How Much Does a Lake Como Wedding Cost? Let’s Find Out!
Lake Como is one of the world’s most sought-after wedding destinations. The wedding venues on the shores of Italy’s most scenic lake are synonymous with one-of-a-kind, fairytale-like weddings. Venues such as the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Villa del Balbianello, Villa Balbiano, Villa d’Este, or Villa Erba are majestic, magical, and mind-blowingly beautiful! But how much does it cost to turn your dream wedding into reality at Lake Como?
Beyond these prime, luxurious wedding venues, there are many smaller, lesser-known venues on the shores of or in the hills surrounding Lake Como. No less romantic, these venues come at a much lower cost and are more suitable for intimate gatherings. Lake Como is even suitable for elopements, and a number of vendors offer all-inclusive elopement packages.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the costs and options for different wedding styles and budgets, helping you plan an unforgettable celebration on the shores of this stunning Italian lake.
What is Lake Como?
Lake Como is a large lake in the north of Italy, approx. 90 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport.
Once described as the “most beautiful lake in the world“, Lake Como is a popular retreat for the rich and famous: George Clooney, Madonna, and Gianni Versace all own houses on the shores of the lake. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and many idyllic villages, such as Bellagio or Como hug its shores. This makes Lake Como much more than “just” a lake: it is one of the most dramatic, romantic, and magical landscapes in the world. In short: the ideal place to celebrate a destination wedding.
Scenic beauty apart, Lake Como’s shores are also dotted with beautiful villas and palazzos, which date back to the 18th century, when Lake Como was (already) a popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy. Many of these villas are now available as wedding venues.
In popular culture, Lake Como rose to fame as a backdrop to popular movies, such as Star Wars, Casino Royale, House of Gucci, or Ocean’s 12, and music videos, such as Gwen Stefani’s Cool.
Why Is Lake Como a Popular Wedding Destination?
Lake Como’s scenic beauty and picturesque villages make it a prime wedding destination for brides and grooms-to-be. A destination wedding at its shores is sure to wow your guests. Those traveling from far away will feel like they are vacationing in a dream destination. But of course, there’s more to it than just scenic beauty.
“We wanted our wedding to be classic and cinematic, accentuated by the vibrancy of the Italian dolce vita that makes Lake Como magic.” – A Lake Como Bride
In addition to its natural beauty, Lake Como stands out as a wedding destination, because of Italy’s exquisite cuisine, delicious wines, and sunny climate. It is also easy to find first-class wedding vendors, from caterers and wedding planners to florists in its proximity. Lake Como wedding planners know how to turn your every vision into reality and can organize the most extravagant and luxurious weddings.
Not surprisingly, many Lake Como weddings are featured in magazines such as Vogue or make for grandiose, out-of-this-world Instagram stories. Lake Como’s wedding venues are also featured in the world’s top 50 photo-worth wedding venues by Harper’s Bazaar.
Last, many celebrities chose Lake Como as their wedding destination. For example, actor George Clooney married British lawyer and human rights activist Amal Alamuddin in the couple’s private villa on the shores of Lake Como. Singer John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen chose Villa Pizzo to celebrate their wedding.
In brief, Lake Como has everything you need to make your wedding a dream come true.
How Much Does a Lake Como Wedding Cost?
Now let’s speak about cost: how much does a Lake Como wedding cost?
The answer is: however much you want it to cost. Lake Como’s popularity as a wedding destination means that there are plenty of wedding venues and wedding vendors to choose from, and they cater to almost every budget.
Before we dig into hard numbers, let’s first understand the major cost drivers for a destination wedding at Lake Como.
Wedding Cost Factors: General Tips
1. Wedding Venue Selection
Your wedding venue is one of the most significant costs in your wedding budget.
Lake Como offers a wide range of venues, from opulent villas to charming lakeside gardens. For those seeking luxury, venues like Villa Balbiano and Grand Hotel Tremezzo provide an exquisite setting with high-end amenities, but come with a premium price tag.
On the other hand, more intimate and lesser-known venues in the hills or smaller villages around the lake offer equally romantic backdrops at a fraction of the cost.
In our opinion, it is essential to visit potential venues and to understand the inclusions of the rental fee to make an informed decision.
2. Wedding Vendor Services
Hiring top-notch vendors is key to ensuring a seamless and stress-free wedding experience. Costs can vary significantly based on the quality and reputation of the vendors you choose.
