Do you want a pure Italian touch of originality? What about a special entry and exit?

You can choose a lovely APE-calessino to move through the narrow cobblestone streets of small villages on Lake Garda!
Calessino was born in Italy in 1948 as a three-wheeled transformation of the famous Vespa. Word “calessino” comes from its look. As a matter of fact it is very similar to a horse carriage, a sort of sofa on wheels finished in wood and covered with a semi-circular bellows awning.
The model was an breaking success: its small size made it the ideal vehicle to move in the ancient villages and seaside localities all over Italy, often characterized by narrow and steep alleys.

In the following years it became a great character of the Dolce Vita years, carrying the Hollywood stars around the islands and the most beautiful places on Mediterranean coast.
From Italy it reached Asian countries becoming a real bestseller. Perhaps because of its similarity to the exotic rickshaw, it spread across the south-east Asia as a means of public transportation and it is now known as tuk-tuk, a name deriving from onomatopoeic characteristic noise generated by its motor.

With its sixties design, it relive today the unforgettable charm of La Dolce Vita and it offers you a great opportunity to give a vintage and characteristic touch to your special day, like in Hayley and Chis’ wedding in Malcesine.

I love when also cars fit right in with the theme of the wedding!
Italian design offers many other solutions…of course Fiat 500 is a real Italian style icon.

So tiny and fun, it can be a great bridal car to take you from the church to your wedding reception… maybe dragging tin cans as tradition!

What’s your style? A sports car for a romantic getaway for just the two of you around the lake, a vintage car to reach one of the many castles on Lake Garda, or even a fun Buggy to surprise your guests?

….oh, and if you have no car, maybe you can hitch a ride on a Vespa, as suggested by these funny wedding photos!

For your enjoyable wedding on Lake Garda we put on your disposal all these funny getaway cars and many other solutions in their original version, with or without driver.

For further information and availability please do not hesitate to contact us.

Angela and Katiuscia both work on Veneto region and Lake Garda. They will take you to discover traditions, savors and colors of Veneto region, not only on Lake Garda!

They can help and support you for a dream wedding on other wonderful locations such as Venice, Verona and Veneto gorgeous countryside where you could taste some of best wines of Italy.

For any information about wedding on Lake Garda please contact Angela and Katiuscia.

Lake Garda East coast is embellished by many castles and crenellated cities.
This obviously is explained by the ancient history of this side of the lake and has its origins in the proximity to the elegant Verona.

Scala dynasty ruled the city for 125 years and extended its dominions to Lake Garda, leaving many historical testimonies.

One of the most famous is the castle of Malcesine.
Your Wedding in Malcesine will be certainly wonderful. You will enjoy this small village on the northern shore of the lake that seems suspended in time. It is a small village with cobbled streets that climb up a gentle slope until reaching the fortress overlooking the lake.

The castle hosts legal civil ceremonies in the incomparable setting of the tower: deep hues of the sky merging with blue of the lake will be the perfect background to your exchange of promises.
Malcesine can be visited by foot or by a funny “Ape Calessino” (tuk-tuk). You get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways between colourful houses and ancient palaces and to discover beautiful backgrounds for your wedding pictures.

Malcesine small port is definitely one of the most lovely glimpses with its colourful boats waiting to take off the placid waters of the lake. From here you can embark on an ancient and elegant sailing ship called “the lady of the lake” , for an exciting tour of the lake sipping good Italian wines.

For just the two of you or your dearest guests a unique experience could be a dinner on the deck to enjoy the unforgettable sunset over the lake from a very privileged position.
Just south of Malcesine you find another small village set on the shore of the lake.
Torri del Benaco unfolds around a small port overlooked by a wonderful castle.

Lake Garda has an ancient tradition of lemon trees growing. Its mild climate all year  allowed the spread of this fragrant and delicate plants. You can see by the lake many lemon green houses. They are built with large pillars and wooden frames between high stone walls which served to protect plants in winter.

Torri del Benaco Castle is one of the oldest and largest lemon houses of the lake. Inside the building, between fragrant cedar, lemon and tangerine trees, you will find one of the most beautiful frames that may exist for your civil wedding, with the sky as roof.

Continuing down the coast you will meet the crenellated walls of Lazise. It is oldest municipality in Italy. It is a small village rich in history that in a short walk encloses a tiny port, a beautiful Romanesque church and the peculiar building of ancient custom (Dogana).

