Tag Archive for: planning a wedding in italy

Exclusive Weddings in Italy – How To Make Your Wedding Truly Unique

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If it seems like everyone around you is tying the knot this year or gearing up for a 2022 wedding, you are not wrong.

A wedding boom is indeed happening as couples from all over the world prepare to make the promise of a lifetime.

As you and your beloved begin thinking about your wedding, you may be realizing that, if everyone around you is getting married, how can you stand out on your special day?

The answer is not to go bigger or to invite more people. The key to truly memorable weddings is to make your wedding luxurious.

This is why so many couples are having exclusive weddings in Italy. With the glamour, the history, the art, and the culture, a destination wedding in Italy is truly a once in a lifetime experience for you and your beloved, as well as your guests.

The bride and groom exchange vows in the presence of guests on the background of the coast

Why Do Couples Have Exclusive Weddings in Italy?

Following over a year of lockdown due to COVID-19, couples all over the world are excited to tie the knot. But having a wedding isn’t enough. Many couples want a grand experience in a beautiful location, where they get a vacation for themselves as well as a romantic ceremony.

Every couple has their own reasons for why they chose to have an exclusive wedding in Italy, but here are the biggest benefits for choosing a destination wedding:

  1. The adventure – For couples who love to travel, a destination wedding is a must. It will associate that city with amazing memories for both yourself and your guests. Destination weddings are also a great way to save on the honeymoon.
  2. Keeping it unique – If you have been to a lot of weddings, you will know that they all blur together. Especially when everyone you know is tying the knot in their hometown or choosing the same Pinterest-inspired color palette. The best way to make your wedding stand out is to book a Tuscan villa or a sunny Italian beach as the venue.
  3. Spend less time stressing and more time with guests – Exclusive weddings in Italy involve much less stress than a traditional wedding when couples work with an expert, local event planner.
  4. Destination weddings are more intimate – The nature of destination weddings means that your ceremony and reception will be more intimate, with only your closest friends and family members. Many couples prefer this because it can help avoid family drama, uninvited guests, and too many Plus Ones.
  5. Get the best for your budget – Did you know that exclusive weddings in Italy can actually be more affordable than traditional weddings? Here’s why: smaller guest lists and all-inclusive resorts that streamline costs. Other factors like the exchange rate of currency can mean that you get a grander wedding than you would have been able to afford if you stayed home.
The bride and groom are in the courtyard of an ancient villa, near a decorated table
Photographer: @atomingphoto

How To Determine The Best City For Your Wedding

The truth is that you can’t go wrong when it comes to having an exclusive wedding in Italy. Every city is full of history, art, stunning landscapes, and a variety of styles of architecture. For the perfect wedding, it is recommended that you tailor the location of the wedding to your unique love story.

When you and your beloved choose a city for your wedding, it is important to consider what landmarks and features are important to you.

For example, if you and your beloved love art and history, you may want to consider Rome or the Amalfi Coast for your wedding. The city of Rome was once the seat of power during antiquity, now it is the home of the most well-preserved architectural features in the world.

Seeing photos of these historic landmarks does not do them justice. You simply need to see the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon, and the Baths of Diocletian in person. Whether you want to have your own little Roman Holiday or to peel back the layers of history after the wedding, Rome is the perfect place to say “I do.”

The Amalfi Coast is the perfect wedding location for couples who are interested in a different era of history. Named one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this region is home to 16 communities that all have their own beautiful and enchanting architectural wonders. The Amalfi Cathedral is an especially breathtaking sight to behold. Built during the 13th century, this cathedral is home to centuries of art, as well as completely unique architecture that is guaranteed to leave you speechless.

For couples who want beauty and luxury, VB Events recommends Como Lake as the perfect location for your wedding. If this area sounds familiar, it may be because Como Lake is a popular wedding destination for celebrities. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh hosted their own modern day fairytale at Villa de Balbianello; Chrissy Teigen and John Legend also picked Como Lake as the backdrop to their special day.

A charming wedding setup in Italy, showcasing rows of chairs surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements.

