Having a destination wedding in Italy is a brilliant choice, especially Lake Como which exudes character and charm. Glitz and glamour, stunning architecture, romance, glistening waters, food to die for and spectacular backdrops mean you really will have it all at a Lake Como wedding. It’s one of the most stunning locations and will make the perfect backdrop for your special day. So where do you even start when planning a fairytale wedding in Lake Como?

Fear not, this blog post will guide you through everything you need to consider and think about when planning your dream Lake Como destination wedding - from legalities, locations to planning tips and more, we cover it all.

The legalities of getting married in Italy

In Lake Como you can have religious, civil ceremonies and symbolic ceremonies, catholic ceremonies used to be allowed however non-residents can no longer have catholic ceremonies.

So aside from if you want a catholic wedding, anyone can get married in Italy as there is no legal requirement for you to be a resident to have a wedding! Get ahead of the game and make sure you have the following documents ready…

If you’re having a religious, civil or symbolic weddings are:

• A valid passport or ID

• Original birth certificates

• If you have been married before you will need divorce papers and if widowed you’ll need death certificates

• An affidavit, Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata from a consular office of your home country (this is the italian version of the UK no impediment) that proves you are legally allowed to be married

• An Atto Notorio signed by two witnesses

• A declaration of intent to marry that goes to a civil registrar

Make sure you're organised and follow the steps to complete all this paperwork. Need more help? Wise have a really in depth guide on each document and exactly what you need to do for each of them.

When is the best time to get married in Lake Como?

With over 200 days of sunshine a year in Lake Como you’re really spoilt for choice with when to get married. Anytime between April through to October will be lovely weather with the peak summer months being the warmest. If you can handle the heat then the peak summer months will likely bring a guarantee of glorious sunshine and hot weather, whereas April/May or September/October are popular months as they’re slightly cooler and less of a burn through the budget.

Book a pre-wedding trip

If you need an excuse to travel to Lake Como beforehand then this is it! Visiting before your wedding means you can explore and visit all the potential venues and wonderful locations, see what kinds of activities you can all get up to in the surrounding areas, sample the food and start to conjure up exactly what you want your dream wedding to look like.

Best spots for a wedding in Lake Como?

Wedding Venues in Lake Como are truly breathtaking - think House of Gucci meets Great Gatsby. Lake Como exudes true European class and glamour and will really wow your guests. Here are some of the stunning venues dotted around Lake Como:

• Villa Balbiano

• Villa del Balbianello

• Villa Erba

• Villa Pizzo

• Mandarin Oriental Lake Como

• Villa Monastero

• Villa Serbelloni

• Villa D’este

• Villa Guiseppina

• Isola Del Garda

We have an in depth blog post on the best wedding venues in Lake Como so you can explore what each of the venues has to offer.

Steps for planning your wedding in Lake Como

1. Set A Budget

One of the most important things you should do before any wedding is to set a budget. Decide between you and your partner how much you want to spend on a wedding and what you can afford and stick within this range. There are many options for various budgets in Lake Como. Here are a list of things you will want to consider in your budget:

• Venue

• Catering

• Lighting & Decoration

• Music & Entertainment

• Photography & Videography

• Hair & Makeup

• Travel Costs

So what are you waiting for… Pinterest boards at the ready and start gathering all your inspiration and ideas for each element. Perhaps you want your wedding to be filled with fairy lights, flowers and lanterns or champagne towers, pearls and simple black and white decor. Do you want a magical, bohemian style dress or a chic, classic number? Now is your chance to really create your dream wedding.

2. Decide a Date

Have you got a date in mind for your wedding? Do you want to say “I do” in the hot summer months or are you after something cool and mild. The weather can play a big part on your wedding day, so take this into account, work out what dates work best for you and the majority of your family and friends and get ready to send out those invites!

3. Pick Your Venue

Perhaps the most important element of your destination wedding along with the weather. Your venue sets the scene for your entire day and Lake Como is full of amazing venues so shop around and pick the one that’s right for you and your partner.

4. Decide on your Guests

How many people will you have at your wedding, can you cater to a larger wedding or do you want to keep it intimate and close knit? Write down exactly who you and your partner want at your wedding so you can gauge how many people might potentially attend. Don’t stress about this, pick the people who you want at your wedding and who mean the most to you. Once you have decided on the venue and your guest list then you can write your save the date invitations!

Include as much detail as possible, including where you’re getting married, a description of the area, hotels and apartments that are nearby to suit a range of budgets and how much all the transport will cost. This gives your guests an idea of how much the destination wedding will cost and if it’s feasible for them to attend. Send out the invites and then wait for the RSVPs to fly in.

5. Planning Activities

You can’t go to Lake Como for a destination wedding and miss out on all the amazing activities and experiences that are there to be lived. Here are some of the activities you and your guests could consider for the days after the wedding or you could even use them as unique ideas for a rehearsal dinner:

• Live cooking classes on the lake

• Boat tours and sunset cruises on the lake

• Hiking with panoramic views

• Cable Car Argegno

• Wine tastings

• Spa Days

• Make your own pizza

• Mixology classes

• Watersports

6. Select Your Vendors

Research, shop around and select all your vendors that will bring you exactly what you and your partner want for your big day. Make sure you’ve got catering, hair and makeup, entertainment, music, decorations, sound and wedding photography and videography all sorted, organised and ready for the big day.

7. Book hotels and transport

Finally, make sure all the hotels and transport are sorted for you and your guests. Then once everything has been decided and booked you can begin your countdown for the big day!

Final notes…

Be sure to fly out a couple of days before your guests so you can settle in, go over any final arrangements and visit the venue to finalise everything. Flying out beforehand also gives you and your partner the chance to settle in and enjoy yourselves before the big day! All the planning and preparation will be worth it and soon after it’ll be time to begin the next adventure… your honeymoon!