Italian Lakes Wedding Blog - Destination Weddings Italy

Our wedding was in spring which I thought should be reflected in the floral scheme. I had some very unique and specific ideas regarding what I wanted which unfortunately meant I couldn’t simply show a florist a photograph and ask her to copy it.
I spent a lot of time with Monika explaining my vision and I think the challenge of trying out something new appealed to her. She was prepared to follow my requests but wasn’t afraid to give her input. We had to have a contingency plan in case the flowers I wanted weren’t available at the time of the wedding so it was nice to be given updates as to what was in the bloom the weeks before the big day.

The result was spectacular - my first tears on my wedding day was when I saw my bouquet! Monika is a perfectionist and I could tell on the day that he too was pleased with her work.

Of course, I couldn’t have achieved such results without Clara who firstly introduced us and secondly spent endless hours translating between the two of us and coordinating with the other suppliers so they would know how their products (car, wedding cake etc.) would be presented. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, I arrived back from honeymoon to see that mine was bouquet of the month!

We were so scared our wedding would fly by that we decided to have a weekend of celebrations instead of a day. Felix worked tirelessly the entire weekend so that we now have an excellent reportage of the entire time, from the preparations right through to the celebrations. By the end he had lots of new friends (he was more of a guest than a photographer!) and we have some of the most amazing photos.

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.

Continue Reading »

I recently met Valentina Lombardi of SposiamoVi Group and had a wonderful chat about the wedding events industry in the Italian Lakes area, and learned a bit about Wedding Planning.

Having a Wedding Planner can do wonders for your wedding! For the busy couple that doesn’t have the time, or needs to travel a lot, a wedding coordinator can provide a sense of security and ease.

Wedding planners are professionals at making your special day memorable and stress free. They know the ins and the outs of planning a wedding!

Check out Valentina’s interview: Valentina is truly wonderful, and she gives us a lot of insight into her wonderful job!

• Valentina, what made you decide to become a wedding planner and how did you become one?
  I decided to be a wedding planner a lot of time ago.
  I’ve worked as event planner in a US software company for years.
  My creativity wasn’t satisfied so I decided to make my dreams come true, I met my Genova colleagues Cinzia and Alice and everything started…

 

 

• What do you like about your job?
  I love helping couples to build their own event following their style and passions.
  Working together with them to build the perfect day!
• How would you describe your working style?
  I try to interpreter couple tastes in order to suggest them the best solutions for them.
  I really do not want to force them into a decision…I’d rather prefer to be a consultant for them.
• What’s your idea of an excellent/lovely marriage proposal?
  Getting married on Lake Orta…. the perfect venue for a perfect day. Cozy, romantic and charming as Italy can be!
• Favorite thing to do outside event planning?
  I really do love Disney and 50s musical movies, swing music, shopping, discovery channel, traveling or relaxing with my family and I used to sing in a band….

Continue Reading »

During the preview of the 2008/2009 Domo Adami collection we met the italian designer and stylist Mauro Adami in his studio in Milan to talk about the new trends in the world of wedding gown fashion.

• What do you think about the new trendy Winter Wedding?
  I think that is a pleasant solution for bridegrooms that want an emotional wedding.
  Winter light is smooth deeply emotional full of intimate suggestions.
  Every decoration can be studied in every single detail and there are much more availability of venues and creative assistance.
• Can you explain us your Fall/Winter collection? It is sophisticated and very feminine…
  I wished realizing a gown collection that would be smooth and light with embroideries that gently lay on wiggly fabrics. The true innovative issue is on accessories, the real central characters of the collection. There are many new proposals: organza matching boleros with ruches and voile or georgettes to dress up gowns adding a touch or charm and romanticism. There are also plumes and furs on the stoles and veils enriched by laces with modern and inedited tailor cuts. Moreover you will see details for practical but elegant hair solutions to complete bride’s style of next collection preview 2008-2009.
• We noticed that your winter collection is very versatile; even if the gowns have a clear winter connotation they could be worn in every other season…
  I’d say that this is a special dedication to the eternal seasons of love…Cold is a personal circumstance; emotion of style is my mission.
• What will be next Spring Summer collection style?
  For Spring 2008 I propose my new satin wiggly lines with transparencies and charming details such as necklines and bijoux. The romantic part is filled of fabric particulars such as laces, tulles, taffetas for elegant gowns, the “new traditional” for the bride who likes cathedral style.