The Best Venues For Exclusive Weddings in Italy

You’ve picked your city, now it is time to decide where you will walk down the aisle. The truth is that you cannot go wrong! Italy is home to hundreds of beautiful wedding locations, all with deep history and artfully restored rooms. Most couples should start by deciding what kind of location that they want: a resort, a vineyard, or a villa.

Resorts are ideal for couples who want to be pampered. Resorts like Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscany, Donna Carmela, and Verdura Resort in Sicily can accommodate between 50 and 100 guests. They also have full amenities, including restaurants, pools, a spa, and exclusive events that you and your wedding guests can enjoy.

Vineyard weddings are a hot, new trend for 2021 and 2022 because they embrace a rustic aesthetic, while keeping it luxurious and exclusive. Consider having your vineyard wedding at Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca, Villa San Michele in the Fiesole hills, or Il Salviatino in Florence. Enjoy wine tasting, garden tours, and experience the best of Italian farm-to-table food with your beloved.

Italy is home to hundreds of historic villas that are the perfect venue for exclusive weddings in Italy. Nothing says “exclusive” quite like booking a villa as a private oasis for your beloved and your guests. VB Events recommends Villa Igiea in Sicily, Villa Clara in the heart of Rome, or Villa Aurelia for your dream wedding.

Photographer: @davidbastianoni

Decorated table for a celebration in the garden of the villa, surrounded by green trees

How To Cater The Menu To Fit Your Location

Once couples choose their city and their venue, the next step is to make some choices about the menu, the cake, and the drinks. Many resorts and vineyards have their own restaurants on-site, which can be available to cater weddings; this is called internal catering.

If you choose to have the on-site restaurant cater your wedding, keep in mind that it may be more affordable overall. The cuisines will also better match the feel of the location. Many vineyards have farm-to-table restaurants, so you can dine on delicious food that was grown only an acre away. However, internal catering can mean fewer options. Most internal restaurants only offer a handful of dishes and you may be unable to request a specific dish for your wedding.

Your other option is external catering, where the caterer is not associated with the venue. With external catering, the flavors may not match to the venue as precisely as it would if the on-site restaurant catered. However, when you work with external caterers, it is easier to customize the menu to involve all your favorite foods and to accommodate a variety of dietary needs. External catering will likely cost more because of set up and transportation, but this is worth it for many couples who want their wedding cuisine to tell their love story.

If you have questions about your options for catering, contact VB Events for more information. Our team is highly experienced at sourcing world-renowned caterers to take your wedding to the next level. All you have to do is tell our team what you want for your special day, and we will handle the rest!

A beautifully arranged long table with a white cloth and vibrant red and green plants, perfect for exclusive weddings in Italy.
Photographer: @atomingphoto

How To Accommodate and Entertain All Your Guests

A common question for destination weddings is: what should we pay for and what should our guests pay for? The way Brides.com breaks it down is that the couple does not have to pay for the attendees’ flights, but they should provide accommodations that are free or at least affordable for the guests.

The best way to do this for exclusive weddings in Italy is to choose a venue that can accommodate your guests, such as Villa Balbiano which can hold up to 100 guests or Hotel De La Ville. This way, guests do not have to find their own hotels and can be nearby.

Most couples like to host additional events and activities in addition to the ceremony and the reception. These may be activities for only the wedding party or for the entire guest list. Because destination weddings are more intimate with fewer guests, it is easier to schedule and pay for activities for all the guests.Some popular pre- and post- wedding activities include:

  • Having a wine tasting or a welcome dinner at an authentic, local restaurant.
  • Go on a tour of the city to learn more about the architecture and history.
  • A group hike or beach-side stroll.
  • If you are near water, go on a boat ride.
  • Attend a local festival, performance, or fashion show.
  • Host a morning after brunch – your first breakfast as a married couple!

Planning extra activities around the wedding is not required, but it can make for a unique experience. Most guests will keep themselves entertained before and after the ceremony, but most couples want to have fun with their friends and family as part of the wedding adventure. If you need a helping hand, VB Events also does bespoke events, exclusive tours, and wedding activities. We can help wow your guests with the trip of a lifetime!

