So decide on what your overall budget is and then simply breakdown your budget into these categories to discover your spend for each item.

No idea where to start with your overall budget? Well industry leading wedding blog, The Knot, places the average destination spend at US$27,227, which we think is a realistic guide to follow.

Though here in the Cinque Terre you may be suprised to know that the average wedding budget is well below this figure. For instance, if we look closer at Cinque Terre Wedding Fun Facts we see that the average destination wedding budget here in the Cinque Terre is just €14,646*. If we break it down further, weddings with under 50 guests spend an average of just €7,644*.

This does change slightly when looking at weddings with 50 guests or more, this is when we come closer to the industry average, with Cinque Terre Wedding couples looking at an average budget of €28,419*.

So now you have the budget and an idea of costs, next question, who’s paying?

Well, if it was ancient Roman times payment responsibility for the wedding would completely be in the hands of the bride’s family. Traditionally, when parents were negotiating the arranged marriage, the bride would be presented with a valued dowry. As the bride and groom most probably did not know each other at the time, the healthier the dowry, the more attractive the bride to the potential groom. And the dowry didn’t just include money but also household items, like furniture, linens and even animals. So a bride with a chicken, may be less attractive than a bride with a pig. And a bride with a cow?  Next level, completely.

So in ancient Roman times both the dowry and payment of the wedding celebrations were all covered by the bride’s family. In return the groom and in-laws would take on the responsibility of providing for the bride till death do them part.

So depending on where you lie on the traditional fence, and since you are marrying in Italy, why not try using the: When in Rome… line and see how that flies with the parents of the bride (though you didn’t hear this suggestion from your wedding planner of course)?

Alternatively, if you are looking to do something a little bit more millennial, you will probably be looking at paying for your own wedding. Here at Cinque Terre most couples do cover the wedding costs themselves, with some also benefiting from help from parents depending on individual circumstances.

One way of approaching this topic with parents who do wish to contribute is to have them cover a category of your day, like catering, music, or photography. Or even breaking it down further into things like cake, open bar or ceremony music. This is a great way to make your family feel involved in the wedding and give them ownership over a special part of your day.

And once you know your overall budget, how much to spend on each category and who will foot the bill, you’ll be set.

For more tips and ideas on what the budget for your destination wedding in the Cinque Terre could look like contact us.

Photo by Pure Wedding Photography

Written by Melina Nicholson.

*Statistics are from Cinque Terre Wedding Fun Facts, based on 89 destination weddings held in the Cinque Terre. And please note the above budgets exclude travel costs, accommodation, attire and bridal jewelry and accessories.

The post Wedding Budget – how to budget for a destination wedding appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

It’s a modern day anomaly from the old world – the bridal veil – more often than not it is bought and then pops up on wedding day prepared to go, but there’s always a lingering question on whether it will be confirmed for the main event at the last minute or not. We feel for the veil as often its staring role is left in the hands of the hairdressers: will it go with the desired hairstyle or be up staged by a glittery hairpiece or fresh flower? Or will mother of the bride or the bride herself deem it uncomplimentary to the final overall look? Or will the bride’s modern accustomization to ease-of-movement and easy-to-wear banish the veil to the never-to-wear realms of the corset, garter belt and the crinoline (the highly flammable petticoat that killed thousands of women in the Victorian era)?

And if the veil does make the cut, the second question is, how do I wear it? And then when do I take it off? So before we analyse what our brides have been doing today, in our Cinque Terre Wedding Fun Facts*, let’s jump back in time to find out what our brides of yesteryear did.

So super interesting fact is that the wedding veil is the oldest member of the bridal ensemble, going back to ancient tribes who would wrap the bride head to toe to represent the untouched maiden and protect her from prying eyes and evil spirits. We also know, over 1,000 years ago, in the Middle East, bridal parties traveled beneath a protective canopy. The modern veil is thought to be a miniature version of this. Symbolic of purity, privacy and concealment, it has always been reserved for brides marrying for the first time.