Century ago it represented the  border between Lombardy and the Venetian Republic.

Today the bride can get on foot under its massive arches, while the groom will wait for her for their Civil Ceremony on the lake.
It also allows you to arrive also by boat thanks to its great position.

After your ceremony your welcome drink will be offered just by the lake.
Lake’s romantic lights of the evening will be the backdrop to your fine dinner with fine Italian wines.

In the Southern part of Lake Garda, on a small peninsula that stretches towards the vastness of the lake there is maybe the most beautiful pearl: Sirmione.

It is known since the days of Catullo for its precious thermal waters. It is enclosed within the ancient walls of the Scaliger fortress. As in ancient times, you still reach it across the drawbridge, walking along the narrow streets, going from the castle to the beautiful Romanesque church. 
Church of Sirmione is certainly the most beautiful church on the lake, with its colonnade and courtyard overlooking the lake.

For your civil ceremony you have at your disposal the colourful Palazzo Callas in the small main square. For symbolic blessing you can choose the charming garden of an elegant neoclassical villa, with ancient statues and century-old trees.

What makes Sirmione unique is that here in anyway you will choose to celebrate your special day, day before and day after, it will be always a special event thanks to the many activities and possibilities that this location offers to enjoy your Italian days.

You can find excellent restaurants where you will taste real Italian cuisine and great wines, fun boat trips to discover the most beautiful places, relaxing hours to spend to the spa to pamper yourself gazing at the lake.

Last but not least among the castles of Lake Garda, impressive fortress of Lonato offers a truly unique setting to celebrate your wedding.
This evocative venue offers a unique setting for your wedding within its ancient walls.
You can celebrate your legal civil ceremony in it and then entertain your guests with an elegant wedding reception, all in one place.

Lake Garda is very close and it can be seen between crenellations on a clear day. The most beautiful moment to admire this venue is right after sunset when a thousand candles light up.

After the civil ceremony you can walk among olive trees for an Italian aperitif and just after your party can follow to the upper quarter of the castle to dine in a spacious lawn under the stars.
The atmosphere created by these ancient walls lit by torches can not be described, it should be lived!

And to end the evening, music and dancing will delight you and your guests under an elegant tent.

A full day within the ancient walls for a wedding to remember.



So, which is your castle?

Contact us to find out with us!

Angela and Katiuscia both work on Veneto region and Lake Garda. They will take you to discover traditions, savors and colors of Veneto region, not only on Lake Garda!

They can help and support you for a dream wedding on other wonderful locations such as Venice, Verona and Veneto gorgeous countryside where you could taste some of best wines of Italy.

For any information about wedding on Lake Garda please contact Angela and Katiuscia.

What could be a better place than Italy? A country full of story, sharing with its lovers hidden niches of infinite beauty.
During their visit around the Lake Garda, after visiting many characteristic villages and famous locations,Steve and Sarah came across a tiny well kept village in the North of the Lake called Malcesine. In this location filled with colorful little artisan shops, family run restaurants and the superb surrounding nature, they finally found what they were looking for!
The venue to tie the knot was Scaligero Castle, stately rising from the village promontory! The Castle has a very long and rich history. It had many owners who kept it polished and magnificent through the centuries. It was built in the first millennium by the Lombards and then destroyed and rebuilt by the Franks. From there on, it has been a jewel in the hands either of Republic of Venice, of Austrian-Hungarian Empire, of France and of many Italian lineages. Then it was declared National Monument in 1206.
In this rare pearl set in a fairy tale landscape, Steve and Sarah decided to celebrate their most important event as a couple: their wedding!

When the day finally arrived, everything was ready for their wonderful ceremony, young page boys and flower girls, cheerful guests were waiting for this very important day. Cascades of flowers were awaiting the couple for their vows exchange!

Our skillful photographers from Photo 27 Studio were able to capture unique shots, so delicate and important but so qucik to vanish in a heartbeat. We love especially the following photo, Sarah’s farewell to her previous life and Steve’s waiting, longing to start his new life with Sarah… and finally they exchanged vows and rings!

Classical music, played by artists our great Joy Ensemble Duo (Violin and Cello) in the background, added a touch of uniqueness and elegance to their YES!

