Lake Garda wedding florists

One lake, three regions

Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake and touches three regions. On the Brescia shore, in Lombardy, are Sirmione, Desenzano, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Gargnano and Limone sul Garda. On the Verona shore, in the Veneto, are Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Torri del Benaco and Malcesine. To the north, in Trentino, are Riva del Garda and Arco, with mountains dropping straight into the water.

You can marry in historic villas with parks, lakefront hotels, wineries inland towards the Valtènesi and Valpolicella, castles and villages. Garda is much loved by couples from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and several local floral designers speak German. The list includes studios based on the lake, in Brescia, in Verona and in Trentino.

Distances and access

The drive round the lake is long, and in summer the coast roads are busy, with tunnels and narrow sections on the western shore. A Verona-based floral designer reaches the Verona shore more easily, a Brescia-based one the Brescia shore: ask how they charge for travel if your venue is on the other side. Some villas and terraces can also be reached from the lake, and public ferries link many villages. In historic centres such as Sirmione traffic is restricted and unloading has to be agreed.

Garda venues often have rules on naked flames, petals and timings, and some have a list of approved suppliers. Ask for the rules before you choose.

Wind, climate and flowers

Garda has an almost Mediterranean climate: olives, lemons, oleanders, cypresses and bay all grow here. On the Brescia shore you can still see the historic limonaie, pillared lemon houses where citrus was grown. These materials give designs a clear sense of place, but they are an option, not a requirement.

The lake has regular winds: in the morning it blows from the north, in the afternoon it changes direction, and on the northern end it can be strong. For flowers this means weighted arches, low arrangements on outdoor tables and candles in lanterns. In summer, storms roll in quickly from the mountains: you need a covered plan B. May, June and September are the busiest months. Read the guide to a Lake Garda wedding.

What wedding flowers cost on Lake Garda

Price ranges are indicative. A bridal bouquet is often between €100 and €350, low centrepieces between €40 and €150 each. Costs rise with travel between shores, set-up hours, weighted structures and the rain plan. For the items that come on top of the flowers, read the guide to extra floral costs.

What to ask the floral designer

• Which shore do you usually work on? How do you charge for travel?
• How do you secure arches and arrangements in the afternoon wind?
• Do you speak German or English with the couple and the planner?
• Have you worked at this villa or hotel before?

For nearby areas, see the Veneto wedding florists and the Trentino South Tyrol wedding florists. Once you have a date and a venue, request up to 3 quotes.