When people think of Italy, some of the first locations that come to mind are iconic Rome, fashion-centric Milan, the grand vineyards of Tuscany and, of course, the uber chic Amalfi Coast. However, when planning a destination wedding, a deeper dive into the heart of what makes Italy and its culture so alluring as a host destination is definitely required.

In Italy, as in the rest of the world, couples allow the terrain to lead the way when choosing a prime locale for their destination wedding. “Water views,” is most often at the top of the list for many couples. Although beaches are very popular for most destination weddings, in Italy beach nuptials are rarely the goal.

So, as I think about this feature on Italy, Lake Como comes to mind. Como is a choice haunt of the rich and famous. This majestic, rugged, yet tranquil haven, nestled in a basin of the Swiss Alps is filled with some of the most captivating views the world over. Located at Italy’s northern border, home to its third largest lake and one of Europe’s deepest, Como is the epitome of charming graceful elegance.

While selecting potential locations and venues for my couples, I take into consideration all of their individual touch points; the must haves, the “if only” and lofty dreamy ideas they’ve conjured up in their mind’s eye. My goal when curating and planning a destination wedding is always to uncover places the couple wouldn’t necessarily find on their own and ones that are generally not on the most popular lists. Popularity breeds a sense of “been there, done that” in millennials (even if they’ve never visited). Today’s couples tend to turn their wedding experience into an ultimate bucket list event and want to ensure it’s Instagram and Pinterest worthy. Their decision making is very social media driven, resulting in a very intriguing curation process for my team at Winston Wedding Group.

Known for its grand villas, hosting a wedding for both small and larger international groups is something Lake Como does with a rare flair. With some villas dating back to the 16th century, the rich history, architecture and decor makes for an unforgettable and regal destination wedding experience. So to help those of you seeking to explore this area, here is our top five picks for villas to host your exclusive Italian nuptials:

1)      Villa Gallietta

2)      Villa La Corte Del Lago

3)      Villa Balbiano

4)      Villa Balbianello

5)      Villa Carlotta

Each of our top five destination wedding venues is ripe with Italian charm, regal décor and unmatched architectural prow. If you are thinking of hosting your wedding in Lake Como, look at the months of September through November to achieve the most favorable weather, pricing for groups and less tourist traffic.

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): Gepapix, Big Press Photo & Marco Scisetti