First thing first, you may be considering multiple locations in Europe or Italy for your big day. While you would be spoilt for choice around the continent and in the country, there isn't quite a place like Lake Como. Indeed the backdrop to many iconic films such as James Bond Casino Royal or Star Wars and the playground of the famous we totally understand the charm and cannot recommend it enough...
Should you get married in lake como?
gETTING MARRIED IN Lake Como OFFERS YOU one of the most prestigious and breathtaking MARRIAGE destinations in the world, offering a perfect combination of natural beauty, grandeur and luxurious amenities. There are many reasons why WEDDINGS IN Lake Como ITALY ARE A perfect FIT for an impeccable DAY. From the stunning natural backdrop of the Alps and the crystal clear waters of the lake to the grand villas and chic quaint villages dotted around offering old world feel. Finally the lake offers privacy and exclusivity LIKE NO OTHER, a perfect blend to allow you to have the NUPTIALS you desire and for your guests to be at ease IN A REAL LA DOLCE VITA FETE.
read on below to learn about the best Lake Como Wedding venues, these are SOME OF OUR favourites in the region AND BEST IN ITALY which we often recommend to our clients who seek LUXURY lake como wedding locationS!
The definition of elegance, prestige and romance. From historic villas to five-star hotels or hidden gems, these iconic places offer breathtaking backdrops, unparalleled privacy, and world-class services, ensuring your special day is nothing short of extraordinary.
Villa Balbiano
The privately owned and very opulent Villa Balbiano is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places to hold your wedding in Lake Como. As a venue that encapsulates privacy and exclusivity you are only able to hire the the premise if you are working with a top wedding planner that has had previous experience on site . Villa Balbiano is none other than the epic House of Gucci, from the film of the name sake and belongs to an impressive collection of properties, The Heritage Collection which are located throughout France and Italy.
We absolutely love creating magical moments in Villa Balbiano. It is truly a breathtaking Lake Como wedding location surely to WOW your guests.
You are also able to have exclusive boat access making for a perfect grand entrance to your wedding venue and allows for a stunning opportunity for the bride and groom to sneak off for some sunset golden hour photos.
vILLA bALBIANO weDDING - kEY dETAILS
If you are wanting to get married in Villa Balbiano there are some things to consider beforehand. Firstly, It has a capacity of 200 for a wedding outdoors and it also has a glass marquee that you can hire that has a capacity of 250 but this will come as an additional cost. Smaller micro-weddings can take place indoors if preferred for a select few.
The venue is highly desired and only a certain amount of weddings are allowed to take place each year. Additionally only suppliers who have experience are allowed to operate on site due to the logistics involved.
Villa Balbiano Wedding Costs
To hire out Villa Balbiano it costs will start from £35,000 for day of and if you are wanting to have a longer hire such as a three day celebration with two nights it will cost from approximately £150,000. The price may vary year by year.
The perks of being able to hire the Villa for three days is that you can truly enjoy your wedding celebrations with being able to host a welcome dinner on site, of course the main day and then a farewell brunch by the pool before your guests depart. You can even have some of your guests stay as the Villa has six suites so you can have your closest family and friends with you.
Take a look at this Lake Como wedding we created at Villa Balbiano:
See our blog for more details about this epic Villa Balbiano Wedding.
Villa Pliniana
Villa Pliniana was built in 1573 and has been a host to many incredible artists, scientists and monarchs such as Leonardo da Vinci and Napoleon. It is under management of the sleek II Sereno hotel brand which is located less than a mile away from the villa. It has an 18-acre waterfront garden and terraces with sweeping views of the lake. Staying on site you will be able to enjoy many incredible amenities and modern suites.
Villa Pliniana Wedding - Key Details
Villa Pliniana is best for if you are after a late night party and want to be up until the early hours of the morning as it is built into a rock formation with no neighbours avoiding the restrictions other venues on the lake have to adhere by. The ballroom has the capacity for 200 seated for dinner and a structure can also be created on the lawn. There are multiple areas for a perfect ceremony from the front garden to the internal courtyard. The Villa has a total of 17 suites and can sleep up to 33 people. Of course other guests can stay nearby at the sister property. To really delight your guests can also get boat access to the property for arrival.
VILLA Pliniana Wedding Costs
If you are after a stunning wedding at Villa Pliniana then prices begin at 100,000 euro plus vat. This price also includes the privatisation and stay in the villa for 3 nights. This is great if your guests have travelled far and you are after a three day celebration. This price excludes things such as catering, florists and furniture rental which are important costs to factor in.
Villa Pizzo
Photo taken from: https://www.theferros.com/villa-pizzo-classy-destination-wedding/
Villa Pizzo dates back to the 15th century, although it wasn’t until the mid 16th century when the property evolved into what it is today. It is arguably one of the most picturesque properties in Lake Como for your wedding with a stunning pastel toned facade. It also has one of the largest and longest lakeside gardens. The most popular place for a reception here is on top of the old boat house ‘Darsena’. This is due to the large space seating up to 200, allowing for endless creative design options for layout and decor.
Villa Pizzo Wedding - Key details
Villa Pizzo does not have accommodation on site, so this may be a better option if you are wanting to host a one day event. However, Villa D’este which we will speak about further along does have accommodation and is located right next door. Villa Pizzo offers a perfect glass marquee as part of the hire so once the ceremony concludes you may go on site to enjoy dinner and dancing. Furthermore, the lack of neighbours allows for late night partying into the early hours with no one around for you to disturb.
