Wedding stories · Malcesine Castle, Lake Garda, Italy · March 2019

Lake Garda Wedding at Malcesine Castle

Michelle and Steven got married in Malcesine Castle above Lake Garda. A boat ride, flaming sambuca and a party that ran past midnight. My kind of day.

Bride and groom laughing hand in hand in front of an old brick castle wall, her veil blowing up, mountains and clouds behind.

Every time a couple books me for Lake Garda, I do a little happy dance. Honestly. It’s one of my favourite places in the world.

And when a couple takes me abroad, it feels personal. They could have picked anyone. They picked me. I don’t take that lightly.

So when Michelle and Steven told me they were getting married at Lake Garda, I was all in. I’d shot there plenty of times before, so I could help with advice while they planned.

They chose Malcesine, an old town right on the water. Why wouldn’t you? You get to say your vows inside Malcesine Castle, on the shoreline of the lake itself.

The morning

I met Michelle and her bridal party at a local salon, getting hair and make-up done. Busy, but super relaxed. Lots of excitement. A lovely buzz.

A make-up artist with a tattooed shoulder brushes blusher on to a bride’s cheek while a bridesmaid in a polka dot dress watches in the mirror.

Then back to their hotel, Baia Verde, which sits just above Restaurant La Voglia, where the reception would happen later. A quick change into the dresses and off we went.

An older man in a pink bow tie laughs in a doorway as the bride, reflected in a mirror, stands in her dress and a flower girl watches.

There are lots of weddings in Malcesine over the summer. Still, when a bride walks up to the castle through those narrow cobbled streets, everyone stops to look.

The ceremony

I’ll admit it, I’m an emotional guy. But Steven beat me hands down. The second he spotted Michelle walking down the aisle, he could barely hold it together.

Groom in a grey waistcoat and pink bow tie smiles at the bride during the ceremony at the castle, guests in sunglasses sitting behind them.

There’s something about getting married under a blue sky. No walls, no ceiling, and the lake spread out below you.

After the formalities we had a bit of time for photos around the castle. Then down to the shore for nibbles and drinks, before a private boat took everyone to the reception.

Groom hugs the laughing bride from behind on the front deck of a boat, green mountains and hillside villages rising behind them.

That boat ride was so refreshing. A bit of that famous Lake Garda breeze on your face after a hot afternoon.

The party

At La Voglia the plan was simple. Eat, drink, laugh, cry, celebrate and party all night.

An older man in a white shirt covers his mouth mid-speech as the bride and groom laugh beside him at the reception table.

A saxophonist played along with the music and everyone had a great time. I’d never seen people drink flaming sambuca before. Insane. Hilarious. And somehow nobody got hurt.

Groom fiddles with his wedding ring at a bar lined with shot glasses as the bride watches and a guest rests his head on the bar, mouth wide open.

I was quite sad when it wound down just past 1am. We could all have kept going.

Groom in a bow tie laughs under green, yellow and purple party lights on the dance floor.

Then, just before the taxis arrived, something nobody planned. Steven and his lads ran, fully dressed, straight into the dark water of Lake Garda. Luckily I hadn’t packed my camera away yet.

Not a bad way to end a wedding.

Want your day told like this?

Tell me a bit about you two and your date. I'll reply within 24 hours, and there's no pressure to book.

Check my date