LET’S ELOPE ON LAKE COMO

and Make It Absolutely Unforgettable

By me, Peggy – your Lake Como elopement photographer

Ready for your italian lake adventure? Elope on Lake Como is a unique experience and truly one of the best idea to create unforgettable memories together.

I receive many requests and questions from couples dreaming to Elope on Lake Como. so dear friends, this post is for you! As a photographer specializing in elopements and intimate destination weddings, I hope this guide will help you understand what to expect and where to begin. Planning to elope on Lake Como in 2026? This guide covers everything you need to know.

Last updated: February 2026

eaStep one: choose a spot

for your lake como elopement

Elope on Lake Como in Luxury hotels

Lake Como is famous for its incredible five-star luxury hotels, some of which allow elopements or wedding ceremonies. Sometimes your room may even have a private garden or terrace perfect for an intimate ceremony, while other hotels offer access to their magnificent gardens. Here is my selection of unique hotels as wedding locations on the romantic shores of Lake Como:

Passalacqua , Moltrasio. Last season, I had the pleasure of photographing an elopement for the first time at this stunning hotel overlooking Lake Como, surrounded by breathtaking gardens and timeless aristocratic elegance. It’s a perfect choice for couples dreaming of an exclusive and intimate Lake Como elopement, especially since some suites offer private gardens — ideal for exchanging vows in complete privacy with a romantic style. The iconic bright orange Spiaggina, the oh-so-cute vintage open-top Fiat 500 has become the symbol of this unique property, where every detail is designed to create an unforgettable Italian luxury experience.

Mandarin Oriental ,Blevio.  A real dreamy resort, elegant in all details mixing luxury Italian style & international high level hospitality with a refined Japanese touch. The 19th century Roccabruna villa is “a haven on the romantic shores of Lago di Como, where charming luxury meets scenic views, offering bespoke experiences that enrich every moment”. You can have elopement photos at the Amphitheatre like this one, and exclusive weddings ceremony and dinner. High level, just stunning.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo,Tremezzo. Probably my fav in the area (and in Italy!). An unforgettable place “where history, tradition and glamour play with a contemporary spirit of independence; a place where the possibilities—like the views—feel endless”. The pool on the lake, the wonderful gardens, the historical style of the rooms. I have a real big fascination for timeless hotels, this one is so elegant, in every single detail. It is like a travel in the past but with the luxury touch of our time. And I always have the music of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel ringing in loop in my head. Every step feels like being in a movie! The Suites on roof have terraces where getting ready and first look are amazing and the gardens are absolutely perfect for an elopement ceremony. 

Villa d’este ,Cernobbio. “For centuries a residence of the aristocracy – princesses, marquises, sultans and tsars. And since 1873, an elegant and charming five-star resort; one of the most celebrated in the world. Luxury lake views exemplify the art of living well in a suggestive experience that fills the eyes and inspires the mind”. So famous that You could meet George Clooney at every corner for the tea! Unforgettable and probably the most famous hotel in Italy. Very exclusive, luxury and prestigious.

Elope on Lake Como in Historical villas

a villa is a great option to exchange vows or to exchange vows the two of you. wedding ceremony with a celebrant will have a different cost. Some of them offer exclusivity (for extra cost). I recommend to book early because it can be complicated to find an available villa during the summer as they are often booked for big weddings.

Villa del Balbianello in Lenno. A sophisticated and unique location appeared in a great number of films and commercials can be rented for exclusive receptions as civil or symbolic wedding ceremonies, dinners for up to 150 guests. Maybe the most famous on Lake Como! Elopement photoshoots are allowed in these spectacular gardens. Booking is requested 3 months before the date. Not only available and cost depends of the date.

Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Next to Grand Hotel Tremezzo, built at the end of the seventeenth century by the marquises Clerici of Milan, the Villa offers a wonderful garden on different levels with great views and colorful areas. Ceremony and photoshoot possible.

Villa Monastero in Ravenna. A splendid garden overlooking the lake. Differents areas are possible to book for an elopement photoshoot, Loggia, Tempietto neoclassico, Glorietta Terrazzo. Currently one of the most popular spot on instagram. Perfect for intimate ceremonies with a few guests or to have an elopement photoshoot.

Gardens of Villa Melzi at Bellaggio. Fascinating botanical garden conceived in the early 1800s with fab views on the lake. A masterpiece “English-style” garden infused with Italian elegance in its clean, minimal aesthetic. In later eras, the Romantic-era fascination with the exotic introduced botanical and landscape elements from every continent, giving us one of the most captivating gardens in Italy. For flowers lovers! Budget friendly with many qualities.

Alternative ideas for all budgets

A room with a terrace or free public locations can be used for short ceremony (without guests). Airbnb can also be a great option for a private exchange of vows. 

For more informations and recommendations for your elopement at Lake Como, contact me: Ciao Peggy

Step two:

book your photographer

Elope on Lake Como : LEt the adventure begin!

