Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. It will set the tone of your entire event and will play a key role in creating the perfect atmosphere for your special day.
Having said that, whether you’re dreaming of a romantic garden wedding, a grand ballroom reception, or an intimate ceremony on the shores of a lake, there are some wedding venues on Lake Como that could be tailored on your wishes.
Lake Como is home to some of the most beautiful wedding locations in Italy, each offering its own unique blend of history, luxury, and natural beauty. In this article I’ll suggest to you those I consider among the top 5 wedding venues on Lake Como.
Read also: 10 Reasons to Get Married in the Heart of Lake Como
Villa Balbiano
Villa Balbiano is one of the most exclusive and luxurious wedding venues on Lake Como. Located in the charming village of Ossuccio, this stunning villa dates back to the 16th century and boasts rich history and magnificent architecture that make it a truly unique setting for your special day.
Originally built as a monastery, the villa was converted into a private residence in the 18th century and having hosted several famous guests throughout the centuries, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill.
Villa Balbiano is situated on a hilltop overlooking the lake, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The grounds are impeccably landscaped, with lush gardens, terraces, and fountains, providing an amazing backdrop to celebrate your love in intimacy or with all your family and friends.
The villa has also a private dock which allows couples to arrive at their wedding by boat, adding a touch of glamour to your special day.
The villa boasts beautiful frescoes, antique furniture, and exquisite artworks that showcase the villa’s rich history and elegance. So when it comes to wedding photography and videography, Villa Balbiano offers plenty of beautiful backdrops, all perfect for capturing romantic moments and creating lasting memories.
It is the perfect choice for couples who want to experience a fairytale wedding in one of the most beautiful locations in Italy.
Villa Balbiano offers a range of amenities and services to make your wedding day as special as possible. These include catering and bar services, wedding planning and coordination, and audiovisual equipment rental.
At last, choosing Villa Balbiano allows you to customize your wedding to your exact specifications, whether you want a small and intimate wedding or a large and lavish celebration.
Read also: How to Ensure Your Wedding Day Goes Smoothly
Villa d’Este
Located in the charming village of Cernobbio, Villa d’Este is one of the most iconic and prestigious wedding venues on Lake Como.
The villa was built in the 16th century as a summer residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, and it was later transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873. Since then, it has been a popular destination for the world’s rich and famous, including celebrities, politicians, and royalty.
The villa is situated on the shores of the lake and offers stunning views of water and mountains all around. It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens considered among the most beautiful gardens in Europe, which cover over 25 acres. Moreover, it has several terraces and balconies which offer perfect backdrops for your wedding videos.
Dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the villa is a masterpiece of art and architecture, with ornate frescoes, antique furnishings, and elegant reception rooms that are perfect for your ceremony and reception.
Villa d’Este has several event spaces that can accommodate weddings of various sizes and styles. Whether you want an intimate indoor ceremony or a grand outdoor celebration, the villa has something to offer.
For couples who want to make their wedding day truly unforgettable, I think Villa d’Este is the right choice. You can live a large range of romantic experiences, including private boat trips on the lake, spa treatments, and candlelit dinners under the stars.
Read also: Arabic Wedding in Lake Maggiore: Relais Villa Porta
Villa del Balbianello
Another amazing venue located on the Lake Como shoreline is Villa del Balbianello, situated on a promontory on the western shore of the lake and surrounded by lush greenery, including cypress trees, olive groves, and exotic plants.
The villa was built in the late 18th century and it had famous owners such as the Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini and the Italian explorer Guido Monzino, the last owner who transformed the villa into a museum showcasing his vast collection of artifacts from his travels.
Villa del Balbianello is managed and protected by FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano, a non-profit foundation that safeguards historical Italian heritage because of its antique furniture, beautiful paintings, and other artworks that showcase the villa’s rich history.
Located on a picturesque peninsula that juts out into Lake Como, the villa offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains, providing a romantic and serene setting for your wedding celebration.
One of the most exclusive feature of Villa del Balbianello is its private boat entrance, where guests can arrive at the venue with style, making a wonderful photo opportunity for the newlyweds and their guests. It also has several outdoor event spaces, including the Loggia Durini, a beautiful covered terrace that overlooks the lake and the mountains, great for ceremonies and receptions.
Villa del Balbianello is a relatively small venue, making it an ideal choice for couples looking for an intimate and romantic wedding elopement. The villa can accommodate up to 120 guests, making it perfect for small to medium-sized weddings.
Concluding, Villa del Balbianello offers a breathtaking backdrop for capturing stunning images. The boat entrance make for fantastic photo opportunities and the Loggia Durini provides a romantic setting for catching intimate, lovely moments.
Read also: Villa Balbianello: How to Plan Your Event (Complete Guide)
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an historical hotel located in the town of Tremezzo on the western shore of Lake Como. The hotel was built in 1910 and has been a popular destination for aristocrats and celebrities throughout the years.
Situated in a prime location on the lake, offering stunning views of the water and the surrounding mountains, Grand Hotel Tremezzo features a beautiful Art Nouveau facade, with lush gardens and elegant ballrooms.
One of the standout features of Grand Hotel Tremezzo is the T Beach, a unique venue that combines the elegance of the hotel with the beauty of the lake. This private beach is located on the shores of Lake Como and is perfect for a romantic and intimate wedding ceremony. The stunning views of the lake and the mountains make for a breathtaking backdrop for your special day.
La Terrazza is another elegant venue of Grand Hotel Tremezzo which offers panoramic views of Lake Como and the mountains all around, making it a perfect spot for your wedding reception. The venue is decorated with beautiful flowers and has an elegant atmosphere, which will create a sophisticated and romantic ambiance for your special day.
It’s assured that the hotel offers a picturesque setting with its lush gardens and elegant interiors, perfects for exclusive and unforgettable wedding photos and videos. Moreover, its location on the lake makes this hotel perfect for stunning sunset shots.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo is perfect for couples who want an elegant and classy wedding, in a historic setting and surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Como.
Read also: Love on the Como Lake: A Family Wedding in Bellagio
Villa Erba
Villa Erba is an historical estate located in the town of Cernobbio on the western shore of Lake Como, just a few kilometers from the town of Como. The villa dates back to the late 19th century and it is set within a large park with stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Over the years, Villa Erba has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a film location for Hollywood movies and as a venue for important events and exhibitions. Today, the villa has been restored to its former glory and is a popular venue for special events.
The villa features a vast park which covers over 100,000 square meters and includes manicured lawns, colorful flower beds, and ancient trees, and a beautiful lakefront garden, making it a popular venue for outdoor weddings.
There are many options for ceremony locations within the gardens, including the charming lakeside terrace, which provides an unobstructed view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The gardens can accommodate up to 600 guests and offer ample space for dining, dancing, and socializing. The picturesque surroundings make for stunning photo opportunities and will create unforgettable memories for you and your guests.
Instead, if you’re looking for an indoor venue with historic charm and elegance, Villa Erba’s Frescoed Halls are the perfect choice. These halls feature stunning frescoes, marble floors, and ornate ceilings that date back to the 19th century.
The largest hall, Sala Maria Teresa, can accommodate up to 450 guests, while the other halls offer more intimate spaces for smaller weddings. The halls are equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and audio equipment, making them ideal for dinner, dancing, and live music. The unique atmosphere of the Frescoed Halls at Villa Erba will transport you and your guests back in time to a more glamorous era.
Villa Erba, with its vast gardens, frescoed halls and lakefront location, create a picturesque setting where capturing memorable moments, which makes it a great choice for couples looking for a wedding rich of history, stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings.
