Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

A wedding on the Lake Orta can be romantic, like Rachel and Mark’s wedding, celebrated at sunset, on the lake shore…
Or it can be intimate like Silvia and Giorgio’s wedding for 3 celebrated in the garden at Villa Bossi…
But a wedding on the Lake Orta can also be fun and festive…. Just like the one celebrated by Mariana and Matteo, the fantastic couple I will tell you about today.

Matteo and Mariana are an Italian-Armenian couple who live and work in London. Matteo is originally from Torino and he is just like every good boy coming from Piemonte, he is in love with his own homeland. Over time, Mariana was infected with this love as well, and thus their decision to choose one of the most charming places in Piedmont for their wedding: the Lake Orta.

Fun and joy are two words which perfectly describe Mariana and Matteo’s wedding. You will certainly see that in the photos accompanying this post: pictures that tell of their friend’s feast and fun, the first pranks of marriage, the couple’s happiness after the ceremony… emotions and feelings captured by Maren Ollmann’s lens from the Photography Studio Ollmann/Ottaviano in Torino. In the PHOTO GALLERY you will find 27 exceptional shots filled with the passion and magic which bring together the most wonderful emotions of Mariana and Matteo’s Big Day.

Mariana and Matteo’s wedding on the Lake Orta took place in 3 venues: Hotel Villa Crespi, where the bride and groom and their relatives stayed, the Church, Sacro Monte di Orta, where the religious ceremony took place, and finally Villa Ortea, where the wedding reception continued till the early lights of dawn.

For their stay in Orta and their first wedding night, Mariana e Matteo chose the Executive Suite in Hotel Villa Crespi. It was a fantastic room overlooking the lake with XVIII century furniture, a refined marble bathroom with a hydromassage and a magnificent four poster bed.
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 »

It’s hard not falling in love with Malcesine Castle and above all, anytime I go there I’m again and again surprised by its beauty and the breathtaking views and landscapes.

September it’s a lovely month for a wedding on Lake Garda: the weather is mild and sunny, and all the guests can really enjoy the outdoor sceneries.

Our lovely bride Hayley and his father decided to reach the Castle by a funny blue Ape Car, sipping a glass of champagne.

The white dress shined under the sun and the groom Chris couldn’t wait to see her arriving!

After a short walk she finally came in the Castle and crossed the terrace at her father arm, accompanied by the Wedding March notes.

The ceremony, personalized with readings, poetries and music was really touching and unique. Continue Reading »

After the wedding to Villa San Martino we come back to Lombardy side of Lake Maggiore. This time we are going South. Here you will find sweet hills going smoothly towards the lake. This are is very well known from nature and water sports lovers. There are also artistic and cultural places to visit such as historic residence of Villa della Porta Bozzolo with its grand Italian gardens or Rocca di Angera, great Borromeo family castle or even Santa Caterina del Sasso, a monastery on rocks peak.

Right in this green area you will find a lovely venue for your wedding on the lake: Hotel Conca Azzurra in Ranco close to Varese.
A wonderful view, a wonderful garden with many flowers and delicious cuisine will welcome you.
These are the main features of Hotel Conca Azzurra, a pretty venue for your wedding if you are thinking of getting married on Lake Maggiore.

Let’ s see together all the pearls of the hotel.
The great view on the lake: from here you could see the center of the Lake and great chain of Mt. Zeda. You could enjoy this perfect panorama in every month of the year from Restaurant La Veranda. During summer season it opens completely becoming a open air terrace for romantic dinners under the stars.

La Veranda restaurant offer a high level cuisine with local and traditional dishes of the Lake Maggiore and surrounding countryside. It has a very good service and wide cellar with selected wines for every request.

You could sip your aperitif or arrange an informal buffet reception in the wide garden with lovely view on the lake. You will be surrounded by palms and flowers and you will taste delicious lake fish and Piedmont wines. Continue Reading »

Here I am again to talk about Villa Rusconi Clerici, this time I will describe the gorgeous symbolic ceremony of Nicky & Chris. As flower designer, I have had the great pleasure and honour of handling the decoration of this special event, which took place in September in Verbania Pallanza on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

I would like to start by thanking the photographer Carlo Conti, who has kindly provided these fabulous images of the day. After many years of experience as a fashion, still life and architecture photographer, Carlo Conti has founded RPS Studio – Reportage Per gli Sposi – choosing to continue his career as a specialist wedding photographer. His style is characterised by a great ability to capture the most natural and spontaneous moments of any event in order to compose a fresh, modern and lively album…the pictures of Nicky and Chris’ big day are a very good example of his creativity.

Nicky & Chris are both born and bread in London. Nicky is pursuing a successful career in human resource, while Chris owns a recruitment agency focusing on the sports sector.
Being two very busy young professionals, they did not have a lot of free time to dedicate to the organisation of their wedding and decided to rely on the expertise and professionalism of Chic Weddings, a leading wedding design agency that works with the team of Italian Lakes Wedding.

Nicky and Chris were dreaming of a wedding by the water, informal and elegant at the same time. An event that matched their personality, not too flashy but very fun. After evaluating various options, they opted for Villa Rusconi Clerici for its wonderful position right on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

The colour theme chosen by Nicky & Chris focused on ivory and lilac, with a hint of purple. This successful combination is very much on trend recently and is often requested by my clients.

The ceremony at Villa Rusconi Clerici started with the arrival of the bride, Nicky, by speedboat. She was accompanied by her father and her lovely bridesmaids. The location benefits from a private jetty which offers the possibility of organising an extremely scenic entry as well as lake tours for the guests during the cocktail reception.

