Tying the knot on the Romantic Riviera

It would be fair to say that at some point every little girl imagines how her wedding day will look and nine times out of ten there’s a fairytale castle involved. Most little boys, although perhaps not so caught up in the details of flowers and the wedding cake filling, do like the idea of a glamorous car that is theirs for the day. So for those of you keen to make those dreams come true look no further than the northern part of Le Marche where it borders with Emilia Romagna: the Riviera Romantica, made up of Gabicce Mare, Gabicce Monte, Cattolica and the medieval village of Gradara with an ideal backdrop of cypress trees, endless vineyards, olive groves, beautiful flowers, sparkling sea and lush green rolling hills.

Catering to all Tastes

In this romantic triangle there are venues to cater for every kind of wedding from traditional fairytale to something chic and contemporary. The most romantic of backdrops is the village and castle of Gradara, whose love story of Paolo and Francesca was immortalised by Dante.

Guests will be thrilled as they make their way up the hill through the arch towards the castle and the small church with beautiful music playing and locals cheering. Or for something smaller and more intimate there is the small private chapel of Il Conventino or the stunningly beautiful cloisters for a civil wedding. It is also a perfect reception venue set in a tranquil landscape of vineyards and olive groves and overlooked by the majestic castle.

For those of you that prefer a civil service on the beach, look no further than the beautiful town hall in Cattolica with its stunning fountain backdrop. Alternatively, if you are looking for something more modern, there is the striking Carducci 76 owned by the brother of top fashion designer Alberta Ferretti. The hotel is exquisite with breathtaking attention to detail from the cocoa and cream interior to the gorgeous and peaceful Islamic garden courtyard.

Don't forget the Guests

When planning a wedding you obviously focus on the big day and it’s not always easy to think about guests’ accommodation or what they will do when you’re on honeymoon. However, by putting everything in the hands of Dream Academy, the only British/Italian registered tour operator in Le Marche who deal one hundred percent with weddings, you could find yourselves receiving compliments for months to come when guests come back having had the holiday of their lives too. Imagine being able to rent an entire medieval-style village to stay in, such as the exquisite Montegridolfo, or a stylish four-star beach hotel such as Hotel Luxor Beach with swimming pools, fitness area, terrace bar and a stunning sea view?

For those passionate about Italian food and drink, the Marche and Emilia Romagna regions are undoubtedly where to be. There are simple rustic dishes using local and wild produce such as mushrooms, game and field herbs, as well as wonderfully fresh fish straight from the Adriatic and mouthwatering desserts and DOC wines. For a memorable event and food there are innumerable sagre (food festivals) from June until November and remember that the area is home to some of the world’s most famous food products: Parma Ham, Parmesan Cheese and Balsamic vinegar.

Sightseeing as Well

If taking in the sights of Italy is what you and your guests are interested in, there are many beautiful areas to discover, including the Renaissance capital of Urbino, the breathtaking Conero Coast and the small republic of San Marino, as well as scores of picturesque hilltop villages in the beautiful Montefeltro area. Let’s face it, nothing could beat driving around in a classic car that makes you feel like a celebrity, as locals from tiny children to grandparents wave and shout with glee. Dream Academy can arrange all of this for you, be it for your wedding day, the honeymoon afterwards or for anyone in the wedding party wanting to take to the road when the celebrations are over. A wonderful private collection of Ferraris could also be your backdrop for a rather unusual and unique reception.

La Riviera Romantica is the real Italy in one small area. A place where time stands still and dreams really can come true.