Photo: Reproduction of a terracotta slab from Campania during the Roman period, of the Marriage of Peleus and Thetis. Source: Mikimedia Commons

Historically the veil has also been used for practical purposes. In the days of arranged marriages, which were very common around the world until the 1700s, the veil was used to hide the bride’s face from the groom and only to be raised after the vows had been said. With many couples not having seen each other before the wedding day, this was a way of stopping the groom from reneging on the deal, in the case he found his new wife not pleasing to the eye.

And in the past, different cultures used the veil in different ways. The ancient Greeks wore scarlet coloured veils, representing Hymen, the god of marriage and after the ceremony offered up their veils to Hera, the goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth. While the ancient Romans wore vivid saffron coloured veils over braided hairstyles or garlands of wildflowers.

Perhaps due to the cost of creating the sheer veil, it lapsed in popularity from the early anglo-saxon brides of the 400s until it disappeared completely by the 1700s. But two important events brought the veil back into fashion in the 1800s, firstly advances in technology brought the mass production of tulle to the market and secondly Queen Victoria decided to be the first modern monarch to marry in a veil. Apparently not wanting to hide her face from her subjects, instead of wearing the veil over her face she wore it cascading over her shoulders and down her back. And if ever there was a love story to influence the ages it was the love story of Victoria and Albert so it’s not surprising that her legacy still carries on today.

Painting of Victoria and Albert Wedding by Sir George Hayter.

In the 1930s Vogue magazine declared the practice of wearing the veil over the face “outmoded” but for religious ceremonies and romantic-minded brides we still see some brides celebrate the lifting of the veil as one of the high points of the ceremony. Think Duchess Kate and Meghan – “outmoded” we think not!

Photo: Dominic Lipinksi/AFP/Getty Images                                        Photo: Pascale Le Segretain/Getty Images

So what are brides today doing? To veil or not to veil? Well, our Cinque Terre Wedding Fun Facts show that around half, 51 per cent, of brides are still wearing veils for the ceremony.

And for those who are wearing the veil, the majority are wearing it Queen Victoria style, face exposed, cascading down back. In fact, just 14 per cent are opting for the long-held tradition of wearing the veil over the face when walking down the aisle, Kate and Meghan style. Notably, 83 per cent of those covering the face are religious weddings.

Real Cinque Terre Wedding of Kelly and Ross.  Photo by  Pure Wedding Photography.

And when it’s time to partay? The majority, 70 per cent of brides, remove the veil for the reception part of the wedding.

And for those brides going without the veils, what seems to be the popular alternative? Well, around 16 per cent of our brides are wearing hair pieces such as decorative hair combs, vines or tiaras.

Real Cinque Terre Wedding of Jess and Dan. Photo by Facibeni Fotografia. 

While 10 per cent are wearing floral crowns and 9 per cent are wearing fresh flowers.

Real Cinque Terre Wedding of Dominique and Rick. Photo by Ed Peers.

And if in doubt, a small number, around 14 per cent of brides, are opting to go naturale with no veil or hair embellishment, at all.

So by the looks of things we are still, in the main, carrying on the traditions of our ancient tribal ancestors, wearing veils for the ceremony and then offering them up to the goddess Hera, before partying on at the reception. Literally, following in the footsteps of women who have walked down the aisle before us as brides for thousands of years. Kind of makes every step all the more special, right? We think so.

Real Cinque Terre Wedding of Marianne and Andreas. Photo by Miriamo Rossignoli.

Written by Melina Nicholson. Feature photo: Real Cinque Terre Wedding Stephanie and Ben. Photo by Facibeni Fotografia. 

*These Cinque Terre Wedding Fun Facts are based on 82 destination weddings held in the Cinque Terre, Italy, with couples from around the world including but not limited to: Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.

In the purpose of recognising and respecting cultural diversity, we acknowledge that this article is Anglo-Saxon focused, written from the insight of destination weddings in Italy, and does not explore veil wearing traditions at weddings that could be practised in many other parts of the world by many other different cultural and religious backgrounds.

Reference: I do! I do! By Susan Waggoner, 2002.

