Envy Italy Magazine's 2019 Wedding Guide

Along with international airports, its castles, villas, climate, historic buildings, food, wine and drop-dead gorgeous scenery at every corner make Italy one of the most popular destination wedding locations in Europe. With the wedding season nearly upon us Envy Italy’s Spring Wedding Guide is here to help

I Do Traditions

If you are planning a wedding in Italy or if you have been invited to an Italian wedding, there are some Italian traditions you should be aware of or which you may like to integrate into the big day

Confetti and favours Confetti is internationally known as coloured paper thrown at the bride and groom but confetti in Italy means sugar-coated almonds that are displayed on a sweet table after the dinner.

Five of these sweets are also wrapped in sheer fabric and given to guests at the end of the night as a thank you. The five sweets in the bomboniera, as it is called, symbolise health, wealth, long life, fertility and happiness and should always be given in an odd number so that the couple cannot be divided in two. These were the original “wedding favours” that became popular internationally.

The serenade The night before the wedding, the groom with some musicians serenades the bride under her bedroom window, with friends and family in tow. It’s kept as a surprise for the bride but usually turns into a festive evening.

The bouquet The groom buys the bride’s bouquet; she can choose the preferred arrangement but he must pay the bill. In some parts of Italy it is customary for the groom to wait outside the church to give the bouquet to the bride before he takes his place at the top of the aisle or walks with her into the church.

La borsa You won’t see guests bringing a toaster or something from a gift registry in Italy; it’s cash all the way! So much so

that the bride carries a satin bag (la borsa) which guests put envelopes of cash into. Some brides wear a bag around their neck which male guests pay into to have a dance with the bride.

And that is not the end of the cash contributions. At the reception, the groom’s tie is cut into many pieces and sold from a tray to the wedding guests by his groomsmen. The money made is given to the couple to cover the expenses of the wedding.

After the ceremony After the church ceremony the couple are showered with rice to symbolise fertility (just be sure it is the uncooked version). The couple traditionally walks to the reception led by musicians and followed by their guests.

No looking While it is traditional for the groom not to see the bride before she arrives at the ceremony, it is also considered unlucky for the bride to look at herself fully ready in a mirror before the wedding. Remove a shoe or earring before taking a peek.

The garter The Italian tradition of the groom removing the garter from his bride’s leg and throwing it to the wedding guests has spread through the western world. However, in Italy if the bride is not wearing a garter, her right shoe is thrown instead – this hasn’t quite caught on elsewhere!

Top 10 Castles for Weddings 2019

There’s nothing more romantic than having a castle wedding; after all it is what fairy tales are made of. Accompany this with evocative Italian scenery, warm nights, great food and wine and you have the perfect wedding day recipe. Internationally renowned wedding planner and Envy Italy editor Rosie Meleady selects her top 10 Italian castles for destination weddings in 2019

Castello Odescalchi (Rome)

The majestic Odescalchi Castle, one of the most beautiful and imposing Renaissance castles in Europe, is over 500 years old. While there is no accommodation on site, the castle lies a few kilometres north of Rome where there are plenty of accommodation options. The castle has numerous beautiful locations for your wedding ceremony and reception both indoors and outdoors for up to 1,000 guests. An intriguing tunnel runs between the castle and the Catholic cathedral of St Stephen’s, with its medieval exterior and Baroque-inspired interior which the bride can use it to arrive at the church while all the other guests reach their seats in the nave by walking through the medieval hamlet.

Castello di Meleto (Siena)

The history of the castle dates back to the eleventh century. Surrounded by 160 hectares of vineyards, the castle produces its own prestigious wines which are distributed internationally. At Castello di Meleto the entire noble Piano del Castello (a series of furnished and frescoed rooms), the garden, the splendid terrace overlooking the Chianti hills, and the Stable (for dancing) can be hired for your wedding.

Castello dal Pozzo (Lake Maggiore)

Originally built by the Visconti d’Aragona family, the elegant ballroom on the ground floor of the Palazzo, decorated with Murano glass chandeliers, marble floors and antique mirrors, offers an elegant venue for a wedding reception. For drink reception options the castle has a panoramic terrace with a view over Lake Maggiore and surrounding lawns. The castle can host up to 250 guests in a single location. There are rooms onsite offering guests all the modern comforts of a 5 star luxury hotel. Civil, symbolic and religious ceremonies (blessings) can be held onsite.

