Welcome To Lake Garda Weddings
Frequently Asked Questions......
Is the Italian civil wedding ceremony legally recognised in the UK.
Yes, you have the same legal rights as if you have been married in the UK.
Is the wedding registered in the UK?
After your wedding a copy of your wedding certificate is sent to the British Consulate.
How long to we need to be in Italy before the wedding date?
Can I get married on any day of the week?
This again, depends on the town hall. In all town halls, except Malcesine, the marriage ceremonies are held in the morning. Torri del Benaco, Malcesine Castle and Malcesine Captain's Palace, accept weddings Monday to Saturdays.
When can we have our wedding confirmed?
Once you let us know your preferred date and time we will check availability with the town hall and arrange this for you. Malcesine and Gardone accept weddings rom the September of the year before the wedding. We compile a waiting list so that when the reservations office announces that they are accepting bookings we can send the list in the same day. Once this has been confirmed by the ceremony location of your choice we will need a deposit. For the wedding locations that do not accept requests until nearer the time, we will get a verbal 'ok' from them, after this we will require a deposit. If, at the time that the ceremony location is officially taking written requests (this changes from location to location) they are no longer able to accept your requested date, or offer an alternative that suits you, then we will return your deposit to you.
Do you arrange church weddings?
It is very difficult to arrange religious weddings over here so we prefer not to arrange them.
Do you arrange symbolic weddings?
Yes
Can I be married legally in an outdoor setting?
Yes, Malcesine Castle has lovely grounds and can arrange weddings on one of the terraces with wonderful lake views. Torri del Benaco castle also has some small outdoor settings (both of these options are weather permitting)
Can you arrange flowers, photography, transport and all the additional extras that we will need for the wedding?
Yes, please see the additional options page for details of the extra services that we offer.
How do we get started?
Send us an email request and we will send you some further information.
I have recently been divorced, can I get remarried in a legal civil ceremony?
Yes, however by Italian law for women to remarry 300 days must have passed since the date of the Decree Absolute.
How will I be able to understand what is being said at the ceremony?
By Italian law, you must have an interpreter. This will be arranged by us for you. You can say your vows in English or Italian.
Is exchanging rings part of the wedding ceremony?
Yes, as part of the legal ceremony you need to exchange rings. If the bride or groom is not planning to have a wedding ring then they should arrange to borrow one for the day (check it fits first!)
At the ceremony when signing the Act of Marriage does the bride sign in her married or maiden name?
Her maiden name.
When will I need to pay?
When do we get our wedding certificate?
At the ceremony itself you will be given a decorative wedding certificate. After the ceremony the town halls issues your wedding certificate, some town halls issue this in Italian others issue an International certificate.
How far in advance do we need to book?
A. We recommend at least 18 weeks, this is to allow time to make all legal arrangements here in Italy and also for you and your guests to make their arrangements. If you wish to get married at shorter notice, please contact us and we will enquire about availability with all the relevant parties here in Italy. (town hall, reception, photographer, etc.)
How can we trust your services?
A. We will confirm everything in detail to you in writing as soon as a verbal (or cyber!) agreement is reached about what you would like us to arrange. Once you have agreed to everything we have written will we ask for a deposit from you. We have no hidden fees, commissions or extras on top of our quote to you. The only way that the price of your wedding could change is if you change the arrangements or the number of guests invited. We will keep you updated with the progress, i.e. flowers booked, town hall booked, etc.
How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony is approximately 20 minutes long.
How do we arrange seating at the ceremony?
Generally, there are very few seats so the bride & groom and the witnesses sit at the front and the other chairs in the room are used by family. Everyone else stands.
Can you arrange music at the ceremony.
Yes if you wish, we can arrange either a violinist or a violinist & keyboard player. Or otherwise classical music from a CD for arrival into the ceremony room, during the ceremony & after the ceremony.
Can you arrange live music at the reception?
Yes - we work with an excellent band who have a good English repertoire. Many restaurants also require a music permit. We will advise you of costs on request.
The word 'Town Hall' conjures us images of tall, ugly, buildings, is this the case in Italy.
No, not at all. All town halls are very different here and very characteristic. Arco town hall is in a 14th century building on the main Piazza. The inside of the building is decorated with frescoes; Riva town hall is a quaint room overlooking a smaller, but equally characteristic Piazza. In Malcesine the wedding ceremony is held either in the Captains Palace or in the castle. The town hall in Limone has fabulous views and is set in a more modern (but in a traditional style in keeping with the architecture in the village) building. Gardone boasts an elegant ceremony room, whilst Torri del Benaco holds weddings in the Castle.
What documents are needed and when will we get them back?
See the "Legalities" page, The original birth certificates, original divorce decree absolute or death certificates will be sent by registered post to you as soon as they are returned from the consulate, (usually about 3 weeks after you send them to us).
Can the bride travel back under her married name?
What about insurance?
Ensure you have adequate travel insurance and also a specialist wedding insurance. Many companies provide this - check out several different companies to find one that is suitable for you
When can I arrange the little details such as hairdressers, manicures and facials? I don't want to leave it until I arrive?
You can arrange it as soon as the civil ceremony date has been confirmed by the Town Hall. We know it is important to you to be able to plan ahead and we will make all reservations as soon as you advise us of your requirements. We make no charge for this service, you will pay the hairdresser or beautician directly
I already know what sort of flowers I like. Will your florist be able to arrange this for me?
Please send us any photos that you have and we will take them to our florist for you. As long as the flowers are available this will not be a problem.
How do we carry our wedding outfits to Italy?
It is not possible for wedding outfits to be carried in the aircraft cabin they need to go into the hold. Pack your outfits in a box and then place in a suitable rigid suitcase. Lake Garda Weddings will not accept liability for loss or damage to wedding attire during air carriage or loading / unloading. If they need ironing once you arrive we can arrange for this service at a local dry cleaners.
Our friends and family are arriving on different flights and different dates. We would like to arrange to get together the evening before the wedding. Can you arrange this for us?
Yes, of course.
We would like a bar service once the meal is over. We would like our guests to pay as they go. Is this possible?
Yes, as long as we know at the time of booking the restaurant.
What sort of menu will be arranged at the wedding reception?
We will send you sample menus for different restaurants that you are interested. Let us know if there is anything that you wish to change & we will check this with the restaurant in question. Our menus are very flexible.
How will we be able to arrange our table plan if we have never seen the restaurant?
We will be able to let you know the layout of the restaurant so you can have an idea, then you can send us your table plan and we will take it up to the restaurant for you in plenty of time. Please bear in mind that some restaurants have set seating plans, whereas others have flexible plans.
Will you be able to cater for vegetarians?
Of course, just let us know at least a couple of weeks before the wedding and we will arrange this for you.