The post The great unveiling – should I wear a veil? appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

The inspiration board is a part of Cinque Terre Wedding’s five part series which explores the European Influences on Modern Day Floral Design. This week we look at the romance, charm and order of a Georgian destination wedding in Italy with your very own Mr Darcy.

The Georgian era, which overlapped with the Rococo era, flowed down across the Channel from the UK. The period lasted from 1714 – 1830 and received its name from the four successive Hanoverian kings of Great Britain and Ireland: George I, George II, George III and yes, you guessed it, George IV.

One of the distinguishing factors about the Georgian period was its commitment to symmetry, order and elongated rectangular forms. Speaking of order, one of the world’s most famous Georgian homes is that of the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. Peer through the barred gates down along Downing Street, or if you are lucky enough to enter a real Georgian home, look up to enjoy when ornate ceiling plaster work was at its height of intricacy and elegance, and you’ll start to get a feel of the era.

Due to its English influence we think a Georgian wedding style is the perfect theme for anglo-saxon couples looking to fuse their British heritage into their destination wedding in Italy.

Though it’s possibly worth nothing that a Georgian theme is not just British alone, as the French influence of the Rococo period is still experienced in this look, and there are hints of the Greek and Roman Renaissance too, so basically the Georgian look could work for anyone, especially anyone with the name George.

To get a more precise idea of the era, it is important to remember that the overall style is classically English. Think English Gardens with Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, Queen Anne and English artist Bartholomew with his Azaleas, and his Still life of Roses and Other Flowers on a Table and Still life with Red Poppy and White Roses in a Vase, surrounded by Grapes, Apples and a Pomegranate and  Still life with Roses in a Vase.

To help you dream Georgian, we had a great time pulling together these 8 Georgian destination wedding ideas to inspire a destination wedding in Italy.

Photo Credit (clockwise): Bartholomew / Bartholomew / Bartholomew / Queen Anne / Queen Anne / Becca Stadtlander / Ruysch / Bartholomew

You’ll see that floral compositions were still feminine but more colourful than before. Sky blues, lavenders, blossom pinks and pea greens were found in the homes and vases of the upper classes and aristocrats. Wedgewood urns and tureens were very popular.

Plants of this era included candytuft, anemone, larkspur/delphinium, dahlia, chrysanthemum, narcissus, statices, salvia and sunflower.

In love with Georgian? Here is our modern spin on the Georgian era with another 8 destination wedding ideas that was published by the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning here.

Photo Credits (clockwise): Style Me Pretty Bouquet /  Style Me Pretty Bouquet / Style Me Pretty Centerpiece / Weddbook Bouquet / Pinterest Centerpiece / Pinterest Centerpiece / Pinterest Centerpiece / Pinterest Centerpeice

For more historic inspiration for your wedding style check out our take on the Renaissance, Baroque  and Rococo eras.

And see these eras played out in our real wedding flower designs here.

To realise these Georgian destination wedding ideas in your very own wedding here in the Cinque Terre of Italy contact us here.

The post Wedding Academy publishes our 8 Georgian destination wedding ideas appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

The Rococo period is the third era we explore as part of our five part series on the Five European Influences on Modern Day Flora Design. So we’ve already bent our minds reconstructing the ancient in the Renaissance era in the first part of the series and then we experienced all the drama of the world of Baroque in the second, so now let’s soften everything up by stepping back into the Rococo period with all its french prettiness.

The 18th century Rococo period ran from 1720 to the 1760 and saw a movement from the deep and dramatic to the light and pretty. Floral bouquets started to appear on ceramics, tapestries and fabrics not just art.

Along with Marie Antoinette think of the French Drouais and his Portrait of an Elegant Lady, Nattier and his Portrait of a Woman, Called the Marquise Perrin de Cypierre and his Henriette of France as Flora, along with Fragonard’s The Swing. While just a short moment in time, its impact has been instrumental in the world of weddings – if Style Me Pretty ever needed to go undercover it could use the name Style Me Rococo – and no one would know the difference.

