Lake Como Elopement Guide
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Lake Como is world-renowned for being a magical location for a luxury wedding, but it isn’t always considered for elopements or small celebrations. Yet Lake Como is the perfect place for couples who want to have a small, intimate wedding with a touch of glamour and incredible waterside views.
You don’t need 100 guests to enjoy the splendid palazzos and waterside locations. You can also head up into the mountains for a connection to nature and still come down to the waterside for your beautiful wedding pictures. Lake Como really can offer the best of both worlds.
Why Choose Lake Como for Your Elopement or Intimate Wedding?
Scenic beauty and romantic atmosphere
Picturesque old Italian towns nestled around a stunning mountain lake means that Lake Como combines Italian charm with picturesque nature.
Celebrity appeal and exclusivity
When most people think of Lake Como, they often associate it with being home to Hollywood royalty like George Clooney and his A-list friends. Other famous names include Donatella Versace and Branson. Lake Como is so popular with celebrities because the area has many secluded villas and properties that provide privacy. So if you value your privacy too, why not get married in a private villa? You’ll also be spoiled for choice for luxury accommodation and amazing restaurants.
Accessibility from major European cities
Lake Como is close to Milan, which is an international travel hub. Milan boasts three airports and high-speed train connections to destinations around Italy and Europe.
Lake Como Elopement Planning – Step-by-Step
Choosing the best season for getting married at Lake Como
The best time to get married at Lake Como is typically considered to be from late spring to early fall, specifically from May to September. This period offers several advantages:
- Weather: The climate is generally mild and pleasant, with warm temperatures and lower chances of rain.
- Scenery: The natural beauty of Lake Como is at its peak, with lush greenery and colorful flowers in bloom.
- Outdoor activities: This time allows for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, as well as enjoyable activities for guests.
- Longer days: More daylight hours provide better opportunities for photography and extended celebrations.
However, there are some factors to consider:
- Peak season (July and August) can be more crowded and expensive, as well as being extremely hot.
- June and September often offer a good balance of nice weather and fewer tourists.
- Some venues and services may have limited availability during peak months, so early booking is advisable.
- Winter offers the opportunity for cozy indoor venues, potential for snow-capped mountains, and benefits from lower prices
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Lake Como
It’s possible to get married in Italy as foreigners, but there is quite a bit of paperwork that you’ll need to submit. This usually includes:
- Passports, birth certificates, divorce/death certificates if applicable
- Atto Notorio: Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage
- Nulla Osta: Certificate of no impediment from your home country
- Apostille: Authentication of documents
- Translation of documents into Italian
Many couples find the paperwork too complicated and opt to get legally married in their home country and have a symbolic ceremony in Italy instead.
It’s also worth noting that Italy still doesn’t recognize marriage equality. At the moment, same-sex couples can enter into a civil partnership, but not a marriage.
Budgeting for your Lake Como Wedding
- Venue costs: Range from €2,000 to €20,000+
- Catering: Ranges from €150-€300+ per person
- Flowers and decor: €1,000-€5,000
- Photography and videography: €2,000-€20,000
- Wedding planner fees: commonly 10-15% of total budget or flat fee
Of course there are many variables that make up wedding expenses, but for a small wedding expect costs to start around €20,000.
For an elopement example, you can book the stunning Loggia Durini at Villa del Balbiano for up to two hours, and expect to pay between €3,3000 and €7,000 depending on the day and time you choose. Expand this to the wider venue for a wedding of up to 50 for six hours rental including dinner, and the basic venue costs go up to circa €16,000.
Choosing Your Lake Como Wedding Vendors
At the European Elopement Guide, we’re not shy about our views on vendors, as we believe that nothing beats local knowledge and connections. It’s also the most sustainable option, because you’re not only reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding by choosing vendors who don’t have to travel far, but you’re also helping support the local economy too.
If you can’t find local vendors that you really love, then you can still look for non-local vendors. It’s important to have a team that you vibe with, whose personalities and way of working match with yours. Within the European wedding community, there are so many incredible vendors, so you’ll easily find someone whose work you love who doesn’t live on another continent.
