Italian Lakes Wedding Blog - Destination Weddings Italy

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!

Casablanca Lilies, the largest blooms of all Lilies!
A very fragrant flower, Casablanca Lilies are perfect for large wedding flower arrangements. From a decorators point of view Casablanca Lilies are important because they fit modern and traditional situations so well. They are individually unique and mass pleasingly and they are so fragrant. They are long lasting, holding up well when manipulated into wired floral pieces. Brides find them magically expressive of the beauty they are looking for and popularity makes Casablanca Lilies stylish and trendy.
The image on the left shows a flower arrangement with Casablanca Lilium and Roses created by me at Hotel Dino in Baveno, lake Maggiore.
The beauty of fresh Casablanca lilies offers a sweet fragrance and statuesque grace. No flower is more frequently used at weddings than this hybrid. These lilies were originally found in China and Japan. The first known use of lilies at weddings was by the Ming dynasty in China. A breathtaking lily, the Casablanca is known for its dramatic white blossoms and irresistible scent. Among the most famous of Lilies from the Oriental family, it’s as elegant as the name implies. The Casablanca takes its name from the Spanish “casa” (house) and “blanca” (white). These pure white Lilies exhibit three-to-five stunning flowers per stem, for a total of 30 or more flowers per bunch. A plentiful amount well suited for a truly spectacular display, gala event or thoughtful gift.

Warning: put a protective shield under the lily when using them as corsages. The anthers which project from the center of the flower will easily stain fabric. It is safest to remove the anther prior to using them in this manner. 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 »

Elegant, charming, ancient, Stresa is the pearl of Lake Maggiore, one of the most wanted destinations wedding in Piemonte. It has been a favorite destination with the British, even Queen Victoria stayed on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

Stresa is located on Lake Maggiore in northeastern Piedmont which borders Lombardy and Switzerland. It is a renowned tourist resort in a picturesque setting facing the equally famous Borromeo Islands.

In order to see Stresa well, it’s important to explore the many alley ways and small cobblestone lanes that make up the town. Not a shopper by nature, Stresa was an invitation to buy! Lovely little pottery shops are found around every corner, and the shopkeepers are more than happy to ship your items home. Also, shops with jewelry, tempting Italian foodstuffs, and cute little bars and trattoria are everywhere.

The lakeside promenades are lined with magnolias, camellias and verbena and many other flowers and Mediterranean trees.
Embarcadero is probably the most crowded place in town. From here you can take the boats for an excursion on the Lake visiting Borromean Islands and their lush gardens and palaces owned by Borromeo Family.

In the 1850s Stresa was one of the most sought-after vacation spots in all of Italy. The rich and famous from all over the world spent their leisure time enjoying the beauty, serenity and romance of Stresa. Consequently dozens of fabulously expensive and ornate Villas were constructed overlooking the lake. Today those same Villas of the world’s richest people are available for your wedding and for your wedding reception. Continue Reading »

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 »

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest member of the Italian Lakes Wedding team: Giovanna Benati of Poker d’Eventi, a wedding planner agency based in Verona, Italy.
I recently spoke with Giovanna about Poker d’Eventi and how the company can help you plan a destination wedding on lake Garda.

• Giovanna, could you tell me something about yourself and how you became involved in wedding planning?
  After working for many years in the organisation of events for large companies and often in extremely formal situations, a close friend of mine called me to give her a hand with the organisation of her own wedding.
  Time was short (as is always the case with large companies and big events and conferences) and I helped in making the wedding a fantastic experience for everybody.
  I have to say that what made this experience unforgettable for me was to see my friend so relaxed and free to enjoy the day, leaving everything in my hands. She even allowed me to be as creative as I wanted and that is how the passion for this work was born.
• What is your favourite part about event planning?
  I think the most exciting moment is when I present my ideas and plans to the couple. Their faces light up at being able to imagine their wedding and they can finally begin to get excited about the day.
• Where are your top three picks to have a destination wedding in lake Garda?
  Lake Garda offers so many options for the creation of a wedding that I really wouldn’t know how to choose. I like to give couples the chance (if possible) to see some of the lake and a few of the locations that I have selected before coming up with final choices. If I were to get married again however I’d love a wedding on water, an event on a boat.
• Is it difficult for non-residents to get married in lake Garda? What are the requirements?
  No it really isn’t a problem in my experience, the people at the town hall actually seem happy to help in the completion of documents etc. Obviously each case needs to be looked at separately and documents also need to be prepared in the country of origin, but we calculate the time for all paper work in the organisation.
• After the wedding, what nearby romantic places might couples want to visit?
  After travelling so far, many couples see Venice (and a trip on a gondola) as a stone throw away, Florence is a popular stop over and of course Verona with Juliet’s balcony and the Arena Opera House is a must but I think the most romantic and enchanting place is ‘Castel San Pietro’ where the most breath taking view of Verona from above can be experienced.
• Do you have any advice for folks who’d like to get married in lake Garda?
  Plan ahead. Garda and the various locations suitable for such an event are becoming more and more popular so we need to book in advance. With enough time we really have no limits as to what can be achieved.

Continue Reading »

A good photographer is of major importance both during and after your event; you should choose it carefully to avoid any disappointment.
You would want someone that can relax you while shooting and can establish a good connection with your guests to make sure that they enjoy being photographed and look natural in the pictures.

Listed below are a few tips that might help you shortlist the most talented ones:

• Bored with the usual cheesy shots? Search beyond wedding photographers if you are looking for cool and stylish images. Many fashion and lifestyle photographers can normally be hired for important events as well…and what is more important than your special day? Fashion photographers are great when it comes to portraits of you getting ready and walking around in your gorgeous wedding gown…lifestyle ones are ideal for parties and their pictures are bound to reflect the magic atmosphere of your reception!
• Do not splash on decoration while saving on a photographer by trusting the ability of friends and family (unless they are professionals). The photos are the only lasting memories of your day, you will be sharing them with your children and grandchildren in the years to come and you just want them to be perfect. Top photographers do charge a lot for a reason…years and years of experience that provided them with a great eye and the ability to play with the light.
• Search the Internet to come up with an initial list of names, look at their websites and pick the ones that grab your attention. Contact them, ask them to send you their portfolio and prices but most importantly meet them in person to test the chemistry you have with them.

Continue Reading »

The golden rule of wedding planning is to plan an event that you can afford. Always shop around for good prices and great ideas…you can host a fabulous event without necessarily splashing a fortune!

Always start with the season and work that into the day. Fresh seasonal fruit and flowers will always offer the best value for money and superb quality. You may want to choose wedding colours that match the flowers and a wedding menu appropriate for the season. If it’s cold you will want a hearty meal whereas with hot weather you should opt for a lighter and fresher selection.

Really study your location and work with it. Make sure that the style of the wedding fits in perfectly with the venue and that you enhance the beauty of the latter with the right decoration. Look at the colors of the wall coverings, the fabrics and the soft furnishing and complement what is already there.

It doesn’t really matter what style you choose for your event as long as it reflects your personality. Do not re-create a very formal atmosphere if you are more of an easygoing person and vice versa.

The secret to create a WOW effect is consistency…the theme, the colours, the decoration need to be the same throughout the whole event in order to create a link between each moment of the party (the celebration in the church or registry office, the dinner, the dancing, etc).