For Rococo wedding ideas, typical flowers of the time would have been delphiniums, blue hyacinths, white roses and pale pink hydrangeas in a compote, alabaster urn or Dresdenware.

And the great news for couples looking to celebrate a destination wedding in the Cinque Terre in Italy is that there is an abundance of delphiniums,  hyacinths, roses and hydrangeas here and we just happen to be right down the road from the home of alabaster Volterra – Rococo wedding style sorted!

So step back in time to the Rococo era through a sweet peice of inspiration here:

Photo Credit (clockwise): Marie Antoinette / Nattier / Vernon / Nattier / Drouais  / Nattier / Marie Antoinette

With its dusty pastels and prettiness, Rococo continues to play center stage in weddings today, with terms such as French Country, Provence Style and Shabby Chic without the Shabby, creating new spins on this old style. Bouquets are fuller, tighter and ow, so much more feminine – très belle!

So for a modern spin on Rococo to inspire your up and coming destination wedding in Italy here are 9 Rococo wedding ideas dipped in loveliness for you to enjoy:

Photo Credit (clockwise): Style Me Pretty Bouquet / Pinterest Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Centerpiece /  Weddbook Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Shoe Florals / Style Me Pretty Bouquet / Style Me Pretty Bouquet

For more historic inspiration for your wedding style check out our take on the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

And see these eras played out in our real wedding flower designs here.

To celebrate your Rococo Wedding here in the Cinque Terre of Italy contact us here.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post 9 Rococo Wedding Ideas for your Destination Wedding in Italy appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

We know that from the 1300s to the start of the 1900s there was 500 years of trend setting fabulousness influencing flower design around the globe.

The Baroque period is the second era we explore as part of our five part series on the Five European Influences on Modern Day Flora Design. And in part 1 here we explored the first major historical era of this period: the Renaissance and also revealed our modern day take on this magnificant bygone age.

So now let’s dive back into the Baroque period, and be equally blown away by all the inspiration we can use today to create a Baroque wedding in the Cinque Terre, Italy.

Blending into the end of the Renaissance, the period of Baroque ran from around 1600 to 1750. It built onto the Renaissance period, exagerating it with more ornamental decorations. So for flower design, think about adding details like shells, birds nests and lots of swirling leaf details. Flower design was big, tall and deep and bold in colour with oval and symetrical arrangements ruling the time. Greenery was more plentiful too as was metallics for vases. Think dark, moody opulence and drama, lots of drama.

So for a step back into the past think of the Dutch, Flemish and Belgian greats that dominated this period: the Dutch, Ast and his Flowers in a Vase with Shells and Insect, Rebrandt’s Saskia van Uylenburgh as Flora, goddess of spring and flowers, and Mignon for his Vase of Flowers, along with the Veerendael and his Flowers in a Glass Vase, Butterfly and Beetle on a Stone Ledge.

For the who’s who of the Baroque world think English Queen Anne and Belgian Anthony van Dyck.

So if you are thinking of having a destination wedding in Europe, and in particular Italy, here are 7 inspirational images from that time to inspire a Baroque wedding:

Photo credits (clockwise):Balthasar /  Veerendael   / Luca Giordano / Queen Anne / Mignon / Rembrant / Antony Van Dyck

For our modern twist on the Baroque period we take the deep reds, our big buds and all that drama for a destination wedding here in the Cinque Terre. So here are 8 more reasons to  love a Baroque wedding:

Photo credits (clockwise): Tulle and Chantilly Centerpiece / Strictly Weddings Bouquet, Pinterest Centerpiece / Tulle and Chantilly Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Floral Crown / Style Me Pretty Bouquet   / House of Felliot Centerpiece /Magnolia Rouge Bouquet /  Elegant Wedding Invites Bouquet

To explore the next European Influence on Mondern Day Flora Design enjoy part 3: the pretty Rococo era here. 

To celebrate your Baroque Wedding here on the Cinque Terre of Italy contact us here.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post 15 reasons to love a baroque wedding: flower design to inspire appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.