Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you a lovely Italian couple: Marialisa and Matteo.
Their wedding was a real mid summer wedding arranged between Mountains and Lakes.
First the ceremony on Church of Madonna del Boden and then down to Stresa on Lake Maggiore shores.

Church of Madonna del Boden is located on the road leading to small village of Ornavasso (close to Verbania – Piemonte). It climbs on top of one of the most spectacular Alps mountain: Monte Massone. From Mt. Massone peak the view is gorgeous. You can see Mt. Rosa, Mt. Weissmiess, Mt. Adamello and Mt. Bernina. On South view runs over River Po Plain and on 5 lakes such as Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. Just amazing!

Church of Madonna del Boden has been built on 500 mt of altitude right inside chestnuts woods. A fresh oasis that Marialisa and Matteo simply loved during the hot August day of their wedding. Continue Reading »

Varenna is very popular on Lake Como for Catholic Weddings.
And its fame it’s easily understandable: San Giorgio Church it’s absolutely fascinating and, above all, this is one of the few churches of Lake Como which allow to marry the non – residents.
Ancient, charming and impressive at the same time, this masterpiece lies in the heart of the village and represents the focus of the place itself.

Varenna it’s reachable by private boat or ferry from most of the other towns of the Lake.
This means that although Varenna is lovely you can decide to spend your wedding holidays not necessary based in Varenna itself.

Helen and Steve, our elegant Asian couple for example, chose to stay in Bellagio with their guests at the well renowned Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.
After their ‘getting ready’ and some beautiful shoots, they reached Varenna by boat: a unique occasion to enjoy the lake!

Once arrived in the main Varenna square, a long stair leads you in front of the main entrance.
This is a perfect setting for the wedding decorations: white and long aisle, flowers and candles create a special and evocative atmosphere.
How can you forget the moment when you step inside the church accompanied by the wedding march notes?
I think this is one of the most touching and unforgettable moments in our life….
Crossing the aisle, hearing the people you love murmuring excited, somebody’s crying and…finally you reach the altar for your forever promise of respect and love.
The sound of the Ave Maria, the exchange of the rings, every moment will remain in your mind for the rest of your life.

At the end of the ceremony you cannot miss the petals through as good luck from all of your friends and relatives.
Now that you’re married, the party moment should begin.

Helen and Steve, decided to go back to Bellagio by private boat and have their wedding reception, welcoming their guests at Villa Serbelloni. Continue Reading »

I must admit that the above title does not fully do justice to the location of which I’m going to talk you about today: a wedding at the Villa L’Antica Colonia is not only a “wedding with lake view”, but it’s definitely a lot more. Villa L’Antica Colonia is a perfect mix of history, nature, relaxation and romance, all emphasized by a breathtaking view of the Lake Orta. If you are looking for an intimate and exclusive, but at the same time spectacular location for your wedding, then Villa L’Antica Colonia can be the right location for you!

Villa L’Antica Colonia is located in Crabbia, a small village on the hills of the Lake Orta, a few minutes from Pettenasco. The structure is surrounded by a large green area and is an excellent starting point for interesting trips into nature and culture.
But the strongest point of the Villa L’Antica Colonia is the magnificent panorama that sweeps over much of the lake and the surrounding green mountains, reaching up to Orta and the Island of San Giulio, a real spectacular scenary!

Try to imagine your wedding party on the large terrace of the villa with fantastic view on the lake: an unforgettable event for you and your guests!

Built in the eighteenth century, the villa was for long time a church property. The large ground around the building, that in the beginning extended until the lake, was planted with vineyards and fruit trees and cultivated by the women of the village that were working for the clergyman. At the beginning of ‘900 the villa was sold to a textile industry, which changed the property into a summer residence for the children of its employees, using part of the house for the breeding of the silk-worm in the winter season. It was later purchased by its actual owners, the family Manini-Maulini, who started the renovation of the property turning it into the beautiful villa we know today.

Villa L’Antica Colonia offers a unique and exclusive setting for your wedding: its prestigious balconies and arcades, between rustic and old, will give your wedding a scenario of the ancient times and a real magical atmosphere. Continue Reading »

Most of our couples choose spring and summer periods for their wedding day and this a wonderful choice for sure.
Although, I can say that autumn colours, light and atmosphere are something really unique too…

On the 28th of October American Carolyn and David came over to celebrate their intimate and charming wedding in Varenna, lake Como.

We suggested a civil ceremony in the morning followed by a lovely lunch on the open air.

The weather was sunny and warm and Carolyn didn’t need anything to cover her shoulders showing her beautiful bridal dress!

