alessandra on Jan 31st 2010 Lake Como Weddings
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 »
valentina on Dec 8th 2009 Lake Maggiore Weddings
After Suzanne and Christopher, Loretta and Scott, Nicky and Chris we are on Lake Maggiore again to tell you about another magic wedding: Simone and Stephans’ wedding. They were such a lovely couple coming from Zurich, Switzerland.

First of all a big thank you to Andrea and Marcus a great couple of Swiss photographers that kindly put on disposal their great images of Simone and Stephan’s wedding. A vintage and really unconventional service that we found really unique. The yellow shade gives to images a sense of warm and cosy brightness.

Simone and Stephan wanted a unique and unforgettable wedding. They looked for a real elegant and Italian style event to give their day a touch of glamour. After visiting many venue they choose Lake Maggiore and little town of Pallanza.

Bride and groom opted for a religious ceremony to Sacro Monte church in Ghiffa and a wonderful reception to Villa Rusconi Clerici in Pallanza just few minutes far from the church.

For all guests Simone and Stephan wanted a week end long event.
They started with a lovely dinner on friday night in a traditional pizzeria facing the lake.
Saturday the day of the wedding they decided for a big party to Villa Rusconi sipping champagne, delicious Italian cuisine and fun dances up to early hours of Sunday.

The big day of Saturday begun early in the morning to Grand Hotel Majestic where the group stayed for all the wedding week end.
Dividing herself among make up and hair trial Simone spend some hours with her mother and maid of honor Rachel.
On late morning they all reached Ghiffa where all guests and Stephan were waiting for them.

Simone and Stephan got married in the tiny romantic 1600 church of Sacro Monte of Ghiffa.
Floral decorations were arranged by Manuela the floral designers who works in partnership with La Piccola Selva.
Roses were main flowers. Arrangement at the church included external columns, pews, balusters, and aisle to the altar totally covered with rose petals. Continue Reading »
valentina on Nov 29th 2009 Lake Maggiore Weddings
I’ve already told you some months ago about the wonderful hotels on Lake Maggiore. These are ideal venues for an elegant wedding on these magic shores.
Chris and Suzanne choose Grand Hotel Majestic for they big day.

They came here with relatives and friends from United Kingdom to celebrate a wonderful event that was studied in every single detail.

Suzanne choose a theme inspired on lilac and café au lait enriched by many little crystals.

Suzanne designed personally Bridesmaids and flower girl dresses just thinking about these details.

Flower arrangement Suzanne wanted was very detailed.
All arrangements were created by Manuela one of the floral designer who work in close collaboration with La Piccola Selva. Basing on the theme Suzanne wanted, Manuela created a rich vintage arrangement.
She used Freesias blooms and Aqua Girl roses for lilac, and Cofee Break rose for cafe au lait shades. Purple was made with wide Trachelium and classic Vendela roses and Stephanotis made the white accent.
Little fabric Stephanotis were on all wedding stationery Suzanne and Chris had on their tables: invitations, names card, table chart and trivia boxes.

Crystals were on the tables to match Kartell chairs rented for the occasion and crystal vases supporting flowers decorations.

Some other little crystal were inside the Stephanotis flowers in centerpieces and bridal bouquet, just a little compact and rounded jewel.

Suzanne matched crystals on her dress too. There were crystals on the veil, on the dress and the wonderful vintage pin she had on her waist. Bridal dress was italian by Spose di Gio. Continue Reading »
alessandra on Nov 25th 2009 Lake Garda Weddings
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 »
valentina on Oct 30th 2009 Lake Orta Weddings
Last but not least part 5 of our Summer Season Weddings on Lake Orta.
Today I will tell you about one of my favorite weddings of this year: Gillian and Louis’ special day.

Gillian and Louis chose as theme color pink and apple green but what made the event special were multicolored kilts of guests.

She is Scottish and he is Italo-Scottish and they both chose Orta San Giulio for Louis’ family Piemonte heritage.

Sweet and lovely Gillian look like a pretty princess when she walked on aisle of Villa Bossi Garden.

Her father was by her side wearing a kilt, but he wasn’t alone!
All guests had it on to bring a corner of Scotland in Orta.

As all the other weddings that I mentioned in Summer Season Wedding in Orta session, Gillian and Louis had a great sunny day. It was the perfect weather for an outdoor civil ceremony in the town hall of Orta San Giulio.

Floral arrangements were created by Paola one of the florist designers of La Piccola Selva.
She created fresh and natural bunches of flowers for the decoration of the gate and the columns of Villa Bossi.
Bridal and bridesmaid bouquet had the same style Gillian wanted. A perfect match between baby rose, apple green and white.

After the ceremony Gillian and Louis walked along ancient pedestrian roads of the village.

A wedding in Orta is not complete without a tour on the lake to discover the landscapes and beautiful St. Julius Island.
Here you can find amazing spots for unforgettable wedding pictures. Continue Reading »
valentina on Oct 28th 2009 Lake Orta Weddings
Welcome to part 4 of our Summers Season Wedding in Orta appointment.
I will give an overview on some of the events we followed during 2009 summer in 5 posts.
The thing Summer Season Weddings have in common brides and groom choice to opt for Villa Bossi and its wonderful garden to celebrate their civil ceremony.
Every single couple personalized and made their event different and unique in all senses.
And so Maria and Chris did.