Continue Reading »

The lake of Mergozzo was once upon a time a gulf of Lake Maggiore, but because of the drifts of the Fiume Toce is since 1800 a little separate lake, just a few kilometres from Lake Maggiore and lake Orta and direct on the Sempione national road.

This little charming lake is one of the cleanest Italian lakes, a true paradise for couples in search of a romantic and peaceful nest where starting a new life together, the perfect destination for exclusive weddings.

Lake Mergozzo is also recommended for young sportive couples as here it’s possible to practice water sports in safety as the lake is forbidden to engine boats.

The lake, dominated by the Mount Montorfano and surrounded by ancient woods, is a fantastic starting point for many lovely walks from which the visitor can enjoy a fantastic view on to the lake Maggiore, the Pianura Padana and the Alps chain. Beside its amazing location, Lake Mergozzo hasn’t been invaded by mass tourism yet. Continue Reading »

If Italy sets your heart pounding, why don’t you celebrate a truly glamorous wedding in the most romantic country of all. Italy is frequently sited as Europe’s top destination and for very good reasons: great wine and food, gorgeous venues, fabulous climate and beautiful cities.

The Italian Lake Region is the ultimate place to vow life-long commitment to each other…so, what are the suggested steps to plan a fantastic event over there?

• Get organised
  Buy a proper wedding planner that includes checklists and folders so you can store venue’s details, suppliers’ contacts, contracts, budget information, ideas you get from wedding magazines. Make a list of what needs to be done by way of preparations for the big day. Set yourself a realistic target and aim to complete a few tasks each week.
• Stay focused
  Close your eyes and imagine your wedding…write down how you see it, the colours you like, the setting you dream of, the atmosphere you aim to create, the music you would like to hear. Look at guidebooks to choose the perfect lakeside location, search the Internet for the most magic villa, flick through magazines and books for design suggestions.
• Start emailing
  Once you have a clear idea of what you are after, start communicating with the selected venues via email, ask for prices and comprehensive information. Shortlist a few and take the time to visit them. Once you have found the one you really like, ask them to recommend their preferred suppliers and get in touch with each one of them. Don’t forget to check their websites first to ensure that you like their style.
• Delegate tasks
  Remember, you are not a super hero and you might need some help. Get your friends and relatives involved as much as possible, as delegating tasks is the key to saving time. Most of the people around you are dying to help out anyway…
• Consider hiring a planner
  To help manage your time efficiently and make life easier for yourself generally, consider hiring a wedding planner that speaks the language and knows the local culture. They will be able to locate suppliers and negotiate contracts while keeping you update on progress. Many wedding planners also offer partial wedding organisation, they will only arrange certain aspects of your day, leaving you to handle the most interesting bits.
• Talk to brides
  Talking to other couples, who got married in the same area can help ease your workload. You may want to post a note on a few wedding forums to ask for tips and suggestions.

Good luck!

Villa Bossi in Orta San Giulio is for sure one of the most evocative venues to set a civil bending in Italy.

It was built during the XVI century. The building is made up by a L shape house on three levels. The façade overlooks the lake allowing a wonderful view to Pella, Ronco, Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary and most of all precious mystic St Julius Island.
Villa Bossi was built on a pre-existing medieval building that is still part of its walls perimeter but it was renewed and enlarged during the centuries.
Nowadays the building houses Orta San Giulio town hall. The building is simple and sober but enriched with some lovely architectural elements such as the porch and the loggia.
The rooms inside are furnished with antique stunning furniture that you will surely love.

The garden is just charming and it is always opened to visitors.
Four flowerbeds, a wisteria pergola with some seats and a secular cypress and, most of all, the iron gate that face lake’s waters make it up. The garden blooms with many salmon roses: it is “Orta San Giulio rose” a new quality of rose created just for this wonderful village on the lake.

Villa Bossi is a unique place. You won’t find anything similar all over Italy. It is the favourite destination for bridegrooms coming from abroad. Here you can also celebrate the bending in the open-air garden facing the lake, the panorama will be the perfect frame for the celebration. Many romantic brides decide to arrive to the garden by oar or motorboat, only for them the precious iron gate will be opened.

Just imagine quiet and blue waters of the lake, St. Julius Island and a violin that plays just for you.
A short lane with petals all around will lead you to villa entrance, where, between two columns covered by flowers you will have the perfect bending for an unforgettable ceremony.

After the ceremony you could also decide to take the boat to have a short visit to St Julius Island where you could take some stunning wedding pictures that will be an indelible memory.

View more pictures about Wedding Ceremony at Villa Bossi, lake Orta.