Just before quarantine, we were in the midst of researching locales for a few clients’ upcoming destination wedding weekends, so we wanted to create a series to share our planning process to give a bit of insight into how we approach a destination wedding.

One of our favorite parts of the process is creating the perfect itinerary for guests to experience all the wonderful things a location has to offer, and to incorporate them into a wedding weekend experience. There are a number of elements we always consider as we are creating the game plan.  Here is a glimpse into that process for one of our favorite destinations!

Lake Como

Lake Como is such a spectacular place, located in Northern Italy’s Lombardy Region. It is considered a resort destination, with small towns all surrounding the water, each with their own charm. Lake Como’s proximity to Switzerland makes the food offerings slightly different from the other regions of Italy, which also gives it its own character.  One of our favorite features of the destination is that Lake Como is fairly accessible for travelers, at a short distance from Milano Airport via car or train.

Where to Stay

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of our favorite resorts on Lake Como. It combines the amenities of a five star resort with the personalized feel of a boutique property. Featuring three pools (one of which sits directly on the Lake), a private beach club, and a variety of restaurants and bars, there are few reasons to ever feel tempted to leave the property! The hotel also owns and operates a private Villa constructed in the 16th Century, called Villa Sola Cabiati, which offers another spectacular venue for an event weekend.

See below for the itinerary we have created for a wedding weekend, using The Grand Hotel Tremezzo as the guests’ home base:

(images via Hotel Grand Tremezzo)

A Casual Welcome Reception at T Pizza–a poolside pizza restaurant located in the hotel’s expansive garden

Rehearsal Dinner at Locanda La Tirlindana

Wedding Ceremony, Cocktails & Reception at Villa Sola Cabiati

After-Party at T Bar

Pool Party & Recovery Brunch at T Beach

Villa D’Este is a historic and iconic hotel in Cernobbio on Lake Como, known for impeccable service, renowned culinary program and its lush grounds. The hotel offers a number of beautiful locations on the grounds to host events.  Along with the four private villas located on the property, there are both formal and casual restaurant and bar options, as well as a floating pool set on the lake itself.

See below for the itinerary we have created for a wedding weekend, using Villa D’Este as the guests’ home base:

(images via Villa D’Este)

A Casual Welcome Reception at Terraza Bar and D’Este Club

Rehearsal Dinner at Veranda

Wedding Ceremony & Cocktails in the Mosaic Garden

Reception in the Salone Impero or off-site at Villa Gastel

After-Party at  Artusi

Pool Party & Recovery Brunch at the Sundeck

Lake Como also has a variety of stunning villas that provide the perfect backdrop for a wedding. Below are a few of our favorites:

(Images via Lake Como Travel)

Villa del Balbianello

Villa Pizzo

Villa Erba

When planning a destination experience, we like to leave enough time for guests to explore the locale on their own, with some guidance on our favorite spots, and organized experiences for them to join.  While Como is the perfect place to unwind and relax by the lake, there are still several fun activities. Below are a few of our favorite things to do in Lake Como:

Plan a Boat Tour of the Lake

Take Garden Tour at Villa Carlotta

Take the Funicular to the mountains of Bruante

Tour the different towns on the Lake, each with their own charm

We can’t wait to get back to doing what we love most: creating memorable experiences for our couples and their guests. Stay tuned as we feature more destinations!