When to get married in Piedmont: A seasonal guide
Trying to decide when to get married in Piedmont? Here are some things to consider.
Are you considering a Piedmont wedding? Unless you are a local it’s hard to know the secrets of the seasons: When will you get the best rates? When are the colors at their brightest? What activities will entertain your guests?
We specialize in Langhe weddings, vineyard nuptials, and wine country experiences, so we put together a seasonal guide to help you choose when to have your Piedmont wedding.
Let’s start with some basic items. Calendar dates and weather patterns are oh-so-important for wedding planning.
Travel seasonality in the main parts of Piedmont
(variables do exist - see below):
* High Season: May, June, August, December
* Off Season: January to April
* Very High Season: July, September, October, November
Average Annual Piedmont Weather
(please note, these are monthly averages with high country included):
Italian State Holidays (most businesses close for the day):
* Good Friday
* Easter Sunday
* Easter Monday
* Liberation Day, April 25
* Labor Day, 1st Friday of May
* Republic Day, June 2
* Ferragosto, August 15
* All Saints Day, November 1
* Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8
* Christmas Holidays, December 25 & 26
* New Years Holidays, December 31 & January 1
When to get married in Piedmont: Winter
Winter is a quieter time in the region. Much of the area’s tourism takes a break after the busy fall. Many restaurants, hotels, and wedding venues will not be open for business in the primary wine areas of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato. If you are interested in a Langhe wedding you might consider a winery for your venue. For lodging, you are likely to find hotels open in bigger cities, like Alba, Asti, and Bra. Most countryside locations will be closed.
If snow and mountains are your thing, you won’t find a shortage of options in ski areas like Mondovi, Limone, Susa Valley, and more. Of course, this is the one place in the region where prices are not at an all time low, so consider that for your budgeting.
When to get married in Piedmont: Spring
Spring is easily one of the most beautiful times of the year in Piedmont. Blooms are bursting with colors creating a lively backdrop for your big day. Wine country Langhe weddings are particularly gorgeous with bud break happening in the vineyards.
You will also find that hotels and restaurants are re-opening from their winter hiatus. Tourism remains slow at this time of year, so you can find great prices and many options for activities to entertain your guests from wine tours and cheese tastings to hikes and bikes rides.
The weather is starting to warm up, but it’s not too hot - it’s nice and temperate, but given it is spring there is always a chance of rain! An outdoor event may be possible later in the season, but make sure to have a contingency plan should the rain clouds appear.
"The 2016 Wedding Color Palette is alive with colors for the spring. Read 2016 Wedding Colors - Make a Splash! "
When to get married in Piedmont: Summer
Summer can be tricky. You’ve got beautiful landscapes, no doubt. It’s also a time when both the tourist season AND temperatures start to climb. If you choose a summer Piedmont wedding, consider cooler areas, like Lake Orta-Lake Maggiore or even the lesser known Alta Langa. Be sure to book early and if you are doing an outdoor wedding have plenty of shade for guests or an indoor air conditioned option. Wine is an easy drink to come by, but also make sure there is plenty of water. Elder and out-of-town guests will especially thank you.
Piedmont Summer Wine Tips:
Piedmont is known for its big red wines, but that can be a little difficult on the palate in the hot summer days. Local whites to consider include Roero Arneis, Gavi, Langhe Chardonnay, Nascetta, and Timorasso. For lighter reds try Grignolino, Pelaverga, and Fresia. All are indigenous reds that nicely fit the bill for a warm summer day.
Serve them slightly chilled for a refreshing summer wine. Some locals even do this with a lighter Nebbiolo or Dolcetto. There is a misconception about serving red wine cold, but in truth it brings out the flavor. Recommended serving temperatures for red wines are about 10 C / 50 F to 13 C / 55 F.
When to get married in Piedmont: Fall
There is nothing quite like a fall Piedmont wedding. During harvest the vineyard landscape is dotted with beautiful, bulging grapes. There is a buzz in the air as the producers bring in their bounty. After harvest the vines start changing to incredible shades of orange, copper, and reds.
By mid-October the region is buzzing with excitement from the start of truffle season, making it the most popular time to visit. If you opt for a fall Piedmont wedding, book early. If budget is a factor, keep costs down by selecting a venue outside of the primary regions of Barolo and Barbaresco. Fall Langhe weddings are absolutely beautiful, but you can get the same beauty and experience just over the river in the Roero or other parts of the area. Check with us for ideas.
And, if you choose to have your Piedmont wedding in the fall, don’t forget to include white truffles in your event. The Piedmont city of Alba is known the world over for its white truffles. From mid-October to mid-November they host the Annual Alba White Truffle Fair. Visitors from across the globe come to eat and explore truffles. It is the largest white truffle fair in the world.
Truffles are a subterranean fungus found buried in the ground. The earthy, fragrant morsel is shaved over foods of all types, from meats to pastas and even gelato. For a fall Piedmont wedding consider adding truffles to your menu. The traditional wine and foods of the region pair perfectly with it - just make sure to factor it into your budget as these little guys can get quite costly.
Alba White Truffle Tips:
1. When is the best time for White Truffles? Truffles start to show up in mid-October. But, they get better as temperatures drops; colder months produce the best truffles. That in mind, you’ll get better prices on lodging, venue, etc with a late November wedding. The truffles will not only be better, but prices will be dropping since the Alba White Truffle Fair will be over.
2. Try A Truffle Hunt: If you want to give your guests some cultural experiences, consider booking a truffle hunt. Be mindful of the difference between a real hunt and a simulated hunt. A real hunt means there is a chance the hunter and his dog will not find a truffle during the outing. These hunts generally limit group numbers to about eight or 10 since the excursion takes place in the woods. A simulated hunt means that truffles were planted in advance to simulate the experience. You can usually find these for larger groups.
3. Wine Pairings with Truffles: Great wine pairings for a truffle-inspired menu or dish include Langhe Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Roero Riserva, Barbaresco, or Barolo.
Do you have more questions on when to plan your Piedmont wedding?
Contact Extraordinary Weddings and we can provide more detail and ideas to get your planning underway.
For more wedding planning ideas:
Image Credits: Daniele Molineris, Vibeke Havenstromfoto Norway, Mauro Fermariello, Severino Marcato, Gazzetta d'Alba, Luchino Photo, Marco Crea Studio Ostinelli, James Allan Photography and Pinterest.
A special thanks to our beautiful brides and grooms and their Real Wedding Images from our Extraordinary Weddings Gallery.