Xirumi Castle (Sicily)

In Sicily amongst, one of the largest orange and lemon citrus groves in eastern Sicily, stands the Xirumi Castle, a sixteenth century building owned by the Barons Grimaldi di Serravalle. It has an internal neo-Gothic courtyard, which overlooks the olive oil mill and the millstone. It has a small stone church where it is possible to have a wedding ceremony. The castle recently added an Arab garden focusing on water and light, adding an oriental flavour of enchantment.

Castello di Rossino (Lake Como)

Set in the beautiful natural landscape of Lake Como, near Lecco, Castello di Rossino is one of the most antique homes of the Lombardy region. Your wedding reception can be held outside with the fantastic view of Lake Como in the background. The castle has its own catering and can host 120 guests indoors seated for dinner.

You can have a civil or symbolic ceremony onsite. While there is no guest accommodation at the castle, it is possible for the bride and groom to stay in the tower suite.

Castello Monaci (Puglia)

The castle started out in the 1500s as a settlement of a group of monks who used it as a place of worship, meditation and refuge for the needy. Over time it became the home of noble families who still own it today. Surrounded by vines and ancient olive trees, the white stone of Castello Monaci with massive towers covered with ivy, palm trees and green gardens has beautiful locations for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The indoor reception areas can seat up to 400 guests and the venue can sleep up to 19 guests.

Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni (Florence)

If you are planning an elopement or small wedding (less than 30 people), then this may be the castle for you! The ancient castellated tower is right in the heart of Florence, sandwiched between designer stores on one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the city. The rooftop terraces overlook the Arno river and the bigger terrace has a view of the Duomo. It has 25 luxury rooms and suites and inhouse catering, so it is a wonderful little gem for those looking for an exclusive, intimate and sophisticated wedding in Florence.

CastelBrando (Veneto)

With a history of over 2,000 years, CastelBrando is one of the largest and oldest castles in Europe. It stands in the heart of the Prosecco Veneto Hills, between Venice and the Dolomites. Throughout its history it was home to emperors, queens, counts, warlords and warriors. The castle is surrounded by a park and has a hotel with 80 rooms, suites and apartments, a spa, restaurants, wine cellars and wine bars. The castle has function rooms which can host up to 300 guests. Alternatively, on the great courtyard of the castle, with sweeping views over the valley and the village, there is a modern marquee which can host up to 600 people.

Castello Scaligero of Malcesine (Lake Garda)

While it is only possible to have your legal civil ceremony at Castello Scaligero, I felt it an important castle to include as it is such a wonderful unique backdrop for a wedding ceremony and photos. The castle is a landmark of Lake Garda – standing tall in the centre of Malcesine, it is an easy walk to restaurants and hotels for your wedding reception. You can have an outdoor civil ceremony in the crenellated ramparts overlooking the town and lake. Be sure to get a photo on the castle wall balcony that protrudes over the lake 24 metres below.

Tabiano Castle (PARMA)

A ROMANTIC Castle, Church and Village

Perched among the beautiful hills surrounding Parma is the Castle of Tabiano, a stunning castle with gardens, terraces, frescoed halls and ancient cellars. Rosie Meleady reports on this ideal wedding castle venue which not only has its own church but its own village too

Castle Tabiano’s origins date back to the tenth century when its strategic position was used as a watch-out location and the main military fortress for the defence of the Emilia region.

In the nineteenth century the castle was given a new life thanks to Giacomo and Rosa Corazza who employed the services of famous artists and the best artisans of the area to decorate the splendid rooms, which are today used for weddings and events, with wonderful stuccoes, frescoes and flooring.

The current owners have continued the love of the estate and restored the little medieval village, just a short walk down the hill, where the workers of the castle used to live. The now completely restored borgo has 43 rooms, two restaurants, a

spa and a swimming pool. For those who want something more private, the owners have transformed four of the old farm buildings into beautiful country villas, each with its own large private garden and swimming pool. Combined, the estate can accommodate up to 140 people, while the castle can host receptions for up to 400 guests.

