Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Third appointment with our summer season wedding is again about a red themed wedding.
A trendy color in the last few years.

Shawn and Raul are a nice couple who fell in love with Italy. After taking in consideration some marine venues in Portofino and Zoagli on Italian Riviera, they finally opted for Lake Orta’s romantic atmosphere. A great achievement for us who always try to let the world know how wonderful this place is.

Shawn and Raul arrived directly from United States to find this cosy village’s appeal. they defined it as Just a Fairy Tale.

Shawn arrived by herself to Villa Bossi with a motorboat.
On the town hall pier her maid of honor and sister was waiting for her. They sang together a moving traditional american song.

Shaw took her walk on the aisle of Villa Bossi that was literally covered with colored rose petals.

For the ceremony Shawn decided for a very glamour dress with a crystals collar and little veil on her face. Her shoes were red and matched perfectly her bouquet made up of 24 red roses and Swarovski pins. Continue Reading »

We are back with the second part of the special session of posts on couples that on Summer 2009 chose Orta and Villa Bossi for their wedding in Italy.

Even if these couples chose similar options they personalized their wedding making it unique and very different from each other.

Laura and Kieran chose for their wedding cranberry red as theme color. They added a touch of this shade of red in every detail starting from bridesmaid dress. She was nice Laura’s sister.

Cranberry Red was the color that Manuela the flower designer used to create bridal bouquet. It was made of wonderful Lily Stargazer.

At the end of the ceremony newly weds and their guests had a pretty walk along the pretty roads of Orta village up to the main square to take wonderful wedding pictures. Continue Reading »

There are many couples that during Summer 2009 chose Orta San Giulio as their wedding destination. I will tell you more about some of them in following posts, such as Amy and Tom or Cassy and Gary.
In the meanwhile I’m here to tell you some of the details I will always keep in my heart of several lovely couples I’ve planned the wedding for.

Starting from today we will present here short posts in which you will know some couples that this summer chose Orta San Giulio.

Side to Orta as destination these couples all chose the same venue for their civil ceremony:
Villa Bossi the town hall of Orta San Giulio.

Villa Bossi is an extremely appealing venue. There is no other venue like this in Italy. Bride arrives with a rowing boat (or motor boat) with bridesmaids, by herself but most of of the times with her father.

Just after getting off the boat, bride walks on the aisle with a hundreds of rose petals on. Groom and guests are all waiting for her under the villa porch where the civil ceremony is going to be held.

Each of the couple that chose Orta and Villa Bossi for their wedding personalized every single detail of the ceremony itself and reception to follow making it unique and wonderful.

The first couple I would like to tell you about are Nathalie and Tim. The images you see here are taken from their wedding.

Theme color Nathalie and Tim chose was lime yellow wonderfully worn by pretty bridesmaid, the sister of the bride.

Both bridal and bridesmaid bouquets were lime yellow too. Nathaile chose a great color for her wedding! Continue Reading »

Today I am going to talk to you about Yvonne and Savino’s wedding event: she is German and he is Italian, both living in Milan, and they are among the many couples who this year have made Lake Orta their chosen venue for their special day.

The wedding ceremony was performed against the enchanting backdrop of Orta’s Sacro Monte while Yvonne and Savino chose the elegant Hotel Ristorante L’Approdo in Pettenasco.
The photographer who recorded the event was Alessandro Balossi, certainly one of the best portrait photographers on Lake Orta. The two pictures we have published here are a splendid example of his ability to capture his subjects spontaneously and naturally.

I was asked by Yvonne and Savino to be their flower designer and to take care of every aspect of the floral decoration for their wedding. The color scheme was white and lilac , certainly one of the most popular combinations over the last year. Yvonne particularly wanted a bouquet which featured these colours but which at the same time would be special and quite unique, elegant but natural.

This gave me the idea to use the flowers of the lilac Hebe, which has always been one of my own favourite flowers.
The Hebe grows wild in New Zealand but can also live quite happily in our own gardens, above all the lilac flower is one of the most delicate and natural we can find in existence. Quite perfect for the bouquet that Yvonne wanted!

