Across every culture, a wedding is a deeply symbolic event, a rite of passage that marks the beginning of a new life and a new story. It’s a story made of emotions, glances, small gestures, and details that linger forever. And in Italy, every love story finds an extraordinary stage. Our country has always held a special charm for those who love to tell stories of love. It’s not just the breathtaking landscapes or the richness of historic villas that draw couples from around the world each year, it’s something you feel in the air, in the little details, in the traditions that make every wedding unique.
Getting married here means immersing yourself in an experience where natural beauty and architectural elegance blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that makes every moment feel even more intense. It’s precisely this mix of light, history, and scenery that makes weddings in Italy so highly sought after, not just by Italians, but by couples from every corner of the globe. The magic of the location becomes part of the couple’s story itself, adding a unique value to every smile, every toast, every vow. And that’s where wedding videography comes in. After traveling so far, you won’t want your memories reduced to just a handful of photos.
A skilled wedding videographer captures every fleeting moment without interfering, turning ephemeral emotions into memories that last a lifetime. A wedding video doesn’t just record events; it tells the couple’s story with care and style, highlighting the magic of the surroundings and the smallest details. In such a stunning setting, a wedding video almost becomes a natural extension of the day itself: a cinematic frame that lets you relive, over and over, the beauty of a day that passes in the blink of an eye but deserves to be eternal. The story we’re sharing today is that of Kristina and Kasil, who chose to exchange their vows in one of Italy’s most iconic locations: the extraordinary Villa del Balbianello.
Elegance and Luxury on the Lakes: Getting Married in Northern Italy
Many couples who choose Italy for their wedding dream of celebrating their love in an atmosphere that feels romantic, authentic, and sophisticated, surrounded by landscapes steeped in history and elegance. Our beautiful country is ideal for this kind of setting, which today is just as important as wedding videography in capturing the essence of the day. Italy is stunning from north to south, but its regions offer very different experiences. Northern Italy stands out as a top destination for luxury weddings, thanks to its winning combination of breathtaking natural scenery, high-quality infrastructure, and world-class services.
Recent data show that Lombardy – and in particular the areas around Lake Como and Lake Garda – rank among the most sought-after locations for international weddings, welcoming over 15,000 foreign couples in 2024 alone. This growing demand reflects two key trends: on one hand, couples seeking refined settings, historic villas, boutique hotels, or aristocratic estates; on the other, the rise of the destination wedding as an all-in-one experience, combining ceremony, stay, and entertainment.
Northern Italy offers both: lakeside or alpine landscapes, cities rich in art and history, and restaurants and event services of international caliber. Logistically, accessibility is a major advantage. International airports, efficient rail networks, and well-connected highways make it easy for guests to arrive from all over the world, even for large, complex events. Meanwhile, local venues and wedding professionals have become highly specialized in hosting international guests, building a solid network of collaborations to ensure every detail is seamless.
In this context, relying on a local, specialized team – like Thirtyfive Studios for luxury wedding videography – is a strategic choice. We focus on high-end destination weddings and have worked in the best venues across Northern Italy. We know how to tell your story while highlighting the beauty of your chosen location and the people who matter most, capturing it all with the care, intimacy, and artistry that make every wedding unforgettable.
Lake Como and the Romance of Italian Weddings
Italy has been considered the country of love since ancient times. Countless portrayals of our land throughout history – across art, literature, and storytelling – have only strengthened this reputation. Love in Italy intertwines with legend, art, and literature: the stories of Romeo and Juliet, Paolo and Francesca, or Renzo and Lucia have been immortalized in paintings, novels, and films, inspiring couples from all over the world to dream of celebrating their love in the very places where these tales were set.
Some places, in particular, seem to have been a source of inspiration for those who told these stories… and consequently, for those who choose to get married in Italy! Take, for instance, Renzo and Lucia, the protagonists of The Betrothed. Every Italian knows the opening lines of Manzoni’s famous novel, a vivid description of what has become one of the most beloved destinations in the country, inseparably linked with romance: Lake Como. But the story of this place certainly didn’t end in Manzoni’s time.
In more recent years, Lake Como has become an icon for cinema lovers as well, both for its on-screen presence and its off-screen allure. Many unforgettable movie love scenes were filmed here, and it’s no coincidence that Hollywood’s elite eventually fell in love with the lake too, choosing it as their hideaway for peaceful holidays far from the spotlight. All of this has helped shape the area into an exclusive destination, offering every imaginable luxury along with a wide range of activities – from hiking to boat trips – making it the perfect place to celebrate the most important day of your life, however you envision it.
