A Villa d’Este Lake Como wedding isn’t just a celebration — it’s an experience wrapped in golden light, framed by Renaissance gardens, and rich with quiet grandeur.
As a destination wedding photographer, I’m drawn to places where beauty and emotion can live side by side. Villa d’Este is one of those rare spaces — historic, romantic, and effortlessly cinematic. Whether you’re planning a full weekend or an intimate affair, this venue invites you to create something unforgettable.
1. Villa d’Este Lake Como Wedding Photography Begins With Light
The light at Villa d’Este isn’t just beautiful — it’s expressive. Soft in the morning, golden by sunset, it adds emotion to every frame. The reflections off the lake, the glow through the cypress trees — it all becomes part of the story. Great photography here doesn’t just capture moments. It captures atmosphere.
2. The Design Doesn’t Need to Compete
Villa d’Este offers 25 acres of gardens, original architecture, and a view of Lake Como that doesn’t need embellishment. You can go grand or minimal. Either way, your wedding will photograph beautifully. When design supports the setting — not competes with it — the result feels refined and effortless.
3. It’s a Venue That Shapes the Experience
In addition, Villa d’Este Lake Como wedding isn’t just about the ceremony. It’s about every moment that surrounds it. Al fresco dinners under twinkle lights. Champagne on the terrace. Portraits in hallways that feel like an art museum. This venue gives you more than a backdrop. It gives you a feeling — and that feeling lingers long after the day ends.
If you’re planning a Villa d’Este Lake Como wedding and want images that feel intentional, emotional, and elegant — I’d be honored to tell your story.
Inquire here to learn more about destination wedding photography that tells the whole story.
Written by Chelsey Barhorst, Midwest wedding photographer and emotionally intelligent storyteller. I photograph weddings across Chicago, Cincinnati, Northern Michigan, and New England — blending editorial presence with lived-in warmth. Curious if we’d be a good fit? Reach out here.
A storied 16th-century estate on Lake Como, Villa d’Este blends Italian grandeur with lakeside serenity—formal gardens, frescoed salons, and views that feel timeless.
Couples often choose lakeside terraces or garden settings for vows, followed by dinner and dancing in elegant salons or marquees. Rain plans are seamless with refined indoor spaces.
Yes—boat arrivals are a signature Villa d’Este moment. We coordinate dock access, timing, and safety with your planner and the hotel so everything runs smoothly.
Golden hour is magic here—soft, reflective light across the water and stone. We’ll plan a short sunset slip-away and identify shaded “light pockets” for midday portraits.
We integrate film into our wedding workflow. Drone use is by permission only and must comply with venue policy and local regulations; when allowed, we work with licensed pilots.
Absolutely. Many couples host welcome cocktails on the terrace, an elegant rehearsal dinner in a private salon, and a farewell brunch by the water.
Very. Most guests fly into Milan (MXP or LIN), then transfer by car or boat to Cernobbio. Water taxis make it easy to explore neighboring towns during the weekend.
Build buffers for boat transfers, elevator/stair access, and guest movement between garden and salon spaces. We’ll collaborate with your planner on load-in routes, sound policies, candle usage, and a refined rain plan.
Yes—luxury rooms and suites allow family and wedding party to stay on property, turning the celebration into a relaxed, immersive experience.
We keep a minimal footprint indoors, respect restricted areas, and coordinate with staff for discreet coverage. Certificates of insurance and vendor compliance are standard.
