Mandello del Lario, Italy < change city >

Band:

Children's Entertainment - Animarte

"Carolina Chissotti, another friend of ours runs this business in childrens entertainment for weddings, parties etc and provides a fantastic service for parents who want to enjoy the wedding knowing that their kids are busy having fun instead of complaining that they're bored. I have been to several weddings where Carolina and her collegues took care of the kids and no one even noticed that there were children around as they were kept so entertained for most of the day. We hired her from 2.00 till 6.00 so as to cover the wedding meal and all the parents were so happy that they didn't have to worry about their kids. We organised a special room in the restaurant where the kids could have their lunch and her two colleagues took care of this as well. Indispensibile!"

Ceremony Musician:

Sara Colombo and Cristina Dogliani - Piano and flute - Monza

"Sara, a friend of ours and Cristina are two classically trained musicians who made the wedding extra special and elegant with their piano and flute accompaniment. They sent us examples of different pieces they thought would be ideal for the ceremony and we chose three that we liked for the moment of the holy communion and the exit from the chapel. Everyone appreciated their talent and the beautiful touch that their music added to the ceremony."

Favors Vendor:

Il Bouquet di Panizza Maurizio

"I made our wedding favours but the sugar covered almonds which are tradition here we purchased from 'Il Bouquet'. We did a mix of plain white ones and green pear flavoured ones with a white chocolate filling. They were delicious and were enjoyed by all our guests. I think I put on a few kilos just eating the extra ones we had in the house to give to visitors!"

Florist:

Petali Di Gaddi F. E C.(s.n.c.)

"The flowers for the church were amazing and exactly as I had imagined as it was a small chapel and I didn't want anything overpowering. The car was also decorated beautifully. My bouquet recieved compliments from people but it wasn't what I had asked for as I wanted a bouquet with ivy leaves cascading down and it was basically a bunch of green roses tied with a ribbon, which still had a few thorns on and I risked tearing my gloves. It was also a difficult shape to carry and I abandoned it after the ceremony. I also noted that the gardenias for the buttonholes had wilted before we even finished the ceremony! All in all, good at decorating the interiors but not so so good with the bouquet which was important for me so I was a little disappointed there. However everyone thought it was refreshing to see a bouquet different from the traditional type used so maybe it's just me that didn't appreciate it..."

Photographer:

Michele Gala

"Michele has a graphic design studio in Mandello and is a friend of Marco, so even though he doesn't usually work as a photographer his wedding present to us was the photographic service for the day. His sister is also a photographer and she also has a business in mandello where she prints photos and does albums and she also tagged along to do the photos for us."

Wedding Day Beauty Vendor:

My Head Parruchiere

"I had my hair and make up done here by Jenny and Antonio who were great and cared for every detail including my cage veil which they had made for me and all the hair pins and accessories which they got to go with my dress. Jenny did my make up and listened to exactly how I wanted it, and I felt I looked like me on the day, while some other make up artists had made me unrecognisable! She lent me the make up I needed for the day to retouch everything but it wasn't even that neccessary as the make up stayed in place all day. Antonio got the look I was going for with my hair and worked with extreme passion!"

Ceremony/Ceremonia:

Church of San Rocco

"This is a very small chapel, which was perfect for us as we would have felt uncomfortable in the large parish church. I also loved the history of this chapel, built in the late 1500's, as opposed to the parish church of Sacro Cuore which was built in the 1940's. It is situated in one of the oldest areas of Mandello, Molina, and was great for lots of our friends who have small children as there is a kids playground right next to it. It holds max 80 people for a wedding but this suited us fine."

Reception/Ricevimento:

'La Breva' restaurant

"Fantastic views over Lake Como, near a small beach for guests who need to stretch their legs a bit, great food, fabulous covered terrace for the reception but above all, the owners are wonderful. They took care of everything to do with the reception, from the decorations to the cake, to even escorting some guests who'd had a bit too much to drink back to their respective b&b's. They really have a passion for organising weddings and see to every little detail and made it so easy for us!"

Hotels and B&B/Albergi e B&B:

Antica Officina B&B

"Two friends of ours stayed here and fell in love with it! The owners are very hospitable and the place is steeped in history, with all the original rustic features preserved. It is right in Mandello centre and near to everything and just a 10-15 minute walk to the local beach."

Beaches/Spiagge:

Lido (beach) Abbadia Lariana

Beaches/Spiagge:

Lido (beach) Mandello Del Lario

Beaches/Spiagge:

Rivabianca beach Lierna

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Bellagio

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Cable car to Piani d'Erna in the mountains

"Funivia Piani d'Erna http://estate.pianierna.com/ Cable car leaves from here. Breathtaking views from the top! Plus once there, mountain biking, an adventure park, mountain fitness and a selection of hikes and paths to follow in order to trek further up the mountain. Take the cable car up there and then walk back down for an easy hike!! La funivia parte da qui. Una volta arrivati potrete godere di una vista mozzafiato, mountain bike, mountain fitness e una selezione di escursioni e percorsi da seguire per fare trekking. Possibilità di prendere la funivia e ritornare alla partenza con una facile escursione a piedi!"

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Ferry rides Lake Como

"www.navlaghi.it/ Ferry rides and cruises to many points on the lake leave from Varenna regularly. Traghetti e crociere partono regolarmente da Varenna per diversi itinerari sul lago."

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Grigna Mountains

"Montagne Grigna Perfect for all mountaineering enthusiasts.. Meta perfetta per gli appassionati di montagna..."

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Moto Guzzi Motorbike Museum

"Museo del Motociclo Moto Guzzi www.motoguzzi.it/ For motorbike lovers! Per gli appassionati di moto!"

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Varenna

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Vezio Castle - Agriturismo Castello di Vezio

"http://www.castellodivezio.it/ The Castle of Vezio is a bird of prey breeding, nursing and training centre. Birds of prey are exhibited every day from 10 am to 4 pm in the Castle garden. From the castle you can also admire the stunning views of the lake with Bellagio directly opposite. Exhibitions of sculpture and artwork also take place in the castle grounds regularly. Il Castello di Vezio e' un centro di allevamento, cura e addestramento di rapaci. I rapaci sono esposti tutti i giorni,tranne che in mancanza del falconiere, dalle 10 alle 16 nel giardino del castello. Dal castello si può ammirare la vista mozzafiato del lago con Bellagio di fronte. Regolarmente si possono trovare in esibizione sculture e varie oggetti d'arte."

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Villa Carlotta

"www.villacarlotta.it/"

Things to do and see/Attrazioni Locali:

Villa Melzi Gardens

"www.giardinidivillamelzi.it/"