Barry and Novi are two lovely guys coming from Indonesia and living in Netherlands.
They wanted a very intimate and romantic setting for their winter wedding…. or better for their Christmas Wedding as they got married on December 18th!
They chose Lakes districts!
Some may think that lakes in winter could be less beautiful than in warm moths but for those who love intimate romantic and solitary spots they could be the prefect choice.

Berry and Novi wanted an intimate event so they invited only their parents and Novi’s sister.
They decided to stay in Orta for the getting ready and celebratory meal.
But for their religious ceremony they opted for a very special spot Sacro Monte of Ghiffa on Lake Maggiore.

After Novi got ready in her stunning dress with white fur on her shoulder we all reached Sacred Monte of Ghiffa.
On a sunny winter day the sky on the lake can be clear like crystal and landscape just unique the perfect frame for wedding pictures.

An intimate catholic ceremony was held inside the beautiful church with stunning frescos on the ceilings and a lovely sunset outside waiting for bride and groom.

A little touch of modernity in this wonderful historical and natural context!
Have a look to our friendly Don Alberto celebrating the marriage mass with an… iPad! Isnt’ it a great idea?

After some pictures overlooking Lake Maggiore we drove back to Lake Orta for some other pictures by night in the little village of Orta.
Despite the cold weather Novi and Barry really wanted to have some shots in the village decorated for Christmas with romantic Christmas lights!
Have you ever seen Orta at Christmas? It is so romantic!

For their celebratory meal Barry and Novi choose L’Ustaria Ca dal Rat.
The warm rooms of the restaurant welcome them. With the en lit fireplace, wooden beams on the ceiling and warm atmosphere we can say that that was a perfect choice!
A wonderful way to celebrate Christmas on Lake Orta!

Novi and Barry chose Independent Pictures for their photograph service and they did a great job.. they took the perfect Christmas feeling in their shots!

Another very special thank to La Piccola Selva Team who created wonderful cream and light peach decorations for the church, meal table and cute Novi’s bouquet. It matched perfectly her style.

With this post I personally want to thank our readers, all our bride and groom, whole Italian Lakes Wedding Team and Professionals we work with and wish a Merry Christmas and a wonderful successful and romantic 2012!

Valentina Lombardi is the Italian Lakes Wedding coordinator for Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore area.

She follows Italian and foreign bridegrooms who wish to celebrate their wedding in Piemonte and Italian Lakes area.
Valentina is Italian; she has worked in event organization business for years before becoming a wedding planner.

For any information about wedding on Lake Orta please CONTACT US.

Britta from Creative Wedding – Italian Lakes Wedding tries to explain what a wedding planner needs to know to give good advice and a first cost overview.

It is always nice to get the emails from a future bride or groom, so I am excited and want to start immediately to write back to them with millions of ideas I have in my head.
But before writing back, it is necessary to review what this new couple did write about their expectations and wishes for their big day.

The more information I get from a couple, the more focused and precise tips and advices I can tell them. Let me explain what is important to know:

BUDGET

An approximate budget together with an approximate number of guests is helpful to understand which region of Italy maybe right and what kind of location is affordable. It is clear to me that you have no exact figures as you are only at a starting point. But still some approximate thoughts you made for yourself and this is helpful for me to think what to propose.
Do not be afraid to ask for a low budget wedding, there are certainly possibilities for each kind of budget!

STYLE AND AMBIENCE

I am sure that you already had first looks into wedding magazines or you were always dreaming of your big day. So if you tell me about those ideas and dreams, about colours, about the ambience, about friends and family and what they expect from you, this helps to understand if your budget can match this or what would be suitable alternatives to get near your dreams.

REGION OF ITALY

If you have certain memories of a special region of Italy, tell them please. So I do understand better, why you choose certain landscapes, cities, cultures and can develop them together with my proposals.

CIVIL OR CHURCH WEDDING

when I ask about citizenship or the background of your religion, this is not meant to be curious.
But different nationalities have different ways of preparation for the burocracy for a civil wedding here in Italy. And for the church weddings, as we mainly have catholic churches in Italy with quite a strong link to Rome and the Pope, it is important to know where you are coming from. Mainly the catholic parishes in Italy ask for bride AND groom to be catholic, only sometimes it is possible to have a catholic wedding with one partner being of another religion.