A romantic wedding scene at Italy, highlighting the charm of exclusive weddings in a stunning location.

How Exclusive Weddings in Italy Take it to the Next Level!

Here’s a secret about exclusive weddings in Italy: the key to a luxurious, exclusive wedding is all about going above and beyond to make your wedding unique and magical. This means booking the best photographers and videographers to capture every special moment. Imagine having a

world-renowned photographer shoot your wedding! You will always have the reminder of every special moment to frame at home or to post on social media.

It is equally important to have the right band for the wedding. The music sets the tone for the reception, and can make or break an after party. VB Events manages a band of eight talented virtuosos, who are well-known in the Italian club scene for playing elite clubs and events; this band can play all your favorite songs in any language to create the perfect, customized reception.

It is really the details and the gestures that count. Most exclusive weddings in Italy take it one step further. Here are ways that our clients perfected their luxury wedding:

  • Firework shows – It is just like in a movie: imagine kissing our beloved under a stunning fireworks display. Or being sent off as a married couple to a brilliant fireworks show.
  • Luxury transportation – If you have to travel, might as well do it in style. Whether you like sports cars, limos, or helicopters, the VB Events team will arrange for transportation in style!
  • Unique entertainment – Everyone has a band at their wedding, so exclusive weddings often go above and beyond. Consider having an opera singer, a circus troupe, aerialists, dancers, gymnasts, or fire-breathers at your reception.

Want an Exclusive Wedding in Italy? Leave it to the Professionals

Exclusive weddings do not have to be a lot of work. It’s your special day and the trip of a lifetime, so you should get to enjoy it. When you work with VB Events, we will handle everything. Our team speaks the local languages, so we can easily coordinate with the best caterers, photographers, artists, performers, and florists to make your wedding dreams come true. Begin your wedding journey today!

Luxury Wedding in Italy – How To Make Your Wedding Luxurious

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How many people have dreamed about their wedding since they were little kids? What did you imagine for yourself? A luxury wedding in Italy?

Most people want their wedding day to be perfect. But not just perfect: they want it to be luxurious. As travel restrictions are lifted, luxury weddings in Italy have become the hot, new way to tie the knot.

Luxury wedding table setup with lilac candles, flowers and glass underplot

What Makes a Wedding a Luxury Wedding?

Is it the price tag? The decor? Is a wedding luxury if it has a certain colour scheme? Or if the dresses and tuxes cost a certain amount? What makes a wedding luxury is all of the above, and more.

There are 3 factors that make a wedding into a luxury wedding: the location, the details, and the entertainment.

Location is a big part of a luxury wedding. Imagine getting married on the Amalfi Coast in a historic Italian villa. Or in the middle of Rome, the most romantic city in the world, where you will be surrounded by centuries of art and history.

The best way to turn your wedding into the most amazing experience of your life is to tie the knot in Italy.

The second aspect that makes a wedding luxurious is the details. Bridal Guide suggests using lighting, a unified theme, bouquets for chairs, lounging furniture, and pooling table linens.

However, if this sounds like a lot of work for you and your beloved, that’s because it probably will be.

If you don’t want to worry about every little thing on your wedding day, consider working with VB Events to take the stress out of wedding planning.

The last aspect of a luxury wedding in Italy is the entertainment. Most people think they have to choose between a DJ or a band for the wedding, and that those two are their only options.

However, what makes a wedding luxury is going beyond just a band or a DJ. Luxury weddings in Italy often have live dancers, fireworks, and light shows to entertain the couple and wow the guests.

Top 5 Locations For A Luxury Wedding in Italy

The truth is that you can’t go wrong when it comes to wedding locations in Italy. Whether you want a vineyard wedding, a beach wedding, or a villa wedding, Italy is full of beautiful, historic wedding locations. Here are the 5 most luxurious venues for your wedding.

1. Donna Carmela

Donna Carmela wedding location surrounded by palms and mountains

Donna Carmela, near Catania, dates back to the 19th century. Since then, it has become a prime location for luxury weddings and for those who want to enjoy exquisite cuisine.