Nicky chose a sleek and modern bouquet, in perfect harmony with her dress: to design it I mixed mini white Calla Lilies, purple Lysianthus and Rose Tibet, enhancing the long shape of the bouquet with a few leaves of Beucarnea. Continue Reading »

It’s the most voluptuous place in the world that I’ve ever seen. The surrounding nature enchants with thousands of hidden seductions which give the sensation of being immersed in the rarest sensuality and refinement.
This is how Gustave Flaubert described this part of the Piedmont coast where the Lake Maggiore opens up into the Borromean Gulf, a green bay between the centers of Stresa and Pallanza, the two most brilliant gems of the Verbano.

The Grand Hotel Majestic is located in Pallanza, which faces the Island of St. Giovanni, the thirty-year summer residence of Arturo Toscanini. It is a fascinatingly beautiful Belle Epoque hotel distinguished by its incomparable architectural dignity, grand frescoed rooms and extensive lakeside English garden. Its construction became the impetus for the city’s booming tourism in 1870.

The optimal motivating attraction for nobles and the elite to choose to construct their luxurious villas in this region was primarily the agreeable situation amongst the exceptional panoramic peacefulness of the cape complete with surrounding mountains and mild climate.

From many of the hotel’s 99 rooms and 4 suites the dreamlike view of the lake’s serenity, surrounded by the mountains and the captivating beauty of the Borromean Island’s architectural and botanic artistry, can be marveled at. On the Isola Madre and the Isola Bella, just a few minutes away from the hotel by boat, the Borromeo Dynasty buit two luxurious domiciles in the 600’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens of the Lake Maggiore. Of all the gardens in the world, these gardens are surpassed in the beauty only by the magnificent botanical gardens of Villa Taranto housing 20.000 plants species, 1.000 of which had never been cultivated in Italy before. The garden is within walking distance from the Grand Hotel.

Enchanted by the aquamarine panorama of the lake, as seen from the terrace of Majestic, Eleonora Duse had her tailor fashion a dress “…in the same color as the lake”. Among an array of illustrious artists who have been accommodated in the ambience of the Grand Hotel are Grazia Deledda and the composer Claude Debussy. To name a few, the boats of the Stuarts, the Queen of Romania, the monarchs of Italy, the noble families of Germany, Indian Princes and Maharaja were docked here…In short, the personalities symbolizing “bon vivre” of the 800’s have enjoyed the splendor of the hotel.

After some decades of decline, the Grand Hotel Majestic underwent a long restoration period and was returned the dignity of its past. Its rejuvenation brings the true value of its classical style to life and gives the impression of being immersed in an atmosphere of times gone by, all the while offering its guests adequate services with attention focused on today’s comforts. Continue Reading »

We’ve told you many times about wonderful medieval Orta village and how cosy and intimate it is.
Now let’s imagine a more intimate, cozier and more romantic place just mystic and legendary:
here you are San Giulio Island.

St. Julius reached this land for first around 1600 sailing on his mantel. He arrived here and found it haunted by dragoons and snakes.
He sent them all away and built a little church that after become the nowadays cathedral.
This is what the legend tells….

After that a castle, Bishop Palance and villas for priests.
About half of 1800 a convent was built and it cancelled the last symbol of a powerful past let the island becoming more religious.
Today a small group of nuns live in the convent. They are Benedectines and they are totally dedicated to manual works and spiritual hospitality.

St. Julius Island is a silent an mystic place rich in history and traditions.
If you take a look to the island from the hills high tower bell, gardens and ancient roads look like a fairly tale castle born from ancient ruins of a castle.

On this very Italian corner of paradise we would like to suggest a unique opportunity to arrange your wedding reception: a little cosy restaurant with terrace on the lake inside one of the most ancient villas of the island.

We love to imagine a romantic civil ceremony to Villa Bossi or a lovely religious ceremony in one of Orta churches (Maria Assunta or Sacro Monte) with a pleasant trip on the boat to follow.

You and your guests will have the opportunity to completely know and savor the beauty of the lake.
Cruise from Orta to St. Julius Island is a show you can not miss.
From the waters could admire ancient villas on the shores and their aristocratic and alter appeal.

After this lovely trip you will arrive directly on the pier of a little restaurant just on San Giulio Island or you could get there from the little road that goes across the Island.

Ristorante San Giulio (St. Julius Restaurant) is located inside Villa Tallone date back to 1700.
It is well know to host a rich summer concert season in which you could listen to great concerts in such a wonderful frame. Continue Reading »

It’s sometimes hard to find time to dedicate to our dears. A wedding day is often the occasion to bond our families and closest friends.
The idea of spending together not only one single day but one whole week it’s absolutely lovely.

Lake Como offers the opportunity of fabulous weekly rentals.
This means combining an incredible escape with a romantic wedding or party.

Directly on Bellagio lakeshore, there’s a fantastic private Villa which seems created to realize this combination.

This liberty style Villa stands majestically on the water and it’s surrounded by a beautiful park overlooked by centuries old trees complete with swimming pool.
The accommodations and living areas are located on the ground and first floor of the villa.

The property is very elegant, with marble fireplace and frescoed ceilings.
First floor study has an elegant terrace overlooking the lake and Grigna Mountain ranges.
The furnishings are a clever combination of family heirlooms with the finest antiques, all carefully restored to ensure the visitor a most comfortable stay.
The seven bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and air conditioned as the rest of the property can be reached by elevator or stairway.

The other guests can easily find an accommodation in Bellagio center or surroundings and reaching the Villa by a private boat transfer.

Laura decided to celebrate here her 40’s Birthday and what a party!

The lake view park and terrace are the perfect setting for a romantic symbolic ceremony.
If you prefer a civil ceremony instead, this can be celebrated at Bellagio Town Hall.

After the celebration the private boat will lead you to the Villa while sipping a glass of Italian Prosecco!

A private pier will let you drop off the boat and the party goes on! Continue Reading »