A Wedding at Villa Muggia, on Lake Maggiore
Alison and Erwan got married on 13 September 2025 at Villa Muggia in Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Two passionate travellers, a villa steeped in history, and a day we spent over a year building together. This destination wedding in Italy remains, for me, one of the most beautiful examples of what a couple can create when they dare to stay true to themselves.
An arrival straight out of a film
Alison arrived at the church in Stresa in a vintage Fiat 500. It was a surprise from her father, who had secretly arranged to drive his daughter to the ceremony himself. Inside the church, she walked down the aisle to Corsica by Petru Guelfucci — a nod to her father’s Corsican roots. All around me, guests were already in tears, and I must admit I wasn’t far behind.
After the religious ceremony, the newlyweds drove through Stresa in the same Fiat 500 to reach Villa Muggia, where the rest of the day awaited them.
Villa Muggia: an exceptional wedding venue on Lake Maggiore
Set in the hills above Stresa, surrounded by palm trees, cedars and rare Mediterranean species, Villa Muggia is one of those Lake Maggiore wedding venues that combine intimacy and elegance. Its large terrace overlooking Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands makes a spectacular setting for an open-air aperitivo or ceremony. For a destination wedding in Italy, it is exactly the kind of place so many couples are looking for.
And crucially — an important point for a September wedding on Lake Maggiore — the villa is fully prepared for unpredictable weather. Dinner takes place under an elegant covered structure, rain or shine. On this particular day, the sky was overcast, so the aperitivo and the after-dinner party simply moved into the villa’s interior rooms. And what rooms! The Liberty-style salons, with their period mouldings and generous proportions, are among the finest in the region. Far from being a mere plan B, they gave the evening an intimate, refined atmosphere. The magic remained untouched.
A vintage travel theme down to the finest details
Alison and Erwan are travellers at heart, and their décor told that story at every table: table runners made from antique world maps, globes, weathered leather suitcases, a red vintage radio, retro cameras, old books. The table names — Italy, Malaysia, Corsica, Morocco — were destinations close to their hearts, framed in raw wood like souvenirs brought home from their journeys.
Light, abundant gypsophila brought a romantic softness to the theme’s adventurous spirit. The menus were designed as boarding passes, complete with barcode, wedding date and the couple’s names in coral — a detail that drew plenty of smiles as guests found their seats.
When Alison saw the decorated room for the first time, she burst into tears. The most beautiful feedback a wedding planner could ask for.
A moment of pure love
At the end of the ceremony, Alison gave her bouquet to her mother. A simple, silent gesture that moved the entire congregation. Moments like these cannot be planned — they happen when a wedding is lived from the heart.
A reception worthy of the setting
The aperitivo unfolded across several areas of the villa, each with its own atmosphere: on the Carrara marble terrace with its view over Lake Maggiore, in the interior rooms where the chef presented an elegant show cooking, and in front of the villa, where we had set up charming outdoor lounges inviting guests to wander and take in the surroundings. The wedding cake was also presented on the terrace, with the lake as a backdrop.
Dinner then moved to the villa’s conservatory, whose illuminated glass roof gave the evening a fairytale atmosphere — one of those settings that only an exceptional Lake Maggiore wedding venue can offer.
Then the party took over. And because Alison and Erwan never do things by halves, the night didn’t end there: we had organised a party boat to finish the celebration on the waters of Lake Maggiore, under the stars. A finale that captured the whole day — lived together, right to the end.
Frequently asked questions about weddings at Villa Muggia, Lake Maggiore
FAQ
Is Villa Muggia suitable for large weddings?
The villa can host up to 150 guests thanks to its many spaces: a Carrara marble terrace overlooking the lake, Liberty-style interior salons, a conservatory and landscaped outdoor areas.
What happens in case of bad weather?
The villa has a genuine indoor plan B. Dinner takes place in the conservatory, protected whatever the weather, and both the aperitivo and the evening party can be held in the villa’s Liberty salons — as was the case for Alison and Erwan’s wedding.
Can you combine a religious ceremony with a reception at Villa Muggia?
Yes. There are several churches in Stresa just minutes from the villa, making it easy to combine a religious ceremony with a lakeside reception.
Can the celebration continue after the reception?
Yes — we can organise additional experiences such as a party boat on Lake Maggiore, to end the night on the water, under the stars.
Does Il Pavone Bianco organise weddings at Villa Muggia for international couples?
Absolutely. Since 2015, we have been helping international couples plan their destination weddings in Italy, at Villa Muggia and other stunning villas on Lake Maggiore.
Dreaming of a destination wedding on Lake Maggiore, in Stresa or at one of our partner villas? Since 2015, Il Pavone Bianco has been creating bespoke weddings in Italy for French and international couples.
Contact us to bring your project to life.
