Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Joanne and Justin are a sweet couple coming from South Wales, UK.
For their wedding Joanne and Justin chose wonderful mediterranean landscapes of Lake Garda.

Civil Ceremony was held in one of the lovely rooms of Torri del Benaco Castle while for their reception they opted for Bardolino town.
Bardolino is one of the most quaint villages on Lake Garda. It is famous for their vines yards and of course Bardolino wine a precious red wine.

Ceremony was planned to be on the tower of Torri del Benaco castle but it was held in one of the room because of a little shower.
Right after the ceremony gray clouds went away to let a wonderful sun coming out, like in a fairy tale the sky was simply amazing.

Joanne and Justin had the possibility to have stunning pictures on lakeside promenade and in the ancient little road old Torri del Benaco village.

Estella and Diego of Photo27 Studio in Milan were the photographers for Italian Lakes Wedding Team. 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 »

Lake Iseo is located in Lombardy region and precisely between its famous brothers Lake Como and Garda. The lake is close to the towns of Brescia and Bergamo which both have airports, that makes the lake logistically very easy to reach.

Less known, this wonderful water mirror and its surroundings, is a special place just like the other bigger Lakes. The scenery is very romantic and it is a perfect spot for an unusual and traditional Italian style wedding during any season.

The surrounding area, called Franciacorta, is well known by wine “connaisseurs”, as it is one of the most important wine region of North-Italy. The charming vineyards, with rustic buildings and old mansion houses renovated with the most modern comforts, recalls countryside feeling.
Here you can arrange for your guests, genuine wine tasting programs and actively participate in wine producing process making at the end the actual bottle really yours!If your wish is a vineyard wedding mixed up with a lovely boat excursion on the lake, this is the perfect choice!

Lake Iseo is a wonderful spot on every season and not only during summer. Since there is an inhabited island in the lake, there are passengers ferries operating all-year.
You will taste here great local lake fish skillfully prepared by restaurants all around the shores. You will surely enjoy a gourmand stay!

The area offers also a lovely mountain landscape and woods of chestnuts and olives. Continue Reading »

Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori: they are Borromeo Islands.
Three precious jewels rich in charm and history now among the most know touristy destination of Italian Lakes.
Someone said that gossip of possible wedding between George Clooney and Italian showgirl Elisabetta Canalis here increased the appeal of these places making them “exclusive”.
We do not have to forget about another fairy tale wedding that took place on Borromeo Islands: John Elkann – ceo of Fiat – and princess Donna Lavinia Borromeo.

If Isola Madre and Isola Bella are known for their great palaces and gardens and could be the perfect frame for your wedding pictures, Pescatori Island could be the best location for a perfect reception on the lake shores. This thanks to its wonderful position and rich gastronomic tradition.

Pescatori Island is the only one that is not part of Borromeo Family properties.
It is a liggle village with no more than 50 inhabitants. Fishing was the main occupation in the past some members of local families are still fishers.
You can see this heritage all over here starting from the little port where you will see many fishing boats.

It is such a peaceful place so you will meet many cats and frogs especially in July. Little nice frogs jump all over the narrow roads of the islands.
In this idyllic place there is a quite corner: a little garden with a terrace on the lake. You will read a big white sign with the name Belvedere on it.

Hotel Ristorante Belvedere is located on North East part of Pescatori Island far from busy port.
It has been managed from the same family for 4 generations. In 1921 restaurant hosted Charles De Gaulle who had lunch there during his honeymoon.

Today Belvedere Restaurant can host up to 200 guests inside the charming rooms and on its two gardens on the lake. Your reception to Hotel Ristorante Belvedere can be arranged on the open air by the lake shores, in the wide garden under the porch of booming flowers or inside the charming and bright veranda. You could also choose the lovely dining room once called La Grotta (the cave) because walls were all in stones.
The venue has been just refurbished but still preserves the charm of the ancient appeal. From all corners, including the dining room you could see Isola Madre and its great botanic park.

Belvedere Restaurant mainly serves fish dishes hand made prepared combining precious ingredients of Lake Maggiore and close valleys. Cheese lovers will taste Toma of Ossola valley and natural Gorgonzola. While wine lovers could choose among great Piemonte wines such as Barolo, Dolcetto, Barbaresco or pick great local wines of Novara valley. Continue Reading »

Lake Garda is the largest Italian lake, so large as to seem a sea. One of the advertising slogan says, The Lake Garda, more than a sea. The Garda in fact, more than the other lakes of northern Italy, has a “marine”connotation and a vocation. Where for marine is intended the atmosphere created by the presence of beautiful equipped beaches, the endless opportunities to play sports, the good food and the many facilities for young people. In particular, good food can count on excellent local produce: delicious olive oil, fresh-water fish, citrus fruits, vegetables and wine.

At the northern end of this “small sea”, where the Garda ends and just beyond to the Brenta Dolomites, lies the picturesque town of Riva del Garda. Its mild Mediterranean climate, its beautiful sunny beaches and its beautiful old town of Riva del Garda have made an internationally known tourist destination since the late nineteenth century. From the harbour, which overlooks the square and the tower Apponale, develops the medieval part of town with its narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques and cafes, Venetian palaces, arcades and octagonal Baroque church.
Not far away is the Scaligera Fortress, a castle on the lake surrounded by a canal with a drawbridge.

