Planning a wedding at Villa Erba.

1. The estate at a glance

• The gardens. Lakeside lawns and paths with views across the water; used for ceremonies, drinks receptions and, where permitted, dinners outside.
• The historic villa. A grand entrance hall and five connecting rooms on the ground floor, seating up to 450 across the rooms, or 700 for a standing dinner. Built as the Erba family's summer house, where Luchino Visconti spent his childhood summers.
• The event centre. A separate glass-and-steel building designed by Mario Bellini, suited to larger gatherings and bigger staging, lighting or entertainment. Its availability and hire are confirmed separately.
• The private pier. Guests can arrive by boat where schedules, boats and permissions allow.

2. Getting there and staying

Villa Erba is in Cernobbio, on the western shore of Lake Como, close to the city of Como. Milan Malpensa is the nearest international airport, about 45 minutes by road. Hotels in Cernobbio and Como range from grand lakeside houses to smaller family-run places; we arrange room blocks and transfers.

3. A sample wedding weekend

Friday evening

Welcome dinner or drinks as guests arrive, in a lakeside restaurant or at the villa.

Saturday afternoon

Ceremony in the gardens, followed by an aperitivo by the water.

Saturday evening

Dinner in the villa's rooms, speeches, then dancing in the villa or the event centre.

Sunday

A relaxed lunch or a boat trip on the lake before guests travel home.

4. A planning timeline

12 to 18 months before

Choose your date, check availability at Villa Erba, set the overall budget and appoint your planner.

9 to 12 months

Book catering, photography and music; send save-the-dates; reserve hotel room blocks.

6 to 9 months

Develop the design, flowers and lighting; plan guest transport; send invitations.

3 to 6 months

Menu tasting, ceremony details, the running order for each event.

1 to 2 months

Final guest numbers, seating plans, and the confirmed weather alternative.

The week of the wedding

Setup, rehearsal and final checks with every supplier.

5. Ceremonies in Italy

A symbolic ceremony can take place in the gardens or the villa, with the words, readings and traditions you choose. A legally binding wedding in Italy follows the rules of the local municipality and depends on your nationality and paperwork; many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony at the villa. We explain the options that apply to you.

6. Weather

Every outdoor moment has an indoor alternative, agreed before the wedding, so the decision on the day is simple.

7. Costs to plan for

Venue hire, catering and drinks, planning, flowers and decoration, furniture, lighting and sound, photography and video, music, guest transport and accommodation. Couples most often underestimate extra setup days, covered structures for the weather plan, late-night extensions, Italian VAT (IVA) and airport transfers. More on costs →

8. Questions worth asking any planner

• Which of the villa's spaces would you use for our guest count, and why?
• What exactly does your fee include, and how do supplier commissions work?
• What is the weather plan for each part of the day?
• Who will be on site on the day, and from what time?