The resort sits on 550 hectares that are home to a nursery full of tropical Mediterranean plants, a vineyard, 26 private rooms, and a restaurant to give your guests a taste of Italy.

If you and your guests value your privacy, you will love Donna Carmela because you can rent out all 26 rooms for up to 70 guests.

This means that you will have the entire resort to yourself, where you can enjoy privacy with your closest friends on your special day.

2. Grand Hotel Timeo

Located in Taormina, the Grand Hotel Timeo has historically been home to artists, writers, and political thinkers.

Nothing is more luxurious than being surrounded by art! When you have your wedding at the Grand Hotel Timeo, you can book the exclusive Presidential Suite, which has its own private terrace, a jacuzzi, and panoramic views of both the city and Mount Etna.

Many couples choose the Grand Hotel Timeo for their special day because they want nothing but the best.

3. Villa Erba

Aerial image of a spacious mansion on a lake's edge, highlighting Villa Erba as a venue for a luxury wedding in Italy.

Villa Erba is an architectural gem on Como Lake in Cernobbio. Built in the 19th century, its carved ceilings, expressive frescoes, expansive gardens, and lakefront view make it the most luxurious setting for a wedding.

If you recognize the architecture, it may be because Villa Erba was the backdrop to Tess and Danny Ocean’s elaborate, heist-filled love story in Ocean’s 11.

Villa Erba is a popular destination for a luxury wedding in Italy because it is so large that you can walk the aisle in the garden, on a terrace, or inside one of many grand ballrooms.

4. Castello Odescalchi

Castello Odescalchi is just north of Rome, the eternal city. As one of the most imposing mansions in Rome, it provides a romantic setting fit for royalty.

The castle is large enough for weddings of up to 1,000 guests and has ample room for all your wedding festivities.

The castle is a popular wedding destination among the rich and famous, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, but you too can tie the knot within those historic walls.

5. Borgo Santo Pietro

Stunning aerial view of Borgo Santo Pietro, a luxurious estate in Italy, ideal for a beautiful wedding setting.

Borgo Santo Pietro is a 5-star luxury resort near Siena in the heart of Tuscany. At the centre of this beautiful resort is a lovingly restored 13th-century villa.

Couples from all over the world fall in love with Borgo Santo Pietro because it marries nature with luxury.

 The restaurant honours a “farm to table” tradition, so you will be eating the freshest, most natural food during your reception. Once you and your beloved are ready to unwind from the big day, visit the immersive spa for a complete healing experience.

Bride and bridesmaids with bouquet of buttercups and flowers

The Details of Luxury: How Decorations Can Transform Your Wedding

Luxury is all about the details. This is as true for weddings as it is for fashion. You don’t need to go big to enjoy a luxurious experience.

When it comes to the decorations, having a destination wedding in Italy takes care of most of that for you. When your venue is a stunning, historic castle, you really don’t need much else to tie the whole wedding together.

The experts at VB Events recommend that you let the natural beauty of the setting speak for itself and focus on the details of the reception instead. Here are some small ways to make your wedding a luxury wedding in Italy to remember:

  • Color Scheme – Pick colors that naturally fit well with the venue’s interior. Incorporate gold, silver, or rose gold accents into the color scheme to add that extra level of sophistication.
    It is best to avoid anything too garish. Using muted, classic colors that look good on everyone is the easiest way to elevate your wedding.
  • Elevate the Cake – Bigger is not always better when it comes to wedding cakes. The trick to a luxury wedding cake is incorporating classy details like intricate lace designs, real flowers, and edible gold leaf.
  • Wedding Party Styles that Fit Everyone – Identical bridesmaid dresses are out. Unique, personal, flattering dresses are in! The problem with identical bridesmaids dresses or groomsmen tuxes is that they don’t look good on everyone.
    A wedding can’t be luxury if everyone in the wedding party isn’t looking their best. When you style your wedding party in different complementary outfits, you can add layers of beauty to the wedding and highlight each person’s important role in your lives.
  • Big, Yet Simple – There is a rule in fashion that you don’t have to be over the top to be luxurious. It is the same principle for luxury weddings in Italy. Don’t overdo it.