Villa Pizzo Wedding Costs
If you are looking to get married in Villa Pizzo costs begin at 20,000 euro excluding vat for day of privatisation. This does not include additional costs that you need to consider such as a set up day and dismantle day may also be required for an additional fee. These costs also exclude catering, florists, furniture rental and also any entertainment.
Villa D’este
Arriving at Villa D'Este is like taking a step back in time. Historically, it has been a place full of royals, sultans and upper classes. It has now evolved into an incredible luxurious hotel, a fairytale wedding venue and gateway destination in Lake Como. With acres of green spaces it really does make for the perfect wedding setting! The Mosaic garden is the idyllic setting for a wedding ceremony, with stunning mountains as the backdrop, located next to the lake, it really doesn’t get much better. There is also an incredible pool right on the water for an epic reception.
Villa D'este Wedding - kEY dETAILS
The prestigious Villa D'Este hotel boasts 152 rooms so is ideal if you have a large wedding who have had to travel far to come and enjoy the celebrations. Receptions at the Villa are hosted at the grand banquet room Sala Impero which has a capacity of 200 guests seated for a reception or 400 guests for standing cocktails. Ceremonies can take place outdoors in the gorgeous gardens.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels on Lake Como. Built in 1910 and located in Tremezzina which is a perfect location for guests to have access to plenty of restaurants, bars and access to ferries that can take guests to other villages on the lake. The hotel, a true institution, is very historical in terms of look and feel. It is also an ideal place for events with numerous sized spaces including their main dining terrace with panoramic views and their large gardens. They also have an iconic floating pool which is a perfect area for a drinks reception.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo wedding - Key details
There is no lack of accommodation here with 90 rooms available. The capacity for weddings is 100 people and can be held on the T-bar terrace which has stunning lake views. It is possible to privatise the hotel for select dates each year or you can enjoy some events on site without full privatisation. Guests are also able to enjoy inside the grand Sala Regina where receptions can be hosted until midnight, with top quality cuisine and live entertainment. The Guests will of course have access to the hotel via boat and the hotel has their own elegant and luxurious wooden boats that guests can book.
Villa Erba
Villa Erba is located in the chic village Cernobbio and is a stunning lakefront property. The villa has hosted a plethora of exclusive events throughout its years and has the most incredible backdrop for a wedding. With three facades to the villa each provides an incredible entrance for the guests. One of the most poignant areas of the property is the boat house. This is where the villa meets the water and is the ideal location for a ceremony.
Villa ERba Wedding - Key Details
Villa Erba does not have accommodation on site however there are hotels in close vicinity. The venue does have a very large capacity for a reception of 300 in the beautiful indoor stately rooms which can be increased to 400 with a marquee. The boat house for the ceremony can seat up to 200 guests.
Villa Erba Wedding Costs
If Villa Erba is your dream wedding location then prices begin at 18,000 euro plus vat for privatisation 5pm to 1am with the possibility of extending the hours. It is important to consider that this is for an evening event only so it is important to consider costs for other venues and hotels. This price also excludes catering, florists and furniture rental.
OTHER tips to consider from the perspective of A LAKE COMO WEDDINg planner
How much is a Lake Como wedding?
Lake Como wedding prices can vary significantly depending on a few factors. This can be the venue you are hiring, how many guests you wish to attend, the guests contribution for example if they are covering their own travel and accommodation. It will also become more pricey if you want to add additional events to your wedding such as a welcome dinner and farewell brunch to create an extravagant 3 day event! Weddings in Lake Como can vary in price hugely from around $20,000 - up in the millions.
Weather in Lake Como in wedding season
With the wedding season being between May through to October Lake Como will not disappoint with the weather. Though we cannot guarantee sunshine all the time and rain proof plan is always best, in peak season of July the temperature can vary from 20 degrees celsius to 30 degrees celsius. Who doesn't love European summer sunshine?
LOGISTICS AND LICENSING For your lake como wedding
With its unique topography and due to the historic nature of many of the locations it is important to work with a professional to ensure the celebration goes smoothly for example often times things need to be transported via boat due to access, or roads can be narrow for delivery.
Did you know ...
To get married on lake Como, an American Citizen must present two documents: Nulla Osta (or affidavit) released by the American Consulate in Italy and legalised with an Apostille and an Atto Notorio released by the Italian Consulate in the USA.
It is also important to consider sound restrictions with certain venues as some Villas have neighbours and due to licensing they are unable to create loud sounds after certain hours of the evening. Before booking your venue make sure you are aware of any sound restrictions a venue may have as if you are a big party animal perhaps some of these venues are not as suitable for you. Most venues will accommodate you as much as possible, it may just mean moving the party indoors!
Travel and guest experiences
It is important that before you decide to get married in Lake Como you need to consider how you are getting there. The closest city with an airport is Milan which is around one hours drive to Lake Como. Therefore, when all your wedding guests arrive you need to consider how they will all get to Lake Como. For example, have you prearranged private transport for everyone or have they been told to make their own way their due to differing arrival times. It is also important to consider where the guests are staying if they are staying within the wedding venue or is it in a nearby hotel. Either way to create a good guest experience it is important that the guests are not constantly having to travel long distances.
Want to find your perfect lake como wedding venue?
There are plenty of beautiful wedding location options in Lake Como for an ideal destination wedding that combine luxury and opulence with stunning views. This and more make it one of the best places in the world to get married in. The venues listed above are some of our favourites to suggest to our wonderful clients.
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