Wedding Plans

Overlooking the Gradara hills and castle of her hometown in Le Marche, Marion Hunter explains how she fell into wedding planning several years ago and set up Dream Academy. ‘I’d always loved Italy and so years ago I decided to take a couple of ‘gap’ years from teaching music in Glasgow and get into tourism – I’d always felt a pull towards it.’ So she packed her bags and moved to Italy with the idea that she would one day return to Scotland. However, she soon discovered that tourism was her calling and it was also how she met her husband, Franco Baffoni, who now plans matrimoni alongside her.

Unusually, Franco and Marion find that the cultural differences and attitudes they have as an Italian and Brit are an advantage when working together. ‘Franco is totally laid back,’ discloses Marion, ‘his catchphrase is undoubtedly ‘nessun problema - no problem’ where as I triple-check everything!’.

Having been in tourism, for many years Marion branched out in 2000 with the organisation of her brother’s wedding and hasn’t looked back since. It was his second marriage and having visited his sister in Italy for years thought it would be the perfect back-drop. ‘As a surprise my brother decided to hire a Ferrari for Susan, his bride-to-be, to arrive in. Yet once he saw it he changed his mind and swapped it for his car. I couldn’t believe it and said he shouldn’t but he was in love, so much so that I was convinced that he would try to take the Ferrari home instead of my sister-in-law.’

Being a wedding planner is not a nine to five job - Marion believes it to be more of a lifestyle. ‘One minute I could be drinking coffee whilst answering emails, then I’m sampling menus or persuading the local florist to ship in flowers that are out of season. That afternoon I could be listening to musicians rehearse a piece of unknown music especially chosen by the bride and groom. Of course when that all gets too much I’ll persuade one of our suppliers to take me on their yacht as research for a sophisticated stag or hen weekend. There surely have to be some perks!’

Marion and Franco are the only wedding planners to offer a free sourcing tour because they understand how important it is to the bride and groom to be to meet the suppliers helping to make their day special. To plan a wedding in Italy, Marion suggests that organisation begins at least six months in advance so that the relevant documents are arranged. Then obviously it is important to speak some Italian or find someone that can translate well so that there aren’t any misunderstandings. If arranging the wedding yourself, be sure you leave enough time to fly back and forth to check that everything is fine with the venue, catering and flowers (at least two or three times if possible) and be sure to find a photographer well in advance as they get booked up very quickly.

Apart from the beautiful scenery, wonderful weather and delicious food why get married in Italy? ‘Everything is just so memorable’ says Marion ‘Also guests often like to extend their time here so it turns into a wonderful holiday’. What do Italians think about stranieri coming over to get married? ‘The locals love it and they are always tell me that they know when it’s one of our weddings as the British women arrive with matching hats and handbags and generally Italians don’t do that. Brits like to mix classic Italian tradition with a sense of fun – we had a wedding party recently that arrived in an assortment of classic cars and golf buggies and another day the party arrived behind the wedding car in a Noddy train! Every wedding here is totally different which is why we adore organising them.