Crossroads between the Alps and the Mediterranean, also known as the Sunny side of Switzerland, Ticino boasts some of the most beautiful mountains, lakes and views in the world. Being part of the lakes region comprising Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, the valleys and south-facing Alps of the Canton offer a diverse and enchanting scenery for nature lovers. We at Lugano Wedding are the only resource dedicated solely to helping you organize your wedding in this picturesque Canton, helping make your magical day even more so.
Ticino, Switzerland’s romantic getaway, offers dreamy settings for a fairy tale wedding and honeymoon. It is the only Swiss canton entirely located south of the Alps, has Italian as its official language, and benefits from a mild climate. The best time to get married is from April to October. In Ticino the newlywed couple and their loved ones will find Mediterranean and alpine characteristics wonderfully combined in history, culture, architecture and local gastronomy, in a world of Swiss quality, precision and cleanness.
From traditional granite houses in charming alpine valleys, to Baroque residences in picturesque villages around the lakes, vineyards, waterfalls, palm trees and glaciers, Ticino presents a variety of landscapes. An ideal setting for the most important day of your life.
Ticino is well connected by all means of transport. A dense network of bus and train routes takes visitors to the most remote corners of Ticino.
Six legendary scenic routes, such as the Bernina Express, the Wilhelm Tell Express, and the Lake Maggiore Express, provide the opportunity to discover Ticino in a pleasant and relaxing way.
Rental cars are also available (e.g. Avis, Europcar, Hertz) and can be found in various locations in Bellinzona, Locarno and Lugano. Furthermore, for more special moments, limousines, helicopters, horse carriages, tandems, paraglide, etc. can be organized for an unforgettable wedding adventure.
The airport of Lugano is located in Agno, which is only 4 km away from the city center, and offers regular flights to Geneva, and Zurich. Connecting shuttle buses will drop visitors off directly at their hotel in the city. Additionally, within 1 hour reach, there are the International airports of Milan which are connected to Ticino by shuttle buses and trains.
Where would you like to go?
We will be happy to handle all your Wedding needs and beyond! From a beautiful location overlooking the lake, to a wine tasting, chocolate tasting, boat trips, hiking, golfing, falconry, helicopter flights, balloon rides, bungee jumping (where James Bond bungee jumped!), to visiting Swissminiatur and even renting out a whole village!
District Administrative Offices
Locarno Region
Tel: +41 91 815 84 21
Email: di-usc.locarno@ti.ch
Lugano Region
Tel: +41 91 815 25 91
Email: di-usc.lugano@ti.ch
Maggia Valley
Tel: +41 91 816 19 31
Email: di-usc.vallemaggia@ti.ch
Mendrisio Region
Tel: +41 91 815 94 21
Email: di-usc.mendrisio@ti.ch
Bellinzona Region
Tel: +41 91 815 82 11
Email: di-usc.bellinzona@ti.ch
Blenio Valley
Tel: +41 91 816 37 41
Open Tues and Fri
Email: di-usc.blenio@ti.ch
Leventina Valley
Tel: +41 91 875 35 91
Open Tues and Thurs
Email: di-usc.leventina@ti.ch
City Halls
You may have a civil wedding in the wedding halls appointed by the district administrative offices. Unfortunately, it is not allowed by law to civilly wed outdoor. However, Ticino offers very charming town halls and other special locations, such as the following:
Bellinzona Region – City Hall of Bellinzona
Bellinzona Region – Sasso Corbaro Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bellinzona Region – Augustinian Convent of Monte Carasso
Blenio Region – Museum of the Blenio Valley, Lottigna
Blenio Region – Casa Rotonda of Corzoneso
Leventina Region – Gotthard Pass Museum of Airolo
Leventina Region – Casa Stanga, Museum of Leventina, Giornico
Locarno Region – Sala Casorella of Locarno
Locarno Region – City Hall of Locarno
Locarno Region – Villa San Quirico of Minusio
Locarno Region – Brissago Islands
Locarno Region – City Hall of Ascona
Lugano Region – City Hall of Lugano in Piazza Riforma
Lugano Region – Town Hall of Castagnola
Mendrisio Region – City Hall of Mendrisio
Mendrisio Region – Town Hall of Meride
Riviera Region – Cavalier Pellanda House of Biasca
Ceremony Locations
- Churches -
Church of San Bernardo
Bellinzona Region, Monte Carasso, Curzutt
The church of San Bernardo was built in the 16th century, although its current construction dates to the 17th century and the articulation of the façade with pilasters and gables dates from the 18th century.