Read also: Love on the Como Lake: A Family Wedding in Bellagio
The Story and Splendor of Villa del Balbianello
Among all the villas overlooking Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello stands out as a true gem. Few places can boast such a spectacular view, such a rich history, and so many cameos in world-famous films! One of its most distinctive features is its magnificent italian garden, a remarkable feat considering the villa’s steep, rocky perch and its eighteenth-century origins. The villa was built in 1787 by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini on the site of an ancient Franciscan monastery.
It soon became a gathering place for the intellectuals of the time and, over the centuries, passed through the hands of various distinguished and noble owners. After a period of semi-abandonment before World War I, it was revived by its last owner, Guido Monzino (a Milanese entrepreneur and explorer). Monzino transformed the villa into a center for geographical research, his great passion, decorating its interiors with relics and memorabilia from his expeditions.
Upon his death, he gifted the villa to the FAI (Italian National Trust), ensuring its preservation and public access through ongoing restoration and maintenance. Since then, Villa del Balbianello has hosted private celebrations and, of course, achieved fame as a Hollywood star in its own right. From the 1990s onwards, it became a sought-after filming location for some of cinema’s most romantic scenes. If you’re a fan of James Bond or Star Wars, you might recognize its stunning gardens in Casino Royale or Attack of the Clones.
Read also: Villa Balbianello: How to Plan Your Event (ULTIMATE GUIDE)
A Day on the Lake: Kristina & Kasil at Villa del Balbianello
The day of Kristina and Kasil’s wedding unfolded like a movie, the kind you wish would never end. The morning began quietly, filled with that kind of anticipation you can almost touch. Kristina got ready surrounded by her bridesmaids, laughter and excitement floating through the room like perfume, while Kasil shared the same energy with his groomsmen, a mix of nerves and joy in the air. Once ready, they both reached Villa del Balbianello by boat, a slow, elegant arrival that set the tone for everything that followed. The water shimmered under the late morning sun, and the villa appeared in the distance like something out of a dream.
The ceremony took place right away, intimate yet spectacular, framed by the lake and the mountains beyond. Their vows carried softly through the air, blending with the sound of waves brushing the stone steps. Afterward, the newlyweds took a quiet boat ride together, their first moments as husband and wife, surrounded by reflections of sky and water. The celebration continued with an elegant aperitivo, followed by a dinner that perfectly combined emotion and refinement. Speeches from their parents brought smiles and tears in equal measure, while a tenor’s voice filled the evening with music that seemed to echo across the lake.
As the sun disappeared behind the hills, the couple cut their cake under a canopy of lights before taking to the dance floor, their first dance illuminated by the soft glow of candles and stars. Working alongside photographer Darcy Graf, we had the privilege of capturing every look, every movement, every fleeting moment — preserving forever the elegance and intimacy of a day that felt suspended in time.
Turning Emotions into Timeless Memories
A wedding venue like Villa del Balbianello stays forever in the hearts of anyone fortunate enough to visit it, yet words often fall short when it comes to capturing the beauty that fills both our eyes and our hearts, especially on days as significant as a wedding, when emotions take center stage. This is just one of the many reasons why, in locations like this and on such important occasions, it’s essential to rely on a team of professionals like ours. We take care of every moment, capturing every smile, every tear of joy, and all the subtle nuances of your wedding, as if you were the stars of a beautiful Hollywood film, without the stress of living the day under the glare of paparazzi.
Our philosophy is to be present yet discreet witnesses of your special day, respecting each moment and your needs so that you can fully focus on yourselves and your guests, free from worry or distraction. We’re accustomed to working seamlessly with the other vendors you choose, ensuring that we are always an added value and never an obstacle. Moreover, the expertise of our team enhances the choice of a location like this, thanks to breathtaking panoramic shots and spectacular drone footage that showcase every corner of this little piece of paradise.
But every wedding is unique, and we tailor our filming to match its individuality. For example, for Kristina and Kasil’s wedding, they opted for VHS-style footage, a nostalgic touch that gives the scenes a homemade feel and immediately evokes a warm, familiar atmosphere. This is just one of countless ways we can make your Italian love story unforgettable, preserving the bond with the land of romance so you can relive the most beautiful day of your life over and over again, even with those who couldn’t be there.
