Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

On the 21st of October 2009, Sandra and John get married at Villa D’Este.
Their story is very romantic and the atmosphere that rainy day brought to their special day was magical and incredibly touching. We were all excited and the time went so fast!

The ceremony was originally organized outdoor, but because of bad weather, it was moved inside the beautiful Column Room.
While Sandra was getting ready, all of us were waiting in the room welcoming the guests and John, the groom.

He reached the altar accompanied by the music of great song La vita è bella.
The florist made an incredible job, we were all astonished…

Finally Sandra appeared, she was beautiful and radiant as John’s son who had the honor to lead her to his father.

Thanks to the great job of our lovely celebrants celebrants Diane and Giuseppe, the whole ceremony was touching and real, and the newlyweds were very happy and surprised!

After the ceremony Sandra, John and their guests had a long walk inside the Hotel to take unforgettable pictures, before coming back to the room for a delicious reception dinner. Continue Reading »

Villa Rusconi in Pallanza, is a beautiful setting by any standards for a Blessing Celebration. The famous and stunning Lago Maggiore glistened in the warmth of an exceptionally strong September sun on the day, much to the delight of the wedding party from England, who had been suffering from a washed out summer!

Nicky and Chris appeared perfectly matched bright young things. The groom had previously written to us, describing his bride as a typically English Rose and when Nicky arrived by boat to greet an eager crowd our first impression was just that. Tall, slim and blonde, Nicky looked stunning in a simple but elegant dress worthy of a film star… talking of which, the groom reminded us of a younger dashing English actor named Charles Dance!

An expert guitarist performed the Wedding March and the ceremony was beautifully punctuated by an original poem composed and recited by Amy, a dear friend of the happy couple. The weather was beautiful, the grounds of the Villa absolutely gorgeous and the guests elegantly attired. A curious Italian boat crew waved and cheered ‘Auguri’ (an Italian wish for happiness.) Continue Reading »

Here I am again to talk about Villa Rusconi Clerici, this time I will describe the gorgeous symbolic ceremony of Nicky & Chris. As flower designer, I have had the great pleasure and honour of handling the decoration of this special event, which took place in September in Verbania Pallanza on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

I would like to start by thanking the photographer Carlo Conti, who has kindly provided these fabulous images of the day. After many years of experience as a fashion, still life and architecture photographer, Carlo Conti has founded RPS Studio – Reportage Per gli Sposi – choosing to continue his career as a specialist wedding photographer. His style is characterised by a great ability to capture the most natural and spontaneous moments of any event in order to compose a fresh, modern and lively album…the pictures of Nicky and Chris’ big day are a very good example of his creativity.

Nicky & Chris are both born and bread in London. Nicky is pursuing a successful career in human resource, while Chris owns a recruitment agency focusing on the sports sector.
Being two very busy young professionals, they did not have a lot of free time to dedicate to the organisation of their wedding and decided to rely on the expertise and professionalism of Chic Weddings, a leading wedding design agency that works with the team of Italian Lakes Wedding.

Nicky and Chris were dreaming of a wedding by the water, informal and elegant at the same time. An event that matched their personality, not too flashy but very fun. After evaluating various options, they opted for Villa Rusconi Clerici for its wonderful position right on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

The colour theme chosen by Nicky & Chris focused on ivory and lilac, with a hint of purple. This successful combination is very much on trend recently and is often requested by my clients.

The ceremony at Villa Rusconi Clerici started with the arrival of the bride, Nicky, by speedboat. She was accompanied by her father and her lovely bridesmaids. The location benefits from a private jetty which offers the possibility of organising an extremely scenic entry as well as lake tours for the guests during the cocktail reception.

Nicky chose a sleek and modern bouquet, in perfect harmony with her dress: to design it I mixed mini white Calla Lilies, purple Lysianthus and Rose Tibet, enhancing the long shape of the bouquet with a few leaves of Beucarnea. Continue Reading »

Welcome to part 4 of our Summers Season Wedding in Orta appointment.
I will give an overview on some of the events we followed during 2009 summer in 5 posts.
The thing Summer Season Weddings have in common brides and groom choice to opt for Villa Bossi and its wonderful garden to celebrate their civil ceremony.
Every single couple personalized and made their event different and unique in all senses.
And so Maria and Chris did.