DATE

Even if you have no idea yet for a scheduled date for your wedding, think about the several months and the surrounding you want to have for your wedding. It is not only summertime that is enjoyable in Italy, winter weddings in the mountains can be big fun, april and may are fantastic and already lots of sun, autumn like September and October can be still very warm but less touristy than mid-summer.

GUESTS

Number of guests obviously is very important to know to focus on the suitable locations and hotels. But as well what kind of guests are coming. Is it more a formal group of family and lots of business partners, in this case you surely want to make good impression with food and location. Is it a more friend-oriented party, so we focus on having fun, possibilities for late party and not to elegant and too-good-behaviour-places. With these informations I may better propose the right locations for you.

The better you describe in short words your expectations, the more precise and correct information may put together for you. Talk to you soon!

Britta Hartmann-De Marchi is german and therefore the specialist for German, Austrian and Swiss couples coming to the lake Region for getting married.

She herself got married 10 years ago and choose an Italian husband. Enjoying to live here in Bella Italia and coming from 14-years-experience in international advertising and marketing, she liked to change her job into becoming organizer of weddings for german-(and english-) speaking people coming to Italy for their marriage.

Coming from Germany and knowing what to expect in Italy, she is the perfect organizer between bride and groom and the Italian service partners. Correctness, flexibility and a easy hand to plan all details around a wedding make her work very appreciated.

The most emotional part is, when I become almost the best friend of the bride during all the planning time you share with each other. So we both do enjoy the wedding day in its best form and this is important for my work.

The period was not really the best one to be chosen, firstly because it was between Christmas and New year’s Eve, and almost everybody here in Italy was on vacation, then because the temperature was quiet cold, even here in Rome, the so called sunny city!
Anyway, Emma and Jarrod decided to get married in Bracciano, by the lake and under the famous Odescalchi castle.

For their pictures, they have chosen Alessandro Zingone, www.zingonereportage.it one of the few members in Lazio of WPJA ( wedding photojournalist associacion).

Their first idea, was to have a romantic ceremony for two but when we started collecting documents, the family understood that a wedding was going to be celebrated and they quickly decided to take an airplane and fly to Italy.
The ceremony has been celebrated in the sober and elegant town hall, located in an ancient palace in the main piazza, right beside the castle.

Emma and Jarrod were so young, sweet and moved that it has been a touchy moment even for me and my collegue, quiet used to attend weddings.

The position of the town hall allowed Emma, Jarrod and the whole family, to take wedding pictures along the little medieval roads of the village with the Odescalchi castle and the lake, always present as a landscape.

For their wedding lunch, they have chosen the restaurant “Le papere”, with its pile-dwelling, that during summer is the perfect place for a romantic evening dinner.

We wish Emma and Jarrod to remain always so in love and enthusiast for live.
Stefania and Giorgia

My name is Stefania and I work as wedding coordinator on Lake Bracciano and Rome area. I was born close to Northern Italian Lakes District in Piemonte region so I’ve always been enchanted by lakes atmosphere and I know the real appeal of it. I’ve been traveling a lot before becoming a wedding planner, all over the world I was a flight attendant. I developed a deep interest in people, customs and different country habits. This knowledge is helping me a lot in my actual job. When I moved to Rome years ago I decided to become a Wedding Planner and now I’m happy to be part of this wonderful Team.
I will be happy to guide you across Southern Lakes such as romantic Bracciano and rustic Bolsena which are both very close to eternal city of Rome. I will be pleased to help you find the best venues, charming solutions, lovely decorations, for your unique wedding on Lake Bracciano.
I will let you know the charm of this great spot of Italy being your guide and help throughout all your wedding planning.

For more information about weddings on Lake Bracciano please contact us.

Yesterday, just two days before Christmas, lot of snow whiten Lake Orta creating and enchanting Christmas atmosphere.
Raffaello Mazzoleni one of Italian Lakes Wedding photograher captured it for us.

This is Lake Orta that many of you never saw, right into a fairly tale landscape almost unreal.
Don’t you think it could be perfect for a Winter Wedding on Lake Orta?

A wonderful Christmas and a great 2010!

Some days ago I told you about Aleksandra and Chris’ Winter Wedding on Italian mountains close to the lakes.
Aleksandra and Chris got married in a precious little church in a mountain village and had their reception in a hotel ski resort. They decided for a white silver theme wedding with Christmas details that added a touch of romanticism to their day.
You will feel the warm atmosphere even if it was very cold outside… just few days before a great snowy weather on Piemonte!
Just today Photographer Andrea Dapueto gave us the entire wedding photogallery.
Have a look to their pictures and you will fall in love with this magic atmosphere!

