A Castello di Spessa Wedding: A Romantic Wedding Weekend in the Heart of Italy’s Collio Wine Region

Katharina and Christoph’s Castello di Spessa wedding was more than a single celebration—it was an elegant wedding weekend immersed in the vineyards, history, and timeless charm of Italy’s Collio wine region.

Why Choose Castello di Spessa for a Wedding in Italy

When international couples dream of an Italian castle wedding, Tuscany or Lake Como often come to mind. Yet, hidden among the rolling vineyards of Friuli Venezia Giulia, just a short drive from Austria and Slovenia, lies one of Northern Italy’s best-kept secrets: Castello di Spessa.

Surrounded by vineyards, historic villages, and renowned wineries, the estate offers everything needed for a true destination wedding—without requiring guests to travel between multiple venues throughout the weekend.

The property includes:

• Elegant accommodation for guests
• A luxury spa
• An 18-hole golf course
• Centuries-old gardens and parkland
• Panoramic terraces overlooking the Collio hills
• Historic wine cellars
• Multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces for every moment of the celebration

For Katharina and Christoph, this meant transforming their wedding into a complete experience shared over two unforgettable days. The celebration began with a relaxed Welcome Day featuring an informal pizza party, followed by the wedding day itself, with a ceremony at the Cathedral of Sant’Adalberto in Cormons and a reception at Castello di Spessa.

Not Just a Wedding—A Journey Through Italy

The starting point for this project wasn’t the floral design or the colour palette.

Instead, it began with a simple question:

“How can we make our family and friends truly feel like they’re experiencing Italy?”

That question shaped every creative decision throughout the planning process.

Rather than simply incorporating Italian-inspired décor, we transformed the country’s most authentic symbols—its hospitality, food, landscapes, and relaxed lifestyle—into meaningful experiences that guests could enjoy together.

The result was a wedding weekend inspired by a contemporary interpretation of La Dolce Vita: elegant yet relaxed, refined without feeling formal, and deeply connected to the beauty of its surroundings.

The Welcome Dinner at Castello di Spessa

The wedding weekend began with a slow and relaxed day, giving guests the opportunity to settle in and fully enjoy everything the estate had to offer.

While some joined a friendly golf tournament on the castle’s championship course, others chose to unwind with a spa treatment or spend the afternoon by the Summer Club pool, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of the Collio countryside.

That evening, everyone gathered for an informal pizza party designed to break the ice before the wedding day. More than a welcome dinner, it was the perfect opportunity for family and friends from different countries to meet, relax, and begin celebrating together.

The relaxed setting, authentic Italian flavours, and warm hospitality immediately created the convivial atmosphere the couple had envisioned for the entire wedding weekend.

Colours Inspired by an Italian Summer

The colour palette for the Welcome Day drew inspiration from the vibrant atmosphere of traditional Italian summer markets. Shades of orange, coral, fuchsia, violet, and sunny yellow brought energy and warmth to the evening, creating a joyful and welcoming setting from the very beginning.

To reflect this vision, we designed bold floral arrangements paired with carefully selected Italian-inspired details, including fresh citrus fruits, pasta, and vintage prints. Rather than creating a themed event, these elements subtly celebrated Italy’s culture, food, and lifestyle in an elegant and contemporary way.

The result was a lively yet sophisticated welcome dinner that perfectly captured the spirit of La Dolce Vita while setting the tone for the wedding celebrations to come.

The Wedding Day

The wedding ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Sant’Adalberto in Cormons, while the celebrations continued at Castello di Spessa, where guests enjoyed the estate’s most iconic spaces—from the elegant Casanova Park and panoramic terrace to the historic wine cellars.

By hosting each part of the day in a different setting, the experience unfolded naturally, allowing guests to discover the beauty and character of the estate throughout the celebration.

An Elegant Ceremony with Timeless Floral Design

For the ceremony, we embraced a floral design that felt softer and more romantic than the vibrant styling of the Welcome Day. While subtle hints of citrus remained, the palette evolved into delicate shades of terracotta, peach, blush pink, ivory, and fresh greenery, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance.

Large terracotta urns framed the entrance to the cathedral, establishing a natural dialogue with the historic architecture while subtly reinforcing the Italian inspiration behind the entire wedding weekend.

The floral arrangements were designed to enhance the beauty of the church rather than compete with it, proving that thoughtful design is often at its most powerful when it feels effortless.

An Italian Garden Reception in the Heart of the Collio

The aperitivo was designed as an immersive Italian garden, where every corner invited guests to explore, connect, and enjoy a different experience. Rather than creating a traditional cocktail hour, we carefully curated a series of inviting spaces that encouraged movement and interaction throughout the afternoon.