Hello, this is Peggy — your personal Lake Como elopement photographer, helping couples from around the world plan unforgettable elopements in Italy. Together with my trusted team of vendors, we’re ready to create the perfect elopement experience for you on Lake Como. The best way to begin planning your elopement is simple: choose your area, pick your date or travel week, and then book your photographer.

Couples usually contact me with their preferred dates, and from there we begin shaping their dream to elope in Lake Como. I offer different coverage options, but most couples book 4 to 5 hours — a half-day coverage that works perfectly for an intimate Lake Como elopement experience. With my experience, I can guide you in choosing the best accommodation and ceremony location, and then help you move forward with booking the other vendors.

Elopement videography, including drone footage, is also available within my Lake Como packages, allowing us to create a truly unforgettable experience together.

Having photographed and planned many elopements on Lake Como since 2012, I can recommend all the vendors you may need — celebrant, makeup artist, hairstylist, florist, boat tours, cake, and more — and help you find the perfect ceremony location.

Feel free to contact me for more information about my Lake Como photography and videography packages.

You can discover my Lake Como elopement packages  here.

Step Three:

Choose the date

What’s the best month to elope on Lake Como?

Lake Como is incredibly green for a reason — the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. That’s why I usually recommend planning your elopement between April and mid-October. During winter, many of the lake’s most beautiful hotels close for the off-season.

A boat ride is truly an essential part of the Lake Como experience, so choosing a pleasant season allows you to fully enjoy everything the lake has to offer.

April, May, June and September are some of my favorite months for elopements. April, May and early October are especially lovely, as there are fewer visitors and the light is simply magical.

Once you choose your preferred month or season, it’s always helpful to stay flexible with your dates. For example, if you’re planning to spend a week in Northern Italy or around the Italian lakes, having several possible ceremony days makes it much easier to secure the best vendors and locations.

A little flexibility helps make the entire planning process smoother, especially since Lake Como has become extremely popular for elopements and destination weddings, and many locations and vendors book up quickly — ensuring you enjoy the best experience possible.

Let’s plan your Lake Como elopement!

Step four :

make the day special

hire additional vendors & create your perfect experience to elope on lake Como

• Get inspired! I love sharing full Lake Como elopement galleries with my couples as they begin planning their special day. Seeing real elopements helps you understand how your experience unfolds and what your final photos and video memories will look like, while giving ideas for locations and activities we can plan together.

• Book a boat adventure : A private boat ride is one of the most iconic experiences during a Lake Como elopement. It’s the perfect way to explore the lake and capture unforgettable photos with villas such as Villa del Balbianello in the background.

• On the road to happiness: A vintage car session is a beautiful way to capture romantic moments along the scenic roads of Lake Como. This experience works especially well with a 5-hour elopement coverage.

• Cake for two please! Yes, you can absolutely include a wedding cake in your elopement. Cutting the cake, sharing a slice, and opening a bottle of Prosecco create intimate memories that make your Lake Como elopement even more personal, meaningful.

• Your elopement, your style, your budget It is difficult to give you an idea of the budget for flowers as it really depends of what you want. It can very inexpensive if you just need a bouquet and a buttonhole. Based on my experience of shooting several elopements at Lake Como since 2012, I will recommend to you all the vendors that you would need (Celebrant make up artist, hairstylist, boat, florist, cake etc.) and I will help you to find the best location for ceremony.

For more informations and recommendations for your elopement at Lake Como, contact me: Ciao Peggy

Budget considerations

Elope on lake Como WITH guests or just the two of you?

• A destination elopement or wedding offers a very different experience depending on whether you travel alone or bring parents and close friends with you. Lake Como is a luxury destination, so both budget and planning will vary depending on whether you elope privately or celebrate with guests.
• Most of my couples choose to elope just the two of them, enjoying this unique experience together while combining wedding and honeymoon into one unforgettable trip. Many then organize a celebration at home later with family and friends. Sometimes, the elopement even remains a surprise until they return!
• The main difference comes down to the number of guests. If you are traveling with just your parents or a few friends, the planning remains simple and intimate. In this case, it is still considered an elopement and can easily be organized with my guidance,
• However, if you plan to invite 30 or more guests, the event becomes more similar to an intimate destination wedding. This usually requires booking larger venues and accommodations, and often the assistance of a wedding planner or coordinator becomes helpful to manage logistics smoothly.

Budget friendly adventure or full luxury experience 

As a Lake Como elopement photographer, I always tell couples that eloping here can be as simple or as luxurious as they wish. Some choose an intimate and adventurous escape, just the two of them, while others plan a refined Lake Como elopement experience with private villas, elegant boats and carefully curated celebrations. The beauty of a Lake Como elopement is the freedom to create a wedding day that truly reflects your story, far from traditional expectations, in one of the most romantic destinations in Italy.

Alternative to lake como: lake garda

Less tourists, less expensive but more incredible colors and so many fabulous locations at Sirmione, Isola del Garda, Riva del Garda, Desenzano, Limone sul Garda, Lake Garda is really a great alternative to Lake Como with a big identity. Let me know if you are interested to have more informations about elopements at Lake Garda.

For more informations and recommendations for your elopement at Lake Como, contact me: Ciao Peggy 

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