It's gone down in history as one of the most spectacular weddings ever, when movie star Tom Cruise married actress, Katy Holmes at Odescalch Castle in Bracciano near Rome, in November 2006. It was a magical fairytale event, thousands of candles and fresh flowers were strewn around the ancient castle - which was hired for a modest £5 million.

Katie, wore a white off-the-shoulder wedding gown with an ivory silk train, adorned in Valencian lace and Swarovski crystal beading, and carried a bouquet of lilies. Tom wore a navy blue silk suit. Both outfits were made by Italian designer and friend of the couple, Giorgio Armani, as was baby daughter Suri's beautiful dress.

The couple exchanged Cartier white gold rings with diamonds and Katie gave her new husband a gift of a Vacheron Constantin watch, engraved with the words: "I Love You." After a wedding feast of pasta and steak, a spectacular firework display lit up the sky. The wedding favours were Armani gift bags.

There's no doubt that Tom and Katy's decision to marry in Italy will confirm the country as the number 1 European wedding destination for 2007. With beautiful architecture, stunning scenery, wonderful food and wine and a warm and sunny Mediterranean climate it's no wonder that Italy is such a popular choice for British couples marrying abroad. If you are tempted to choose Italy as your wedding destination, but are not sure where to start, professional wedding planners, Love & Lord, are available to help. As the leading organisers of bespoke weddings in Tuscany, they have planned and held many successful events in the region. We asked expert planner, Helen Lord, why Tuscany is such a perfect place for weddings.

Why do you think marrying abroad is becoming more popular?
"Many couples have come to us over the years wanting something different from a typical wedding in the UK. All their friends have had the marquee in the stately home, the meringue dress, the wedding singers and the speeches. They may have already had them for their first marriage. They are usually certain that they want something different and a day that can be what they want and on their own terms. A wedding abroad can provide them with this."

And why is Italy such a good choice, over other European countries?
"Italy, France and Spain are the only Mediterranean countries that can offer a high level of service and infrastructure for a quality wedding. They are the only really 'first world' countries that border the Mediterranean. And Italy allows you to have a civil wedding after you have been in the country for only two days. In France and Spain it is 40 days and two months accordingly. So Italy is the only option for a civil ceremony from these countries unless you want to become a temporary resident for several weeks. Despite being a Catholic country, any denomination of religious weddings is allowed and usually provided for with local representation."

What's special about Tuscany in particular?
"Tuscany is the lush green landscape and the historical and artistic centre of Italy. It is the part of Italy that British people have loved for centuries and keep on returning to. Tuscan people love the English and welcome them with open arms if they wish to get married there. Tuscany is the region where the most English is spoken in the whole of Italy and has an amazing array of farmhouses, castles, villas and palaces to hold your wedding and the reception. You will invariably spend less than a wedding of similar quality in the UK for a multitude of different reasons."

When is the best time of year for getting married there?
"During the summer, the days are long and you would be very unlucky to have inclement weather. We find that the best months of the year are May, June, July and September. August can be too hot for elderly relatives and many Italians go on holiday meaning that shops in rural non touristy areas can be closed. On the other hand because demand is weaker in this month you can usually obtain better rates for accommodation in August if you negotiate."

Can you get married on Saturdays there?
"Civil ceremonies held in town halls are possible from Monday to Saturday, with a handful able to do Sunday as well. The specific times and frequency that they conduct the services vary from town to town and we can advise on the best ones for your particular requirements. The day of your wedding has to complement the booking requirement of your accommodation. For example, if your accommodation is a weekly booking from Saturday to Saturday then it is not possible to have your wedding on a Saturday, as this will be the day that you have to arrive or leave. In this instance a Thursday or Friday wedding would be the most appropriate option. But as the majority of couples want a Saturday wedding, we try diligently to source venues out or convince them to change their policy. Religious ceremonies can occur at any time of the day as long as the vicar, priest, rabbi etc. is agreeable."

Isn't it too hot in the summer for a daytime wedding?
"We recommend that in the hotter summer months, June to August you have an afternoon wedding followed by an evening reception to take advantage of the cooler evening and the long daylight. The average temperature in the summer is from 25 - 29 degrees centigrade. In May and September when it is a bit cooler, we recommend a morning wedding with an afternoon reception."

How do you get there from the UK?
"It is possible to drive or catch a train to Italy from the UK, the trip will probably take you at least two days. But we recommend people fly - it is now so convenient and cheap to fly from all corners of the UK. For Tuscany, Pisa airport is the main airport to fly into and flights go there from most UK airports.
Another option is to fly to Florence as it is slightly closer to the main wedding areas in Tuscany and so could mean a shorter drive once you land. There are rumours that Ryanair will be flying to Perugia in Umbria in 2007. If this is true then it will open up Southern and Eastern Tuscany to weddings without a long drive from the airport. From the USA, Australia or any other non-European country, flights will predominantly arrive into Rome and you will need to catch an internal flight from there."

Which area of Tuscany is best for weddings?
"Tuscany is a province in Italy that is roughly half the size of England. Its landscape varies from mountains in the north to flat farming areas of the coast. The Tuscany that has captured the hearts of romantics, artists and now tourists is the central area of the hill between Florence and Siena. This is the classic rolling hills landscape of cypress trees, hill top villas and dense chestnut forests. Our venues and suppliers are clustered mainly in the areas which are on the tourist trail, have plenty of infrastructure, and the quality of options to have a successful wedding."

What do you need to take with you for the wedding?
"We advise that your rings and dresses are brought with you to Italy. Due to the heat of Italy in the summer we also recommend that you have light clothing and not formalwear with the guests bringing their attire with them. Everything else is arranged locally."

