, designers celebrants, witnesses and help as far as your documents are concerned, and anything you may think of.
Italian Lakes Wedding Team will literally pamper you!

For any information about wedding on Italian Lakes District please CONTACT US.