Austrian–Italian Schlossberg Wedding in Graz | Birgit & Roberto

Some weddings feel like a gentle merge of two worlds.
Birgit & Roberto’s Austrian–Italian celebration above the rooftops of Graz was exactly that: 40 guests, late October light, a civil ceremony in the Kanonenbastei and an intimate reception in the Skybar – held together by family, languages and live music.

As their wedding singer with live vocals and guitar, my brief was simple: create a warm, elegant atmosphere from the first word of the ceremony to the last slice of cake, and make sure both sides of the family felt equally seen and included.

A bilingual civil ceremony above Graz

At 3 pm, the Kanonenbastei slowly filled with guests. The view over Graz, the stone walls, the autumn air – it all set the tone before a single note was played.

Because Birgit & Roberto’s families came from Austria and Italy, it was important that everyone could follow the ceremony. I set up a microphone for the registrar so every word carried clearly, and there was also a professional interpreter for Italian. I love when couples create space like this – it turns a ceremony into something everyone can truly be part of, not just watch from the outside.

Musically, we built the ceremony around four anchors:

• Entrance – “The Story” by Brandi Carlile
  Birgit’s father peeked around the corner to give the sign. As soon as I started the first chords, she began her walk. It’s one of those songs that feels honest and grounded – perfect for a couple who doesn’t need big drama to feel big feelings.

• After the speech – “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes
  Soft, intimate, a little bit nostalgic. It gave everyone a moment to exhale and sit with what had just been said.

• Rings & kiss – “At Last” by Etta James (with piano backing)
  A classic that still gives goosebumps when it’s sung live. I used a piano track here to give the moment a slightly more cinematic frame.

• Signing – gentle acoustic guitar
  No lyrics this time, just calm, flowing chords while the official documents were signed and people smiled, whispered and took it all in.

• Recessional – “Sarà Perché Ti Amo”
  For the exit, we went full Italian joy. As soon as I started the song, I could see faces light up – especially on Roberto’s side of the family.

Right after the ceremony, several Italian relatives came straight up to me to say how happy they were that an Italian song was part of the ceremony. That’s when I pulled out my Italian skills, and suddenly we were switching between German, English and Italian all at once – exactly the kind of mix I love at international weddings.

Cocktail hour on the terrace – a “semi-party” mood

At around 4 pm, while Birgit & Roberto were still taking photos below, I went up to the terrace of the Skybar to get ready for the cocktail hour. When they finally arrived with their guests, they entered the venue not just as “everyone’s here now”, but with a moment that already felt like a highlight.

We chose “La Vie en rose” (Daniela Andrade version) as their entrance song – and turned it into their first dance. In the afternoon. Outside. With the city of Graz below them.

Having your first dance this early is something I can genuinely recommend:
you’re fresh, the dress is untouched, the makeup is perfect, and you’re not thinking about whether everyone has had enough wine to join in. It becomes a soft, romantic moment that sets the tone for the rest of the day instead of a big performance at the very end.

During the Agape itself, we moved into a “semi-party” atmosphere – relaxed but with a little bounce:

Guests chatted, drifted between terrace and bar, and at one point a cousin proudly presented tomatoes brought all the way from Sicily – “because they taste so much better there”. Those tomatoes became an extra, very on-brand Agape snack, and there’s a photo of Birgit walking around with them that still makes me smile.

Somewhere between the crossword game for guests, the conversations in three languages and the music, we all slowly warmed into one group. That’s one of my favourite things about smaller weddings: you actually get to know each other.

Dinner in the Skybar – four courses, three sets, one big table

By 6 pm, everyone was seated inside the Skybar for a four-course dinner. We’d planned three 30-minute live sets spread across the evening, so there was always enough space for conversation:

• gentle, modern songs while people settled in and tasted the first course

• a slightly lifted energy in the middle, once everyone felt comfortable

• and a warm, glowing last set as the room loosened and laughter got louder

The goal for dinner music in a setting like this isn’t a concert. It’s that point where guests lean in to talk, smile more, maybe sway a little in their chairs – without needing to shout over the speakers.

For dessert, there was a fifth “course”: the cake cutting to “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer, which still feels like a sweet spot between nostalgic and timeless.

By that time, something beautiful had happened:
we were no longer “families from two countries plus the singer”. We were one big, slightly loud, very loving Italian–Austrian dinner table. After almost every song, someone shouted “Deborah!! Bravo!” and there were little chats in between sets. I genuinely felt like I’d been adopted into the family for the evening.

What couples can take away from this day

Beyond the pretty details, there were a few things that made this wedding work especially well – especially for an Austrian–Italian mix with around 40 guests:

1. Make bilingual guests feel included

Having both a microphone for the registrar and a professional Italian interpreter meant nobody was left guessing. If you’re planning a bilingual wedding, this is one of the most impactful things you can do for your guests.

2. Use music to connect cultures

Including at least one song in the language or tradition of one side of the family (like “Sarà Perché Ti Amo” here) does more than any translation ever could. People feel seen instantly.

3. Consider an afternoon first dance

Birgit & Roberto’s first dance to “La Vie en rose” during their entrance to the Skybar turned a simple “we’re here now” into a real moment. If you’re not excited about doing your dance late at night when everyone is tired, moving it earlier in the day can be a beautiful option.

4. Keep the guest list intimate

With around 40 guests, it was easy for everyone to talk to everyone – and for me as the wedding singer to build a genuine connection with the group. Smaller weddings often feel deeper, not “less”.

5. Plan your sets around your courses

For dinner, we matched the 3×30-minute sets to the flow of the four courses. That kept the evening structured but relaxed, and gave the kitchen and service team enough room to work in their own rhythm.

What we hadn’t planned for: everyone was so full and happy after the meal that the cake couldn’t be served at the originally expected time – so I ended up staying an extra 30 minutes.

If you’re planning a similar timeline, it’s worth adding a small buffer after dinner before cake or dessert, especially for multi-course menus. People often need a moment to breathe, talk and simply enjoy the room before the next highlight.

Planning an Austrian–Italian wedding in Graz?

If you’re planning a bilingual wedding in Graz or somewhere in Austria – with guests from different countries and a mix of languages – live music can quietly hold everything together: from the civil ceremony to the terrace drinks and dinner.

I offer live vocals and guitar for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and first dance, with multilingual song choices and a calm, organised approach to the day.

Planning something similar on the Schlossberg or anywhere in Austria/Italy?

I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Vendors

Days like this are always a team effort.

Location: Kanonenbastei & Skybar, Schlossberg Graz
Photography: Moony Photography
Florals: Floristik Obendrauf

For more inspiration on how I plan wedding music from aisle to dinner, you can also explore other real weddings in my portfolio.