The civil ceremony was held on the small lake view terrace with the sound of a violin in the background.

Bride and Groom were both beautiful and moved. They promised each other endless love looking at the immensity of the Lake. Continue Reading »

Lake Iseo is located in Lombardy region and precisely between its famous brothers Lake Como and Garda. The lake is close to the towns of Brescia and Bergamo which both have airports, that makes the lake logistically very easy to reach.

Less known, this wonderful water mirror and its surroundings, is a special place just like the other bigger Lakes. The scenery is very romantic and it is a perfect spot for an unusual and traditional Italian style wedding during any season.

The surrounding area, called Franciacorta, is well known by wine “connaisseurs”, as it is one of the most important wine region of North-Italy. The charming vineyards, with rustic buildings and old mansion houses renovated with the most modern comforts, recalls countryside feeling.
Here you can arrange for your guests, genuine wine tasting programs and actively participate in wine producing process making at the end the actual bottle really yours!If your wish is a vineyard wedding mixed up with a lovely boat excursion on the lake, this is the perfect choice!

Lake Iseo is a wonderful spot on every season and not only during summer. Since there is an inhabited island in the lake, there are passengers ferries operating all-year.
You will taste here great local lake fish skillfully prepared by restaurants all around the shores. You will surely enjoy a gourmand stay!

The area offers also a lovely mountain landscape and woods of chestnuts and olives. Continue Reading »

I really can say that the wedding planner job is never boring.
One of the things I really adore the most is discovering the best locations where organizing our beloved special and unique events.
Lake Garda is very vast and plenty of Hotels and reception venues, but this Lake is always interesting and ‘in ferment’.

One of the most famous area is Gardone Riviera where tourists come from all over the world to visit Il Vittoriale (ancient complex of houses, museums, gardens and theaters built from Gabriele D’Annunzio, who lived there, together with the architect Maroni) and the fascinating surroundings.
Gardone Riviera is located on the west side of Garda Lake and close to the well-known Salo’ Town. This small lovely village is one of the few where both civil and religious ceremonies can be celebrated.
In fact, the general rule of Lake Garda Churches is that non – resident couples aren’t allowed to get married here.
So this place has a huge privilege. Its Church is romantic and lake view and its Town Hall located in the center is also charming and classy: can hosts up to 70 guests.

In case your desire is having a personalized and symbolic ceremony, I’m happy to tell you that this can be celebrated directly in the wonderful gardens of the fabulous location I’m going to introduce you today: Grand Hotel Fasano.

This luxurious hotel is immersed in a romantic scenery of water and hills.
Originally, this building was one of the hunting lodges of the Austrian imperial family: the “faisanderie”.
The hotel beauty and lake view is astonishing and completed by a 12.000 sq. meters private park all around. A perfect set for an extremely chic wedding. Continue Reading »

On Lake Orta posts we usually show our couples in wonderful green and blue landscapes with bright medieval houses under the sun.
Today we would like to suggest something completely different and unusual:
a white Christmas on Lake Orta!

Yesterday, just two days before Christmas, lot of snow whiten Lake Orta creating and enchanting Christmas atmosphere.
Raffaello Mazzoleni one of Italian Lakes Wedding photograher captured it for us.

This is Lake Orta that many of you never saw, right into a fairly tale landscape almost unreal.
Don’t you think it could be perfect for a Winter Wedding on Lake Orta?

Continue Reading »

Among all past Autumn weddings Chiara and Stefano’s wedding was one of my favorites. Bride and Groom were very nice and they choose a wonderful location for their wedding… but most of all Chiara’s dress was simply amazing.

As floral designer I really appreciated bride’s approach towards me. Even if she gave me precise information on her color scheme, she totally trusted me giving me wide freedom on style and shapes for her floral arrangement. This gave me the opportunity to express myself without being to tight on fixed schemes. I believe that for a floral designer is could be the best way to create and express her skills.

Chiara and Stefano’s big day was arranged on Lake Maggiore. Photographers Manuele and Laurence of Studio Foto Benaglia followed the days with their pictures. The followed the group from the early hours of the day until very late at night. This great italian-french couple of photographer realized a lovely natural and spontaneous reportage service taking every single detail of the day. Have a look to the nice Photo Gallery on Chiara and Stefano’s wedding relized by Foto Benaglia.

From Veneto to Piemonte region: Chiara and Stefano reached Lake Maggiore from Treviso in Veneto region, just like at least half of their guests. Chiara was born in Arona and her heart was set here and Stefano fell in love with this lovely town too. So they opted for Lake Maggiore for their destination wedding. All guests loved this choice they did not know how beautiful could be our magic lake.

