6 Showstealing Wedding Venues in Italy’s Lake Como

Renowned as one of the most romantic spots to get married in the world, the breathtaking Lake Como is home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious villas. We challenge you not to fall in love with the idea of getting married here after you’ve seen the spots we’ve listed below! According to Lonely Planet, Lake Como is the ‘most ‘James Bond’ of the Italian lakes, where shiny red Ferraris weave through narrow lakeside towns and neoclassical villas take on a whole new level of opulence’ and we think it couldn’t be summed up any better. Located at the foot of the alps, it is the perfect combination of mountains, stunning parklands and of course that unbeatable lake view.

Before we get too carried away listing all the ways Lake Como is just divine, take a look at the 6 stunning venues we’ve listed below.

1. Villa Balbiano

A privately owned luxury villa that perches lakeside in the hamlet of Tremezzina, the picture perfect Villa Balbiano has recently undergone a total refurbishment. Beautifully balancing ornate marble floors and antique furniture with modern amenities, it can host up to 200 guests for your wedding celebrations. You and your guests will arrive via their impressive gateway into an Italian style garden filled with statues, fountains, trees, box hedges and pergolas before landing upon the lovely venue itself. Their lakeside garden makes for a pretty spot to host your wedding ceremony complete with panoramic lake views, followed by a reception within their grounds. Other areas to enjoy include their olive tree lined vegetable garden, lakeside pool area and indoor pool.

Visit Website

2. Villa Pliniana

Nestled on a private secluded shore of Lake Como, this stunning villa has recently come under the management of the new Il Sereno Hotel that is less than a mile away. A well regarded hotel group, they bring their expertise in luxury and service to this lovely wedding spot. Built way back in 1573, the villa has played host to many artists, scientists and royalty, including the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Bellini Volta and Napoleon. The space has been thoughtfully restored with the addition of a spa and helipad, opening up the opportunity to arrive by road, boat or air if you fancy! We highly recommend the boat option, that sees you and your guests arrive via a tunnel beneath the property that brings you up outside the main entrance. They have a variety of spaces in which to host your wedding of up to 300 guests, including their grand garden, terraces and internal courtyard with arches that frame the lake. Plus with the venue having no neighbours, you can party well into the early hours. The venue has 17 suite available, and we love the fact it has a waterfall that flows beneath the courtyard, the villa and into the master suite too!

Visit Website

3. Villa del Balbianello

A popular spot for VIP weddings, fashion shoots and for filming those little known blockbusters Star Wars and James Bond, Villa del Balbianello is a really exclusive luxury wedding venue. Positioned at the tip of a wooded peninsula with lake views on all sides, the only way to access this villa is via boat, a fun novelty that your guests will love. Their Loggia Segre is an iconic spot to host your wedding ceremony or reception of up to 60, with three beautiful arches through which you’ll see Bellagio with the alps in the distance and over the only island of Lake Como. Alternatively they also have a lovely lakeside terrace that can host up to 150 guests. The venue was originally a lavish private residence but is now a museum that is owned and run by the Italian National Trust. It is also one of the few wedding venues on Lake Como that has no neighbours, meaning you can party late into the evening.

Visit Website

4. Villa Pizzo

Dating back to the 15th century, Villa Pizzo is a beautiful and traditional pale pastel hued wedding venue that is one of the prettiest spots on Lake Como. Surrounded by well manicured and colourful gardens, it in fact boasts one of the longest and largest lakeside gardens of all the properties in the area. The venue recommends you arrive with your guests via boat so they can take the full facade of the venue in, and then host your symbolic ceremony on top of the their old boat house, otherwise known as a Darsena, for uninterrupted lake views from all angles. Follow this up with a reception for up to 200 guests within their lovely courtyard that faces the lake, which can easily be transformed for a plan B scenario, with a tent structure covering the courtyard. The venue has an abundance of spots to have photographs taken, including the gorgeous Orangerie, a greenhouse filled with their own oranges and lemons and generally all the exotic and colourful plants that fill the grounds.

Visit Website

5. Mandarin Oriental Lake Como

With their recent opening on Lake Como in 2019, the Manadarin Oriental group brings their well loved 5* luxury to this lovely part of Italy. As a full resort hotel, it has both an abundance of rooms and suites (73 to be exact) and 2 private villas on site, along with lots of other covetable amenities including two swimming pools, a spa and fitness centre. The main villa has been renovated in a modern yet classical style with their renowned asian twist and is able to host both civil and symbolic ceremonies within their spaces. From their botanical gardens to their beautiful terraces, there’s ample places to choose from for your ceremony and reception.

Visit Website

6. Villa Erba

Located in the stylish village of Cernobbio, Villa Erba is a well known spot within Lake Como, famed for hosting some of the most exclusive events in the world along with Ocean’s Twelve having been filmed there too! The venue is filled with decadent interiors with lots of original ornaments and frescoes and each room on their ground floor being individually and uniquely decorated. At the heart of the villa you’ll find their Cathedral Hall, surrounded by dramatic stone balconies with lovely views out. For the ceremony, choose from their romantic wrought iron cupola or their ancient boat house, where the villa meets the water to say your vows. After this, enjoy your reception of up to 300 within a marquee in the grounds or inside one of their grand salons, then dance until the early hours and end your night watching spectacular fireworks over the water. Surrounded by a large botanical park, the venue can be accessed via boat and road, with both providing really pretty arrival points for first impressions.

Visit website