High-end wedding planners, photographers, florists, and caterers are readily available around Lake Como, but their services come at a premium.
For those on a tighter budget, consider local vendors who may offer competitive rates without compromising on quality. Always review portfolios and conduct thorough interviews to find vendors who align with your vision and budget.
3. Accommodation for Guests
Lake Como’s popularity as a tourist destination means there are numerous accommodation options for your guests.
Luxury hotels like Villa d’Este offer an unforgettable stay but at a higher price. Alternatively, charming bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals can provide comfortable lodging at more affordable rates.
Booking accommodations well in advance and negotiating group rates can also help manage costs. Additionally, consider arranging transportation for your guests to ensure convenience and enhance their overall experience.
4. Legal and Symbolic Ceremonies
When planning a wedding at Lake Como, it’s important to understand the distinction between legal and symbolic ceremonies.
Legal ceremonies require specific paperwork, translations, and potentially a local interpreter, which can add to the overall cost and complexity.
Many couples opt for a symbolic ceremony in Italy after completing the legal formalities in their home country. This approach simplifies the process and allows for more flexibility in choosing the ceremony location and format.
Option 1: The Lake Como Luxury Wedding
| Wedding Budget (all-in) | US$150,000 – unlimited |
| Number of Guests | 80 – 300 or more |
| Wedding Venues (Examples) | Villa Balbiano Villa d’Este Villa Erba Grand Hotel de Tremezzo Browse our website to find the right venue. |
| Wedding Planner | Required. Find the top 5 wedding planners for Lake Como here. |
A luxury wedding at Lake Como costs anywhere between US$150,000 to US$500,000 or more. For a full cost breakdown of a US$220k wedding at Villa Erba, visit our blog post here. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend US$3,000 to US$4,000 per guest.
If a luxury wedding is on your mind, the Lake Como wedding reports from Harper’s Bazaar or Vogue are great sources of inspiration. For example, check out Kristen and Zack’s picture-perfect wedding organized by the Lake Como Wedding Planner. Or be inspired by Diana and Ferris’ truly unique wedding, organized by Wow Wedding. Both of these weddings took place at Villa Balbiano, which is considered the wedding venue of Lake Como.
Finding the right wedding planner is a must for a large-scale, luxurious wedding ceremony with all the bells and whistles – fireworks, live entertainment, after-party, etc. You cannot pull this off without the help of a full-time planner.
To make your wedding stress-free and to ensure you fulfill the wedding venues’ requirements (some require a professional contact person), we recommend finding a venue first, then asking for planner recommendations and selecting your wedding planner.
Discover The Top 5 Lake Como Wedding Planners
Option 2: A Traditional Wedding at Lake Como
| Wedding Budget (all-in) | US$50,000 – US$150,000 |
| Number of Guests | 50 – 100 |
| Wedding Venues (Examples) | Villa del Balbianello Villa Pizzo Villa Erba Villa Bonomi Villa Cipressi Browse our website to find the right venue. |
| Wedding Planner | Optional, but recommended and good to have. |
Celebrating a traditional wedding at Lake Como costs between US$50,000 and US$150,000. For a full cost breakdown of a US$100k wedding at Villa del Balbianello, visit our blog post here.
The exact amount primarily depends on:
1. The Wedding Venue:
Lake Como’s wedding venues range from the affordable to the ultra-luxurious. Villa Balbiano, for example, can get as expensive as US$60,000 (rent per day) for just the venue. On the other hand, Villa Erba charges just one-third, at approx. US$25,000 per day.
Finding the right venue for your budget is the first step towards celebrating a more traditional wedding at Lake Como.
2. The Duration of Your Celebration:
A destination wedding is typically a multi-day affair. On day 1, the celebrations start with a rehearsal or casual get-together. Day 2 is your big day and includes the ceremony and celebration. Day 3 concludes the celebrations with a wedding brunch.
A destination wedding gives you the liberty to adjust this schedule to your liking. Some couples decide to have only a single-day event, for example. They leave the other days open for guests to enjoy and relax or offer organized activities (wine tasting, hiking, a visit to Bellagio, etc.) to spend time with their guests in a more casual setting.
3. The Size of Your Guest List:
Of course, the size of your guest list will have a major impact on the cost of your wedding. Expect to spend between US$1,000 to US$2,000 per guest (all-in).