Chiara choose red for her wedding theme color. Deep red for flowers, invitations, and wedding shoes. Cherry red for a fantastic organza roses fall on her wedding dress. A very original dress for sure! Chiara designed it and she could realize it thanks to the help of Rosanna, the owner of a little atelier in Feltre on foot of Belluno Dolomites.
The shoulder cover, bustier and part of the skirt were mad of laces with plisse’ tulle. Main feature was roses fall in cherry red that started from waist point to create a little train.
Simply wonderful!

Groom opted for a tailor made suit, too. He was surely elegant and handsome.

Chaira and Stefano got married on October 10 on a wonderful warm day similar to summer time. Religious ceremony was held in Santi Martiri Church in Arona, also known as San Graziano church. Church is located in highest part of the town and has a baroque facade and Gothic nave inside. One of the most beautiful detail is the lovely staircase that from San Graziano square leads to church’s entrance.

Floral arrangement was really detailed. On side of aisle red carpet I placed a series of balloon shaped Buxus enriched with red roses and white Gerberas. I also added scattered rose petals on the floor and little bouquets on the pews.

On white marble balusters I created different height arrangements, just in the middle between ancient and modern style. On a white Gerberas and Monstera leaves base I placed Passion Roses on different levels and on side of them I added some Bear Grass. Continue Reading »

Lake Garda is the largest Italian lake, so large as to seem a sea. One of the advertising slogan says, The Lake Garda, more than a sea. The Garda in fact, more than the other lakes of northern Italy, has a “marine”connotation and a vocation. Where for marine is intended the atmosphere created by the presence of beautiful equipped beaches, the endless opportunities to play sports, the good food and the many facilities for young people. In particular, good food can count on excellent local produce: delicious olive oil, fresh-water fish, citrus fruits, vegetables and wine.

At the northern end of this “small sea”, where the Garda ends and just beyond to the Brenta Dolomites, lies the picturesque town of Riva del Garda. Its mild Mediterranean climate, its beautiful sunny beaches and its beautiful old town of Riva del Garda have made an internationally known tourist destination since the late nineteenth century. From the harbour, which overlooks the square and the tower Apponale, develops the medieval part of town with its narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques and cafes, Venetian palaces, arcades and octagonal Baroque church.
Not far away is the Scaligera Fortress, a castle on the lake surrounded by a canal with a drawbridge.

Due to its beauty and charm, Riva del Garda is the perfect destination for your wedding on Lake Garda, appreciated by many couples who want a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In this beautiful town we found for you a pleasant hotel near the lake, within the ancient city walls: the Hotel Ancora is a family run company, with a magnificent restaurant where you can enjoy home made pasta, variety of cuisine ranging from fish to meat, the traditional Italian pizza baked in wood-fire oven, all accompanied by excellent wines to be tasted in the restaurant,on the beautiful terrace or in the garden. Continue Reading »

After Suzanne and Christopher, Loretta and Scott, Nicky and Chris we are on Lake Maggiore again to tell you about another magic wedding: Simone and Stephans’ wedding. They were such a lovely couple coming from Zurich, Switzerland.

First of all a big thank you to Andrea and Marcus a great couple of Swiss photographers that kindly put on disposal their great images of Simone and Stephan’s wedding. A vintage and really unconventional service that we found really unique. The yellow shade gives to images a sense of warm and cosy brightness.

Simone and Stephan wanted a unique and unforgettable wedding. They looked for a real elegant and Italian style event to give their day a touch of glamour. After visiting many venue they choose Lake Maggiore and little town of Pallanza.

Bride and groom opted for a religious ceremony to Sacro Monte church in Ghiffa and a wonderful reception to Villa Rusconi Clerici in Pallanza just few minutes far from the church.

For all guests Simone and Stephan wanted a week end long event.
They started with a lovely dinner on friday night in a traditional pizzeria facing the lake.
Saturday the day of the wedding they decided for a big party to Villa Rusconi sipping champagne, delicious Italian cuisine and fun dances up to early hours of Sunday.

The big day of Saturday begun early in the morning to Grand Hotel Majestic where the group stayed for all the wedding week end.
Dividing herself among make up and hair trial Simone spend some hours with her mother and maid of honor Rachel.
On late morning they all reached Ghiffa where all guests and Stephan were waiting for them.

Simone and Stephan got married in the tiny romantic 1600 church of Sacro Monte of Ghiffa.
Floral decorations were arranged by Manuela the floral designers who works in partnership with La Piccola Selva.
Roses were main flowers. Arrangement at the church included external columns, pews, balusters, and aisle to the altar totally covered with rose petals. Continue Reading »