Nestled among the trees beside the castle is a pretty picturesque Catholic church where couples can exchange their vows and walk the scenic path followed by their guests to their wedding reception at the castle.

As the castle is just over an hour away from two international airports (Milan and Bologna), it is also practical as well as magical for those looking for an outstandingly pretty destination wedding.

Blooming Amazing

For over two decades Tuscany Flowers has been creating show stopping decor for weddings all over Italy. Envy Italy visits their inspiring showrooms

Visiting the showrooms of Tuscany Flowers is like stepping into a virtual Pinterest board with a beautiful aesthetic. For any couple wanting to add the wow factor to their wedding in Italy, but don’t know where to start, this is the place to go. From crystal chandeliers to elegant centrepiece ideas, the Tuscany Flowers showroom has everything you need to bring your wedding vision to reality. If you need help and guidance their experienced staff will guide you through the treasure trove discuss the vision and style of your wedding.

Whether it is an extravagant wedding for 500 guests or a stylish dinner for 10, each client receives the same attention to detail and innovative approach to make each event truly extraordinary from start to finish.

Tuscany Flowers combines the expert talent of two exceptional florists and horticulturalists. Antonio Magi and Mari Therese Nielsen, complicit in life and work, began to make their distinct mark on the landscape of European events when they formed the studio in 1997.

Their signature style stems from years of collective floral training and experience throughout Europe including Germany, Denmark, Holland, France and of course Italy where the Tuscan landscape continues to inspire their work. From the birth of their studio nearly two decades ago to the present day, this power team continues to draw accolades for their word-class floral styling and event designs.

The design team of Tuscany Flowers has international perspective, access to optimum quality fresh flowers, plants, trees, and accessories along with the expertise necessary to custom design and flawlessly execute floral décor that reflects the personal style of each individual client.

“Every year we do many weddings, mainly in Tuscany but also throughout Italy and Europe. During our work experiences we expanded our horizons in Middle-Eastern countries, like India and Thailand,” explain Mari and Antonio.

“We source our flowers using our joined 35 years’ experience in the flower business, by selecting the best national and international producers. We always choose the perfect blooms thinking about the client’s preferences, based on their favourite colours and varieties.

“Every client has a different preference, so we are like a tailor, making a custom suit for each event.”

“Each new project begins with a private meeting in our studio where clients meet with one of our skilled staff to review their personal needs and tastes in order to develop a unique creative vision for their event. During this experience clients may view our expansive portfolio and tour our showroom to choose flowers, and accessories that distinguish their custom design.”

Their passion for their work shows in everything they create. “We are really respectful towards nature, always looking for

seasonal flowers. Our decor items include candles of different sizes and shapes, lanterns in different sizes, design and materials, like gold, silver, rusted, wood or white, big vases, urns, gazebo and arches.”

While flower design is their expertise they know how to add lighting to a venue to create a romantic and beautiful atmosphere.

“For example we can use iron and Swarovski chandeliers in all styles and colours to create an elegant atmosphere, several candleholders in different shapes and finishing for table centrepieces or on mantlepieces and steps.

“Many times we realise customised items, designing them for the clients, based on their needs and preferences.”

The florist designers work with all kind of venues, private houses and properties, palaces, castles, 5-star resorts.

The company can also supply low and high tables for cocktail hour, lounge sets composed of sofa and armchairs and dinner tables they have designed themselves.

“A typical schedule on a wedding day depends on the event location and

duration. Often our weddings last several days, sometimes a full week! On the wedding day we are up before dawn, starting to create our fresh flower arrangements.”

Tuscany Flowers has seen trends change: “Recently the clients prefer more natural and organic floral arrangements, rather than static and regular style that was preferred a few years ago, but still sometimes clean and regular.”

“Our tips for couples starting to plan their wedding are to choose a trusted wedding or event planner who can understand your needs and be a liaison between us, have an idea of your wedding mood, colours, feeling. Choose a theme that can enhance your wedding and the most important thing: have fun designing your wedding!”

Envy Italy’s advice for couples is to make an appointment with Tuscany Flowers and get to their showroom to start creating your amazing wedding in Italy.

To make an appointment or to discuss the flowers and decor for your wedding in Italy contact: Tuscany Flowers at info@tuscanyflowers.com