Maria and Chris chose to celebrate their ceremony in the garden of Villa Bossi first and the in the wonderful church of Assunta for a moving blessing.

Maria and Chris’ wedding was a simple and cosy event, they just wanted to have it this way! They came here with few friends and close family from United Kingdom.
Maria and Chris decided to arrange a different event but at the same time it was really really romantic!

For once in Orta history bride did not arrived by boat but from narrow and medieval roads in Orta village.
She was with her father and at their arrival a lovely flower girls was waiting for her as a surprise! Continue Reading »

It is not the first time that Lake Orta has been chosen as wedding destination by an international media personality. Some time ago Kerry Katona chose the same lake for her wedding. She is a famous British actress, book writer and former member of Atomic Kitten band. Then Bevin Tucker landed here. She has been main character in American movie Girl in 3D, directed by Louis Aira. Thanks to the thriller movie Bevin won first prize as Best Actress to New York Film and Video Festival in 2004. You could read more about Bevin’s wedding in posts that Valentina, Diane and Monika wrote.
Today we would like to tell you about Mark Followill. He is the voice of Dallas Maveriks the famous NBA basket ball team. Forbes Magazine describer It is one of the most important basket ball team in US from the economical point of view.

Mark Followill is official speaker of Mavs TV. Dallas Maveriks tv channel. Mark chose for his wedding with Rachel romantic and magic Lake Orta and its St. Julius Island.

Valentina Lombardi of Italian Lakes Wedding planned the wedding for them and Raffaello Mazzoleni was their skillful photographer. You can see some wonderful pictures here as anticipation.

An intimate symbolic ceremony on the lakeshore that Valentina will describe soon thanks to Raffaello Mazzoleni images. Stay tuned to know more from Valentina’s words and Raffaello’s reportage images.

Today we would like to tell you about a very special event Italian Lakes Wedding Team followed:Bevin and Steven Wedding to Villa Gippini in Orta San Giulio – Lake Orta.
A special event for so many reasons. One above all: symbolic ceremony was arranged just on the lake shores with evocative St. Julius island in the background.
Let’s go through ever single detail of it!

Special One: Lake Orta as you’ve never seen before!
it was a wonderful Spring sunny day. Sky was clear with small clouds. Lake water was completely transparent and mountains were green after a long winter.
This was the great scenery for Bevin and Steven’s wedding.
Just the right day to promote this lake!

Special Two: Diego and Estella photographs.
Diego and Estella are two creative and state of the art photographers!
We decided to put them as “Special Event” of the day because their shots were simply great. Let’s have a look to the PHOTO GALLERY with the most beautiful Diego and Estella pictures of Bevin and Steven’s wedding.

Special Three: Villa Gippini, the most exclusive venue on Lake Orta.
Villa Gippini is an ancient villa date back to 1500 located just on the lake shores.
It was built in the medieval center of Orta San Giulio.
Nowadays Hotel San Rocco is the owner of the villa and it rarely allows its utilization for special events, like Bevin and Steven’s wedding.

Villa Gippini is a private venue which not open to public. It created a very intimate atmosphere for the wedding.

Special Four: Bevin’s bridesmaids.
They were all in a elegant but sexy cherry red dress.
The four bridesmaids were all so friendly and smiling. They were able to add a touch of glamour and real fun to the ceremony that sometimes could seem even too serious. Continue Reading »

Villa D’Este… it’s impossible to utter the name without a wistful sigh.
Apart from being stupendous and undeniably the epitome of Italian sophistication, this villa is world famous. It has literally witnessed history, being well known as one of Mussolini’s preferred locations in which to receive important guests.

