Lake Como – create a unique and glamorous wedding in one of Italy’s most prestigious locations.
Jo Daye (our inhouse destination wedding consultant), has put together the following mini guide on what a Lake Como wedding has to offer as a destination wedding location, keeping in mind all budgets.
Most of us see Lake Como as the glamorous location often featured in the glossy magazines. It is the not so secret hide-away of Hollywood celebrities; it has been the location of some blockbuster films and the rich and powerful own many of the grand villa homes on the Lake, so you would assume that a destination wedding at Lake Como is going to cost you.
Glamour on Lake Como
I went to Lake Como mid April to do a venue and location visit for a bride who is getting married in September. The bride and groom have chosen the locations of Varenna, Bellagio and Cadenabbia, each location will host part of their wedding day, as you can imagine it is going to take a fair amount of co-ordination and timing will be important. I personally wished to experience how things would come together as to how it appeared on paper, from this perspective it was a worthwhile visit. It was an opportunity to meet and speak to all those who will play a part in this Lake Como wedding.
What also happened on this trip has set me on a creative thought trail about how to do glamour on the lake and this came about by a chance meeting to view an old church but turned out to be so much more, it gave me an excellent connection, someone who has a portfolio of venues that are the shortest distance outside of Bellagio that are accessible to all budgets.
One of the villas is situated across the lake from one of Lake Como’s main attractions, the majestic Villa Carlotta. Some parts of this residence date back to the 17th century. Its position is elevated so guests have a superb view of Lake Como which is priceless. A short walk from the villa is a boat pier where you can be in Bellagio in about 5 minutes, a romantic way to travel and beats finding a parking space! The villa has a grand-style exterior but is not formal, there is fantastic outdoor space for informal dining on one of the terraces and there is an inside function room for those not so sunny days which can accommodate up to 40 people.
The apartments are usually rented on a weekly basis but 3-day exclusive hire is an option for a Lake Como wedding or major event. It is possible to organise wine tasting at the villa which could be worked into the wedding arrangements as a welcome event. The owners of the villa are exclusive distributors of wine produced in the province of Como and through their connections it is possible to organise a visit to nearby vineyards.
We were also given an early preview of a new property which will have an outdoor covered spa – this villa is in an elevated position and will look over the Lake.
These properties are suited to smaller groups for accommodation and up to 40/50 for receptions.
Similar to the couple getting married in September make the most of the location as it creates a unique aspect.
Focus your budget on key services, for example:
- When selecting your photographer package chose one that includes the day before wedding shots – you can have fun with these photos, you can stamp your style, create your own front page glossy magazine cover, dress in vintage style clothes. Alessandro Della Savia is one of our favourite Italian photographers in Lake Como.
- If your package is digital only with rights to the images you can then create your own wedding book.
- Transport for a Lake Como wedding doesn’t always have to be private hire
- Use one of the less formal bars to do aperitivo
- Option of a local restaurant with traditional cuisine rather than a set wedding menu
One thing to take into account is the weather, unfortunately we cannot control this but sometimes a cloudy day can add to the impact of photography producing a striking background to your Lake Como wedding images.
How can Jo Daye Help You
In a bid to to keep wedding planning simple, affordable, supportive and easy, Weddings Abroad Guide is collaborating with Jo to offer a “Virtual Wedding Planning Service” .
The service is suitable for all stages of the planning process and is extremely helpful for those couples just getting started or planning their own wedding abroad. With over 14 years experience of designing bespoke weddings for international clients, Jo’s approach is to get you focused and to prioritise what’s important to you, guiding you on how to get the wedding you truly want.
Having researched, planned and overseen many requests Jo is able to tap into a deep well of knowledge and actual experience, to explain with clarity what is involved and what things to consider. (We think her advice is absolutely brilliant and not to be missed)!
To find out more about this service and how Jo can help you bring your dream wedding in Lake Como or any other location in Italy to life, click here or use the form below as a quick and easy way to contact her.
Jo Daye (Virtual Planning Consultations)
Further Reading:
Want to learn more about Getting Married in Italy?
10 expert tips for choosing a Wedding Venue in Italy.
Get inspired with our Latest Real Wedding Stories!
