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Villa del Balbianello Wedding on Lake Como: Marie & Zacharie

    Outdoor wedding ceremony under the greenery-covered arches of Villa del Balbianello, overlooking Lake Como

    Marie and Zacharie travelled from Detroit to Lake Como for their Villa del Balbianello wedding, at a venue they had long dreamed of. It was a long, hot, sunny day at the end of July, with around thirty guests, a boat ride across the lake and a ceremony in the villa’s loggia. We photographed and filmed it all, from the first quiet hours of getting ready to the end of the evening.

    Outdoor wedding ceremony under the greenery-covered arches of Villa del Balbianello, overlooking Lake Como
    Marie & Zacharie exchange vows under the arches, with Lake Como and the mountains beyond.

    Getting ready above the lake

    The day began at Hotel Villa Flori, where Marie got ready in a room with tall arched windows overlooking the lake. With its terrace right on the water, the hotel was a lovely place to start the day.

    While Viktoriia and our second photographer moved between hair and make-up, the dress and the small details, Volodymyr began filming the morning.

    Smiling bride in a feather-trimmed robe as stylists finish her hair and makeup, in black and white
    Wedding dress hanging in an arched window with a view of Lake Como and the mountains

    The first look

    As we usually do, we arrived early. We already knew the hotel, but we walked through it again in that day’s light and at that time of day, chose the best spot for the first look and suggested it to Marie and Zacharie.

    They saw each other for the first time there, by the railing above the lake. For us it was one of the most emotional moments of the day: sincere and completely open. Zacharie didn’t hide his tears, and Marie laughed beside him.

    Groom wipes away tears while the bride laughs beside him on a lakeside path on Lake Como
    Marie & Zacharie at their first look, between tears and laughter.

    Portraits by the lake

    Straight after the first look, we stayed on the hotel terrace for a short portrait session at the water’s edge. With the lake and the mountains behind them, a few unhurried minutes were enough, and then it was time for the boat.

    Bride seen from behind in an off-the-shoulder gown with a long train, looking out over Lake Como
    Bride and groom walking hand in hand and laughing on a tree-lined path

    The boat ride to Balbianello

    Marie and Zacharie travelled to the villa by boat, and the crossing became a photo session of its own. We photographed them on board, and Volodymyr flew the drone from the boat to film the journey across the lake from above.

    The guests travelled separately. The wedding planners had arranged a second boat from the hotel, so everyone arrived early, settled in without any rush and enjoyed a light aperitivo. By the time we arrived with the couple, everything was ready and waiting.

    Bride and groom on the cream leather seats of a wooden motorboat crossing Lake Como
    Marie & Zacharie crossing Lake Como by boat.
    Bride in sunglasses laughing on a wooden motorboat, holding up a sparkly cowboy boot, with Lake Como behind
    Bride and groom kissing in the open back of a wooden motorboat, with mountains and Lake Como behind

    The ceremony at Villa del Balbianello

    The ceremony took place under the arches of the loggia at Villa del Balbianello, with the lake beyond them. Marie walked down the aisle with her father, and the ceremony, held in English, lasted about thirty minutes.

    For the ceremony we brought in a dedicated drone pilot for two hours. The pilot flew in from the lake side and filmed it from the air. Volodymyr had already filmed the crossing with a drone from the boat.

    Right after the ceremony, the emotions of the day caught up with Marie and Zacharie. It was a beautiful moment to witness.

    Groom waits as the bride walks down the aisle with her father at Villa del Balbianello
    Bride and groom embracing between greenery-covered columns and cypress trees at Villa del Balbianello

    Portraits in the villa gardens

    After the ceremony we took the couple into the gardens for portraits, along the gravel paths, past clipped hedges and the warm façade of the villa itself. The lawns are off limits, so we worked from the paths and built every frame around them. The villa staff were friendly and always close at hand.

    Bride and groom walking hand in hand along a gravel path through the gardens of Villa del Balbianello
    Yellow facade of Villa del Balbianello with greenery, red flowers and a stone staircase, mountains behind

    Dinner and celebration

    Dinner was served on the grounds of the villa, at mirrored tables set with white flowers and candles. As the evening went on, there was the cake, a champagne tower poured by the bride and groom, and dancing until the very end of the night.

    Reception table at Villa del Balbianello with a mirrored top, white flowers, tall candles and crystal glassware
    Mirrored tables, white flowers and candlelight for the dinner.
    Bride and groom pouring a champagne tower at night at Villa del Balbianello, in front of a welcome sign
    Champagne flowing down a tower of crystal coupes at Villa del Balbianello as the couple pours together

    More moments from Marie & Zacharie’s wedding

    Stylist spraying the bride's hair by a tall arched window, in black and white
    Bride in a lace slip and feathered robe laughing on a sunny terrace above Lake Como
    Bride in a satin robe touching her wedding dress by tall arched windows overlooking Lake Como
    Bride and groom embracing by a lakeside railing and a street lamp on Lake Como, in black and white
    Portrait of the smiling bride with pearl necklaces and flower details on her sleeves
    Groom kisses the smiling bride's shoulder on a motorboat on Lake Como, tilted black and white shot
    Smiling guests in formal wear in the front row during the ceremony at Villa del Balbianello, in black and white
    Candlelit reception table at Villa del Balbianello with white flowers, crystal glasses and rose-gold cutlery

    Planning a wedding at Villa del Balbianello: our advice

    A wedding at Villa del Balbianello rewards careful preparation. Think through every step of the day, have a plan B, and work with reliable vendors: when everyone knows their role, the day runs without surprises.

    Get to know the villa’s rules early. In our experience, Villa del Balbianello has clear rules for events and weddings, and it shows in how beautifully the place is kept. You can’t walk on the lawns or put anything on them, not even a bag or a backpack. Drones can’t take off or land on the grounds or fly near the buildings, so aerial shots are filmed from the lake. Rules can change, so check the current ones with the villa while you are planning.

    Take the summer heat seriously. In July and August, Lake Como is very hot and sunny, so factor the heat into every part of your plans.

    And our advice for brides: choose a dress that is light and easy to move in. On a day like this one, getting in and out of a boat, walking through the gardens and dancing late into the evening, it makes all the difference.

    If you are thinking about a more intimate moment at the same villa, have a look at the proposal we photographed at Villa del Balbianello. For a sense of budget, start with our guide to wedding photography and videography costs in Italy.

    Planning your wedding on Lake Como?

    Tell us your date, your venue and the kind of day you have in mind. We will suggest how to plan the photography and film around it, with a small team that covers your day from every angle. Read more about how we work on our Lake Como wedding photographer and videographer page.

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