Private, intimate, cinematic — a version of Lake Como you can only access from the water.
Why propose or elope on a boat?
There is a version of Lake Como that you can only access from the water. The villa-lined shores seen from the open lake, the mountain reflections at golden hour, the small harbour towns drifting past — it is a completely different experience from anything you can have on land. And it is entirely yours.
A classic wooden boat on Lake Como is not just a means of transport. It is a private space — intimate, unhurried, suspended between the water and the sky. No other visitors, no background noise, no interruptions. Just the two of you, the sound of the lake, and a moment that belongs to no one else.
We have photographed hundreds of proposals and sessions on the water, and we still believe it is one of the most powerful choices a couple can make. The boat does things that no fixed venue can — it moves with the light, it frames the landscape differently at every turn, and it creates an atmosphere that is almost impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Everything you need to know before booking
A boat session works for proposals, elopements, engagement sessions and honeymoon shoots. It can be a standalone experience, or it can be combined with a venue — arriving at Villa del Balbianello by boat, for example, or ending a session at Villa Melzi with a sunset cruise back toward Bellagio.
We work with a trusted captain and a classic wooden boat. We arrange everything — the boat, the timing, the route — based on your date, the light, and what you have in mind. You just show up.
The boat is available from March till October. Spring and autumn are our favourite seasons on the water: softer light, fewer boats on the lake, and a stillness that summer rarely offers.
How a boat session works
We plan the route together in advance — taking into account the direction of the light at your session time, which shores and villas you want as backdrops, and whether you want to stop anywhere along the way.
A typical proposal session lasts one or two hours. We board together, the captain keeps the pace slow and deliberate, and we move through the landscape as the light changes.
For elopements and engagement sessions, the boat becomes the set. We use the bow, the stern, the wooden railing, the open water — every part of the boat offers a different frame. Combined with the ever-changing backdrop of the lake, no two images look the same.
Three stories from the water
Martin and Alyssa
Martin had originally planned a villa proposal. But as the day approached, he reconsidered — villas are beautiful, but they are also public. He changed the plan: a private boat in the morning, heading along the shore toward Varenna. As the boat slowed in front of the village, its coloured houses stacked against the cliff and reflected in the still water, he got down on one knee. There was no one else around.
Pauly and Carla
It had rained that day. Not the kind of rain that ruins plans — the kind that lingers in the air afterward, laying a silver stillness over the water. Pauly had chosen the stern of the boat, quieter and more sheltered. As Villa del Balbianello appeared through the mist ahead, he turned to Carla and asked. The overcast light wrapped the whole scene in something tender and cinematic that no golden sunset could have replicated.
Stephen and Hannah
Stephen chose the bow, open to the sky, with Villa del Balbianello rising from the promontory directly ahead. Hannah said yes, and for a long moment neither of them seemed to remember the rest of the world existed. Then came the champagne, the laughter, the slow drift back across the lake — two people in their own private world, not particularly concerned with being elegant about any of it.
FAQ
Can the boat be combined with a venue session?
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Many of our best sessions combine a venue with a boat: arriving at Villa del Balbianello by water, or ending a session at Grand Hotel Tremezzo with a sunset cruise. The boat adds a completely different dimension to any venue session. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build the route around it.
What kind of boat do you suggest?
A classic wooden lake boat — the kind that has always belonged on Lake Como. Elegant, intimate, and genuinely beautiful in photographs.
Do you need a permit for a boat session?
No — a private boat session on Lake Como does not require a photography permit. This makes it one of the most flexible options on the lake, with no paperwork and no advance bureaucracy to worry about.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We monitor conditions closely in the days before your session. Light rain is rarely a problem — some of our most cinematic images were taken on grey days, when the lake goes still and the light turns soft. In case of strong wind or heavy rain, we discuss options together and find the best solution for your date.
Plan your boat proposal or session
Ready to start planning? Tell us your date, what you have in mind, and whether you need photo, video, or both. We will get back to you within 24 hours with availability and a suggested route.
Combine the boat with a venue
The boat works beautifully as a standalone session — but it also pairs perfectly with any of our venues:
- Villa del Balbianello — arrive by water and step straight into the private gardens
- Villa Monastero — boat taxi from anywhere on the lake, private terrace hire available
- Grand Hotel Tremezzo — depart from the hotel’s own landing stage at golden hour
- Villa Melzi — end your garden session with a sunset cruise back toward Bellagio