Apart from the Hebe, the other lilac flowers I used for Yvonne’s bouquet were Freesia and Lysanthius, while the white flowers were Avalanche roses and the Cymbidium orchid . Continue Reading »

Here we are at the second appointment on 2008 weddings I forgot to tell you about before but that I really want to write on. This wedding, as the previous one took place last September too. As floral designer, September for me is one of the most busy month of the year and last one was even busier! September 2009 will be more or less the same. For this reason I always recommend to my couples booking their dates with large advance, especially if they are thinking about a date between June and September. You could not find availability, some dates are booked at least a year in advance!

Sabrina and Mauro wedding took place on 21 September the first day of Autumn. For the first time we are talking about an Italian couple, coming from Milan that chose Stresa for their big day! One of the reasons because I love talking about this wedding was the excellent choice of bridegroom to concentrate all the events in Stresa with just little transfers. You could take a look at the wonderful PHOTO GALLERY realized by Alessandro Balossi from Omegna. I also suggest reading the interesting article The photographer of smiling brides that tells perfectly his charming style.

For their religious ceremony Sabrina and Mauro chose the lovely gothic church of San Carciano just on a hill in the Northen part of Stresa close to the beach. San Carciano’s parish priest is a lovely person and he proudly and pleasantly welcomes brides and grooms coming from other cities or countries. A lot of people coming from abroad – Great Britain especially – choose this church for their catholic ceremony. San Carciano church has a beautiful stone entrance embellished with ball buxus trees. From its hill the view on Lake Maggiore is stunning! I love working inside this wonderful church because of wide spaces, around the altar, and the amazing brightness of the room that en-light every flower decoration.

Color scheme Sabrina and Mauro choose was yellow and white. In the church white was represented by Lilium Longiflorum and a great utilization of baby’s breath and greenery. Yellow was represented by wonderful Golden Times roses that matched the bridal bouquet together with Dendrobium Orchids and a touch of green Alchemilla.

One of the advantages of getting married in San Carciano church is being out of the traffic of Stresa center which is usually very touristy. Moreover we are very close to Villa Muggia, one of the best venues on Lake Maggiore where Mauro and Sabrina decided to celebrate their wedding reception.

As far as the floral decorations to Villa Muggia are concerned I kept on following the color scheme bridegroom chose just changing type of flowers. This time I opted for white Anthuriums with long willows of white grapes around a candle together with romantic ivy. Just to remind us the first day of Autumn. A very stylized centerpiece but very elegant the fitted perfectly in wonderful rooms of Villa Muggia. Continue Reading »

Orta San Giulio is a tiny magic village just the pearl of Lake Orta. There are many corners and typical places that make this Piemonte village a touristy destination similar to no one in Europe, just perfect for a destination wedding for couples coming form lots of different countries. Starting from today we thought it could be interesting writing for you some articles that maybe could help to know better this wonderful medieval village that is almost unknown.

Today I would like to tell you about Piazza Motta, Orta Main Square. Lots of people just love sitting here in a lovely bistro admiring the lake and St. Julius island, thanks of its elegant and charming appearance.

As in many other ancient Italian villages on the lakes, Piazza Motta has its three sides made up by ancient buildings where you will find bistro, cafes, hotels, restaurants or little boutiques. The forth side is just on the lake shores. You will enjoy the lake and St. Julius Island through a row of horse-chestnuts trees.

If you are thinking about getting married in Orta San Giulio, consider Piazza Motta a lovely spot for your wedding photographs. It is just few minutes walk from Villa Bossi, the town hall for civil ceremonies or Assunta Church for religious ones. Photographers loves the setting too and most of them have pictures of couples on the square on their portfolios. From the boat pier bride and groom and maybe the bridal party, could take a motorboat and reach St. Julius Island. Thanks to its intimacy and quiet atmosphere it offers a perfect frame for other stunning pictures.

