What makes an Italian wedding so different and why is it that more and more people are choosing Italy to tie the knot?

All you need to do is to watch great movies like the Godfather where Al Pacino has to leave America and takes refuge in Sicily, where he then marries a young local woman named Apollonia Vitelli and here we see simplicity in motion, or just watch romantic Italian movies, Much Ado About Nothing or a Room with a view and you'll know that the land of Italy is steeped in a romantic culture. The fresh flowers, the rolling hills of green, the fresh wine and food, the beautiful buildings and interiors, the colours of the facades and nature, gold, ochre…..earthly colours, all inspiration to get your heart racing and your blood pumping. This is the land of St Valentine, Juno, Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses who the Romans also as the Goddess of women and marriage. In Italy you will discover the story of Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Renzo and Lucia, Dante and his Beatrice…the list is never ending. Italy seeps with romance, and love is at every corner, from the aesthetics of Italian architecture and art, to the passion lived daily by every Italian football supporter and the creativity and style of Italian interiors, food and fashion. An Italian wedding is truly about aesthetics which means the appreciation of beauty which is translated as understated elegance and simplicity. A true Italian wedding is not "bling" (flashy or elaborate), it is about good food and wine and great company.

More and more of our clients are aiming towards the informal and are looking towards properties with views or simple agriturismo(s) where the outside space can be enjoyed to its full advantage however the demand for great food is now taking over and the "Olivio" style advert is now dominating, with its rustic and country style feel. The Italian wedding has always been about course after course after course, however due to the change in economies and the recession hitting hard and more and more couples now taking control of their own wedding arrangements, this is less and less evident due to the costs involved. In the south it is still possible to enjoy the never ending saga of a 20-course meal however the properties where these events are held are somewhat faceless hotels or buildings in the middle of nowhere and are neither exciting or different but can often cater to the 300 guests who may be attending. The changes are now more evident and you find that most Italian weddings start off with a stand up buffet after the ceremony or with the arrival of guests. We then head to the reception which commences with a series of starters – tasters to get the palate stimulated, then a selection of 2 or more pastas followed by a main and a selection of seasonal, remember … seasonal vegetables and if they are not in season, well then you do not get them !!!. This is then followed by a buffet of desserts and the wedding cake, not forgetting the Espresso or the Limoncello or Grappa to finish off the evening.

The Italian wedding is all about tradition and the reception carries on until late the next morning but not for Nonna Concetta who really likes to be in bed by ten…usually it is at this time that the tarantella takes over, defined as a lively whirling Italian dance for 2 persons, it is actually the cockney equivalent of Knees Up Mother Brown … and performed with gusto and energy. Notable tarantellas have been featured in feature films such as The Godfather. It is also in the soundtrack to Inglorious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino, Felix Mendelssohn wrote a piece called 'Tarantella' in 1845, otherwise known as Opus 102 No. 3. Moreover, the final movement of his Italian Symphony is in the form of a tarantella….of course the tarantella will continue to remain popular with the Italian wedding but is slowly being taken over by one of my favourite crooners, Dean Martin whose "That’s Amore" emanates time after time, either sung by Dean himself or from one of the many rat pack bands who make a living in Italy.

For further details of how to create the perfect Italian wedding, have a look at http://www.weddingsmadeinitaly.co.uk