Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore are both located in Piemonte region. This is a wide region on North West of Italy. The region is well known also for wonderful cities of art: Turin above all first capital of Italy in 1861 but also for natural beauties.
On Southern part of Piemonte region there are Langhe and Monferrato areas.

Langhe and Monferrato lands are famous for wonderful landscapes, ancient villages above the hills and stunning medieval castles.
Wide vines hill produce great red wines such as Barolo, Nebbiolo and Barbaresco.

If you love a country style wedding, something different from Tuscany… Piemonte is the right place!
You maybe remember about this in the latest movie directed by Clint Eastwood: HEREAFTER.
Matt Damon, main character join a cooking class….

In latest post on our Italian Country Wedding site Red Valentino shoes and Tuxedos in Langhe we are telling about Tracy and Kelly’s wedding in Alba just in the heart of Langhe. Great wines, truffles, wonderful cuisine.

Tracy and Kelly knew already this wonderful place but decided to make it even more special planning here their wedding.
They both come from Texas and they really wanted to share beauty of Piemonte, wines and delicious cuisine with their guests planning a simple yet very elegant event on top of vines hills. Here different elements: elegance, simplicity, a touch of classic and a little more of modern to create a perfect mix.

Do not miss our post on Italian Country Wedding blog we are sure you will love it!:
Red Valentino shoes and Tuxedos in Langhe.

Today we are pleased to introduce you one of the most quaint restaurants on Lake Maggiore: Ristorante Verbano on Pescatori Island.

It faces the lake in the heart of Borromeo Gulf just few minutes boat ride from Stresa. Hotel Ristorante Verbano’s appeal fascinated artists and writers of the past who found in this special place inspiration and peace.
Today thanks to its magical position this little romantic hotel is one of the most evocative destination for weddings on Lake Maggiore.

If you are looking for an outdoor reception Ristorante Verbano has a wonderful terrace facing Isola Bella and its magnificent Borromeo Palace.
Your guests will love the charm o this place just romantic and spectacular!

Ristorante Verbano has also two wide rooms for your receptions, both facing the lake who can host up to 190 guests. Continue Reading »

You probably know that in many village in Italy there are some time restrictions for music party until later at night.
However many venues in Orta allow music and dances until midnight or half past midnight that with an early dinner could a nice time to have your first dance some more drinks and dances!

Moreover if you are planning to move the party somewhere else after the reception to end the day in a more casual and relaxed way we could suggest some options.

If you are looking for some more Italian wines and beers for your after dinner party and a nice venue to mingle ad talk a little more with your friends there are a couple of wine bar and pubs just in Orta itself. One is just in the mainsquare, the wine bar is very small but it has the widest terrace in Orta…the whole square!
In a very relaxed way you could enjoy a glass of wine in the empty main square of the village.

The other wine bar/pub is in Orta main street a cosy intimate venue with a rear terrace. Lights of candles and rustic brick walls wit many bottles of wine and wine bar furniture will let you appreciate the real and quaint atmosphere of Orta by night. Continue Reading »

Last year, we have been among the first to announce that Villa Carlotta opened for civil wedding ceremonies. Today we are here to tell you about Elisabeth and Oyvind.
They are a nice Norwegian couple, who took the chance to celebrate a dream wedding in one of the most famous Villas on Lake Como.

Photographer Raffaello Mazzoleni followed the event for Italian Lakes Wedding team, and he realized a really dynamic, sunny and funny photographic wedding service for this lovely couple.
In this post you can see only some images which we have selected for you: but don’t miss the Elisabeth and Oyvind wedding’s PHOTO GALLERY.
Over here you will see more than 50 stunning pictures of photographer Raffaello Mazzoleni.
For further information on availability and rates please fill in the form HERE.

Villa Carlotta is located in Tremezzo, close by of 2 famous destination weddings locations on Lake Como: Bellagio and Varenna. Villa Carlotta is one of the most famous villas on lake.
It is a wonderful place where you will be able to appreciate its structure, its works of art and its wide park with many tropical and exotic trees and coloured flowers. In spring blossoms of Azaleas and Rhododendros are really simply amazing.

The wedding civil ceremony can be celebrated inside the Villa in one of the rooms, or outdoor, in one of the beautiful terrace. “Sala dell’amore” (Room of Love), where the ceremony can take be arranged, it is embellished by 2 famous masterpieces representing famous “Amore e Psiche” (Love and Psyche) of Canova school and “Ultimo bacio di Giulietta e Romeo” (Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet) by Francesco Hayez, one of the most admired painting.

Thanks to the wonderful sunny day, Elisabeth and Oyvind decided to celebrate their wedding outdoor ion the terrace with a great a breathtaking view over Lake Como. About thirty guests were present to the event: relatives and friends coming from both Norway and Sweden. Continue Reading »

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 »