For this special occasion musicians played some classical tunes by their repertoire.
Some other were expressively requested by bride and groom as Viavaldi Four Seasons and Fields of Gold by Sting.
For your wedding in Malcesine Italian Lakes Wedding can provide a wide choice of classical musicians. We can start from violin solo, harp solo up to string quartets with even a soprano singer!

Now Sarah and Steve are ready for their joined bright future!
Shooting session started to follow, while their guests could explore the beautiful castle.

But the most lasting joy comes from the possibility to share your happy moments with your beloved friends and family, and Sarah and Steve had a huge group waiting for them!

Our skilled photographers of Photo 27 Studio continued to followed them around Malcesine village to capture their most important moments in just a candid and reportage way!
Their professional eyes are trained to capture the most important although sometimes invisible moments, while letting them be natural.

Sometimes the work of post production is under estimated, but we find it essential to give back pathos experienced in most important moments. Camera captures colors and shades, our professionals add to them human dimension, drama and magic of life!
After the ceremony Sarah and Steve had a chilled and relaxing walk around Malcesine tiny streets and its small traditional and colorful pier.

As a great surprise to their guests, an incredible journey on a historical sailing ship from 19th century was awaiting for them!
A new breathtaking view of the castle could be appreciated from here!

We leave them like this, enjoying their new life together and foreseeing a bright future ahead! We wish them the best life can offer!

Angela and Katiuscia both work on Veneto region and Lake Garda. They will take you to discover traditions, savors and colors of Veneto region, not only on Lake Garda!

They can help and support you for a dream wedding on other wonderful locations such as Venice, Verona and Veneto gorgeous countryside where you could taste some of best wines of Italy.

For any information about wedding in Malcesine please contact Angela and Katiuscia.

Angela and Katiuscia both work on Veneto region and Lake Garda. They both have a degree in Architecture and Interior Design and both come from this world.
Their background and natural creativity will be at your disposal to create a wonderful scenography, some amazing arrangements and choose little pretty details that will make your wedding just unique!
Moreover their problem solving qualities will be helpful to arrange to a wonderful day on Lake Garda.

Lake Garda is an important destination for weddings in Italy: a wide lake whose distinctive feature is the wonderful panorama immersed in a mild Mediterranean climate all year long, among cypresses, olive and lemon trees and the quaint and colorful borghi overlooking the lake such as Malcesine, Limone, Torri del Benaco, Gardone Riviera, Salò and Isola del Garda: the perfect ingredients for a dream wedding!

Angela and Katiuscia will take you to discover traditions, savors and colors of Veneto region, not only on Lake Garda! They can help and support you for a dream wedding on other wonderful locations such as Venice, Verona and Veneto gorgeous countryside where you could taste some of best wines of Italy.

Welcome on board Angela and Katiuscia!

However I would like to show you today an other side of Malcesine.
Tracey and Stephen came to Malcesine for a romantic holiday in 2009, and they fell in love with the place. No doubt they wanted to have their wedding here! They wanted a religious wedding instead of a civil one so we found for them a private, intimate venue for their 40 guests wedding. First, they looked around by themselves to find a venue that could answer to their needs of privacy, intimacy. As they couldn’t find the location of their dreams, Tracey and Stephen contacted us for help.

After long search, we have found the perfect venue for them, and we also found the authorization of Don Giuseppe of Parish church of Malcesine to have a religious ceremony over here. The planning could start in details for 20th of July 2010, the day of the wedding!
A one year of planning flew away quickly to reach the big day. While girls were having their hair done to hairdresser, boys were enjoying a refreshing beer on the lakeshore.
The church was decorated with a lot of sunflowers and white roses, to represent sunshine, happiness and deep optimism of the couple.

The Intimate, and very romantic ceremony was conducted by Don Dominic, who was so kind to come to Malcesine and celebrate the wedding in English, allowing the couple and the guests to feel like home.

A refreshing, rich aperitif waited the newley weds and their guests at the bar side of the church after the ceremony. Italian prosecco, hot and cold canapés, and little delicious fingerfood prepared by the bar owners were the main attracion! Then we took a comfortable, air conditioned bus to reach the wedding venue kept secret as a surprise! It was an amazing and well hidden private villa behind the mountains, in the green countryside. Wow -effect was really guaranteed with its Arabic style! The beautiful villa had also a wide garden, where children could run play and parents could be relaxed too. You can imagine how happy they were when they also found a huge inflatable slipper!