Venues for intimate weddings
When looking for your Lake Como wedding venue, it’s easy to think the only choice you have are the grand palazzos with ballrooms for over 100 people. But there are various palazzos with more intimate settings, as well as more relaxed options such as private villas, lidos and private rentals on platforms such as Booking.com or AirBnb.
Villa del Balbianello
If you’re looking for a stunning location for an elopement with all the glamour of the lake, before you head out to a restaurant for a fantastic meal, then Villa del Balbianello on the western shore of the lake could be perfect. With stunning gardens and the picture perfect Loggia Durini, you’ll be spoilt for choice on locations to say your vows and have beautiful pictures.
Il Sereno
If the antique-style palazzos aren’t your style, the contemporary gem of Il Sereno across the water in the east at Torno is a fantastic option. With 40 lakefront suites designed by star architect Patricia Urquiola, this comfortable but stylish multi award winning hotel also boasts a Michelin star restaurant, Maserati experience, and relaxing spa making it the perfect honeymoon location too. Rather get out of Italy for your honeymoon? Transfer to their sister hotel Le Sereno in St Barths.
Villa Regina Teodolinda
Villa Regina Teodolinda is an authentic Italian venue located in Laglio that is perfect for an intimate wedding with up to 50 guests or even more intimate with just six suites for overnight guests. What could be more perfect for a micro wedding with the residence of a former Italian Queen for your location?
Villa Mojana
For a smaller, more chilled out villa vibe, Villa Mojana is a stunning private villa over at Bellagio that sleeps up to 14 people. Spacious and modern indoor spaces feature large windows that give sweeping views of the lake, as well as an inviting infinity swimming pool and gardens.
Villa Vittoria
Want a simple elopement package organised for you in a magical setting? Villa Vittoria has an enchanting private gazebo especially for elopements, with a set package to sort everything you need so you just need to arrive and be looked after.
Podere Brughee
Podere Brughee is a small private villa up on the hillside in the town of Tremezzo. The Villa looks more like something from the Tuscan countryside than your typical Lake Como villas, so if you are torn between Tuscany and Lake Como, this might be the perfect option.
Elopement & Honeymoon activities Around Lake Como
Some elopement or honeymoon activities you can do in and around Lake Como include:
- Wine tasting in Valtellina region
- Boat tour of the lake
- Cooking classes featuring local cuisine
- Spa day at a luxury hotel
- Hiking in the surrounding mountains
- Visit to nearby Milan for shopping and sightseeing
Lake Como is very easy to get to from Milan’s two airports, and if you’re embracing the fashionista vibes for your wedding you could factor in a couple of days in central Milan for some shopping and culture.
You could also visit some of the other truly stunning lakes in the area, such as Lugano which straddles Switzerland and Italy, and is only one hour from Menaggio on the west side of the lake.
What many don’t realise is that the Como area is also a hiker’s paradise. The Greenway is a 10 km hiking trail linking pretty villages, fields of olive trees and villa gardens and if you love dramatic scenery with less uphill climbs, you can head to one of the funiculars to climb over 500m and beyond.
Whilst a Como wedding might be best suited to the warmer months, snow fans may want to note that there are a number of ski resorts within three hours of Como, the closest being Piani di Bobbio, within 20-30 minutes of Lecco, in the south of the Lake. You could even go off to the Dolomites for a ski honeymoon, and be there in just over five hours.
how to book a boat ride on Lake Como
There are a number of Vaporino boat ride companies around Lake Como, so when you are deciding on who to book, a few key things to check are;
- Where is their home mooring? If they are having to travel the length of the lake to get to you, you’re going to be hit with a higher fee
- Is it a return journey?
- Do they allow photoshoots and if so, will they stop in certain locations for photos?
- Like much of the continent, small Italian businesses have embraced the use of WhatsApp for communication, so does this work for you?
