We are getting married!
Lovisa Carlman Bydén &
Johan Åberg
Thursday May 29 - Sunday June 1 2025
Invitation
You are the best people we know.
That’s why we want to celebrate love with you for four days on Monte Isola in Lake Iseo
– one of Italy’s best-kept secrets.
The location
The location we have chosen for our wedding is an island in the middle of a lake, surrounded by mountains! We are taking you to northern Italy, to one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, Lake Iseo and the island of Monte Isola. There are frequent boat connections that take just a few minutes.
Monte Isola is a peaceful and tranquil oasis. The long lakeside promenade invites you to take walks along the shore, where you can stop for a gelato break. For those ready for a challenge, there’s the option to hike all the way up to ‘Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola,’ a church located at the highest point of the island. The hike takes just over 2.5 hours.
In the small fishing village of Peschiera, near the harbor, lies the villa Castello Oldofredi. The island is nearly car-free, but if you are driving, there is parking available in the village of Sulzano on the mainland.
Castello Oldofredi
We are gathered at Castello Oldofredi from May 29 to June 1, 2025, for our wedding, where most of our guests will be staying. There is a pool, a beautiful garden with olive trees and a restaurant with a bar. The view from the villa is absolutely magical, and you can see all the way to the small town of Iseo on the mainland.
All the Practical Details
Wonderful Days Together
Below you will find what will be happening this weekend:
Thursday 29th of May
14.00-18.30 Guests will arrive
18.30 Our first gathering – We will meet at Castello Oldofredi in the olive garden
19.00-late Welcome dinner – We will eat dinner together in the olive garden (outside)
Friday 30th of May
08.00-10.00 Breakfast – For guests at Castello Oldofredi & Hotell Foresta
10.00-18.20 Free time – You will find suggestions further down
15.30-16.00 Music and movement (!) – The brides mother will be leading an aerobics class in the garden at Oldofredi suitable for everyone and we will take a swim after if the weather allows – let’s move it!
18.20 Gathering – We meet at Oldofredi for transportation to the wine yard
19.00-23.00 Wine yard – Round tour and dinner at wine yard
23.00-00.00 Bar – The bar at Oldofredi will be open until midnight
Saturday 31st of May
08.00-10.00 Breakfast – For guests at Castello Oldofredi & Hotell Foresta
10.00-15.30 Free time – You will find suggestions further down
15.30 Gather for wedding – We meet at Oldofredi for the wedding
16.00-16.30 Wedding
16.30-18.30 Aperitivo – We will enjoy aperitivo and music in the garden
18.30-22.00 Wedding dinner – We will be seated for the wedding dinner
22.00-01.00 Party – The rest of the evening is party and dance
Sunday 1st of June
08.00-10.00 Breakfast – For guests at Castello Oldofredi & Hotell Foresta
10.00-11.20 Pack your bags – Time to check out and say goodbye
11.20 Gathering for transfer – If you will be joining the transfer
11.30 Transfer leaves
Wedding Coordinators
Maria Rönnqvist at La Villa will answer all practical questions regarding the wedding and will be present in Italy: maria.ronnqvist@lavilla.se
Johan Ekmark will answer all practical questions regarding your booking: johan.ekmark@lavilla.se
As a wedding guest, all further information and any updates will be communicated via email from La Villa.
Dress Code
- Thursday – optional.
- Friday – optional.
- Saturday – suit.
Master of Ceremonies
Speeches or other ideas can be communicated to the master of ceremonies:
- Peter Svanborg peter@petersvanborg.se
- Elin Erkenswick elin@nextstate.se
Gifts
The gift is you coming to our wedding weekend and celebrating with us.
To do in Monte Isola
Walking
The island is best explored on foot or by bike, and there’s also a local bus as a complement. The long lakeside promenade on Monte Isola invites you to take leisurely walks along the shore, with opportunities to stop for a gelato break or a birra.
If you want to hike up to the charming monastery Madonna della Ceriola, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of the lake and mountains. The round trip takes just over 2.5 hours. The easiest way to find the trail is to exit through the gate by the reception at Oldofredi, continue straight ahead and take the stairs up to the road. The trail starts on the other side of the road. On your way back, we recommend taking the path down to the village of Siviano and then following the road back.
You can also walk around the entire island without going all the way up to the monastery if you prefer to stay closer to the lake and the water. In that case, head down towards the lake and turn either right or left, following the main roads.
Bike Rental
If you’d rather roll along, you can rent a bike at the pier, for example near the grocery store, and enjoy a relaxing ride around the island.
Services on Monte Isola
Monte Isola offers several cozy bars and restaurants, as well as essentials like an ATM, a bakery, a grocery store, and a pharmacy. There are a few restaurants just below Castello Oldofredi in the small fishing village Peschiera, but you’ll also find other dining spots around the island, perfect for a break during your walk or bike ride.
Boats, Shopping, and Restaurants
There is round-the-clock boat service to Sulzano on the mainland, a small village. During the day, there are also connections to the picturesque town of Iseo, which has a wider range of shops, restaurants, and markets – perfect for a day trip.
Market in Iseo on Fridays
You can visit the market in Iseo on Friday mornings between 8 AM and 1 PM. The easiest way to get there is by taking the boat directly from Monte Isola to Iseo, which runs regularly throughout the day.
Other Mainland Excursions
-
Golf – Franciacorta Golf Club
-
Shopping – Franciacorta Village
-
Rent a bike – Iseo Bike
-
Franciacorta wine region – Franciacorta
Map Monte Isola
To see the map of Monte Isola, click on the link.