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On a warm June day, Katie and Tim arrived here with their guests to celebrate their wedding surrounded by flowers, elegant details and unforgettable views. From their ceremony overlooking the lake to a candlelit reception and a sparkling celebration after dark, every moment revealed a different side of this remarkable island.
Isola del Garda, a unique wedding venue on Lake Garda
Reaching Isola del Garda is already part of the experience. The island is accessible only by boat, allowing guests to leave the mainland behind and approach the venue from the water, with ever-changing views of Lake Garda.
The island has a long and fascinating history. Over the centuries, it has been associated with figures including Saint Francis of Assisi and Dante Alighieri, while different communities and families have shaped its character through the ages.
Today, its unmistakable landmark is Villa Borghese Cavazza, an elegant Venetian neo-Gothic residence built in the early twentieth century. Surrounded by lush vegetation and formal Italian gardens, the villa rises above the lake with terraces, arches and stone balustrades framing magnificent views across the water. Its combination of history, gardens and spectacular lake views makes it one of the most distinctive venues for a wedding on Lake Garda.
One of its most beautiful spaces is the colonnaded terrace overlooking Lake Garda. And it was here, with the lake appearing between the arches behind them, that Katie and Tim said “I do.”
Katie and Tim’s exclusive destination wedding
Their exclusive destination wedding began on the water. Tim travelled to Isola del Garda aboard an elegant motorboat with his best men, while Katie made her own journey across the lake before arriving at the island for the ceremony.
Soon afterwards, the guests reached the venue and made their way towards the villa, where refreshing drinks and fans awaited them in the shade on a warm June day. There was time to enjoy the gardens and take in the extraordinary views before everyone gathered on the terrace.
A romantic ceremony overlooking Lake Garda
When Katie appeared in her wedding gown, the guests were already seated beneath the elegant arches of the terrace. Beyond the columns, the blue waters of Lake Garda created a naturally spectacular backdrop.
The floral design added soft colour to the setting, with arrangements in creamy white, antique rose, pale blue and lilac, enriched by subtle touches of coral red. The flowers framed the ceremony beautifully without competing with the architecture of the villa or the magnificent lake view.
Here, surrounded by their families and friends, Katie and Tim exchanged their vows in one of the most romantic settings at Isola del Garda.
From garden aperitif to an elegant sunset reception
After the ceremony, Katie and Tim took some time for their wedding portraits, making the most of the gardens, architecture and beautiful lake views that surround Isola del Garda. Meanwhile, their guests moved into the gardens for an aperitif overlooking Lake Garda.
While everyone enjoyed the aperitif, the wedding planner and catering team transformed the terrace for the reception. Elegant tables were arranged beneath the arches, with floral decorations echoing the soft palette chosen for the ceremony.
As the guests returned to the terrace, the setting had changed once again. The warm light of sunset washed over the villa and the lake, creating a beautiful atmosphere for dinner. Later, as daylight faded, soft amber lighting illuminated the terrace and gave the celebration a more intimate character beneath the evening sky.
A spectacular cake cutting under the stars
The cake cutting brought another spectacular moment to Katie and Tim’s celebration. With Lake Garda disappearing into the night behind them, the couple stood in front of a wall of sparkling fountains, creating a dramatic backdrop of light against the dark waters.
Once the fountains faded, Katie and Tim toasted together before cutting their wedding cake and sharing the moment with their guests. It was a joyful finale to the reception and a striking way to see Isola del Garda illuminated after dark.
Dancing into the night
After dinner and the cake cutting, it was time for a change of atmosphere. Katie changed into her second bridal look before joining her guests beneath the trees surrounding the villa.
Strings of lights glowed between the branches, while wrought-iron lanterns illuminated the paths through the woods. Away from the formality of the terrace, this secluded corner of Isola del Garda created an intimate setting for the final part of the celebration.
Then it was time to dance. With the formalities of the day behind them, Katie, Tim and their guests filled the dance floor and celebrated late into the night.
An unforgettable wedding day at Isola del Garda
Shortly after midnight, the celebration came to an end. Katie, Tim and their guests made their way back to the pier, where boats were waiting to take them across Lake Garda and back to their hotels.
Many guests left the island carrying flowers from the wedding arrangements, together with a heart-shaped bottle of limoncello chosen as a wedding favour. Small reminders of a day filled with beautiful details, shared moments and the unmistakable atmosphere of an Italian summer wedding.
From the first journey across the lake to the ceremony on the terrace, dinner at sunset and dancing beneath the trees, Katie and Tim’s exclusive destination wedding revealed just how many different experiences Isola del Garda can offer in a single day.
Dreaming of your own wedding on Lake Garda?
Isola del Garda is one of the most distinctive wedding venues on the Italian Lakes, combining the privacy of an island with historic architecture, beautiful gardens and unforgettable views across the water.
If you are planning a destination wedding on Lake Garda, our local wedding planners can help you create a celebration that reflects your style and makes the most of this extraordinary setting.