Lake Como with its forested mountains and exemplary views is the perfect place for a destination wedding. If you’ve been planning an Italy wedding at Lake Como, you have made the right choice. Whether you’re a lover of lush gardens blooming with flowers or a fan of boat rides in pristine waters, it’s the perfect destination to fall in love with and say your vows.
One of the most glamorous lakes in Italy, it offers elegant views of the snow-capped Alps and lavish villages that were once inhabited by writers, artists, and opera singers.
Table of Contents
Best Venues for Your Tuscany Destination Wedding
About Destination Weddings in Tuscany
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Tuscany
Tuscany Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Average Room Price: Under $100
Drive Time to Airport: 45 minutes
Number of Rooms: 0
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: No
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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Villa Pizzo is an exquisite venue nestled along the breathtaking shores of Lake Como in Italy. It has gained international acclaim as one of the most sought-after destinations for a dreamy and romantic wedding.
Come and fall in love with the enchantment of an old mansion that mixes aristocratic dignity with traditional charm. It was built in the 16th century and had a magnificent Italian garden with shaded passageways leading to the port.
If you desire a charming setting overlooking the lake, the dock is an excellent choice for an unforgettable wedding. Additionally, Villa Pizzo can accommodate 200 guests, and you can access it by boat. It does not, however, provide lodging, so you will need to arrange a motel for your family and other guests.
Situated on the western shores of Lake Como, the villa offers breathtaking panoramic views of the glistening lake and the majestic Alps that rise in the distance. If you want Italian sophistication paired with serene beauty, Villa Pizzo is the finest choice for your or a loved one’s wedding.
This mansion is located in Cernobbio and is used to commemorate a symbolic or religious function. Also, a pastel-colored sun-bleached façade enhances the vivid and well-kept gardens of the location. Villa Pizzo is the best option for a garden wedding because it offers the most lakeshore parks of any nearby wedding location.
Average Room Price: $1000+
Drive Time to Airport: 70 minutes
Number of Rooms: 6
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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Villa Balbiano is located on the western shore of Lake Como. Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio erected it in the 16th century. Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini took command after a century and staged feasts and celebrations here.
Villa Balbiano is now a private lakeside residence with a large garden. It also has a separate pier, a swimming pool outside, and a boathouse. It’s a beautiful blend of organic and artificial elegance and one of the finest spectacular venues on Lake Como.
Its rich history, stunning natural surroundings, and exquisite architectural beauty make it an exceptional choice for couples seeking a memorable and romantic setting to exchange their vows. It enables guests to have a symbolic wedding in the garden and a reception banquet for up to 100 guests.
You may also host your ceremony at the Darsena boat house, which provides a variety of décor and arrangement possibilities for a big wedding. The renowned interior designer Jacques Garcia developed all six magnificent suites. The celebration can be held both inside and outside.
You’ll fall in love with this site when you enter the majestic entrance and walk through the Italian-style gardens filled with fountains, trees, and spectacular statues. Enjoy the stunning views of Lake Como while also admiring the regal furnishings and luxurious marble baths. Villa Balbiano offers unrivaled elegance and grandeur for an Italy wedding on Lake Como.
Average Room Price: Under $100
Drive Time to Airport: 60 minutes
Number of Rooms: 0
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: No
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
Villa del Balbianello is an enchanting and picturesque location nestled on the western shore of Lake Como in Italy. Its stunning beauty, rich history, and serene surroundings make it an ideal destination for a wedding celebration.
Villa del Balbianello was erected in the 18th century in Lenno. It may accommodate up to 150 people for civil, symbolic, and religious ceremonies. Its stunning construction and magnificent tiered gardens will take your breath away.
Couples who choose Villa del Balbianello as their wedding venue are not only captivated by its aesthetics but also by its rich history. The villa has been a retreat for noble families, artists, and intellectuals over the centuries.
The complex comprises a church, an entrance overlooking a dock, and two residential buildings. There are 17th and 18th-century French and English furnishings.
Additionally, it features a great collection of ethnic antiques and sculptures. There are also many pictures, flags, and honors belonging to explorers. Remember that there is no lodging here, so you must make a hotel reservation for your visitors.
Villa del Balbianello has appeared in films such as Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It is located immediately on the shores of Lake Como. With its sumptuous interiors, charming gardens, gorgeous loggia, and stunning lake views, it is one of Lake Como’s most popular wedding destinations.
Average Room Price: Under $100
Drive Time to Airport: 45 minutes
Number of Rooms: 0
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: No
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
Villa Erba is a destination wedding venue in Cernobbio, a charming town on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. This historic villa is famous for its breathtaking beauty, elegant architecture, and stunning natural surroundings. It is a stunning architectural masterpiece.
This 18th-century home is famous for its inlaid ceilings, old paintings, and Mannerism style, which can be found in all its rooms. This is the place to go if you want a one-of-a-kind venue for a spectacular and lavish occasion. It features a lakeside and a large botanical garden surrounding it.
Villa Erba is suitable for symbolic, civic, and religious celebrations, which may be held indoors or outside. It has a capacity of 200 persons but no lodging. There are, however, various hotels nearby where you and your visitors may stay.
The home has an artistic appeal as well as a one-of-a-kind geographical situation. A lake and a garden surround it. It also appears in the film Ocean’s Twelve. You may get to the property via boat or on foot.