The reception was arranged outside in the green, under protecting shade of trees, enjoying delicious food prepared by a skillful catering. Dancing and music completed the event, together with a little sweet “performance” of the kids on the dancefloor, and open-bar opened until late night.

We can ensure this was not the typical Malcesine wedding, but we are sure we were glad that we could help Tracy and Steve to realize their dream!

Italian Lakes Wedding Team is made up of several professional wedding planners and floral designers with a long experience on Italian Lakes locations.
The Team knows the territory in every single detail and will be able to follow you on every important choice you will take.
Our coordinators are based locally in the areas we serve so whether you decide for a wedding in Rome or Bracciano, a wedding in Como or Stresa, or a Wedding on lake Garda or Lake Orta, we will grant the same level of service.
Our Team will be able to provide you every kind of supplier, florist, photographers, musicians, designers celebrants, witnesses and help as far as your documents are concerned, and anything you may think of.
Italian Lakes Wedding Team will literally pamper you!

For any information about wedding on Lake Garda please CONTACT US.

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.

After the wedding, the newlyweds were attended to the Castle main entrance to receive the applause and the soap bubbles of their relatives and friends.

The cool Ape car lead Hayley and Chris to the lake view restaurant they chose for their reception and where they shared this special moment with the family.

We’re always very happy and proud to make a dream come true!

Alessandra Fabi is the Italian Lakes Wedding’s coordinator for Lake Garda and lake Como area. If your idea of wedding is refined, sophisticated and with a special attention to details, she’s your perfect wedding planner!
She makes each client feel unique and she treats each wedding as if it were her own.
For more information about weddings in Malcesine – Lake Garda please contact the Italian Lakes Wedding TEAM.

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.

Many charming Agritourism immersed in the nature are pleased to welcome your wedding reception if you’re looking for a country-chic style, that perfectly fit with genuine food, bucolic context and presence of children. The idea of using typical Italian products of the Agritourism as wedding favors will be also very appreciated!

While half an hour distance by car majestic portcullis open the sight to typical Veneto style ancient Villas for a classic, elegant party, to feel like a Queen and its King…
Your wedding in an ancient italian Castle overlooking a splendid Lake as Garda one, it’s not a dream anymore!

All Images © Mauro Pozzer.
Mauro Pozzer was born in Vicenza and he’s a Lake Garda lover.
He’s a wedding photographer with a long experience in ceremonial photography.
His unique style captures the events and its unique details emphasizing with his shots emotions and expressions of each special event.
For a gallery of wedding reportages please visit his website www.mauropozzer.com

Angela and Katiuscia both work on Veneto region and Lake Garda. They will take you to discover traditions, savors and colors of Veneto region, not only on Lake Garda!
They can help and support you for a dream wedding on other wonderful locations such as Venice, Verona and Veneto gorgeous countryside where you could taste some of best wines of Italy.
For more information about Weddings in Malcesine please contact us.

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.

In the last few years there are many couples like Aleksandra and Chris that chose Autumn or Winter to getting married. Of course getting married in Winter could have some cons but consider all the pros: you could save money, many hotels and venues on Italian Lakes are are low season in this period and could have lower prices and most of all you could have all the suppliers at your disposal!
The churches will be available, wedding planners, photographers, florists and musicians will be at your complete disposal.
A winter wedding could be even intimate and very glamour and cinematic: with right elements could be a unique innovative wedding a real Winter Wonderland!

For more information about weddings around the Italian Lakes please contact us.

Last month prestigious soprano singer Karin Brides, has joined the Italian Lakes Music Team. Karin is gifted with a splendid voice and notable international experience in the musical area and furthermore she sings in numerous languages, English, German, French and Italian.
Recently i had the pleasure to meet Karin Brides for a chat about her activity as soprano singer at weddings. Karin is extremely gentle and cordial and deeply loves her work.
You immediately will notice this while reading this interview!

