Luxury Lake Como Elopement With Editorial Portraits and a Boat Ride

Caitlin & Peyton

Bride and groom ride on the back of a boat during their Lake Como elopement in Italy.

When people think of weddings in Lake Como, they often think of big weddings and grand villas, but Caitlin and Peyton’s Lake Como elopement was so much more than that. We planned two whole days for just the two of them, filled with intimate moments, intentionality, and some very unique locations. Their wedding celebration was less about hiking or planning a typical adventure elopement, and more about experiencing one of the world’s most romantic destinations exactly how they wanted to.

The Couple and Their Decision to Plan a High-End Lake Como Elopement

When Caitlin and Peyton first reached out, they knew they wanted to get married sometime in spring, but the location was still wide open. We spent our initial call getting to know each other and brainstorming all kinds of possibilities. Lake Como was mentioned on their inquiry form, but we didn’t actually settle on it until after we talked through their vision.

They wanted something elegant but low-key and sophisticated. Most importantly, they wanted to focus on the experience of getting married rather than checking boxes of what a wedding “should” look like. This is one of the things we love about elopements – they’re not just about hiking to epic views (though we love that too!). They’re about creating an intentional wedding experience that reflects what you actually want to experience and remember.

Once we decided on a Lake Como elopement, we got to planning. As a destination wedding photographer, I (Henry) have been to Italy several times (in fact, it’s one of my favorite destination wedding locations), but this was actually my first time documenting an elopement in Lake Como, which meant we got to research and scout everything together.

For Caitlin and Peyton they liked the lake itself, but they also wanted something that felt both luxurious and intimate, with opportunities for both lakeside moments and exploring the surrounding Italian countryside. That’s how we landed on a two-day elopement experience. Even though it was just the two of them, spreading their celebration across two days allowed them to truly savor every moment without feeling rushed.

Caitlin and Peyton’s Two-Day Lake Como, Italy Elopement

Day 1: Villa Ceremony and Iconic Boat Adventures

We started day one with something that often gets overlooked in elopement planning – intentional getting-ready time. Instead of rushing to get out to the “big views,” we spent the morning at their stunning Airbnb, allowing time for the couple to slow down and ease into the day.

One of my favorite moments was right after Caitlin put on her dress. She’d been feeling nervous all morning, but once that dress was on and she was standing by the window overlooking the lake with this gorgeous, moody light, she just breathed and settled into the moment. That’s when the magic happened. While we can plan for the epic photos and locations, oftentimes the most meaningful moments happen in the most intimate settings.

Then came the iconic Lake Como boat ride, which you know, we had to do. We got to enjoy a two-hour adventure around the lake, and what made this experience even more meaningful was that Caitlin and Peyton had done their engagement photos on a boat back home, so continuing that tradition, but now for their wedding, felt so special.

For their ceremony, we booked a private villa just for this moment. The cool thing about this location was that it was the exact spot where the wedding scene was filmed in Star Wars. Peyton is a huge Star Wars fan, so he was really loving this extra special detail.

We ended the day with a boat ride back to their villa and pizza and champagne, while watching the sun set over Lake Como during blue hour.

Day 2: Exploring the Italian Streets and Hidden Gem Locations

Day two started with more intentional quiet moments – coffee together at their Airbnb. What I learned later is that these photos became some of the couple’s favorite photos from their entire elopement. Their morning coffee routine was something they did together every day at home, and recreating that ritual on their elopement day felt like the ideal way to honor their day-to-day life while celebrating this milestone.

After getting dressed for their day two adventure, we headed out and just started walking around the charming Italian streets, capturing those architectural details and authentic Italian corners that you just can’t get anywhere else. We had pizza together (again…because when in Italy!), and then did something most Lake Como elopements don’t include: hiking to an elevated viewpoint looking down at the lake.

Most Lake Como elopement photos you see online take place on the lake, but we found this incredible view of the lake from above, and it was a really fun way to include a small hike and watch the city lights twinkle during blue hour.

3 Tips for Planning a Memorable Lake Como Elopement

Choose Your Accommodation Strategically

One of the things we often help couples with is choosing their Airbnb or accommodations. While we understand that everyone has a different budget and we don’t actually choose your Airbnb for you, we are always happy to look through your options and provide recommendations on what we think will work best for photos and help you get the most out of your experience.

Not every place you stay needs to be just for sleeping. We helped Caitlin and Peyton evaluate a few different Airbnb options, ultimately choosing the one that would give us the best getting-ready photos and morning light. Your accommodation becomes part of your story, so we always recommend choosing somewhere that matches your vision.

Embrace the Two-Day Experience

Even if you are eloping with just the two of you, you can still spread your celebration across multiple days. This allows you to truly experience your destination without rushing. You can have intimate moments and grand adventures without feeling like you’re checking items off a list.

Think Beyond the Obvious

Everyone expects Lake Como photos to be on the water, but some of our most unique shots came from that elevated perspective looking down at the lake. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to your elopement or explore different vantage points. You never know what kind of magic you will find 🙂

If you need a few ideas on what to do for your elopement or get inspiration from out past couples, check out our guide on 32 epic elopement ideas (that are more than just a ceremony).

Meet the couple from this Lake Como elopement!

Meet The Best Lake Como Elopement Vendors:

Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography

Videographer: The Kitcheners

Venue: Villa del Balbianello

Accommodation: Villa Issima

Hair & Makeup Artist: Bridal Luxury Backstage Service

Dress: Jenny Yoo from Anthropologie

Suit: JW Bell

Ready to plan your Lake Como Italy elopement?

Caitlin and Peyton’s Lake Como elopement shows that luxury destinations can be just as intimate and intentional as any remote mountaintop. Whether you’re dreaming of editorial portraits at a private villa, boat adventures across iconic waters, or discovering hidden perspectives of this romantic destination, we’re here to help you create a wedding experience that feels like you.

Reach out to us to start planning your intentional Italian celebration, or explore more of our Italy elopement photography below for additional inspiration.