Getting Married on Lake Garda: Everything You Need to Know
From it’s breathtaking views of shimmering blue waters and dramatic mountainside, to it’s charming lakeside villages that are filled with la dolce vita, it’s no surprise so many couples choose to get married on Lake Garda each year. Yet however lovely and dreamy the idea of a destination wedding seems, it can always feel a little daunting as to where to get started. For that reason, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about planning a wedding specifically in Lake Garda, to put your mind at ease.
Why couples choose to get married in Lake Garda
Incredibly scenic - Lake Garda is filled with an abundance of wedding venues that are positioned in some of the most enchanting of spots. From vineyards to olive groves, or fancy villas and hotels perched right on the waterfront, the area excels in truly memorable spots to get married.
Charming towns - Dotted all around the lake, you’ll find plenty of quaint, authentically Italian towns that are perfect for hosting your wedding in, or exploring on the days surrounding the wedding. Some favourites include Sirmione, Malcesine, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Bardolino and Garda itself.
Lovely, mild weather - All the way from late Spring to early Autumn, you can enjoy reliably warm weather, which is perfect if you’re planning a wedding al fresco.
Delicious food and wine - Known for its incredible cuisine and impressive wine and vineyards, with an Italian wedding you’ll really have things covered when it comes to dinner and drinks.
Variety of venues - From impressive castles and private estates, to large villas with lakeside gardens and luxury hotels with private docks, there’s so many beautiful options to choose from.
Source: @juliaandgil
Source: @juliaandgil
Best time to get married on Lake Garda
As mentioned above, Lake Garda offers warm sunny weather all the way from May through to September, perfectly cooled by a gentle lake breeze. The peak season for getting married here is in July and August, with the off-peak season being April and October.
Types of Ceremony
When getting married on Lake Garda, you have a few options to choose from:
Civil Ceremony
A legally binding ceremony that can be held at the Town Hall or within licensed wedding venues. If you choose to go this route, you’ll need the following organised and provided around 4-6 months prior to the wedding:
Birth certificates
Atto Notorio - A sworn statement made by an Italian consulate
Nulla Osta - A declaration of no impediment to marry, issued your local UK registry office
Religious Ceremony
Held within a local consecrated church, you’ll need specific paperwork sent to the church and the civil authorities. For this it’s best to choose your church and speak to them directly around what they require.
Symbolic Ceremony
A popular choice for those choosing to marry abroad, a symbolic ceremony isn’t legally binding so requires no paperwork. Couples often find this the easier option, and enjoy doing a smaller Town Hall celebration at home prior to the destination wedding.
Popular Lake Garda Wedding Venues
Torre San Marco
A luxury venue located on the lakeside in Gardone Riviera, Torre San Marco is an intimate and romantic location that can hold up to a whopping 1500 people. You can host your wedding right on the lake and enjoy all the rooms the venue has to offer, including a piano bar, elegant restaurant, winery and beautiful gardens. You also have the option of hosting your reception either indoors or outdoors.
Villa Cortine Palace
Surrounded by luscious greenery, Villa Cortine is an elegant and decadent 5* Italian hotel that was created in the 1800s when Baron Von Koseritz purchased a large 5 hectare park and commissioned the construction. The hotel can host between 80 - 180 guests, with 54 rooms on site and a lovely swimming pool.
Source: Booking.com
Isola Del Garda
A beautiful Neo-gothic villa set on an island, Isola Del Garda is situated within majestic natural parkland and formal gardens. You can host your wedding within the Loggia with 18th century frescoes and get married on the open terrace that directly overlooks the lake. The venue is exclusive use and can host up to 100 of your guests with premium catering available. Plus they also have a gorgeous Tuscan greenhouse in the heart of the natural park surrounded by greenery, making it a lovely spot to host your reception.
Source: Facibeni
Do you need a planner?
If you’re not fluent in Italian, then you’re definitely going to want to use a wedding planner. Often you’ll find when booking your venue, they’ll have an in-house planner who can guide you through the whole process. They’ll also be able to help you out with the legalities of getting married, connect you with trusted local supplier, coordinate on the day logistic and ensure you have smooth communication with the Italian authorities.
Ways to Keep to Budget
For starters, getting married on Lake Garda is already cheaper than Lake Como, so you’re in a good position already. Further ways to save money include considering a weekday wedding, avoiding getting married in the height of Summer, and using local suppliers.
Travel and Accommodation
The nearest airports to Lake Garda are Verona (VRN), Milan (MXP or LIN) and Bergamo (BGY), and most of the lake towns have ferry ports and bus stops for ease of hopping around.
For accommodation, there’s everything from quaint AirBnB’s to luxury hotels for your guests to choose from. If you find a hotel in close vicinity of your wedding venue, it’s often worth looking into making block bookings for you and your guests, as they often offer deals for multiple bookings.
Clothing
As it’ll be hot and you might spend a good portion of the day directly in the sun, you’ll want to choose light and breezy wedding outfits.
For the bride, we recommend lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, silk or organza and for the groom, linens, cotton blends and lighter coloured fabrics will help keep you cool.
Consider packing a change of flat shoes too, especially if you’re taking boat rides or making your way through the town’s cobblestoned streets.
Fun Italian Inspired Additions
Pizza welcome party - For a laidback, easy and fun way to welcome your guests, why not get the pizzas in for everyone’s arrival.
Prosecco brunch - Enjoy a lazy and chilled brunch the day after the wedding, with plenty of glasses of Prosecco to go around.
Boat ride for guests - Make the most of being on the water and take your guests off on a boat tour of the towns. A lovely addition to either the wedding day, or the days surrounding it.
Wine or olive oil tasting tour - Lake Garda has an abundance of lovely, authentic vineyards and olive groves, so your guests will love having the opportunity to explore these.
Gelato cart at reception - Finish off the meal with a fun cart serving delicious gelato, the perfect way to cool down after a hot day.
Fireworks over the lake - For a truly spectacular ending to your special day, organise to have fireworks go off over the lake for a moment you and your guests will never forget.
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