Luxury elopement at Lake Como, Italy
Imagine yourself saying your vows right next to one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, wandering around cute narrow streets filled with life and great restaurants, and enjoying the botanical gardens of a historical villa — Lake Como makes that a reality for couples that are looking for an adventure elopement with a touch of luxury!
How Chandra & Chris celebrated their wedding day at Lake Como with their closest friends and family members
Luxury elopements and destination weddings are all about crafting a day that fits your wants and needs. There is no rulebook about how you need to plan your day, which gives you all the freedom to invite who you want, plan fun activities, and enjoy each other every second of your wedding day. Chris and Chandra did just that!
When planning their elopement, the couple had trouble deciding between Hawaii and Lake Como. Chris and Chandra wanted to explore a new place on their wedding day, where the weather was warm. During the planning stages, we researched both locations and provided them with all the options. Although the opinions were divided and it was hard to choose, they eventually chose Lake Como.
What Chris and Chandra’s Lake Como elopement looked like:
Getting ready at their villa looking over Lake Como
Having a small ceremony on the Villas property
An intimate lunch in downtown Varenna with all their loved ones
Exploring one of the most famous villas at Lake Como: Villa Monastero
Exploring and wandering around the historical streets of Varenna
Eating Galatto (DUUH!!)
Enjoying each other’s company until sundown on one of the docks overlooking lake como and Varenna
Getting ready and an intimate ceremony at a villa overlooking Lake Como
Chris and Chandra rented an Airbnb adjacent to Lake Como. The villa was big enough to house their whole party, so the time leading up to the ceremony was lively and cozy. On the big day, the couple woke up in their villa and the first thing they saw looking out of the window was Lake Como. Is there a better way to start your wedding day?
After getting ready Chris made his way to the balcony to wait for Chandra and share the first look. It didn’t take long before Chandra made her way down too, and Chris got to admire her. Lucky him, he got to enjoy beautiful views in two directions! After a short, affectionate moment together they walked to the garden together where their loved ones were waiting for them.
The ceremony was sweet and intimate; Chandra’s best friend officiated! With a glistering Lake Como in the background, the couple exchanged vows and although she tried, Chandra couldn’t keep her eyes dry. And to be honest, we had to blink a few times extra too…
Celebrating their wedding in Varenna with a lunch
When we were getting to know the couple, Chris and Chandra told us how important it was for them that their wedding included a real Italian meal with their loved ones. Chandra used to live in Europe and learned during that period that dinner was a social affair not to be rushed. So, on their wedding day, they took all the time they wanted to eat delicious food (Italian food of course) and drink coffee with their friends and family while chatting about their past and future.
Incorporating activities that fit you as a couple, such as an elaborate meal, into your elopement or intimate wedding is very important. During such activities, you get to have fun, relax a bit, and let go of any anxiety that the anticipation of your elopement or wedding might have caused you. Moreover, we get to photograph you at your happiest and for you, it won’t even feel like a photoshoot! You can just focus on doing the thing(s) you love most, while we make sure you will always be able to return to those moments.
9 things to do at Lake Como on your wedding day
Sightseeing the historical Villas and Castles
Walking through the narrow streets of Veranna or Bellagio
Eating Gialatto
Wine Tasting
Rent a Boat and explore the Lake
Helicopter Ride
Have a luxurious dinner or hire a private chef
Hiking up to an overlook of Lake Como
Rent a Vespa and drive along the lake
Sunset wedding photos at Villa Monastero and Varenna
After enjoying the amazing flavors of the Italian kitchen, the couple said goodbye to their party to spend some time together. On their ‘date’ they went to visit one of the historical villas at Lake Como. The villa had a botanical garden, which they went to explore while we captured their wedding portraits. After our time was up at the villa, Chris and Chandra wandered through the charming narrow streets of Varenna and rested their legs at a restaurant while enjoying a well-deserved glass of vino. And to put the cherry on top they of course ate gelato while watching the sunset over Lake Como.
3 things you should know when planning an elopement at Lake Como
Although lake como is famous for all the historical Villas, it’s not all just fancy venues, hotels, and massive villas. If you want to add more adventure into your day, there are plenty of high-elevation hikes and other activities (boat & helicopter rides) to do in the area.
Are you looking for seclusion on your elopement day? We highly suggest visiting Lake Como earlier in the season when there are not that many tourists (May/June/October). Also, planning your elopement on a weekday earlier in the morning helps to avoid crowds.
You can get legally married in Italy, but if you want to make things easy and not worry about paperwork and translating it, we highly suggest getting married in your home state and planning a symbolic ceremony just like Chandra & Chris did.
Looking for an Lake Como Elopement Photographer?
Always envisioned your wedding day at Lake Como? Or maybe another beautiful place in Europe?
Here at Running Wild, we specialize in helping adventurous couples like yourself get married in unforgettable places!
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