Italian Lakes Wedding Blog - Destination Weddings Italy

Lake Orta has always been one of the best destination for bridegrooms coming from all over the world. But not only!

Often is the trait d’union between different culture, very far from each other.
This is the case of Cristina and Derek. She comes from Genova and he is from Scotland.
A long love story and then the decision to getting married. Considering the wonderful places they both come from it is not easy making a decision. Portofino, Five Lands, Porto Venere or even some legendary castle in green Scottish country side.
What a difficult choice! And here it comes Lake Orta. They immediately fell in love with it. The perfect destination for their wedding.

Considering the distance it was not easy organizing all the event: ceremony, reception, flowers, music, invitation, guests coordination coming from Scotland and Ligura.
They decided to hire a wedding planner specialized in Lake Orta area. Their natural choice went on Valentina Lombardi from SposiamoVi – Torino. Valentina is a wedding planner with long experience on Lake Orta and she works with skillful professionals on the territory.

The photographer is Raffaello Mazzoleni who is the author of beautiful photojournalistic pictures that you can see in the SCOTTISH WEDDING PHOTO GALLERY for Cristina and Derek.

Floral arrangements are from La Piccola Selva thanks to the fantasy and creativity of floral designer Monika Andenmatten. La Piccola Selva has been leader for more than 20 years in floral arrangements and bridal bouquet creation for churches and best venues on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore.
Cristina and Derek for their reception venue decided for Hotel San Rocco in Orta San Giulio.
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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. Continue Reading »

My name is Martha J.

I have been working in the Italian music scene for more than twenty years and in the last few years part of my activities has been focused on private parties (weddings, anniversaries…) and corporate events (conventions, meetings,…).

In my experience, I saw many brides and grooms spend a lot of time and efforts in choosing the right “ingredients” for their big day: a perfect dress, a nice church, lovely surroundings, a gorgeous villa, beautiful flowers…
What they much too often leave as a last minute choice is music, which is considered a less important “ingredient”.

Remember that music represents the soundtrack of you wedding day and a good soundtrack can make the difference!

That’s why I am here to help you find the right music for you big day!

A wedding without music is like a movie without a soundtrack!
Let me help you find the right soundtrack for your big wedding day!

Our secret is that: you have fun…because we have fun! We can change the musical program according to your requests; we can change musical styles just reading-through your guests’ tastes.

It will be a pleasure for me to play at your wedding or to help you stage the music that suits your tastes, because I am sure that, in the years coming, when you close your eyes and think of your big day, my music will play again in your heart!

The string quartet is the ideal size of ensemble for most events ranging from a handful of guests up to a few hundred or more. The combination of two violins, viola and cello can create a wide range of textures and moods varying from the most subtle and delicate to a full, rich string sound, which carries equally well in small or large halls, outdoors, or in a marquee.
A string quartet can add the perfect touch to your wedding day, whether entertain the guests for the drinks reception or playing music for the bride walking down the aisle. A string quartet is completely mobile and requires no power supply. This makes it an ideal choice for a civil ceremony or a summer wedding, where guests may move outside for drinks and back inside for dinner. Some of the most well known pieces you might hear a string quartet play at a wedding or private party are “Canon In D” by Johann Pachelbel, “Air On the G String” by Johann Sebastian Bach, and excerpts from “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi.
Whether you have chosen to have a Church or Civil wedding ceremony, music is surely the most important factor in creating the perfect classical and romantic atmosphere. Choosing music to suit your wedding day can be a difficult task. The Koiné String Quartet can provide music at any point during your wedding day, whether it be the ceremony itself, the hotel drinks reception in the afternoon, as background music during the wedding meal, or indeed after the meal itself as live music and entertainment.
All professional musicians, the Koiné String Quartet is a young and vibrant ensemble based in Piemonte that has been playing for weddings and corporate functions throughout lake Orta, lake Maggiore, lake Como and lake Garda. since 2003. Continue Reading »

On September 4, 2004 Isola Madre on the Borromeans Islands has been the perfect scenario for the wedding of the decade: John Elkann, Fiat heir, married Donna Lavinia Borromeo of Princes of Angera at the Cappella Bianca on the Isola Madre.
John Elkann is the chiselled 28-year-old grandson of the late Gianni Agnelli. Following the death of his uncle Umberto, Elkann was promoted to the vice-chairmanship of Fiat, becoming the head of Italy’s grandest family in the process.
Princess Lavinia Borromeo is the last descendant of the Borromeo family: this noble family was the owner of the islands for centuries. Borromeo family is one of the premier Italian families that became rich through trade and banking.
Lavinia Borromeo and John Elkann made up a beautiful couple: she was 26, he was 28. They had a beautiful wedding: the ceremony and wedding took place at the Cappella Bianca, at Isola Madre in Lake Maggiore, which is property of the bride’s family. Father Biagio Pizzi and Don Giuseppe Volpati presided over the ceremony. The church was adorned with white and yellow flowers. From the seven hundred guests invited to the reception, only the relatives and close friends of the couple were able to enter the small church.
The bride wore a Valentino’s gown and she complemented it with a splendid lace veil that is running in the Borromeo family for many years. Valentino was also in charge of the dresses worn by the bridesmaids, Beatrice and Matilde (sisters of the bride), as well as by Isabella Borromeo, who acted as witness. Continue Reading »

Of the recent new hotels in the region of the Italian lakes, the Hotel Cortese in Armeno represents a uniquely successful example of the skillful blending of tradition and modernity. A perfect synthesis which, when expressed through the charm of this authentic architectural jewel at the heart of an incomparable location, provides the ideal setting in which to celebrate your wedding in refined style.

