A local guide to the most beautiful settings on the lake — and how to choose the right one for you.
Finding your venue
Choosing a venue on Lake Como is one of the first decisions you will make — and one of the most personal. Every couple we work with has a different idea of what the perfect backdrop looks like, and Lake Como has enough variety to match almost any vision.
But aesthetics are only part of the picture. The venues we work with most regularly each have different permit requirements, different access arrangements, and different costs. Some can be reserved privately, others cannot. Budget and availability shape the decision just as much as beauty does — and we think it is important to be upfront about that.
As a team based in Bellagio, we know every venue on this list from the inside. We can tell you not just what each place looks like, but what it actually feels like to work there — which light is best, which corners to avoid, what time of year makes each venue extraordinary. If you are not sure where to start, get in touch and we will help you find the right fit for you.
Venues
Villa del Balbianello
The most iconic proposal venue on Lake Como. Perched on a narrow peninsula, with terraced gardens and the famous Loggia Durini draped in ancient boxwood.
Private sessions available after closing time — book at least 90 days in advance.
Ideal for: proposals, elopements, engagement sessions
Villa Monastero
Botanical gardens in Varenna stretching down to the eastern shore, with a private Loggia and Glorietta terrace available for exclusive hire for one hour.
One of the most cinematic lake views on Como.
Ideal for: proposals, elopements, micro-weddings
Villa Melzi
Romantic Neoclassical gardens at the edge of Bellagio .
Ideal for: proposals, engagement sessions, micro-weddings
Lake Como by boat
Some of the most extraordinary images we have ever made were taken on the water.
A private boat gives you total freedom — you choose the direction, the light, the backdrop. The lake from the middle looks completely different from any shore.
Ideal for: proposals, elopements, honeymoon shoots
Bellagio
The village itself is a venue. Narrow alleys, flower-covered balconies, the lakeside promenade, the ferry landing at golden hour. Just one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and a team that knows every corner of it.
Ideal for: engagement sessions, honeymoon shoots, informal proposals
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Wes Anderson meets la Dolce Vita. Art Nouveau elegance, the WOW floating pool, botanical gardens. Cinematic and effortlessly romantic.
Ideal for: proposals, engagement sessions, honeymoon shoots, micro wedding.