Lake Como, with its stunning vistas, historic villas, and serene waters, is the perfect setting for a luxurious multiday wedding celebration. If you’re considering hosting your wedding in this iconic Italian locale, here are some tips and advice to ensure your event is as magical as the setting itself.
Planning a multiday wedding celebration in the stunning lake Como is a dream come true for many couples. Let's see each day of the event and unique themes for dinners and other gatherings.
Day 1: Welcome Dinner
For a multiday wedding celebration, the welcome reception on the first day sets the tone for the festivities to come. Here are some creative ideas to make the welcome reception memorable:
1. Lakeside Aperitivo
Setting: Host the welcome reception on the shores of Lake Como, using the natural beauty as your backdrop.
Food & Drink: Serve a traditional Italian aperitivo with prosecco, spritzers, and a selection of local antipasti, such as olives, bruschetta, and cured meats.
Entertainment: Consider hiring a local acoustic guitarist or a string quartet to play soft, romantic music as guests mingle.
2. Private Boat Cruise
Setting: Treat your guests to a private boat cruise around Lake Como.
Food & Drink: Serve champagne and light bites onboard, such as canapés featuring fresh seafood or local cheeses.
Entertainment: Organize a guided tour of the lake’s famous villas and landmarks, or have a local historian share interesting stories about the area.
3. Garden Party in the Dolce Gabbana or Dior Style
Setting: Use the lush gardens of a local villa for an elegant garden party.
Food & Drink: Offer a selection of Italian wines and a buffet of seasonal fruits, cheeses, and pastries. Consider a live cooking station where chefs prepare fresh pasta or risotto.
Entertainment: Arrange lawn games like bocce ball or croquet or provide live entertainment like an Italian folk band.
4. Cocktail Party at a Historic Villa with Signature Cocktails
Setting: Host a sophisticated cocktail party at one of Lake Como’s historic villas.
Food & Drink: Offer signature cocktails inspired by the local culture, such as limoncello spritz or Negroni, along with gourmet hors d’oeuvres.
Entertainment:Arrange for a live jazz band or a DJ to play relaxing lounge music, creating a chic and elegant atmosphere.
5. Sunset Picnic
Setting: Organize a casual picnic on a scenic hill overlooking Lake Como.
Food & Drink: Prepare picnic baskets filled with local delicacies, such as focaccia, cheese, and Italian pastries, paired with a selection of wines.
Entertainment: Offer blankets and seating for guests to enjoy the sunset, with an acoustic duo playing soft tunes in the background.
6. Italian Cooking Class
Setting: Start the celebration with a hands-on cooking class at a villa kitchen.
Food & Drink: Guests can prepare their own meals with guidance from a local chef, then enjoy the fruits of their labor together with wine pairings.
Entertainment: After the meal, offer a dessert-making session where guests can learn to make classic Italian sweets like tiramisu or panna cotta.
These ideas will help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that not only introduces guests to the beauty and culture of Lake Como but also sets the stage for an unforgettable wedding weekend.
Day 2: Rehearsal Dinner
your rehearsal day and reception are key events that need to be thoughtfully planned to create unforgettable memories. Here are some creative ideas for both:
1. Relaxing Spa Day
Setting: Treat the wedding party to a relaxing day at a luxury spa or wellness retreat around Lake Como.
Activities: Organize a group yoga session, massage treatments, and access to thermal baths to help everyone unwind before the big day.
Food & Drink: Offer light refreshments like fruit platters, herbal teas, and detox smoothies.
2. Outdoor Reception Under the Stars
Setting: Opt for an alfresco reception on a villa’s terrace or garden, offering panoramic views of Lake Como.
Decor: Use fairy lights, lanterns, and candles to create a magical, romantic ambiance. Consider a mix of long banquet tables and cozy lounge areas for a relaxed, yet elegant, setting.
Entertainment: Include a surprise element, like a movie about you and your love story or games with questions about your couple.
3. Themed Reception Inspired by Italian Cinema
Setting: Take inspiration from classic Italian films for a glamorous, cinematic reception.
Decor: Use black and white color schemes, vintage movie posters, and dramatic lighting to set the scene or white reception where all your guests wear white dresses.
Entertainment: Organize a photo booth with props inspired by iconic Italian movies.
By incorporating these ideas, you’ll create a memorable and personalized experience for your rehearsal day and wedding reception that truly captures the essence of Lake Como and your unique style.
