A Lake Garda Wedding: What You Need to Know
Every couple has their own tastes and expectations when it comes to planning a destination wedding. Those looking for a European touch look no further than an Italian wedding on the gorgeous Lake Garda. Lake Garda is the biggest Italian lake, offering various sights and experiences as you move along the shores.
In 2022 and beyond, European Castle weddings will be a big trend for destination weddings. We want to give you guys the inside scoop on one of the most beautiful locations in Italy for your own European Castle Wedding on Lake Garda.
On the Northern side of the lake, mountains surround the lake creating a charming and intimate atmosphere conducive to ultimate romance. In this area of Lake Garda, you’ll find villages carved from ancient stone walls intertwined with picturesque lemon grooves. If you are looking for a destination that will wow larger parties, Southern Lake Garda features traditional Italian villages that capture authentic Italian flair.
If you want more information on Lake Garda, check out our post Lake Garda: Everything You Need To Know!
Why Lake Garda?
A wedding on Lake Garda can capture vastly different tastes based on the venue and region you pick! To bring the Italian wedding of your dreams to life, we’ve partnered with an expert to give us some insight into her experience with destination weddings at Lake Garda.
Ginny Bevan is the owner of Weddings at Lake Garda and is an English Ex-Pat who now calls the Italian Lake region home. We recently sat down with her (virtually, of course) to get the inside scoop on planning a wedding in this gorgeous bucket list destination.
Ginny, tell us more about yourself and how you got into wedding planning in Lake Garda, Italy?
I came to Italy, specifically Lake Garda, 24 years ago with my now-husband. We both worked in travel, but once I was pregnant with our first child, I didn’t want to return to full-time work, and my employer at the time wouldn’t give me a part-time position.
After a couple of years of working for them with some outsourced projects, the opportunity came up to collaborate with a close friend who was wedding planning on the Eastern shores of Lake Garda. We added some locations from ‘my’ side of the lake, and since then, things have taken off over the last 12 years.
Why is Lake Garda the ultimate destination wedding location?
The beauty of Lake Garda is hard to beat. Whenever we travel and come back home, I find that it’s with a sigh of happiness. Wherever you go in this beautiful world, this is still a place that brings calm to the soul. With its majestic mountains, lush greenery, and blue lake, you can guarantee your guests will be so happy that you brought them here. Additionally, there is an endless source of impressive backdrops for photos.
Food & History
Then there is the simply exceptional food. Even a humble pizza here tastes like nothing you have had before. Lake Garda is also an important wine region, but of course, the whole of Italy has delicious wines to offer.
Additionally, history and culture fill every corner of Italy. Just being here and wandering the streets of one of the small lakeside villages or stopping for lunch and some people-watching is an absolute treat.
It is a unique and historic location with incredible views, and I don’t know what else you could dream of. It’s also easy to reach from Milan Malpensa, which is a two-hour journey away. There are good train connections to the south of the lake and no windy country roads or scary cliff tops to negotiate.
In your experience, what are the three key things every bride should prioritize for a wedding at Lake Garda?
Location
The wedding location sets the scene and atmosphere for the day, so wedding planning starts with choosing a location. It has to be a place that speaks to you, that profoundly calls you. Because this is going to be the setting for one of the most emotional (in a good way) days of your lives, it has to be a place that, even if it’s new to you, means something to you.
Budget
Of course, we all have dream locations, but we don’t all have dream budgets. So there is a balance found between the two you want to aim for. I never encourage my brides to overspend on the location. There’s no joy in filtering every choice after that because the budget won’t stretch much further. So those first two key elements are really intertwined.
Style
Finally, the third is the style of the wedding. Style doesn’t need to be something overpowering. You are already in a beautiful location in Italy, and that in itself is a style choice. So you don’t have to have a theme. But, it’s essential to think about the atmosphere you want for the day. And how you want it to feel for your guests.
It’s also essential to keep a clear picture in your head of what you want and not get distracted by the trends. If they don’t feel like something that represents who the two of you are, skip them.
BONUS: Less Can Be More
And remember, less is often more. Executed well with a breathtaking location, show-stopping food, and quality suppliers for the flowers, music, and photos, you don’t always need to add more.
What is your favorite location for weddings in Lake Garda? Why?
Can I choose 2?
Isola del Garda
There is one magical combination of locations that comes to mind. That is to have the wedding ceremony on the Isola del Garda, and a reception at a secondary location. Unlike any other, Isola del Garda is a private island with a fairy tale villa. As showstoppers go, this is number one; there’s no doubt.
The ceremony then can be followed by a short boat trip back to a lakeside garden beside a stunning stone tower. This location is the setting for your Wedding Reception and festivities afterward. Under the Italian sky, look out across the lake towards the Isola where the ceremony happened. Magical.
Lonato Castle
So, my second choice is a hilltop castle that dominates the surrounding countryside and offers views of the lake. Lonato Castle is a brilliant choice for couples who want exclusivity till the early hours of the morning.
Additionally, it’s perfect for those looking for a location for the ceremony and reception. This location provides space for both and gives each moment its own atmosphere, style, and time to shine. Finally, the ancient castle walls at night lit with candles create an extraordinary atmosphere.
Many American brides look to the Caribbean for their destination wedding. What makes Lake Garda in Italy an attractive option?
Not having been to the Caribbean, it’s not fair for me to make broad and sweeping statements. But, I think that Italy as a whole has so much history and culture.
You have an added layer of value to your wedding just by being here. The atmosphere, the beautiful old buildings, and stylish Italians walking the streets can’t be beaten.
So I think Lake Garda would change everyone’s perception and expectation of the entire event.
Are there any fun Italian traditions brides can incorporate into their wedding?
There are a couple.
- The Italians don’t throw confetti or petals after the wedding; they throw rice. Sometimes whole kilo bags of it at a time. More eco-friendly but sometimes quite painful for the couple if thrown too hard! The rice symbolizes fertility.
- Another is throughout the evening, yelling and demanding the couple ‘Bacio, Bacio,’ which means kiss, kiss.
- A unique one is cutting the groom’s tie into pieces. Then those pieces are auctioned off to guests to contribute to the honeymoon spending money.
- Practical jokes are a big thing for the Italians. It is common for someone to sneak off and set a joke for the couple in their car, hotel room, or house.
- Confetti – in Italy, this doesn’t mean colored bits of paper. Instead, this means 5 (or sometimes 7) sugared almonds given as part of a gift to each guest.
- Dancing the Tarantula. Often chosen as the first dance, this traditional music gets faster and faster as it’s played. Then guests, all holding hands, surround the couple and circle them first right and then left.
In Conclusion
Lake Garda is an Italian destination that has a lot to offer! Esprit Errant can work with you to find the picture-perfect restaurant or villa to host your reception, as well as the most lovely views for your ceremony. Whether you dream of a wedding at a castle or on a lake shore, we can craft your perfect wedding on Lake Garda.
Thinking about a Destination Wedding for 2022 and beyond? We would love to speak with you and discuss how we can help you have the Destination Wedding of your dreams. Click here to schedule a time to chat with us.
Engaged and confused? Check out the following posts!
Engagement Photo Outfits: How To Look & Feel Your Best | Engagement Season: 7 Things You Need To Know | Engaged? Here are 5 Important Tasks you Need to Prioritize | How to Start Planning Your Destination Wedding | Destination Wedding Do’s and Don’ts
This Post was Updated on February 18th 2022