For brides: consider wearing a simple dress that flatters you and pair it with a large, statement piece for the veil. For grooms, prioritize a tux that fits like a glove and is made from quality materials, over a glitzy outfit.

Here’s the most important thing you can do to have a luxurious wedding in Italy: don’t try to do it all yourself. There is nothing luxurious about being stressed.

Instead, hire the experts in luxurious wedding planning, VB Events. We will handle everything from the venue to the flowers. All you and your beloved have to do is enjoy your special day.

A beautifully arranged platter of fresh vegetables and cheese on a table, set for a luxury wedding in Italy.

The Best Food in Italy For Your Luxury Wedding

Food is a big part about what makes a wedding luxury. When you get married in Italy, the home of the best food in the world, no wedding would be complete without a locally sourced, custom menu from Italy’s best chefs.

This is where VB Events comes in. We specialize in handling all the catering. Our team will source the best chefs in Italy to cater your wedding and help them customize the menu to your tastes.

If your guests have any food allergies or preferences, we will ensure that everyone’s needs are met.

Some venues for luxury weddings in Italy come equipped with a farm-to-table restaurant on the grounds.

This way, you can enjoy the freshest menu with ingredients that are sustainably sourced. If your venue does not have a local restaurant, VB Events will help you find a caterer to make your wedding dreams come true.

The key to making your wedding luxurious in every bite is the details. No one wants anything mass produced or frozen on the most important day of their life. Gourmet is a must.

The ingredients should also be organic and locally-sourced. VB Events team also recommends tailoring the menu to tell your unique love story. For example, if you and your beloved have traveled extensively or lived in different countries over your courtship, consider having each course represent the cuisines of those countries.

Entertain Your Guests With These 6 Unique Ideas

There are so many popular games that couples can incorporate into their weddings. From the shoe game to lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga, wedding receptions are as much about the activities as they are about the dancing.

These activities are fun and entertaining, but are they a good fit for luxury weddings in Italy?

The key to unlocking luxury is to think outside the box. For your wedding to be truly luxurious, it has to offer new, elevated forms of entertainment. Here are 6 unique ideas to blow your guests away during your luxury wedding.

  1. Fireworks – Nothing says grandeur like fireworks. A beautiful firework show across the sky is the perfect way to end the night for all guests.
  2. Light Shows – Light shows for weddings are a contemporary twist that will add a little something extra to your big day. If you are concerned for the local pets, a light show is a quieter, safer alternative to fireworks. Not only will you and your beloved get some amazing photos with the light show, it will render your guests speechless.
  3. Dancers – There is something so magical about a live performance. If you and your beloved are former dancers or if you just enjoy the arts, consider hiring dancers to perform at your wedding. A ballet performance will perfectly match the high-class venue by incorporating one of the most beautiful dance forms. Depending on the venue, you could book aerialists to perform a silk waltz in the air.
  4. Wine Tasting – Everyone loves to drink at weddings. The trick to elevating your wedding is to drink mindfully with a wine tasting. There is nothing more luxurious than wine tasting in Italy, especially when you say “I do” in a historic Italian vineyard. Your guests can experience world-famous wines while they celebrate your love.
  5. Classy Bars – Candy bars, ice cream bars, and cocktail bars are very popular at weddings. The trick to making them luxury is to give guests a chance to sample some of the finer pleasures in life. Consider offering a cigar bar, a whiskey bar, or a scotch bar. Guests can taste the woodsy undertones as they enjoy vintage bottles.
  6. Elevate the Music – You have more options than just choosing between a band or a DJ. Consider hiring a harpist or opera singers to perform at the reception. The music will echo all around your castle venue and wrap the guests in beautiful music.

Learn More About Luxury Weddings in Italy

Are you ready to feel like royalty for a day as you tie the knot? Planning a luxury wedding in Italy does not have to be hard or stressful.

When you work with VB Events, we will handle everything, including booking the venue, the decorations, the entertainment, and all your translation needs. Contact VB Events today to make your dream wedding a reality!