• Hi Karin, welcome to Italian Lakes Wedding Blog. What is it about your wedding music business that you are most proud of?
  Every wedding I worked at I left bride, groom and the guests deeply touched and thankful. Their reactions made me realize that the music and the singing contributed in a major way to keep the energy high, to create a peak time for them.
• How do you work with clients to choose musical selections for weddings?
  I figure out what kind of music taste they have and see if they have already songs or arias in mind.
  When I found out about the style of wedding they choose, if more private, casual or grande and official, whether a religious or civil ceremony. Then I look for songs that fit their style and location and together we create the program.
  I figure out the couple’s expectations and then work out the details or/and make some other proposals to accomplish the sound-scenery.

• Which areas do you cover?
  In music I cover the areas from Classic/Opera over to Cabaret to Jazz/Blues.
  In geographical means I cover the north Italian area including the Italian Lakes like Garda Lake (Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Verona), Lake Como (Bellagio, Cernobbio, Varenna, Villa del Balbianello), Lake Maggiore (Stresa, Pallanza, Locarno) and Lake Orta.
• Obviously, musical talent is one of the skills necessary for being successful in your field. What are some of the others?
  The ability to empathise with the needs and visions of the client.
  The humbleness to serve the client well and desire to leave them breathlessly happy with your service.
  The capability to make the clients vision your own, move yourself within their realm and translate it into tangible sound.
  Versatility and willingness to respond to several demands of style and the passion to interpret with equanimous intensity and emotional truth .
• What do you like most about running your own business? What is the most fulfilling aspect?
  Never thought about that. For me it is the best way to sing all the songs I love and to move freely in the wonderland of music without being put in one niche.
• If money were no object, what would you recommend to a bride and groom as the “epitome” of music for a wedding ceremony?
  Let THEIR song be played in the original version, sung by the original singer or if a more classic one, have it sung by their favorite singer, accompanied by the best orchestra between heaven and earth.
  If they don’t have THEIR song or THEIR music I would help them find it.
• What is the greatest challenge that you have faced while growing your wedding music business?
  To find the right strategy and efficient channels to make me known to a broader range of clients.
  To manage contemporaneously the different parts of the business. To find enough time, means, energy and focus to develop and promote the business whilst working creatively, rehearsing, preparing repertoire and looking after clients. Sometimes I wish to be Shiva , the Indian Godess with many arms…
• Currently, what is the one wedding tip you want to give to soon-to-wed couples?
  Naturally, as a musician who knows about and works with the magic that music and specially a voice can create I would say: Never save money on music If your soul doesn’t sing on your wedding day when else should it?
• Your final thought and advice for my wedding blog readers?
  Have the courage to find your own rites , your own style. If you feel eccentric then let your wedding be eccentric eg. celebrate on the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or have all your guests dressed like pirates……
  If you feel you like it as your grandfathers and mothers celebrated theirs then do it as traditionally embedded as possible.
  If you want it star stroken, there are more ways to celebrate it than going to Las Vegas.
  For the romantic ones, the castles and fairy robes….
  If you want it rustic then find a virgin meadow with an old barn and celebrate and dance until your feet burn.
  With your wedding you set the tone of your future married life and therefore , be creative, have it as authentic and joyful as you can.

So what is reportage wedding photography or wedding photojournalism? It is a way of photographing a wedding without setting up any of the photographs. The wedding photojournalist usually arrives well before the bride is dressed and stays until they take last photo of the bride and groom leaving the reception.
The photographer stays in the background and photographs events as they happen without any prompting. The advantage of reportage photography for the couple is they can spend more time with their wedding guests. This style of photography shows the atmosphere of the wedding and is non intrusive. The photographs are taken in a mixture of black & white and colour, telling the story of the day as it unfolds.
The Italian Wedding Photojournalist Raffaello Mazzoleni offer this method of photography for your celebration day in Italy. The aim is to record your day in beautiful, natural photographs so you can enjoy your wedding or celebration day without posing for the pictures. Italian Wedding Photojournalist don’t normally take group photographs as these are too staged and often very time consuming and boring for the people involved, its far better to try and capture the natural image.
Raffaello is a Lake Orta wedding photographer who lives and shoots beautiful weddings on both lakes. He combines an exciting contemporary style of wedding photojournalism with chic Italian fashion photography. He travels back and forth between weddings in Como, Bellagio, Cernobbio, Varenna, Malcesine, Torri del Benaco, Riva del Garda, Orta San Giulio, Arona, Pallanza and Stresa. So if you are planning a Italian Lakes destination wedding, he is at your beck and call.