What is the perfect flower for a Winter Wedding?
According our opinion there is no doubt! Helleborus Niger: the Christmas Rose!
It is romantic, elegant, old fashioned. It is the ideal choice for a perfect winter wedding bouquet. It is made up of five petals around a golden corolla.
Helleborus is an ancient flower for its medical characteristics, there are many legends about this. One of those tells that those flowers come out the first time from the snow by a Bethlehem young girl’s tears that could give any present to Christ Child.
Christmas Rose is sometimes called the Snow or Winter Rose. It was very used in 1800 in Great Britain and then forgotten. It was re-discovered in the last few years becoming a symbol of stile elegance but also simplicity and naturalness.
Helleborus’ flowers boom right in Winter between December and February and the last for long time on its plant. Most know color is white but there are also beautiful hybrid rose, purple and violet. They are just perfect for a bridal bouquet or bridesmaids ones. Those flowers could be also used for refined and little centerpieces.
In your choice you have to consider the cost that is a little bit higher than traditional flowers. But if you are looking for a unique and original flower for your winter wedding, Christmas Rose will be surely the right choice!

Italian Lakes are famous for romantic atmosphere, great landscapes, lovely village: all these elements create a perfect combination for destination weddings in Italy.
That is not enough! Italian Lakes District is surrounded by wonderful mountains and Alps valleys that during Winter season they become enchanted snowy landscapes easily reachable by car: the perfect venue for a winter wedding!

You will have lots of choose. Lake District has many ski resort location on in its territory and touristy little villages. Mt. Mottarone is between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, on its top you could have stunning view of 7 lakes and all the Alp chain. On the North there is Ossola Valley and a little bit far from there there are Olympic Valleys, Sestriere, Bardonecchia and Sauze d’Oulx that hosted 2006 Winter Olympic Games.
Around Lake Como the best location are Chavenna and Madonna di Campiglio and around Lake Garda the wonderful Mt.Baldo (close to Malcesine) and Dolomites ski resorts in Val Gardena such as Ortisei and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Why choosing a Winter Wedding?
Aleksandra and Chris did it! They came from England to celebrate with friends and relatives their wonderful day on Italian mountains. You can see some pictures of their beautiful wedding here. There is something magic and sophisticated in a winter wedding. Sparkling snow, Christmas lights and warm typical atmosphere of Winter season.

In the last few years there are many couples like Aleksandra and Chris that chose Autumn or Winter to getting married. Of course getting married in Winter could have some cons but consider all the pros: you could save money, many hotels and venues on Italian Lakes are are low season in this period and could have lower prices and most of all you could have all the suppliers at your disposal!
The churches will be available, wedding planners, photographers, florists and musicians will be at your complete disposal.
A winter wedding could be even intimate and very glamour and cinematic: with right elements could be a unique innovative wedding a real Winter Wonderland!

For more information about weddings around the Italian Lakes please contact us.

Most couples chose to get married in spring, because April, May and June are typically considered the appropriate time for a traditional wedding.
But if you are planning to get married in Italy , and in particular in the lakes area, you may consider seriously the idea of getting married in winter and in particular in December.
“Why?”, you may ask. “But because it is Christmas time” I say! And your marriage can take advantage of “the most beautiful time of the year”!
Imagine: all the little villages are filled with Christmas decorations, ligths, candles, and snow capped mountains all around! Isn’t this a gorgeous setting for you photo album?
You can have Christmas holyday menu for you dinner party and what about a Panettone, the classical Italian Christmas cake instead of the usual wedding cake?
But what entices me most (and not just because I am a singer) is Christmas music! Christmas songs are known by everyone and are mostly the same all around the world. They remember us of our childhood, of beautiful moments spent with our parents and relatives, of gifts and kisses, of old friends, of happiness and love…
This is why I always suggest my special Christmas live show to couples getting married in December.
On this webpage you can listen to some samples of the Christmas songs I like most…with a little Christmas present: you can download some of my Christmas songs for FREE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Martha J.!

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….