- Ask what happens in bad weather!
- Get everything in writing that is agreed, be it via email or WhatsApp
You can expect to spend between €120-250 for an hour depending on the requirements and company you choose. We have previously worked with Barindelli Taxi Boats who collected us from Bellagio with our couple.
Advice For Planning Your Lake Como Wedding
Set A Budget
Setting a budget is a crucial foundation for any wedding no matter the price bracket, but even more so for those looking to have their special day abroad and in an unfamiliar country. There are lots of additional costs you’ll need to be aware of, such as paperwork fees and additional taxes such as SIAE if you want musicians. Note tax rates in general in Italy are higher than in other countries such as the UK and you may see this reflected in quotes from your vendors. Therefore, it’s advisable to begin your wedding planning process by establishing some cost estimations without just comparing to the norm at home, and always make sure to add on extra as a contingency.
Familiarize yourself with local culture & customs
Also avoid disregarding local customs and traditions just because things are done differently wherever home is for you. Remember Italy is largely still a Catholic country, and you’re unlikely to get a good reception with that head to toe sheer Berta wedding dress if you’re having a church wedding.
Also bear in mind that Italian culture for celebrations is heavily centred around good food and drink, so options from caterers and restaurants will likely reflect this. Italy might not be your ideal country if you want to spend five euros per head on finger food (and there’s nothing wrong with that, you might just struggle to justify this to an Italian!)
Advice for villa weddings
Lake Como is famous for its villas and impressive palazzos, but many come with certain restrictions to how they are used. This is understandable when you note the age or artworks in some of them, but if you were planning an all night party with a handful of your closest friends, then a villa wedding might not be for you. Many villas have music restrictions that cut amplified music fairly early. You may find a private AirBnB such as this one is a better option for maximum freedom – after all, isn’t that why you’re doing things differently?
It’s also worth noting that some villas have exclusive vendor lists, so you will not be able to bring anyone with you, such as that fantastic husband and wife photography team whose work you love, if they’re not on the exclusive list. Of course, these lists are usually full of quality vendors, but not always, and your wedding may at best, end up looking like every other wedding that is there or worst, with sub-par quality because the recommendations may be based on kickbacks rather than quality.
Lake Como Travel Tips
Getting To Lake Como
Milan is the closest major city, just 50-80 km away depending on which part of Lake Como you’re visiting. Travel time by car or train is typically 1-2 hours.
International flights
Milan has three airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo (Orio al Serio), offering numerous international connections.
- Milan’s airports, especially Malpensa, offer direct flights to major cities worldwide.
- Many European low-cost carriers fly into Bergamo, offering affordable options for guests.
Transportation options
- Train: Direct trains run from Milan to Como, Varenna, and Lecco regularly.
- Car: Well-maintained highways connect Lake Como to Milan and other major cities.
- Private transfers and shuttles are readily available for a more luxurious option.
Proximity to other European hubs
- Zurich, Switzerland is about 3 hours away by car.
- Munich, Germany is approximately 5 hours by car.
- Paris is a short 1.5-hour flight to Milan, then a quick transfer to Lake Como.
Ease of multi-city trips
Visitors can easily combine a Lake Como wedding with visits to other Italian cities like Venice, Florence, or Rome via high-speed trains.
Getting around Lake Como
Don’t be misled when looking at a map, it can take a long time to get around Lake Como by car. Small winding coastal roads with local traffic can make the shortest car journeys very slow. The best way to move around is undoubtedly by boat and you can get the public boat across the lake in various directions. You can look at the routes and timetables on the Navigazione Laghi website. Private water taxis are an option but can be fairly expensive for small numbers, so you may want to save that for your photoshoot. If you like to cycle, there are numerous bike hire locations and this is a great way to get around. All in all, embrace the Italian way of life and take everything slow!
