Italian Villa Wedding at Castello di Buttrio | Antonia & Tom

Castello di Buttrio rests on gentle Friulian hills, where vineyards, warm stone and long summer light set the tone. For Antonia & Tom, it felt intimate and timeless – an Italian villa setting that lets emotions breathe.

As their wedding singer with live vocals and guitar, my role was simple: shape the ceremony and cocktail hour so every moment felt personal – from the aisle to the courtyard – while conversations flowed easily.

The Ceremony — Four Anchors, One Flow

After a short aperitif in the courtyard, guests took their seats. We were already in position. The planner gave us the cue, and we moved straight into the ceremony and the processional.

When couples book us for an Italian villa wedding, we often build the ceremony around four musical anchors. It keeps the timing calm and the emotions clear – even when the schedule shifts.

Processional — Love Story (Taylor Swift)

– Tom & flower girls: Verse 1
– The moment Antonia is visible: Pre-Chorus
– When she starts walking: Chorus (emotion forward, never overpowering)

Note: The flower girls missed their mark from excitement (so cute!) —so we kept the verse cycling once more and re-hit the pre-chorus on the planner’s nod. No hand signals, no scramble; just a clean musical re-entry.

This is why I’ll always advocate for live music: it adapts quietly. I explain how we plan for moments like this here: Ceremony music: a guide (without the show)

After the Reading — Yellow (Coldplay)

A sun-kissed moment that feels instantly “Italy”—warm, open, and full of light.

Vows — soft instrumental underscore

Very low, so every word lands. Music supports, it never leads.

Rings / Kiss / Signing — Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer)

Short, bright phrases; no pull from the moment.

If signing runs long (it did here), we switch to a light instrumental bed—same key, same feel—so the room stays settled and nobody feels rushed.

Balloon Ritual — instrumental backdrop

No lyrics here; eyes remain on the moment.

Recessional — Sarà perché ti amo (Ricchi e Poveri)

Pure joy. Smiles, instant movement, and a sense that the celebration has begun.

Cocktail Hour in the Courtyard — Light, International, Effortless

For the cocktail hour, we kept the Italian spirit alive with a refined mix of international favourites and Italian evergreens – exactly what many couples look for in live wedding music for a destination wedding in Italy.

Note: This story covers ceremony & cocktail hour only. For full-day coverage we hand over seamlessly to your DJ or band after the first dance.

Where We Stayed (and Loved): Le Fucine

We—and several guests—stayed at Le Fucine nearby and were genuinely impressed. The value for money was outstanding: comfortable rooms, thoughtful service, and easy logistics for wedding-day timing. If you’re planning a weekend around Castello di Buttrio, it’s a fantastic base for you and your guests.

Why This Venue Works So Well for Live Music

• Short moves between ceremony and courtyard mean quick, calm resets.

• Sheltered corners hide equipment and protect from wind/heat—visuals stay elegant.

• Courtyard acoustics are naturally warm at conversational volume.

• Timeline clarity keeps cues crisp and the flow intact.

• Plan B ready: flexible positioning if weather shifts.

Licensing & Fees in Italy (SIAE & SCF) — What Couples Should Know

If you’re planning live or recorded wedding music in Italy, you’ll almost always need licences through SIAE – and sometimes SCF as well.

Italy handles music at private events professionally. The quick version:

• SIAE covers authors/composers/publishers’ rights (applies to live and recorded music).

• SCF covers neighbouring rights for recorded music (e.g., DJ/playlist/backing tracks).

• Who handles it? Formally the event organizer (usually the couple). In practice, many venues or planners assist or bundle permits—ask early.

• What affects cost? Guest count, whether music is live, recorded, or live + recorded, and the specific time window.

• Best practice: Ask your venue/planner to confirm what they arrange, what you need to request, and any curfew rules. (Regulations and fees can change—always double-check current details.)

What Couples & Guests Love (and ask us about)

As a wedding singer specialising in live ceremony and cocktail hour music for destination weddings, couples often tell us they appreciate…

• Multilingual repertoire (EN/DE/IT/ES): little language moments help international guests feel seen.

• Guided song choices: you choose four ceremony songs; we curate cocktail hour to your taste and guest mix.

• Guest-friendly volume: present, warm, never too loud—especially important in courtyards.

• Clear cues & calm timing: everyone knows when to breathe, walk, and celebrate.

• Plan-B mindset: shade, wind cover, and quick repositioning ready if needed.

If you’re curious how this translates to your own day, you can read more about how I shape the music for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and first dance here.

Planning a villa wedding in Italy and want music that feels like you for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner & first dance?

I offer live vocals and guitar for destination weddings in Italy and across Europe – tailored to your day, your guests and your atmosphere.

Vendors

Venue: Castello di Buttrio
Photos: Alen Karupovic
Wedding Planner: Eternal Celebration
Videography: Verfilmt
Live music: Deborah Posadas
DJ & Sax: Mr. Saxmania
Celebrant: Sonja Louven
Flowers: Sonnenblume Klagenfurt
Makeup: BLBS Management
Catering: Viroca Servizio Catering
Light: ItalProService
Stationery: Iwona Sauerwein

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