A union begun centuries ago thanks to close relationship between Irish church an Vatican. You can see it with the Flight of the Earls back in 1608 one of the most famous event in Irish history.
We cannot forget about James Joyce who wrote in Italy many of his books. You can also see Italian classical tradition in rich Irish artistic patrimony.

These days Italy and Ireland are among the best supporters of European Union. From the touristy point of view Irish people love to come to Italy and Italians love travel to Ireland. Italy and Ireland are close also in soccer world, national soccer team’s coach is an Italian man: Giovanni Trapattoni.

For these and other reasons we love to think that Shauna and Marco’s wedding is another confirmation that Ireland and Italy are so close to each other.
The day had many little details that make us think about this. The religious ceremony was celebrated both in Italian and English and the epic vintage Fiat 500 Shauna an Marco used for their wedding. it was decorated with green-white-organge and green-white-red ribbons to recall both national flags.
Let’s read what Shauna and Marco told us:

it is so difficult describing with words impressions and emotions of our big day.
The ones among our guests who knew Orta and the others who were new to the location both said that this is a magic place for a wedding!
It was just fun seeing who guests got into the wedding mood. It is intimate and exotic some way.
Our bilingual ceremony mixed different cultures and made the moment just amazing. Then we spent a wonderful and happy time for the reception to a Castle few kilometers from Orta village.
- Shauna and Marco

As floral designers Monika and I followerd the flowers arrangements at the church and at Castello di Miasino. Shauna chose an elegant white for her theme color.
She opted for white lysianthus and roses for the ceremony and more white roses this time with white lylium for the reception to the Castle.

The only exceptions were bridal bouquet, bridesmaids and flower girls bouquets. We created them with lilac and white roses.

Thank you for all! For the flowers you created but also for your kindness and graciousness. All our guests loved your flowers as we did! Our wedding was just as we dreamt: simple but very elegant. Both church and Castle are wonderful did not need many decorations, they are two wonderful places. You created a perfect atmosphere, all our guests were comfortable with it and they all enjoyed the party!
- Shauna and Marco

From all Italian Lakes Wedding Team a special thank to Enrico Mocci by ArteFotoArona who gave us they great shots of Shauna and Marco’s wedding. As usual the ones we show you in this post are just a little selection. We invite you to have a look to full photo gallery with all images of the event.

All services we had for our wedding were amazing! Musicians, photographer, catering company, drivers were all great! A great job, they were kind with us and all our guests. We all loved it. Thank you so much!
- Shauna and Marco

All images © Enrico Mocci – ArteFotoArona – Lake Orta. All rights reserved.

Together with Monika, Paola is La Piccola Selva floral designer. She is part of La Piccola Selva team who are specialized in floral arrangements and lovely bridal bouquets on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore.

After her graduation in English language her passion for nature and flowers brought her to a long and successful career in floral design.
Thanks to her long experience and creativity Paola will be able and happy to suggest you best flowers, color, details, shapes and styles that could match your tastes and ideas.
She will be able to add a final touch that could turn your wedding in an even more special day!

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.

As floral designer I took care of all flowers arrangements: white was the theme color for the church and bridal bouquet.

For the church I created a lovely arrangement made up of Ice Queen white roses and Lilium Longiflorum. Different heights that matched wonderful white marble altar and balusters of the church. All this white marble gives to the church elegance and brightness enhancing floral arrangements too.
On Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta areas only Churches of Madonna del Boden and Madonna della Bocciola have this pretty feature.

Marialisa wanted for her bouquet a round and compact shape that I created with Ice Queen white roses with some Pittosporum greenery and some Gypsophilia.

Out of the church a woderful vintage red Jaguar was waiting for Marialina and Matteo to take them to Stresa on the lakeshores. From the mountains to the lake in just 30 minutes!

For their wedding reception Marialisa and Matteo chose Villa Aminta in Stresa a luxury ancient Villa which is now an elegant 5 stars hotel.

Wedding reception here is usually arranged on the terrace of the hotel with breathtaking view on Borromeo Gulf and Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen Island) or in the fine rooms of the Restaurant named “Le Isole” and “I Mori” with lovely gazebo on Lake Maggiore.

For the reception to Villa Aminta I created a fresh centerpiece in pastel colors to match bright frescoes of wonderful I Mori room.
Gerberas, Roses, Aster, Lysianthyus and Lilium : a perfect mix of shapes and pastel colors that matches Marialisa and Matteo’s spirit.

On bride and groom’s table I created a pastel arrangement too but bigger with a long ivy train to match table cloth cover design.

A wonderful sunny day gave the bride and groom and their party, the opportunity to enjoy a lovely aperitif in Villa Aminta gardens.

I would like to thank photographer Claudia Suriano that kindly put on disposal Marialisa and Matteo’s wedding images.
Claudia Suriano style is characterized by natural reportage features which meets a minimal use of some posed photos just to complete the photo service.
Have a look to to Marialisa and Matteo’s wedding PHOTO GALLERY!

All Images © Claudia Suriano photographer. For more information please contact us.

Monika Andenmatten is La Piccola Selva’s floral designer.
Based in lake Orta, has worked with brides for over 20 years to create floral arrangements for weddings in the Italian Lakes district.
His wedding arrangements are creative, elegant and sophisticated. Monika will be able to help you choose how best to incorporate floral design into your wedding celebrations. From the initial consultation to the wedding day, she will make your wedding flowers truly an expression of your dreams.

For more information about weddings on Lake Maggiore please contact us.