Guests could relax in elegant lounge areas, enjoy live music, discover themed food stations, take part in lawn games, or stop at beautifully styled corners designed for memorable photographs.

Our goal was simple: we didn’t want guests to spend the aperitivo standing in one place with a glass of wine. Instead, every space was designed to tell part of the story, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere where hospitality, entertainment, and thoughtful design came together naturally.

The result was an aperitivo that felt relaxed yet refined, allowing everyone to experience the warmth of Italian conviviality while taking in the breathtaking views over the vineyards of the Collio wine region.

A Reception That Celebrates the Landscape

The panoramic terrace at Castello di Spessa hardly needs elaborate décor. With sweeping views over the surrounding park and the rolling hills of the Collio wine region, the setting speaks for itself.

Rather than competing with the landscape, we chose a refined tablescape designed to complement it. Soft linens, elegant tableware, candlelight, and lush floral centrepieces created a timeless atmosphere, while every design element was carefully balanced to enhance the natural beauty surrounding the guests.

The result was an elegant reception where the scenery became part of the experience, allowing the landscape, the architecture, and the styling to exist in perfect harmony.

As Day Turned into Celebration

After dinner, the atmosphere gradually shifted from the elegance of the formal reception to the energy of the evening celebration. Rather than creating a sudden transition, every moment was carefully planned to guide guests naturally from one part of the day to the next.

The cake cutting became the highlight of this transformation. Designed as a true performance, it combined music, lighting, and emotion to create a memorable experience shared by all the guests.

Instead of being a simple tradition, it marked the beginning of the night’s celebrations, setting the tone for an evening filled with laughter, dancing, and unforgettable memories.

As a final tribute to Italian tradition, the couple chose a classic millefoglie wedding cake. The cake display was thoughtfully styled using the floral arrangements from the ceremony, giving them a second life and creating a beautiful focal point without the need for additional décor.

This approach not only reduced waste but also ensured visual continuity throughout the wedding day, proving that sustainable design and refined aesthetics can go hand in hand. The result was a cake-cutting moment that felt elegant, intentional, and perfectly aligned with the timeless Italian spirit that inspired the entire celebration.

An Evening Celebration in the Historic Wine Cellars

As the evening unfolded, the celebration moved into the historic wine cellars of Castello di Spessa, where the atmosphere transformed once again. The centuries-old underground spaces became the setting for the after-party, featuring live music, an open bar, and dancing late into the night.

The contrast between the castle’s historic architecture and the vibrant energy of the celebration created a memorable finale, allowing guests to end the wedding weekend in a setting that was both elegant and full of character.

Why Castello di Spessa Is the Perfect Wedding Venue for Austrian and German Couples

In recent years, an increasing number of couples from Austria and Germany have chosen Italy for their destination wedding—but they’re often looking for something beyond the country’s most famous locations.

Many are searching for a venue that is:

• Easy to reach by car
• Surrounded by nature and vineyards
• Elegant yet authentic
• Renowned for exceptional food and fine wines
• Able to accommodate family and friends for an entire wedding weekend

The Collio wine region meets all of these expectations while remaining one of Northern Italy’s hidden gems.

What makes Castello di Spessa particularly special is its ability to host every stage of the celebration in one extraordinary location. From guest accommodation and leisure activities to the ceremony, aperitivo, reception, and evening party, everything flows seamlessly without the need for additional transfers.

For couples and their guests, this creates a relaxed, immersive experience where the focus remains on spending meaningful time together and enjoying the very best of Italian hospitality.

Our Approach

At Le Petit O Weddings, we don’t simply design beautiful weddings—we design the way people experience them.

Every decision, from the colour palette and floral styling to the guest journey, the layout of each space, and the sequence of events, is carefully planned to tell a meaningful story. We believe that the most memorable weddings are those where every detail feels intentional and every moment unfolds naturally.

For Katharina and Christoph, that story was about Italy: its warm hospitality, its effortless elegance, and the joy of bringing people together around unforgettable experiences.

What story will your wedding tell? We’d love to hear it.

Planning Your Castello di Spessa Wedding

If you’re dreaming of a Castello di Spessa wedding or a destination wedding in Friuli Venezia Giulia, we’d be delighted to help you create a celebration that reflects your personality, your vision, and the experience you want to share with your guests.

From the first concept to the final farewell, we design bespoke wedding weekends that combine thoughtful planning, refined aesthetics, and authentic Italian hospitality—creating celebrations that are as effortless as they are unforgettable.

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