Flowering bushes, exotic trees, and vibrant flower beds are among the floral marvels of the area, providing a visual feast when coupled with the pristine waters of Lake Como. The house’s interior décor is elaborate, and the landscape is full of exquisite sculptures, giving it a gorgeous and one-of-a-kind look for your Lake Como wedding in Italy.
Average Room Price: $1000+
Drive Time to Airport: 45 minutes
Number of Rooms: 167
Weddings Per Day: 3
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
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Villa d’Este is a magnificent destination in Cernobbio, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Como in Northern Italy. This historic villa has gained international acclaim as one of the most luxurious and enchanting venues for a destination wedding.
Because of its grand architecture and rich grounds, it is one of the most popular hotels in Italy. And, of course, its closeness to Lake Como adds to its beauty and vibrancy. Combining this with outstanding hospitality and exquisite cuisine gives you the ideal setting for a luxury wedding.
It may accommodate symbolic, civil, or religious marriages indoors and outside in the Mosaic Garden. The venue can accommodate 200 guests, and you can access it by boat. It is a 5-star hotel with 167 rooms that offers luxurious accommodations.
The rooms are equipped with historical objects and antiques that evoke the spirit of the Belle Epoque. Awe-inspiring visits are made possible by stone balconies, beautiful terraces, and enormous windows. Fitness and wellness centers, as well as well-appointed spas, are available to guests.
It also boasts a golf course and tennis courts, ideal for an extended wedding. Villa d’Este is a destination in and of itself, with so many contemporary conveniences and five-star services. You and your guests will enjoy acres of gardens with a backdrop of mountains and Lake Como’s magnificence.
About Destination Weddings in Tuscany
Why Get Married at Lake Como
The cool mountain air at Lake Como will invigorate you as you walk down the aisle. The place is full of bright flowers in the summer, which makes it an ideal wedding destination.
While Italy has spectacular landscape options, an Italy wedding at Lake Como is definitely among the best. Whether it’s in terms of popularity or trendiness, Lake Como offers remarkable wedding destination options.
The exquisite romance and virgin charm of the lake make it increasingly popular as a wedding destination. Of course, the luxurious venues and lavish gardens also contribute to its fame.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Lake Como
Since Lake Como is among the most sought-after wedding destinations, prepare for a grand wedding that will cost accordingly. Several high-end venues are built especially for splendid weddings.
If you want an elopement with less than 20 guests, a typical package would cost you $7,000 to $12,000. A civil wedding will be more expensive than a symbolic wedding as the former will include town hall paperwork.
And if you want a more elaborate wedding, a 3-day wedding of about 50 guests will cost you about $90,000. When booking a wedding package, make sure to check for VAT as it might be extra on some packages.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Tuscany
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
One question you might want to ask about your Italy wedding at Lake Como is whether you want a legal or symbolic wedding.
Let’s see the difference between the two:
When you get legally married at Lake Como, it’s a legal or civil ceremony. This wedding will be legal in your home country as well.
You can also get legally married in your home country and then hold a symbolic ceremony at Lake Como. This wedding is called symbolic
Required Legal Documents & Cost
Lake Como region recognizes two types of weddings: legal and religious. All religious weddings, except Catholic, need a civil ceremony to become legally binding. It recognizes same-sex weddings as civil unions.
If you’re a foreigner, you have to carry certain documents. Here’s the list of documents required:
- Valid ID cards or passports
- Original birth certificates
- An Atto Notorio that has to be signed by two witnesses
- A marriage intent declaration
- Marriage Nulla Osta that you can find from your country’s embassy in Italy
- Divorce papers/death certificate of previous spouses if applicable
If you’re a Catholic, you’ll also need other papers for an Italy wedding at Lake Como:
- Baptism certificate
- Certificate of attendance to pre-marriage course
- A written letter of permission from your priest
- If one spouse is non-Catholic, an approval for mixed-religion marriage
- A prenuptial inquiry
Legal Marriage Timeline
Here is the chronological sequence of steps you need to follow:
- Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Italy to understand all documents required for your wedding.
- Decide the type of ceremony you want.
- Book the right venue at Lake Como.
- If a visa is required, apply for it.
- Collect the birth certificates of the bride and groom.
- Collect divorce papers or death certificate if required.
- Contact the embassy or consulate to get Nulla Osta.
- Get two witnesses to sign Atto Nottario.
Tuscany Destination Wedding Planning Tips
How to get there
Lake Como is close to the Swiss border and the city of Milan. Here’s how you can get there.
By airplane
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa. From there, you can take the Malpensa Express train and get down at Saronno. From Saronno, you can take a train to Como Nord Lago. It will take about an hour and a half.
By train
You can take a train from Milan or Switzerland and reach Como S. Giovanni.
By car
You can reach Milan and take the A9 motorway to Como. It will take about an hour by car.
Lake Como Weather
Lake Como has humid summers and cold winters. It often rains with thunderstorms. These rains are usually short-lived, and the sun shows up in a few minutes.
Budgeting Tips
- Instead of renting a car, you can get a ride-share service.
- Use the C10 bus that goes to the main towns around Lake Como.
- Instead of taking a private boat, you can take a ferry to the venue.
- Many places offer free snacks with drinks. The snacks could include olives, focaccia, or crisps.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Lake Como
An Italy wedding at Lake Como would be the best in the months between April and October – especially in May and June. In these months, the weather is warm and pleasant. In the summer, you can enjoy the blooming flowers of the area and have the most perfect wedding.
Looking for some other destinations for your wedding? Check out this Saint Lucia wedding guide.
Also, check out our suggestions for the best bachelorette party destinations.
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