How soon should you start the planning process?
"If you start your planning a year ahead of your Tuscan wedding you should encounter no problems with availability. We have found that couples who start the process in January for that year encounter problems with getting their first choice date and venue."

Are there different kinds of venue available?
"There are a wealth of farmhouses, villas, castles, palaces and fortresses which could serve as your wedding reception venue. However they were all originally built for other purposes, so some are better than others in having the qualities to provide an excellent venue. Here are some of the criteria we use in considering a reception venue for our clients."

• How many people can eat comfortably there in proportion to the size of the room/venue?
• Can you eat outside?
• Is there a bad weather alternative location for the same number of people in the same venue? If not, are you prepared to accept the risk - no matter how small?
• How close it is to the town hall/church/wedding ceremony location?
• Can you hire you own caters?
• Will you have the venue exclusively?
• What is the hiring fee?
• Is there enough electric power for the DJ/Band to perform (we're serious!)?
• Is there on-site accommodation?
• How loud and how late can the celebrations be?
• Are there locations for fantastic wedding photographs?
• And finally (and most importantly) is it available for the date I want?

Which is your favourite venue in Tuscany?
"Have you seen the Kenneth Branagh movie 'Much Ado About Nothing' and wished that you could find the amazing pink villa that was the set of the movie? The villa is the stunning rose washed property, Vignamaggio, set in the Chianti hills outside Greve. The villa was the birthplace of the lady in the Mona Lisa painting and the winery produces its very own Mona Lisa Reserva Chianti wine, which is world renowned. The venue can comfortably accommodate 53 guests and has two pools, a gym, spa and wine tasting cellars. With prices starting at 150 euros a night for the accommodation the villa is extremely good value for money. The food here is excellent, based on Tuscan hearty simplicity, with a very talented chef backed up by the villas wines which are some of the best in the region. After organising many weddings at this venue over the past 5 years we are unashamed to say that this is by far our personal favourite wedding venue in the region."

What are your top tips for a wedding in Italy?

• Send out a save the day card to your guests when you know the date of your wedding but not necessarily containing the specific details.
• Arrange the town hall, reception venues and accommodation venue as your first planning task and leave the other parts until these are arranged.
• Spend the vast majority of your budget on the venue and the catering to really impress your guests.
• Have it between May and September to virtually guarantee the weather.
• Keep your town hall, reception venue and accommodation venue in the same geographical area to avoid a long trip on the wedding day.
• Choose a reception venue with an indoor alternative should bad weather occur.
• If possible, have all your guests staying at the reception venue to avoid late minibuses.
• Visit the region at least once beforehand to view properties.
• If flying from the UK, go low cost - there's very little difference in the quality of service and usually a great deal in price.
• Book an extra seat on the plane for your wedding dress. Or if you're a bride with balls ask the pilot to hang it in the cockpit.
• Ensure that the date you have chosen for the wedding day is convenient for your guests and their kids' school holidays.
• Under no circumstances send your invitations out or book flights until the town hall confirms the day and time of your wedding.
• Arrange to be there at least 3 days before the wedding to allow us to tidy up any loose ends and sign the documentation.
• Arranging the guest accommodation yourself can take up as much time as the wedding itself. Make the guests book directly with the accommodation or an agent.
• Go shopping at the outlets, play a round of golf, have a balloon trip, visit the wineries, and eat well. Have the true Tuscan experience.
• Don't plan too much activity for your guests. They may need a rest.
• When budgeting allow for IVA (tax), exchange fluctuation, and for add-ons.
• Remember it's your wedding and organise it the way you want to without any outside influences from family and friends.
• If you're a meat eater have the Florentine Bistecca at least once.
• Enjoy yourself - it's the best day of your life.

Why should I use a wedding planner for a wedding abroad?
"Every wedding we organise is unique, based on the couple's individual requirements. We organise your entire wedding for you on your behalf saving you time and effort whilst removing all the stresses and strains of dealing with Italy yourself. We are not a travel agent and we do not do packaged weddings or holidays with a wedding attached. We do give advice however on flights, car hire, etc. to couples that need it. We are based in Notting Hill in London. Our clients deal with me and James in the UK to co-ordinate their wedding and not someone in Italy. James and I will also be there in Italy with you for the duration of the wedding period. We only organise one wedding a week, ensuring total dedication to yourselves at the moment you most need it. We only deal with the top venues, caterers, florists, photographers and suppliers in the region and offer a level of service to complement and enhance them."

Love and Lord are happy to offer a free consultation to Wedding TV users interested in a wedding in Tuscany (normally £100). To get your free consultation, register on the Love and Lord website and in the requirements box put 'free consultation'.
www.loveandlord.com

Is it possible to go it alone and organize a wedding without a planner?
www.getmarried.co.uk writes wedding guides enabling you to create your very own wedding abroad without the need for a wedding planner. There is comprehensive advice and information for weddings in Tuscany, plus Venice, The Amalfi Coast and The Italian Lakes.

There are 10 free guides to give away to the first 10 people that respond with their full name and address to james@getmarried.co.uk stating which guide they prefer: Tuscany, Venice, Amalfi coast, Italian Lakes, Malta, Cote D'Azur or Southern Spain.

Where to start
The following websites are good for information gathering about Tuscany and Italy and will help you decide if it's the right choice for your wedding:

www.tuscanytraveller.com
www.chiantinews.it
www.deliciousitaly.com
www.dolcevita.com
www.discoveritalia.com

For travel information:

www.ryanair.com
www.easyjet.com
www.alitalia.com
www.Thomsonfly.com
www.jet2.com

Photo: Love and Lord