Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta wedding florists

Two lakes, two regions

Lake Maggiore is shared between Piedmont and Lombardy, with its northern tip in Switzerland. On the Piedmont shore are Stresa, Baveno, Verbania, Ghiffa, Cannero and Cannobio, with the Borromean Islands in the bay in front of Stresa; further south are Arona and Meina. On the Lombardy shore are Angera, Ranco, Laveno and Luino. A few kilometres away, Lake Orta is smaller and more intimate, with Orta San Giulio and the island of San Giulio just off the village.

You can marry in nineteenth-century villas with parks, grand lakefront hotels, small village churches, villages with squares on the water and, in some cases, on the islands. Many couples come from abroad, including neighbouring Switzerland and Germany. The list includes floral designers based on the lake, around Novara and Varese and in Milan who work here.

Boats, islands and access

On the islands and at many waterfront villas, the flowers arrive by boat and are then carried by hand. Public ferry timetables do not always match set-up times, so a private boat is often needed and should be booked early. In Orta San Giulio the historic centre is closed to traffic: loading happens outside the village, with the last stretch on foot or by small vehicle.

Historic villas have rules on candles, petals, fixings and timings, and some have a list of approved suppliers. Ask for the rules before you confirm. If the venue is on the opposite shore from the floral designer, the drive round the lake is long: ask how they charge for travel.

Climate, seasons and flowers

The area around Verbania is a land of gardens and nurseries: camellias in late winter, azaleas and rhododendrons in spring, hydrangeas in summer. It is green and rich in locally grown flowers, which helps in spring. The climate is mild but rainy: frequent summer storms, morning fog in autumn, wind on the lake in the afternoon. A covered plan B is not a detail.

The most requested styles are romantic and garden-inspired, but the lake's floral designers also work in minimal or contemporary styles. Read the guide to the romantic garden style if that is your direction.

What wedding flowers cost on Lake Maggiore

Price ranges are indicative. A bridal bouquet is often between €100 and €350, low centrepieces between €40 and €150 each. Add boat, porters and travel, set-up in tight windows and the rain plan. If flowers or materials come from Switzerland, check the customs rules with whoever ships them. Read the guide to budgeting flowers for a destination wedding.

What to ask the floral designer

• Do you work on the Piedmont shore, the Lombardy shore or both?
• Have you delivered flowers to the islands or to Orta San Giulio before?
• Is the private boat included, or do we book it?
• What happens to the outdoor pieces if it rains?

If you are also looking at Lake Como, see the Lake Como wedding florists. Once you have a date and a venue, request up to 3 quotes.