Due to its beauty and charm, Riva del Garda is the perfect destination for your wedding on Lake Garda, appreciated by many couples who want a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In this beautiful town we found for you a pleasant hotel near the lake, within the ancient city walls: the Hotel Ancora is a family run company, with a magnificent restaurant where you can enjoy home made pasta, variety of cuisine ranging from fish to meat, the traditional Italian pizza baked in wood-fire oven, all accompanied by excellent wines to be tasted in the restaurant,on the beautiful terrace or in the garden. 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 »

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 »

If you are dreaming of a special place for a symbolic ceremony on the lakeshore, St. Julius Island on Lake Orta could be the right place you are looking for.

St. Julius Island is a tiny place right in the center of the intimate lake. Some nuns live here, right in the pretty convent close to the abbey dedicated to St. Julius who was the first to land on the island. On the island there are also some villas which used to be owned by the church. Now they are all holidays home of rich families coming from all over the world. There is also a tiny little restaurant here, the only one on the island.

It is easy to understand why St. Julius Island is a place where silence and meditation play the main role. You can just breath a mystic atmosphere here. It is the amazing scenery Mark and Rachel choose for their wedding. The two guys are a lovely couple coming from Dallas TX, who planned their wedding with Italian Lakes Wedding Team.

We already mentioned Mark Followill in another post. He is the official speaker of Mavs TV, Dallas Mavericks TV channel, one of the most famous NBA basket ball team of USA. Mark and Rachel choose Lake Orta and St. Julius Island after visiting our web site and reading our posts. A very good result for our Team which main task is promoting lakes territory, one of the most romantic for a wedding in Italy.

After taking in consideration many photographers of the area, Mark and Rachel opted for Raffaello Mazzoleni. They were impressed by his skills, perfect shots and quickness in delivery. Images you can see here give you a perfect idea! You can have a look to his sites to know more about his work: www.artefoto-omegna.it and www.italianweddingphotojournalist.com.

Rachel picked up for her bridal bouquet one of Monika’s creations. Monika is the famous floral designer of La Piccola Selva. She created for beautiful Rachel a Hand-Tied Lilium Longiflorum bouquet.

After a short trip on private motorboat, ceremony has been celebrated on the lakeshore just by the small pier. An idyllic scenery: the abbey and villas on one side and lake and Orta village on the other.
A little farer there was Buccione Tower. Medieval tower that has been over viewing on Lake Orta for more than 1000 years. Continue Reading »

If for your wedding you are looking for a special and authentic medieval venue, with spectacular view on lake and its hills and which is very close to Stresa – one of the most beautiful touristy destination on Lake Maggiore – Castello di Massino Visconti is the place for you.

It is a former convent that become Visconti Family country lodge. Around mid 1500 the property was transformed in a real castle with tall walls and towers.
Across centuries it was widely modified. After a long renewal work – still ongoing – Castello di Massino Visconti opened his doors to public to put on disposal the beauty of this enchanting medieval venue for bride and grooms who wants celebrate their wedding on Lake Maggiore or Lake Orta.

The Open Day planned for Saturday 11 July will be a unique occasion to know and visit Castello di Massino Visconti. The Castle will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm for all bridegrooms to be.
Young couples will discover every corner of the castle among vintage cars, floral arrangements, work of arts, and most of all the wonderful function rooms for events. Bridegrooms will have also have the opportunity to explore the cellars, ancient prisons and blades wall.
Last but not least all couples will have the opportunity to taste wonderful wine of the castle.

History, ancient atmospheres, and great scenarios are Castello di Massino Visconti main features a unique wedding venue on Piedmont lakes. Continue Reading »

As Wedding Planner I usually coordinate weddings on whole Piedmont. This is a wide region on North West of Italy that borders with France and Switzerland. It is rich of history and traditions, you will surely find here a wonderful natural setting. The ideal spot for destination weddings. On North area there are Italian Lakes such as Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. There are then Alps and Olympic Valleys we talked about in occasion of Aleksandra and Chris’ wedding and their fabulous Winter Wedding. And last but not least there is a special country area among Monferrato, Langhe and Roero regions. This area is just perfect for country destination weddings thanks to its natural colors of every season, tiny villages and antique appeal.

Langhe hills were the exceptional scenario for the wedding I would like to talk you about: a real Country Wedding. All begun in 2007 when Patricia and Richard, from Philadelphia PA USA, decided to come over Italy to celebrate their wedding.

Both of them are of Italian heritage, Richard’s grandparents origins are from a little village of Piedmont on vineyards hills. Starting from this point Patricia and Richard re-created the same atmosphere for their special day. The planning process lasted over 1 year.
On September 24th 2008 Patricia and Richard got married, such a wonderful event!

Langhe and Roero are two close areas South of Torino city and North of Italian Riviera. This wonderful district is right between mountains and seaside. its hills are the perfect place to grow vines to product the best Italian wines such as Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and Dolcetto.
This are is also well known for truffles and delicious food. It is right between Bra and Alba, the most famous towns of the area, that Slow Food Association was born. Its task is protecting and preserving food and wine excellences of the area. Thanks to Slow Food, Pollenzo site was restored. It was an ancient Roman settlement, then Finance Agency during 1700 for King Albert of Savoy and now home of first Enogastronomic science University, a wonderful 4 stars hotel and Bank of Wine, where best and precious Italian wins are preserved.

Patricia and Richard choose this special place to celebrate their wedding together with their family and friends that came from all over US. Ceremony was held in the lovely garden of the hotel in the heart of Langhe where there are also Romans ruins of more than 2000 years ago. Aperitif then was served under the hotel wooden porch and dinner in the brick ceiling room with lovely round ivory tables.

Every single detail, including floral arrangements and bridal bouquet enriched with scented spices was linked to country style idea. Continue Reading »