Maria and Chris chose to celebrate their ceremony in the garden of Villa Bossi first and the in the wonderful church of Assunta for a moving blessing.

Maria and Chris’ wedding was a simple and cosy event, they just wanted to have it this way! They came here with few friends and close family from United Kingdom.
Maria and Chris decided to arrange a different event but at the same time it was really really romantic!

For once in Orta history bride did not arrived by boat but from narrow and medieval roads in Orta village.
She was with her father and at their arrival a lovely flower girls was waiting for her as a surprise! Continue Reading »
alessandra on Oct 19th 2009 Lake Como Weddings
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 »
valentina on Sep 6th 2009 Lake Maggiore Weddings
Lake Maggiore area is a wonderful area with many different characteristics. It is surely known all over the world for Borromeo Gulf scenery and pretty villages on the coast.
If you are planning your wedding on Lake Maggiore why don’t you take in consideration another opportunity… A country wedding.
We are pleased to give you some ideas. A monk ancient abbey close to Arona, Massino Visconti Castle, a medieval fortress on Stresa hills with amazing view on the lake, an agritourism on Monterosso, or even Verbania mountains with horses ranch and typical production of sausages, cheeses and a 360 view on the lake.
Today we would like to tell you about a place a little far from here. Going up on Lake Maggiore towards Switzerland, passing wonderful coastal towns of Ascona and Locarno you can reach to extreme North Lake town of Bellinzona is.
This is the country wedding destination on the lake we would like to tell you about.
Raffaello Mazzoleni photographer was there for Italian Lakes Wedding Team. He gave us the entire footage in few days, quick as he usually does.

Even if Raffaello Mazzoleni is a WPJA member, sometimes he also loves taking posed photos when couples ask for them. This service is the right combination between reportage style and a classical wedding service.

Natascia and Paolo are the main characters of the event. They celebrated their civil ceremony to Bisca town hall and arranged their reception to follow in the wonderful scenery of Castles of Bellinzona, in Canton Ticino.

Castles of Bellinsona are divided in three fortress.
First one is closer to Castelgrande town and it has two towers Torre Bianca (WhiteTower) and Torre Nera (Black Tower) On highest hill there is Castle of Montebello. Most of the pictures Raffaello took show this lovely spot. The biggest castle is Castle of Sasso Corbaro that overlooks all the others. It was built by Duke of Milan in 1479. View here is wonderful and it embraces entire Lake Maggiore area.
Natascia and Paolo choose the restaurant inside the lovely castle for their wedding reception. Buffet reception was held under vines pergolas in the courtyard of the castle itself. Food was very good and 4 heart shaped cakes were just delicious. Bellinzona wines are very special!
Right coast of Canton Ticino is exposed to sun rays and this makes grape production very easy. Among the most famous wines of the area we remember Red Merlot DOC of Ticino and White Chardonnaly Doc of Ticino.
Bellinzona Castles are a sort of barrier between Alps and Lake Maggiore. Duke of Milan decided to build this complex during 1400 to contrast Swiss troups invading the territory. They still have high walls, towers and battlements and they still represent a good testimony of medieval architecture on Alps. In year 2000 the entire area has been declared World Umanity Patrimony by Unesco.

Raffaello Mazzoleni was able to capture in his pictures the dramatic atmosphere of the area: castle, cloulds, sky, cliffs and green all around. Continue Reading »
alessandra on Jun 23rd 2009 Lake Como Weddings
Lake Como is very famous all over the world for its beautiful surroundings, but sometimes its main City, Como, is the less known. And this is a sin! In fact Como Town offers lot of things to do and see all year long (not only during spring and summer). Como lies directly on the lake and has great shops, museums, churches, tea rooms and a famous theatre.
Have a wedding in Como means match both the beauty of the lake and the comfort of a city. In particular, civil weddings ceremonies can be performed in a splendid ancient Villa on the Lake protagonist of many artistic exhibitions. The location is public, with large gardens and an area reserved for the ceremony in order to guarantee the privacy.
Beautiful pictures can be done by the photographer before moving at the reception venue. In case you are oriented for a symbolic ceremony, this can be arranged directly in the splendid gardens of the private villa where also reception will take place.
After the ceremony and pictures, just few steps, walking on the lakeshore, the newlyweds and their guests can reach a really hidden beauty property for the aperitif, music and dinner.

This private Villa has beautiful rooms and gardens and offers different options in terms of rental (from only one room and gardens to the whole villa). Of course this doesn’t mean that more than one wedding is admitted at the same time! Simply, those rooms not rented remain locked.
The choice of the catering is free so there are thousand options: from classical to typical to extremely modern and refined or special ethnic etc…
Aperitif outdoor with live music or piano creates a special romantic atmosphere and for the dinner, depending on the weather, it’s possible to remain outdoor or moving inside the stunning decorated rooms continuing with music and party. Continue Reading »