Lake Como Honeymoon Hotels
Here are our top pics for the most romantic honeymoon hotels around Lake Como for every budget:
Relais Villa Vittoria
This charming boutique hotel offers a romantic retreat on the shores of Lake Como. With its elegant rooms, panoramic terrace, and intimate spa, Relais Villa Vittoria provides a perfect blend of luxury and tranquility for couples seeking a romantic getaway.
From €220 per night
Bellavista Boutique Hotel
Perched high above Lake Como, Bellavista Boutique Hotel lives up to its name with stunning panoramic views. This family-run hotel offers personalized service, comfortable rooms, and a restaurant serving local cuisine, all in a peaceful setting away from the busier lakeside areas.
From €165 per night
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
An iconic Art Nouveau palace, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is the epitome of Lake Como luxury. With its floating pool, lavish spa, and period furnishings, this 5-star hotel offers guests a taste of la dolce vita, complemented by breathtaking views of Bellagio and the surrounding mountains.
From €1000 per night
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
One of the oldest and most elegant hotels on Lake Como, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni has been catering to aristocracy and celebrities since 1873. Its neoclassical architecture, Michelin-starred restaurant, and extensive gardens make it a top choice for those seeking opulence and history.
From €715 per night
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como
Housed in a 19th-century villa, the Mandarin Oriental brings its signature luxury to the shores of Lake Como. With its floating pool, fine dining restaurants, and serene spa, this resort offers a perfect blend of Italian charm and Asian-inspired hospitality.
From €860 per night
Il Sereno Lago di Como
A modern architectural marvel on Lake Como, Il Sereno offers a contemporary luxury experience. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, this sleek hotel features minimalist suites, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an infinity pool that seems to merge with the lake.
From €1165 per night
Suites & Atelier Lake Como
This boutique hotel offers a unique blend of accommodation and art in the heart of Como. With individually decorated suites and an on-site art gallery, Suites & Atelier Lake Como provides a culturally rich experience for art-loving travelers.
From €400 per night
Casa Lumaca
A hidden gem in the town of Tremezzo, Casa Lumaca offers a more intimate Lake Como experience. This small, family-run hotel provides comfortable rooms, home-cooked breakfast, and a chance to experience local life away from the more touristy areas.
From €185 per night
Tips for being a more sustainable visitor in this region
One of the beautiful things about Lake Como is that despite the circa 1.4 million tourists that descend on its shores each year, you can still see local life as its best in the small villages and towns surrounding the lake and in certain areas of hospitality. If you decide to have your wedding in this area, be a tourist for good, seek out the authentic experiences run by locals, not just the glitzy bars and hotels run by international companies. Spend your money in the small shops and family restaurants, rather than just make one grocery shop in a supermarket and huddle in your AirBnb.
Rather than zoom in and out of the area for your wedding, think about spending more time in the area, and venture to the less popular locations around the lake that maybe don’t benefit from tourism as much, outside of the ‘golden triangle’, such as Bellano with it’s hidden gorge, or the magic of hiking high in Valbrona.
Be mindful of the waste you create and/or leave, especially when it comes to your wedding, and respect that things may be done differently from how they may be at home. Embrace some Italian customs and culture, such as having guests throw a handful of rice rather than paper or petal confetti, which will also feed the birds! If a traditional tiered wedding cake feels wasteful, embrace the Italian love of ‘dolci’ and have mini pastries or a large dessert for your cake cut moment – guaranteed to all get devoured. Whatever you choose, note Italians themselves are hugely hospitable and encouraging, they’ll love it if you learn a few words of the language and not scoff at you for trying. Italians love a good wedding, and you should be met with nothing but joy and blessings.
Meet The Experts
Lina & Tom
Lina + Tom are one of Europe’s leading husband and wife photography teams, shooting exclusively together for over 400 weddings in 15 years. They work from both their home in the UK and in Lina’s native Italy. They have an exclusive photography partnership which informs their work, it’s their love for each other that ensures capturing the heart and soul of weddings and elopements in an extraordinary way. Lina and Tom specialise in vibrant, true colour photography and film and are known for their fun and relaxed approach to coverage.