Day 3: Wedding Day
This is the most elegant, romantic, and timeless day - your wedding day at Lake Como. It involves a mix of breathtaking settings, sophisticated details, and touches that capture the essence of classic romance. Here are some ideas to help you create a wedding that exudes elegance and timeless beauty:
1. Venue Selection
Choose one of Lake Como’s villas. These venues offer a perfect blend of history, elegance, and stunning views. Their grand architecture and manicured gardens provide a timeless backdrop for both the ceremony and reception. Opt for a venue with a lakeside terrace or garden. The shimmering water and surrounding mountains create a naturally romantic ambiance, especially during sunset.
2. Elegant Color Palette
Classic Neutrals: Stick to a sophisticated color palette of whites, creams, soft blushes, and hints of gold or silver. This palette is timeless and enhances the natural beauty of the venue.
Accent Colors: Introduce subtle accent colors, such as dusty blue, sage green, or lavender, to add depth and a touch of romance without overpowering the elegance.
3. Romantic Lighting
Chandeliers and Candles: Hang chandeliers in dining or reception areas to add a touch of grandeur. Use candlelight generously—whether through candelabras, lanterns, or votive candles—to create a warm, romantic atmosphere as the evening progresses.
Twinkling Fairy Lights: Incorporate strings of fairy lights in trees, along pathways, or above dining areas for a soft, ethereal glow that complements the evening ambiance.
4. Elegant Reception Details
Formal Table Settings: Opt for classic table settings with fine china, crystal glassware, and elegant flatware. Linen tablecloths in neutral tones with delicate lace or embroidered details will add a touch of refinement.
5. Calligraphy and Stationery
Use hand-written calligraphy for invitations, place cards, and menus. Opt for elegant stationery with minimalistic designs and classic fonts.
6. Traditional Italian Touches
Italian Cuisine: Serve a multi-course Italian meal featuring local delicacies, such as risotto, pasta, and fresh seafood. Pair with fine Italian wines to elevate the dining experience.
Millefoglie Cake: Opt for a traditional Italian wedding cake like millefoglie, made of layers of puff pastry and cream, for a deliciously authentic touch.
7. . Thoughtful Guest Experience
Elegant Wedding Favors: Offer guests personalized keepsakes, such as custom bottles of olive oil, miniature limoncello, or elegant candles.
Day 4: Farewell Luncheon
a farewell luncheon following a multiday wedding celebration at Lake Como, you want to create an event that’s relaxed yet elegant, allowing guests to savor the last moments of the festivities. Here are some ideas to make the luncheon special:
1. Poolside lunch in Vogue Style
Setting: Arrange a casual, elegant picnic next to the pool. Hats, sunglasses, black bikini for girls, elegant comfortable seating with a mix of picnic blankets and low tables.
2. Yacht Luncheon on the Lake
Setting: Charter a yacht or large boat for a leisurely luncheon cruise on Lake Como.
Menu: Serve a light, Mediterranean-inspired meal with fresh seafood, salads, and grilled vegetables. Include a dessert course featuring local favorites like panna cotta or tiramisu.
Drinks: Offer prosecco, white wine, and refreshing cocktails like bellinis or limoncello spritz. Have a selection of non-alcoholic beverages available as well.
Read a few tips for arranging a multiday wedding in lake Como
Book Early: Popular venues, accommodations, and vendors may be in high demand, so book as early as possible.
Different Venues for every day: Select different venues for each day’s events to keep things exciting or at least 2 venues to feel Italian experiences
The location area: Book a location that is easy for your guests to travel to and around. Ensure there are enough accommodation options nearby for all your guests.
Transfer: Arrange transportation for your guests from / to airport and event days to ensure they arrive on time and stress-free.
Set a Budget: A multi-day wedding can quickly become expensive, so allocate your budget across the events, prioritizing what’s most important to you.
Create a Timeline: Include the timing, location, and transportation details for every day. Share this timeline with your guests so everyone knows what to expect. The wedding website or WhatsApp group will be very helpful. Keep guests informed with regular updates, use the wedding website, or even a group chat to communicate any last-minute changes or reminders.
Welcome Packages: Include an itinerary, timing of all the days, phone number of coordinator, concierge service, local maps, snacks, water and Prosecco bottle.
Enjoy the Moment: Take time to savor each and every moment of your multiday wedding celebration in lake Como, surrounded by the Italian beauty and love of your family and friends.
© 2019 Fiore d`Amore – Weddings in Italy