4. Catering:
The two most important expenses at any wedding are the venue and catering. Budget between US$250 and US$350 per person for catering (not including drinks).
Traditional Wedding: Cost Breakdown
For a traditional wedding at Lake Como, with a budget ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, your expenses will generally break down as follows:
Venue Rental: $10,000 to $30,000
Catering: $250 to $350 per person
Photography and Videography: $5,000 to $10,000
Floral Arrangements: $3,000 to $7,000
Entertainment (Band or DJ): $2,000 to $5,000
Wedding Attire: $5,000 to $15,000
Miscellaneous (Transportation, Favors, etc.): $5,000 to $10,000
These estimates can vary based on the specific choices you make. We advise you to create a detailed budget spreadsheet to track expenses and ensure you stay within budget. Our blog contains a free budgeting template that gives you everything you need to track your expenses.
Option 3: Small Lake Como Wedding Cost
| Wedding Budget (all-in) | US$25,000+ |
| Number of Guests | 10 – 20 max. |
| Wedding Venues (Examples) | Villa Giulia Villa Pietraluna Ristorante Villa Belvedere Browse our website to find the right venue. |
| Wedding Planner | Not required. |
A small and intimate Lake Como wedding can be organized for as little as US$25,000. To stay within such a tight budget, there are some guidelines to follow, however.
First, spend your money wisely.
With a US$20,000 budget and 20 guests, the average budget per guest is US$1,000, which is certainly on the lower end for Lake Como and just enough to celebrate a wedding. Try to go for an off-season date where rates for venues are substantially lower.
Second, given the size of your budget and guest list, it is not necessary, nor recommended to hire a wedding planner. Your budget is too small to afford them.
Third, pick a venue that is just the right size. Filter through our list of wedding venues to find villas and palazzos at US$10k or less. Alternatively, browse Airbnb’s for villas or find restaurants on the shores of Lake Como that can be privatized for a wedding.
Last, be creative! A small wedding with a small budget does require you to be more hands-on in your planning. Ask your guests to help with decorations or flowers. Source food and drinks from a restaurant rather than a wedding caterer. Unfortunately, anything with the word “wedding” in it is usually double the cost.
And remember: Lake Como’s beauty means that you do not need much else to make your wedding feel special!
Option 4: Elopement Packages at Lake Como
| Wedding Budget (all-in) | US$10,000 – US$15,000 |
| Number of Guests | 0 – 15 max. |
| Wedding Venues (Examples) | From basic to luxury: anything is possible. Villa Monastero, a stunning lake-side 18th-century villa offers short-term rentals and is a popular venue for eloping. Browse our website to find the right venue. |
| Wedding Planner | Not required. |
Last but not least, you can also elope at Lake Como.
Elope used to mean “to run away and secretly get married”. Nowadays, it is more frequently used to mean a very small destination wedding.
An elopement has a smaller overall cost than a wedding. Some elopements such as the one shown in the video below, have no guests at all. Only the groom and bride (and a photographer and videographer) “witness” the event.
This is a beautiful idea for all those who want to tie the knot without the hassle of managing guests, having to fulfill other people’s expectations, or being bound by tradition. An elopement is solely about you and the very few people that matter most to you.
One word of advice for those who wish to elope. Do not get legally married in Italy. Celebrate your civil wedding at home and marry symbolically in Italy. Even though an Italian marriage certificate is recognized outside of Italy, you will require translations, apostilles, etc. to register your marriage in your home country.
Websites such as Elope Italy or Somewhere Crazy offer elopement packages for Lake Como. Starting from less than US$10,000 (all-in), they include everything to get legally or symbolically married at Lake Como.
Lake Como Wedding Cost: From Luxurious to Intimate
In conclusion, a wedding at Lake Como can be tailored to fit various budgets, from luxurious, extravagant affairs to intimate, low-cost ceremonies.
With its breathtaking scenery, historic villas, and world-renowned charm, Lake Como remains an unparalleled destination for a dream wedding. Whether you envision a grand celebration with hundreds of guests or a private elopement, the options are plentiful.
As you plan your big day, consider your budget, guest list, and desired experience to create a magical and unforgettable wedding at Lake Como.
For more details and personalized advice, explore our blog’s comprehensive guides and resources to make your dream wedding a reality.
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