Piazza Motta is the vital center of Orta San Giulio. Can you imagine?
Every Wednesday you could see the local market since 1228! Continue Reading »

Malcesine, is an ancient town part of Veneto Region and very close to Trentino Alto Adige.This beautiful place with its 3400 lucky residents, lies directly on the oriental side of Lake Garda with a breathtaking view and it develops around the majestic Scaliger Castle and the historical Palace of the Captains.
All the area has perfectly preserved its ancient and medieval origins. The Castle was probably built before 500 AD, destroyed on 509AD and again rebuilt.
His actual name of Scaliger Castle (Castello Scaligeri) was given around 1387 and on 1902 this incredible construction was declared National Monument.
The fact that the Castle is a property of the Town Hall, it’s a great opportunity for all the couples who desire to get married in Malcesine!

For sure this is one of the few locations on the Lakesides that allow the celebration of civil recognized ceremonies in such a suggestive way, facing the lake on the ancient and fabulous terrace.
But no worries in case of bad weather: adjacent to the terrace there are beautiful rooms with big windows where wedding ceremony can be alternatively celebrated.

Another rare chance of Malcesine Castle, is due to the possibility of having a buffet after the civil ceremony directly there on the terrace or in one room inside in a medieval and refined atmosphere to toast with your family and friends! This is very romantic and comfortable for both newlyweds and their guests…

The area is also famous for the mild and sunny climate that guarantees beautiful special events and funny holidays all year round. You’ll be enchanted by the unique landscape rich of water, hills, mountains, olive trees and lush Mediterranean vegetation.
For those couples who are looking for a classic dinner reception after the wedding, Malcesine and its surroundings offer different options suitable for all budgets and needs.
Just above the Castle an historical restaurant opens its doors to your event and the exquisite staff will be honored to serve your meals in the beautiful room – terrace overlooking the lake in a magical atmosphere.

Various high standard Hotels are available in the nearby, to continue the wedding day for those couples who are looking for refined food, excellent service, professional waitresses and sommeliers. Continue Reading »

Valentina Lombardi is one of the wedding coordinators that work with Italian Lakes Wedding Team, one of the most active. One year after the interview you read last year on these pages I had the pleasure to meet her again and ask for an update balance of her activity.

• Hi Valentina it is a pleasure to meet you again. How could you judge this 2008? Do you think it was a good tear professionally speaking?
  Hi! Yes I can say I’m satisfied. To tell the truth helping couples to make their dreams come true makes me feel always happy. Couples I followed during 2008 were extremely nice and interesting.
• Among all the wedding you planned during 2008 there is one that is particularly special for you?
  Oh no! I would surely do a mistake missing someone! Every wedding was special and unforgettable. Maybe details will stay in my heart proudly from each of them: Scottish groom’s kilt, music of Cavalleria Rusticana for a ceremony to Villa d’Este on Lake Como, fireworks in Varenna for an American couple friendship of another American couple, the smile of an Irish bride for a surprising day of sunshine. How could I forget all this?
• And the one that made you worry?
  There was a wedding for which I was very worried for sure for a detail that nobody could control: weather! Couple came here from Ireland and they choose Orta for its sun, panorama and atmosphere. Unfortunately pouring rain seemed it could ruin the whole event. Bride was very worried and sad. But it wasn’t so! In spite of bad weather forecasts bridegroom enjoyed a nice sunny day that let the even go as they planned. Just a little miracle for their own! Continue Reading »

In my function as soprano singer I happened to sing at numerous wedding ceremonies in England, Germany, Portugal, Hungary and naturally in Italy.
For me it is difficult to say which place I liked the most. Every church and each ceremony has its own fascination and is unique. But amongst all, the one that has impressed me most has been the Sacro Monte Church in Orta. View more images here.
Certainly not for its rich and sophisticated decorations but quite the contrary: built in the 15th century in honor of San Francesco d’Assisi this church is held deliberately poor, constructed with “poor” materials following the Saint’s indications to accentuate the virtues of poverty and humility. Within the following centuries the church has been enriched with valuable frescos and other art pieces which make it so suggestive today. Continue Reading »

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. Continue Reading »