Inside, the perimeter cornice is supported by Ionic columns. In the choir, frescoes framed in stucco work depicting the Madonna with St. Bernard – the patron saint – along with St. Rocco among the lepers and an Annunciation.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Bellinzona
This church dates back to the end of the 15th century and it is first mentioned in records of 1480. The interior is divided by a huge transverse wall in the tradition of the Franciscan Order and is decorated with some magnificent frescoes. On the dividing wall there is a Renaissance fresco of the Crucifixion surrounded by fifteen scenes depicting the life of Christ. Unfortunately the painter is unknown, but it is most probably the work of an artist from Lombardy dating from between 1495 and 1505.
Church of San Vittore
Locarno Region, Muralto
The Collegiate Church of St. Victor the Moor, to the north-east of the railway station, is, along with the church of St. Nicholas of Giornico, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Canton Ticino. It was the parish church until 1818. It is a flat basilica with three naves ending in half-circle apses, with a crypt beneath the chapel and a bell tower to the Southeast.
Madonna del Sasso
Locarno
The most striking of all Locarno’s sights is the Franciscan Santuario della Madonna del Sasso church, an impressive ochre vision floating above the town on a wooded crag (sasso means rock) and consecrated in 1487 on the spot where, seven years earlier, the Virgin had appeared to Brother Bartolomeo da Ivrea from the San Francesco monastery in the town.
Church of Santa Maria del Sasso
Lugano region, Morcote
The church, built in a Renaissance-Baroque style, was built in many phases. During the first phase, between 1470 and 1478, a construction was erected with a nave and two side aisles in a Romanesque style, containing six characteristic pillars in terracotta. In 1581, a lateral chapel dedicated to San Carlo was built. Ten year later, in front of this structure, the chapel of the Crucifixion was built. Between 1750 and 1758, the altar niche and two vestries were added.
Church Santa Maria degli Angioli
Lugano
The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland’s most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The “Passion and Crucifixion of Christ” is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes. The church is located on Piazza Bernardino Luini, at the end of Via Nassa, the city’s elegant shopping boulevard.
Church Santa Maria degli Angeli
Lugano region, Mt. Tamaro
The chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli is 1567 meters above sea level, near Alpe Foppa, and just two steps from the cable car stop. The chapel looks over the whole plain of Magadino, as far as the entrance to the Mesolcina, Lugano and valleys, and as far as the imposing peaks of the Alps. It was designed by the architect Mario Botta at the request of Egidio Cattaneo, and was built between 1992 and 1994. The interior was decorated by Enzo Cucchi and the completed work was consecrated on September 1st, 1996.
Church of San Lorenzo
Lugano
The Cathedral of Lugano is a Roman Catholic church in Lugano, founded in the High Middle Ages but rebuilt in the late 15th century, with the façade being completed in 1517. The original Romanesque building was oriented in the opposite manner to the way it is at present, as is shown by the remains of the apse discovered under the current parvise. In the 15th century the church was expanded and the entrance moved to its present position, while the open roof was covered by a groin vaulted ceiling.
Church of San Giovanni Battista
Maggia Valley, Mogno
The church of San Giovanni Battista is in the heart of Mogno. Built between 1992 and 1996, it was designed by Mario Botta and rises on the remains of the original fifteenth century church, destroyed by an avalanche. The current building stands out among the traditional houses of the village because of its cylindrical shape, cut diagonally, as well as for the decorative use of stone. The force conveyed by the walls of the church is nicely balanced by the lightness of the glass cover.
Tips & Tidbits
Seasons
Ticino, which is basically South of the Alps, differs from the rest of Switzerland for two basic reasons: The official language is Italian, and it is sunny 300 days out of the year. Most people like to come during the summer, since the weather is perfect, but the fact is, the weather tends to be pretty good all year round. It can get cold (and sometimes even snow) for a spell during winter, and the rainy season tends to be in April. The rest of the year is usually still quite good, although the summertime is still when you are almost guaranteed great weather.
Language
Everyone in Ticino, including Lugano, speaks Italian. However, tourist facilities will tend to speak English, and often German. If your event is in the Locarno/Ascona region, then German is more or less ubiquitous in tourist destinations.
Having said that, many government offices and agencies may require documentation in Italian (or French or German). We would be happy to help you with any translation needs you may have, so feel free to email us at info@LuganoWedding.com to let us know.
Planning a Honeymoon?
Ticino is the perfect starting point for any honeymoon you may be planning in the region, being in the center of Europe and conveniently close to both the Milan and Zurich airports. You can feel free to let us know about your travel plans and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!
Want to take some extra pictures?
If you’re in downtown Lugano, head to Parco Ciani, which is along the lake, for some beautiful views along the lake and the surrounding flower garden.
Other
The currency in Ticino is the Swiss Franc, although Euros are accepted in most tourist destinations. The plugs are European style (220 volts).