It was one of those picture perfect days; the kind best described by an eloquent writer of a classic novel. It was spring and the sun was shining down on Venice. The guests gathered in the small piazza outside the church, waiting, anticipating; the bride would arrive at any moment. The sounds of laughter, accompanied by the sing-song Italian language, bounced off the cobblestone streets and echoed around hundred-year old buildings steeped in history. There is something so very magical about an Italian wedding.

She arrived in a traditional wooden motorboat, characteristic Venetian. Her white gown was simple, yet elegant, with a long, silk chiffon scarf draped around her neck and flowing gracefully down her back. Guests flocked to the bride and groom, greetings rang out, and together everyone flowed into the church. The organ music began to drift through the air; Italian voices lifted in song. The church is a seventeenth century Catholic cathedral, built from stone and marble with fifty-foot ceilings and brilliant tapestries and frescos adorning the walls.

With the ceremony over, the newlyweds led family and friends through the maze that is Venice, over bridges and through vestibules; the women walking arm and arm, and the men following at a steady pace. After a ten minute stroll, the party arrived at the palazzo. It was like stumbling upon a magnificent movie set from an ancient film of another era. The ceilings, held up by magnificent marble pillars, were covered with exquisite frescos. Cherubs and other ornaments were carved from stone and adorned the walls and archways throughout the halls and reception area. Marble busts and large golden-framed mirrors lined the walls and walkways--the beauty was overwhelming.

Evening approached; a perfect time for watching the colors and lights of Venice change as dusk floated by and darkness set in. Blooms from a native flower floated through the sky giving a sense of a light snow flurry. The view from a balcony overlooking the canals allowed a vantage point for watching curious locals returning from the market, waving and smiling once they recognized a wedding celebration. Inside, the sounds of clinking glasses and dinnerware could be heard as the never-ending supply of mouthwatering food and wonderful wine was served. The celebration moved into the night and meandered into the early hours of the morning.

As the festivities wound down and guests began their journey home, a small group, including the bride and groom, stole through the hushed streets of Venice and arrived at San Marco Square. The morning fog had crept in and the faintest hint of light was highlighting the bride and groom as they danced in the center of the piazza. As the black and white swirl spun through the mist, one could not help but wonder; “Is this a typical Italian wedding or just a rare witness of an incredible experience?”

The answer--even the most provincial of Italian weddings have the flavor and flair of a royal event. In Italy, weddings are not just a celebration of love; they are a commemoration of the things Italians are most passionate about: family, friends, traditions, good food and wine, music, and life in general.

Picture this day as your own wedding day…one of the most memorable events of your life; indelibly etched in yours and your guests’ minds. We at “Baci da…” are dedicated to help make this dream come true.

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