Basilicata and Calabria wedding florists

A wedding in Basilicata and Calabria

In Basilicata the most requested destination is Matera, with the Sassi, its rock churches, and cave dwellings carved into the stone that are now hotels and event spaces. On the Tyrrhenian coast is Maratea, with its coves and seaside villas; on the Ionian side the coast at Metaponto; inland the Pollino and villages such as Castelmezzano. In Calabria you can marry on the Coast of the Gods (Costa degli Dei), with Tropea, Capo Vaticano and Pizzo, in Scilla on the Strait of Messina, on the Riviera dei Cedri, in the Sila and in the cities of Cosenza, Catanzaro and Reggio Calabria.

Typical venues are masserie and agriturismi, seaside villas, clifftop terraces, village churches and, in Matera, stone rooms and caves. Many couples have family roots in these regions and come back from abroad to marry here. The list includes floral designers based in Matera, Potenza, Cosenza, Vibo Valentia and Reggio Calabria, plus some Puglia studios that often work in Matera.

Matera: stone, steps and caves

In the Sassi, vehicles can hardly get anywhere. Materials are unloaded at the edge and carried by hand along stone stairways and alleys, often for hundreds of metres. Rooms carved into the rock are cool and sometimes damp, with little natural light: flowers last well, but you need to think about lighting. Rock churches and protected spaces have rules on fixings, candles and smoke. Always ask the floral designer whether they have worked at the venue before.

Calabria: sea, distances and roads

Calabria is long, and roads from one coast to the other take time. Choose a floral designer close to your venue or allow for travel. On the Coast of the Gods many venues sit on cliffs and terraces with steep access. In summer, sun and sea wind call for low arrangements and well-secured structures.

Traditions, citrus and scents

Here too the custom of decorating the bride's home is still alive, and weddings are often large, with many guests. Calabria has citrus fruits found almost nowhere else: bergamot around Reggio and citron on the Riviera dei Cedri, as well as jasmine, olive and prickly pears. They are possible materials, not obligations. Read the guide on citrus and olive and the one on decorating the bride's home.

Climate and seasons

Summer is long and hot, with very bright days. May, June, September and October are the easiest months for flowers. In Matera and inland the evenings are cooler, and in the mountains even in summer.

What wedding flowers cost in Basilicata and Calabria

Price ranges are indicative. A bridal bouquet is often between €100 and €350, low centrepieces between €40 and €150 each. Costs rise with carrying by hand in the Sassi, long journeys and the number of guests. Read the guide to wedding flower prices.

What to ask the floral designer

• Have you worked in the Sassi before? Where do you unload?
• How do you light the stone rooms?
• Do you also cover the Coast of the Gods, or only your own province?
• Do you decorate the bride's home?

Once you have a date and a venue, request up to 3 quotes.