So it was with great excitement and anticipation that I met Janet and Ian, who were staying at the Villa before and after their ceremony. To be there in the evening was an experience reminiscent of a Hollywood film from the 1950’s. A jazz pianist and singer serenaded snappily dressed clientele sipping cocktails in the beautiful grounds while gazing dreamily out towards a lake illuminated by fireworks. A newly married couple waltzed romantically around a large interior ballroom beneath the gaze of a thousand crystal eyes of an antique chandelier… It was the stuff that dreams are made of and the ceremony was still to come!

The day of the blessing boasted perfect weather conditions with glorious sunshine and heat relieved by a fresh breeze. The blessing took place in the latter part of the afternoon, always a good time for photographs. The floral arrangement was simply stunning with lemons and sunflowers as the dominant theme. The most amazing mosaics I had ever seen decorated the entrance to expertly manicured gardens, much loved by Sir Winston Churchill during his many holidays spent at the villa during his career as English PM. He spent many hours on the veranda engaged in his passion for painting. He would have loved the scene that day.

As the guests arrived to take their seats I wondered about the many historic public figures and famous celebrities that had also been spellbound by this enchanting and majestic villa. It was a very surreal moment… ‘The Flower Duet’ from Lakme initiated the proceedings, which was a fitting accompaniment to such a creative floral arrangement. Janet began to make her way towards me accompanied by her father. Her hairstyle was captivating and creative, reflecting the bride’s personality and was the subject of much discussion amongst the guests. The groom was without doubt one of the most relaxed I have ever seen! However he was clearly moved and I found myself also overcome with emotion during the mutual swearing of their vows. The bride had told me that they had chosen the villa because they had fallen in love with one another here during an early trip taken together, thus proving that Villa D’Este casts a powerful spell… Continue Reading »

It is our great pleasure to welcome and introduce Diane Wheeler as a new author to our blog. She is an English Literature graduate and ex-teacher who has lived in Italy for many years.

Diane is a co celebrant and works with us, arranging blessings and symbolic ceremonies liaising with Italian Lakes Wedding. She has a gentle manner, a good sense of humour and is very passionate about her work. She demonstrates great skill in collaborating with the bride and groom, constructing their dream ceremony in close dialogue with them. She has considerable experience of scripting and performing blessing ceremonies in Italy.
Diane takes great care to ensure that every couple feels supported and guided every step of the way. She also complements the ceremony with expert recitation of some of the most beautiful poetry and moving readings of the English language.

All that remains is for us to welcome Diane to our team and wish her the best for future blessings!

Lenno it’s an important center located on the west side shore of Lario area.
It is situated between the promontory of Lavedo and Porlezza and counts a bit less than 1800 residents.
Here begins the coast called Tremezzina that ends at the Maiolica.
Lenno has roman origins proved by the numerous graveyards and ancient furnishings discovered during archeological excavations.
Starting from Lenno, very suggestive the romantic although intense walk that runs up Tremezzo Mount(1700 m.). High recommended the excursion by pleasure boat that offers a splendid view of the Villas from the lake passing through the promontory where lies Villa Balbianello in all its splendor till reaching Comacina Island.

Villa del Balbianello it’s a legacy of Guido Monzino to the FAI which preserves the most important Italian monumental Villas and gardens.
The Villa was Built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the XVIII century and stands on the tip of a steep promontory overlooking Lake Como, almost opposite Bellagio.

Guido Monzino, its last owner was an explorer, so that nowadays the Villa looks exactly how he desired.
In particular, the place is plenty of marvelous collection art and handcraft pieces of worldwide: China, Africa and pre-Colombian art, precious English and French furniture of the 1700s and a small museum that bring our memory faraway to his adventurous expeditions.

Both blessing vows and reception can take place in the gardens and loggia facing the lake.
The bride can romantically reach by water taxi her groom and guests waiting for her at the Villa.
While the guests are already there waiting for the bride after have had a fascinating boat transfer sipping a glass of champagne accompanied by a soft musical background.

Once at the Villa, you will be welcomed by the banqueting’ s skilful staff who’ll be serving finger food and cocktails on trays. The garden could be set with chairs and small tables or even chaise-longues allowing your guests to mingle and enjoy the local delicatessen and be pampered by the absolutely unique and precious scenery! Continue Reading »