5 May, 2015

By Italian Wedding Company

An Italian wedding could be a dream, but what about a Lake? There are many beautiful lakes to chose from, and not only in Northern Italy where the most famous ones are located. But let's go step by step. Most of the famous Italian lakes are located in Northern Italy: Lake Como close to Milan and the Swiss border, and Lake Garda close to Verona and the romantic city of Venice.

Lake Como

Lake Como is only the third largest Italian lake but surely the most famous. On its shores you can find many picturesque villages, like Bellagio, Menaggio, Lenno, Tremezzo and Varenna, with their beautiful villas and gorgeous gardens. This is a luxury destination for couples who are looking for a very special chic wedding overlooking the waters, green hills and mountains of Lake Como.

Villa del Balbianello in Lenno and Villa d'Este in Cernobbio are among the top venues that you can choose.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. Its balmy climate is Garda's big selling point. The town of Sirmione is the obvious point of departure for a clockwise tour of the lake, and once the main shopping street has been left behind, Sirmione relaxes into a peaceful setting covered in olive trees and occupied by the occasional garden hotel. The other towns on the southern shore, Desenzano to the west and Peschiera to the east, are very close to Milan and Verona if you wish to organise a cultural visit or a shopping trip for your wedding guests. Riva del Garda is the main resort of the northern shore, characterised by an Austro-Hungarian style.

The eastern shore is dominated by the verdant mountain of Monte Baldo, which can be easily explored by taking the cable car from the picturesque town of Malcesine and its amazing castle and tower. Here you can plan outdoor civil ceremonies overlooking a stunning water view.

If you would consider off beaten track destinations, you can explore the lakes of the Piemonte region: Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is nestled in the majestic Alps of Northern Italy, and is a favourite destination for the British who have been enticed by its Mediterranean atmosphere and legendary beauty. In the coastal areas the climate is temperate and the winters are always mild. The elegant and aristocratic heritage of this lake is derived from the influence of the Borromeo family. The Borromean Islands ( Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori), located in front of Stresa, are the repository of their prestige and refinement. The Borromean Islands are a major local tourist attraction, famous for their picturesque setting, and they could be the perfect location for a magic Belle Epoque inspired destination wedding in Italy. Elegant mansions and splendid Italian style gardens can provide the perfect reception venues in order to create the unique atmosphere for a special event.

Lake Orta

Little but charming, Lake Orta lies to the west of Lake Maggiore. It is a minor star in the constellation of the subalpine lakes, but all the fascination and the history of the larger lakes seem to be concentrated in this short space. The main village of Orta San Giulio is at the end of a small peninsula that juts out into Lake Orta. The main square of the town looks across the lake to the lovely island of San Giulio, which you can reach by ferry or by rowing your own boat. Its romance has inspired artists, poets and writers from all over the world for centuries, and for lovers it is hopelessly romantic.

The town of Orta San Giulio is a car-free town. Elegant Villa Bossi, a beautiful villa facing the Lake can host outdoor civil ceremonies. Here brides have a unique experience, reaching their aisle on a romantic little rowing boat. Your Lake Orta Wedding will have the same atmosphere as in the ancient times and you will live and relive it as in a fairytale.

Beside the Northern Lakes we really need to remember Lake Bracciano and Lake Trasimeno, located in Central Italy close to Rome and Florence.

Lake Bracciano

Lake Bracciano is one of the biggest lakes of Southern-Central Italy. It is located just a few minutes drive from wonderful Rome. Beauty of nature, landscapes, the historical, cultural heritage with its archaeological and artistic richness: these are the ingredients which make Lake Bracciano a wonderful wedding destination appreciated by couples from all over the world. Three towns are located on its shores: Bracciano, Trevignano Romano and Anguillara Sabazia.

This romantic and quaint part of Italy is surrounded by forests, olive groves and gardens - the perfect frame for a traditional Italian wedding right out of history. For your civil ceremony, the little villa of Bracciano could be the ideal location. It rises on a hill inhabited since Etruscan ages more than 2000 years ago, as testified by the necropolis. One of the best wedding venue is for sure Odescalchi Castle where Tom Cruise celebrated his wedding with Katie Holmes in November 2006. Don't you think you would love to be here for your wedding too?

Lake Trasimeno

Last but not least, Lake Trasimeno! It is located in the Umbria region, just beside the most famous Italian destination: Tuscany. Lake Trasimeno's surroundings are mainly vineyards, olive groves and sunflowers fields. They are made up of rolling sunny hills, embellished by medieval castles and hamlets. Rustic buildings and old mansion houses, renovated with the most modern comforts, provide a countryside atmosphere. If you are keen for a bucolic country wedding beside the water, Lake Trasimeno could be the perfect choice...and we are not far from Florence, Pisa, Siena and all the beauties that Tuscany can offer.

If you love water but you are enchanted by Italian architecture and history, the beautiful Italian Lakes could be the perfect location for an amazing destination wedding experience that you will remember forever!

Further Reading

A Guide to Destination Weddings in the Italian Countryside

About the Author

Italian Wedding Company are a team of expert wedding planners who coordinate beautiful weddings all over bella Italia. Their unique service provides destination specialists with specific local knowledge located throughout the country, including the areas of Rome, the eternal city, the Italian countryside, the Lakes district, the seaside and spectacular coastline, and the breathtaking Italian Alps. Italian Wedding Company is a full service wedding coordinator, assisting with every aspect including paperwork, site inspection and booking of venues, managing all suppliers involved, full event logistics, as well as transport, accommodation and honeymoon planning. They believe that your Italian wedding should be a unique, tailor-made experience that you and your guests will always remember, complete with the cuisine, the history, the atmosphere and the natural beauty of Italy. www.italianweddingcompany.com (View their dedicated Italian Lakes Wedding website at; www.italianlakeswedding.com) Photography By: Images 1 to 4 - Italian Wedding Company / Images 5 to 7 - Independent Pictures