Villa del Balbianello is one of the most requested wedding venues in Italy, and availability for 2027 is now almost fully booked.
Bookings for 2028 ceremonies and events will officially open in the coming weeks. Thanks to our long-standing relationship with the villa, where we have been planning weddings and elopements since 2007, we can help you secure your preferred date as soon as the 2028 calendar opens.
If you are dreaming of saying “I do” at Villa del Balbianello in 2028, get in touch with us now. We will add you to our priority list and contact you as soon as bookings open, so you can be among the very first couples to choose your date.
2028 venue fees have not yet been released. We will share them with you as soon as they are available.
Villa del Balbianello is first and foremost a museum and one of the most visited landmarks on Lake Como, managed by FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano). During the main season it is generally open to the public from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, with reduced opening days in winter.
Elopements and small ceremonies take place during opening hours. For the best weather on Lake Como, we recommend planning your ceremony between mid-April and early October.
Opening days and times can change from year to year, so we always check the official FAI calendar for you when planning your date. (link esterno, nuova scheda)
Villa del Balbianello has a special agreement with the local town hall, allowing legally binding civil ceremonies to be celebrated on site. Civil ceremonies can take place on days when the villa is open to the public.
Please note that an additional fee is required for legally binding ceremonies, payable to the local authorities. This fee is separate from, and in addition to, the venue rental fee charged by Villa del Balbianello. Ceremony fees vary depending on the day of the week and the time of day.
If you prefer a symbolic ceremony, our in-house celebrant will write and officiate a ceremony entirely personalized around your story.
Villa del Balbianello can only be reached by boat. For this reason, we recommend staying in nearby areas such as Tremezzo or Bellagio. If you choose accommodation further away, such as Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, please consider a boat transfer of approximately one hour.
Only authorized vendors are permitted to access the villa by car, as the road is narrow and steep and there is no parking at the upper entrance.
Villa del Balbianello functions primarily as a museum, and wedding ceremonies are permitted only in designated areas, mostly outdoors. Ceremonies often take place beneath the iconic arches of the Loggia Durini, one of the most recognizable spots on Lake Como, while limited indoor options may be available in the villa building known as Segrè.
Wedding receptions can be organized at Villa del Balbianello; however, only approved catering companies are authorized to operate on site. Caterers have access to a dedicated area where professional kitchens can be set up to prepare the reception menu.
Larger weddings and events with a full reception are usually held on the villa’s closing days (Mondays and Wednesdays) or outside public visiting hours, typically in the evening after 6:00 pm.
For smaller weddings and elopements, we generally recommend organizing the wedding dinner at a different location. This allows for a more relaxed experience and helps keep costs under control, as hosting a reception at the villa can be extremely expensive. We are happy to help you choose beautiful restaurants and exclusive venues on Lake Como for a romantic post-ceremony dinner.
We have been arranging weddings and elopements at Villa del Balbianello since 2007. Due to the unique logistics of the location, the presence of an experienced wedding coordinator is highly recommended to ensure a smooth and stress-free celebration.
Our team can assist you with every aspect of your elopement, from the overall planning and coordination of the day to the ceremony itself. We offer in-house celebrant services for symbolic ceremonies and can guide you through the legal requirements for a civil ceremony at Villa del Balbianello.
We also select and coordinate all the vendors for your wedding day, including photography and floral design, and manage boat transfers for you and your guests to and from the villa.
For a glimpse of what a Villa del Balbianello elopement looks like, explore our real wedding stories: [Jacqueline & Connor’s elegant elopement] 🔗 and [Alessia & Harl’s micro wedding at Villa del Balbianello] 🔗.
Planning your celebration elsewhere on the lake? Discover our complete Lake Como elopement guide.
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For a glimpse of what a Villa del Balbianello elopement looks like, explore our real wedding stories: Jacqueline & Connor’s elegant elopement and a romantic elopement at Villa del Balbianello
The cost of a ceremony at Villa del Balbianello starts from a base venue fee, with additional costs depending on the type of ceremony, the number of guests and the services required. For legally binding ceremonies, an extra fee is payable to the local authorities, as outlined above.
As a general reference, the venue fee for a ceremony at Villa del Balbianello in 2027 is approximately €5,000. Venue fees are subject to change from year to year, and 2028 fees have not yet been released. This figure is provided purely as an indicative guideline to help you understand the overall investment. Final pricing is always customized based on your plans and the most up-to-date tariffs at the time of booking.
Perhaps your vision of a Lake Como wedding is an intimate celebration just for the two of you. We design all-inclusive elopement experiences at Villa del Balbianello, carefully curated to include all the essential services for a seamless and meaningful celebration.
Every experience is fully customized according to your vision, priorities and style. No two elopements are ever the same.
The Loggia Durini is an ideal setting for elopements and micro weddings, offering privacy, breathtaking views and timeless elegance. We also offer micro wedding options, allowing you to include a small group of close family and friends.
Our tailored elopement packages typically include:
Additional services such as hair and makeup, live music and romantic dining experiences by the lake can be arranged upon request. For couples seeking à la carte planning or a more complex setup, we create a fully bespoke proposal around your vision.
Contact us to receive more details and your personalized elopement proposal at Villa del Balbianello.
In 2026 the venue fee for a ceremony at Villa del Balbianello is approximately €5,000. Civil ceremonies require an additional fee payable to the local authorities. The total investment depends on the type of ceremony, number of guests and services included. 2028 fees will be released when bookings open.
Yes. Thanks to an agreement with the local town hall, legally binding civil ceremonies can be held at the villa on days when it is open to the public.
Yes, Villa del Balbianello can be booked for weddings, photo shoots, and private events. However, it is not a traditional rental property: it is a museum owned by FAI, the Italian National Trust, and events take place only in designated areas.
During the main season the villa is generally open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, with reduced opening hours in winter. We recommend checking the official FAI calendar for up-to-date dates.
According to FAI’s current rates, park and gardens access costs €15 per adult, while the park plus a guided tour of the villa costs €25 per adult. Reduced tickets are available for children aged 6–18, and FAI members enjoy free or reduced entry. Prices may change from year to year.
The villa can only be reached by boat for couples and guests. We organize private boat transfers from your hotel or from nearby villages such as Tremezzo, Lenno or Bellagio.