• When you travel, what is one thing you can’t live without?
  Almost everything….I have always heavy luggage!
  Mostly, a Camilleri’s book, the I-pod and cosmetics.
• What is your idea of a unique romantic destination?
  Lake Orta for sure and a charming Winter Wedding on the top of Alps.
• SposiamoVi has been around for a few years, care to fill us in on a few of the trying obstacles you faced in the beginning stages?
  Most of all the diffidence of some Italian companies to understand this new job.
  But I think that now is pretty much better!
• Reasons why prospective clients should choose SposiamoVi first and foremost?
  SposiamoVi provide to clients high standards level professionals, stress relief and a professional competence that help you to organize your best day at the top.
• Lake Orta has been ranked as being one of the best Wedding & Honeymoon destinations in the Italian Lakes area, numerous times I believe…what would you attribute to Lake Orta’s success?
  It is just as people coming from abroad imagine Italy. Romantic, charming, cozy, antique, poetic and….so Italian!
• Any tips or advice to a soon to be bride?
  Just be herself and choose what she prefer without being influenced to other people but just deciding with her partner what they will love best!
• More grooms appear to be getting involved in the planning process. What do you think of this trend?
  It really seems that men are more involved in wedding planning. This is a good news! Maybe it is because they need to be involved or because they pay more attention to style and trends now….or just because they love building this big event with their brides. Anyway it is a very good news!
• What is your most memorable wedding event / bridal couple that you will never forget?
  I think I will never forget any of my bridegrooms. In their differences they will stay all in my memories. Planning such an event creates a sort of special relationship between bridegrooms and me and I’m pleased to have built those.
  So I really do not want to say I will remember best him or her….I will just keep in my mind every single event….At least I will try to!
• Is being a wedding planner very stressful?
  Yes it is! But it is also a real satisfaction!! I think is one of the few jobs where clients say “thank you”…and they really mean it!
• Is there a primary difference in planning for an Italian couple as opposed to say a US or UK/Ireland couple?
  Yes there is. Foreign couples are used to hire a consultant for every kind of service…while in Italy people don’t really understand the meaning of this job. We are a step beyond other countries. Commonly Italian people hire a wedding planner if they don’t have time to plan the event…while people coming from abroad, side of time saving, hire professionals to have good advice and they really trust the professionalism.
• Finally, what do you enjoy most about working with a bride and groom to plan their wedding?
  I love building together the event. I like studying together the best solution for make bridegrooms dreams come true and seeing in their eyes their excitement about that, looking forward for the date to come!

Thanks Valentina and good luck with all of your future projects!

• 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.
• What is the most requested colour for Domo Adami bride?
  Natural silk colour is certainly the most wanted. There are some brides that ask for a gown with a steady colour to be discrete and elegant…but what a satisfaction!
• How do you choose fabrics?
  I smell the perfume of the fabric. I touch it and I feel creative vibration that woof suggests…. Matching harmony is a joy that I identify and love. This is how a Domo Adami dress born.
• In your collections we can appreciate a clear preference for full dresses…
  In my traditional couture experience there is the need to dress up bride personality with a full dress, a more sophisticated and elegant solution that prove bride’s confidence that you won’t perceive with a petticoat and a skirt.
  In this case there is the theatrical artistic component that explains fast and vivid accents of French tradition like two different personalities.
• We noticed that veil came back on stage, how bride should wear it?
  It has to be coordinated with the gown. There is no need to exaggerate with inapt lengths and laces. Veil gives bride a secure appeal at the ceremony but she has to leave it out before sitting at the table.
• Long or short veil?
  Always coordinated with the gown according to bride’s body built, church and context proportions.
• Make up and hair play an important role. What will you suggest to Domo Adami bride?
  To be oneself! But have an elegant make up on. Professional make up artist know how to give charming lights and shadows to the eyes according to ordinary habits of the girl but with some accents for a unique and one-time party.
• What about accessories? Which are the best solutions for your brides?
  Many and always fine. I saw a lot of brides that simply want everything choosing solutions that are not elegant at the end. A bride can do everything she wants but only a wise advice can suggest a stylish result.
• How will you define DOMO ADAMI bride?
  Joyful being natural and beautiful, elegant for her feelings and rich in her personality.

The interview was edited by Alice, Cinzia and Valentina of the wedding planning group SposiamoVi, an important international network of wedding planners who offer bridegrooms a professional and creative support troughout the whole planning of their Big Day blended with a wide choice of top class services.