Villa del Balbianello is, without comparison, the most iconic villa along Lake Como. It is also the most popular Lake Como wedding venue, with multiple areas available for hourly or daily rental. The villa rests on the top of a steep grassy hill, jutting majestically out into the middle of the lake; it’s an unavoidable spectacle from both land and water. The famous arches of the Loggia, adorned with thick green vines, are a welcoming facade even from far off on the water by boat. From inside the arches, you can see as far as the white capped Swiss Alps, hanging high over the colorful cliffside villages dotting the lake.

This elegant, historic atmosphere was exactly what drew these couples, to choose Villa del Balbianello for their wedding photos.

Villa del Balbianello Wedding Photos

Why Couples Choose Villa del Balbianello for Their Wedding Photos

Once you see the photos, it really doesn’t need too much explaining why Villa del Balbianello is a favorite location for weddings. That said, the main reasons are generally:

• Historic architecture
• Location on Lake Como generally
• Extremely cinematic views
• Tediously manicured grounds and gardens
• Option for private bookings and exclusivity

If you’re looking for a detailed pricing guide on booking Villa del Balbianello for your wedding photos or ceremony, see my complete guide here.

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5 Best Photo Locations at Villa del Balbianello

The grounds are very large, so it’s important to book a photographer who knows where to go and how to most efficiently get around. Some of my favorite locations are:

• The iconic Loggia terrace looking north
• The stairway down to a lakeside sitting area on the south facing grounds
• The fountain by the chapel (featured in Star Wars)
• A far away drone shot featuring the boat and grounds as you arrive
• The lakeside gardens on the northern side

ALSO READ: How to plan a Lake Como elopement, Ultimate Guide

WHAT COUPLES SAY:

“We are so, so grateful for the incredible experience for our pre-wedding shoot with Mariah in Lake Como. She is absolutely exceptional – exactly what we hoped for and more. Since the moment we reached out, we were so well guided and taken care of from planning, preparations and throughout the shoot itself. Her energy is genuine and wonderful, we enjoyed the day so much it didn’t really feel like a photoshoot! She also remembers our preferences and took particular effort on shooting and editing for that.

Mariah, really glad to have found and shoot with you in this hugee world (what are the chances!). Thank you for the shoot, for the cute pizza picnic and conversations we shared, and the beautifully captured memory for us.” — L&Z

“We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible photographer to capture our elopement in Lake Como. From the moment we met, Mariah made us feel completely comfortable and at ease — which is no small thing when you’re eloping in another country!

Every single photo feels like a piece of art — beautifully composed, full of emotion, and somehow capturing all the little in-between moments we didn’t even realize were happening. The way she captured the light over the lake, the textures of the old villas, and our genuine laughter feels timeless. We’ve looked through the photos countless times and still can’t believe the magic.

Beyond the stunning images, Mariah went above and beyond — She is full of first hand knowledge of the area, tons of tips and recommendations. If you’re eloping in Italy (or anywhere in the world), we cannot recommend Mariah enough!!!” — B&P

Are you considering Villa del Balbianello for your wedding photos?

Hi! I’m Mariah. I am an elopement photographer based along the Italian and Austrian border. I specialize in intimate destination weddings and adventure elopements on Lake Como that blend luxury with simplicity.

I assist with logistics, activity planning and vendor connections. I’m also originally from the U.S., so if you’re English speaking, I’m the perfect bridge between cultures on your elopement day.

I truly want you to have the most relaxing and fun experience possible, in whatever way speaks to YOU.

So if you’re dreaming of an elopement on Lake Como without all the performative fuss, then I’m the photographer for you.

NOW BOOKING COMO ELOPEMENTS & DESTINATION WEDDINGS

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