The use of local stone, precious woods and wrought-iron (typical crafts of the area) create a unique and charming atmosphere in which time seems to stop, allowing us to recover the pleasures of life at a slower pace – and thus to savour that most special of happy days.

Immersed in the tranquil scenic surroundings of Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, only minutes away from the village of Orta San Giulio, the town of Stresa and the spectacular panorama of Mount Mottarone, the Hotel Cortese enjoys the magical atmosphere of a little historic village: the use of local stone, precious woods and wrought-iron (typical crafts of the area) create a unique and charming atmosphere in which time seems to stop, allowing us to recover the pleasures of life at a slower pace – and thus to savour that most special of happy days. Continue Reading »

If you are wishing an Italian Wedding with a religious ceremony, the area between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore is just perfect. This area is very rich in churches and sanctuaries located in panoramic setting such as Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, Sanctuary of Madonna della Bocciola, or in medieval village as Maria Assunta church in Orta San Giulio or St.Rocco church in Corconio. There are even some churches in the wild nature such as Madonna di Luzzara church or Oratorio di St. Sebastiano in Lesa, just near Stresa.
Some others are monastery just on the lake as Eremo of St.Caterina del Sasso on Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore or monk’s convent of Mesma Sacred Mountain.
Among the most magical spots for a religious wedding we cannot forget about Sacred Mountains built between XVI and XVII centuries. These religious buildings have a deep symbolic and cultural meaning and they are simply beautiful. They are perfectly integrated in a natural landscape made of woods, hills and lakes. These places have a high artistic value for their statues and chapels some are also part of UNESCO heritage.
In Italy there are 9 sacred mountains spread all over between Piemonte and Lombardy. Among those, the ones situated on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore are the most fascinating and strongly recommended from Italian Lakes Wedding for your religious wedding in Italy.
These are Sacro Monte of SS Trinity’of Ghiffa, and Sacred Mountain of Orta San Giulio, two sacred complexes characterized from the perfect fusion between surrounding landscape: wood, architecture, lake view are the elements that make unique this settings just perfect for a wedding on the lakes.

We would recommend that you ask a few simple questions before taking the time to visit the venue and let alone book it!

1. Where is the venue located?
   The venue must be situated in a convenient position, not too far away from the church that you have chosen for the ceremony or too far away from the airport where all your guests will be landing. Make sure it’s not up a steep hill, difficult to reach for those who are not so athletic or those who are carrying babies.
   If you are keen on a remote location, make sure it can accommodate all your guests for the night of the wedding (or that there is an alternative option nearby) so that they won’t have to travel far after the party.
2. Are you allowed to play music and dance until late?
   Find out whether there are any restrictions with regards to playing music and dancing. Some Villas have rooms full of antiques and the owners won’t let you dance inside and some others are located in residential areas where music cannot be played after a certain time.
3. Will the venue be at your exclusive disposal?
   If you are looking for privacy and fancy a unique event, do make sure that the Villa offers exclusive hire and that nobody else will be allowed access to the premises during your stay and especially during the event. Continue Reading »

Calla lilies, with their crisp white flowers and brilliant green stems, are among the most symbolic flowers you can choose for a wedding. The calla lily is the epitome of elegance. All fresh flowers are beautiful, but few offer the elegance and versatility of the calla. They stand for charm, magnificence, grace, beauty and bounty. They are elegant and symbolize passion. A sophisticated atmosphere at a wedding ceremony is a sign of calla lilies. Maybe you’ve thought of designing your own wedding bouquets, centerpieces or church arrangements. In that case, the calla can provide all the style, color and beauty you’ve ever dreamed of. One simply has to glance at a white calla to think of weddings. It occupies a strangely rich space that’s both classic and totally modern.

With their long and meaningful history, calla lilies are a popular choice for a spring or Easter wedding, although they are perfect any time of year. These graceful flowers are reminders of our past generations when grace and beauty were the rule. Associated with elegance and charm, a calla lily would be the perfect flower if you wanted to create a sophisticated atmosphere for your wedding in the Italian Lakes. Continue Reading »

If you are planning your wedding on Italian Lakes, Villa Gippini could represent the ideal venue to plan a wonderful cocktail party on Orta Lakeshore.
It was built during 1700 near Hotel San Rocco that now owns it. Together San Rocco hotel and Villa Gippini are one of the best luxury solution for a wedding party.

Hotel San Rocco is a special and charming place. For more than 150 years it has been a convent. This happened up to the end of 60s when it was converted in the main building of the hotel.
Villa Gippini was added after some years. The baroque building is rich precious handcrafts, stuccoes and frescoes. Its garden is just a romantic corner overlooking the lake with a precious little fountain and pleasant shadowy trees.
Usually photographers love to shoot some pictures to bridegrooms with the unforgettable panorama on St. Julius Island on the back.
Another important fact is that Villa Gippini is located at just few steps from Villa Bossi, Orta San Giulio town hall where civil bendings are held.

The villa is easily reachable by feet from Maria Assunta Church in Orta or Orta Sacro Monte one too where religious bendings are held.

History, nature, idyllic scenario and Orta Lake: stunning features that make Villa Gippini one of the best venues in Lake District.
Consider that the garden could be rented just for a cocktail party or a pleasant aperitif, a wonderful place to celebrate your big day together with relatives and friends. Continue Reading »