Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Lazise, this small town on the eastern-southern part of the lake has all the rights to be proud of its rich past. From the medieval splendid times although still remains a lot to see also for the nowadays people: the magnificent Castle, with the walls that are containing the historic center with the tiny little streets, a lot of shops and bars. Once you come to Lazise, its feeling takes you…and if your wish is a special romantic wedding in a historical environment, you have just found the right place.

The Palace of the Town Hall – to celebrate your civil wedding – is in the heart of the old city center, just next to the lovely small port, giving a special frame to your forever love promise to each other. Or do you prefer a catholic ceremony? The little roman church of San Nicolò with frescos from the 3rd century is just on the other side of the port, in direct closeness of the central square. The majestic Castle dominating the town is a perfect location to shoot some very special wedding photos, while your guests will enjoy a refreshing aperitif on the terrace of one of the lakeside restaurants.

Then to complete the picture of the enchanting environment, the Town Hall just put at the disposal the historical building of the Venetian Customs, only few steps from the Town Hall, that now can be used also for wedding receptions. From here that Venice controlled for long centuries the commerce on the Lake Garda, but now the medieval building hides a brand new interior design, offering a really special set for a very exclusive reception for your guests. The structure includes two large modular areas, which can host 350 people overall, and is characterized by a typical Venetian construction, with a larch truss roof of ancient origins, and two arches facing the lake forming a usable open space for an open-air aperitif before the wedding dinner, to enjoy the great view of the lake with the small romantic port in front. The excellent fusion of this fantastic monumental setting with cutting-edge technologies has made this renewed multifunctional centre one of the most elegant, exclusive events venues in the province of Verona.

Otherwise, if your wish is to continue the wedding day in a more traditional, elegant villa instead of the Customs building, there is a splendid XIXth century villa part of fantastic Thermal Park, where you can enjoy fully the relax also the days after the wedding with some snuggling massages and beauty treatments, or simply just taking sun around the swimming pool. Large italian garden, and historic residence buildings complete the offer of the Villa. 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.

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In the last years, especially in Northern Italy, there are many more civil weddings than in past times. In such town as Verbania, Como, Verona, Orta San Giulio and Stresa, civil bendings are more than religious ones.

Among the reasons that determined this new trend there: second weddings, that can be celebrated only at the town hall, the open-mindedness and swiftness of this kind of bending and also the increasing number of Destination Weddings.

Many think that civil weddings are less expensive and less formal than one celebrated in the church. But for sure it is not less important!
It is definitely a very important a sacred celebration equivalent to swear in a court. In fact Italian Law wants two witnesses present to the ceremony to be a guaranty, with their sign, of the absolute legitimacy of the bending that will bond between bride and groom.

In effect, civil ceremony is a celebration that has to be done in perfect agreement with Italian Laws instead of religious ones.
Civil bendings can be celebrated by mayors, or delegates and has to be done in authorized venues such as Town Halls, but also Villas, Castles, Hotels or even Garden, but all those places have to be authorized.

Your civil bending could be enriched by the beauty of many Town Halls, unforgettable villages, sinuous hills and hospitality of the ones who host bridegrooms for the celebration at the Town Hall.
For the couples that wish to celebrate their wedding on Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore, civil bending is available in almost every town: Stresa, Orta San Giulio, Verbania, Arona, Oleggio Castello, Baveno, Cannero Riviera, Laveno, Luino, Angera and Mergozzo. For a real fairy tale wedding the most wanted venues are Villa Bossi, Castello Dal Pozzo and Villa San Remigio.

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Lake Garda has always charmed its visitors. From north to south enchanting sites and striking locations come one after the other: colors, locations, nature and much more make this lake a much sought after and unique place. Its magic blends with the soul forever.

The lake is famous for the first and only docg wine in the Veneto Bardolino as well as for its delicious food/cuisine. Lake Garda charmes with its splendid colors, ranging from the calm deep blue to “that” lake storm dark green. This place is one of the most romantic places in the world, forits proximity to Verona, the famous home of Romeo and Juliet. That’s why many couples from all over Europe/the world come to its shores to pleadge/promise each other eternal love.
Being able to describe this magic place is impossible, but the truth is that once you visit it it ends up becoming part of you.

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