« Wedding Moods

As the bride enters the historical castle, the scent of lemon drifts along the lake air. Within the centuries old lemon grove her groom awaits. After the exchange of vows the couple head towards the antique port. Outside an old palace, champagne and appetisers await the wedding party. From the palace the backdrop is castle and lake, in the background hills swell to become mountains.

For dinner, the party head to the first floor and on the balcony look out on the port below, shaded slightly by the plants entwining above. As the little port awakens for the evening, music begins and so does the dancing. The delicately lit structures compliment the surrounding landscape. Lights from the villages across the lake appear to wink and dance in time with the music, their movement escorted by the warm night air. At the end of the evening, the newlyweds sit on their hotel balcony overlooking the lake. The night is silent except for the gentle lapping of the lake waters and creaking of the fishing boats in the port close by. The moon, a spotlight, and they are the protagonists.

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The perfect wedding landscape

Resting just below the Alps in the North of Italy is Lake Garda. It is positioned almost centrally between Venice and Milan and is in fact the largest of Italy’s lakes. It is longer than it is wide and spans three regions Veneto, Lombardia e Trentino Alto Adige. The northern part which is in Trentino Alto Adige is long, streams and waterfalls make their way to the tip to fill the lake. The landscape is mountainous and rocky, here the small hills and mountains line the lake edge as the Alps begin to occupy the terrain. There are countryside trails for the beginner to the advanced, from leisurely walks immersed in nature to complicated paths for those with courage – and ropes!

As the lake moves southwards into Lombardia and Veneto it widens and even though the mountains have not reached this far south, ripples of smaller hills and big rocks add character to the landscape. Olive trees and vineyards in orderly rows line the terrain.  In spring, trees and flowers break out in magnificent bright colours selling their nectar. There are Strada del Vino (wine paths) which take you from one vineyard to the next inviting you to taste the fruits of their work. Museums dedicated to olive oil where locals take their harvest of olives to be pressed into oil. 

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Nature as a wedding backdrop

Houses, castles and villas are constructed with the stone and marble of the area. The villages hugging the lake are dotted with familiar stone rustic houses with worn steps leading up to wooden doors. Hidden alleyways that reveal outbursts of flowers in bloom in their wooden containers. ‘La nonna’ (the grandmother) hanging out the washing while her grandchildren play excitedly by her feet. Neo-classic columns to the traditional rustic farmhouses passed down through generations are scattered through the horizon.

A little further back from the lake is a countryside straight out of a painting. Old columns, with undistinguishable figures, were once grand gates and entrances to important villas. Tall, thin, conifer trees adding a certain amount of royalty to the landscape, breaking up the rolling hills, green fields and fruit trees aligned in strict formation. Mother nature is interrupted by a small village here, a cluster of houses there, in complete theme and complimenting their surroundings. Roads bordered with old, crumbling, rock walls built by past farmers. In the spring, specks of yellow sprinkle the panorama then later change to flecks of red as the dandelions are replaced by poppies, a carpet of colour welcoming the new season. In the autumn the trees appear to communicate, preparing and gathering in the security of the branches are birds chirping excitedly before they make their departure for the winter months.

The road to Torri del Benaco is the best place to see ‘Profilo di Napoleone’ (Napoleon’s profile) affectionately called by locals because of its silhouette of Napolean’s profile. On the opposite side of the lake is a mountain with a sharp peak, the most impressive, closest mountain from the west. Looking directly at the mountain on its right the peak slowly goes down to reveal Napoleon’s nose and chin features.

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A location not just for your wedding day

From Monte Baldo people jump off the mountain and glide like birds over the Malcesine and towards a safe place to land. Paragliding is extremely popular in this region where favourable winds, high mountains and spectacular views are the essential mix for this sport giving the person a different view of the lake from above. Those wishing to appreciate the breath-taking beauty of Lake Garda without being strapped into a parachute can head up the Monte Baldo by cable car. From the top of the mountain there is a magnificent view of the lake, Alps and the villages south including the Valpolicella region famous for its wines.

Not far from the historical centre of Lazise there are theme parks and water parks to raise a hair on even the bravest individual. Their position is well placed as it does not disturb those looking to enjoy a leisurely stroll taking in the scenery in the historical centre, but near enough that it is a short bus ride away.

For boat lovers every year on the lake there is a rowing race with Venetian boats known as ‘bisse’. This competition takes place at night, it starts at Lazise and the rowers in the 11 metre long boats compete to win the ‘bandiera del lago’ (the flag of the lake). This race is interesting to watch because the rowers instead of being seated are standing, the balance and strength required to row at speed is without a doubt paramount to winning.

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As the sun sets on your wedding...

The view from the east side of the lake is spectacular indeed. As the sun sets it makes its journey towards the mountain points on the opposite side of the lake. In pursuit of it are hues of oranges and reds and as the sun begins to slowly disappear, the mountains appear as a silhouette, only the black outline of their impressive shape can be seen. Chasing the sun as it withdraws from the ensuing night are shades of pinks, purples, and violets encouraging the sun to rest until tomorrow.

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