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A charming wedding at Villa Cipressi on Lake Como

An Italian welcome and an evening cruise on the lake

The celebrations began the evening before at Sottovento restaurant in Lierna. A lakeside pizza party welcomed around 30 guests with the easy warmth of an Italian evening: a lovely way to reconnect, enjoy conversation and make the anticipation of the wedding part of the celebration itself.

We envisaged this first gathering as an invitation to discover the setting. After dinner, a cruise took the group out onto the water, revealing a different perspective on the shoreline and its villages. Wine, desserts and background music accompanied the journey as the evening light changed the colours of the lake.

From the boat, the waterfront façades and green shores unfolded in a series of views to enjoy together. Returning to Varenna brought the evening to a close with the sense of familiarity that makes a destination wedding so special: by the time the wedding day arrives, guests already share an experience and their first memories of the place the couple has chosen.

Villa Cipressi and the elegance of its terraced gardens

At Hotel Villa Cipressi, the architecture reveals itself through the layout of the gardens. Warm-toned façades overlook terraces descending towards the lake, their edges traced by balustrades, while paths through the greenery connect secluded spaces and panoramic viewpoints. The relationship between the villa and the water is ever-present, yet shifts at each level, offering fresh perspectives on the landscape.

These proportions are part of the villa’s appeal. The buildings retain the character of a historic residence, while the botanical garden makes the passage from one terrace to the next an experience to savour. Greenery frames the views, the balustrades lend structure to the planting, and the open outlook over the lake brings light into the spaces used for the celebration.

For an intimate wedding, this arrangement is particularly valuable. Each part of the day can have its own setting, keeping guests close and creating a delightful journey through the property. We embraced this opportunity, allowing the terraces, the pergola and the views across the water to suggest the rhythm of the day.

The anticipation of getting ready at the villa

The preparations had the warmth of a moment shared with family. The day took shape through simple gestures, the finishing touches to the wedding dress and the presence of loved ones who would soon accompany the entrances to the ceremony.

Guests were welcomed with infused waters before making their way to the terrace. Here, the floral design introduced the aesthetic of the wedding: white and pale blue, with touches of deeper blue, in harmony with the gardens and the lake. A fresh palette with a distinct character brought continuity to the décor while allowing the beauty of the villa to shine.

Vows surrounded by hydrangeas and operatic singing

Two lush, flowing floral borders lined the ceremony aisle. White and blue hydrangeas, roses, orchids and flowers with slender stems were arranged in groups at different heights. The fullness of the hydrangeas softened the overall composition, while lighter flowers brought movement to its outline.

Beside the couple, two columns topped with stone vases held generous arrangements, leaving the view of the water open. Framing this spot without obscuring the panorama kept the lake at the heart of the setting. The bride’s cascading bouquet echoed the same balance: white orchids, blue hydrangeas and bells of Ireland created a fluid silhouette, complementing her dress and the movement of the flowers along the aisle.

The tenor’s voice gave the entrances a particular intensity. After the groom arrived, accompanied by someone close to him, the bride’s daughters walked down the aisle to Nessun dorma. The same aria accompanied the bride as she arrived beside her two sons. The music and the presence of family made that short walk one of the most moving moments of the day.

Conducted by a friend of the couple, the ceremony felt personal and heartfelt. A violin accompanied the vows and readings, followed by the exchange of rings. Each piece of music belonged to a particular moment, weaving a musical thread that would continue throughout the reception.

Terrace toasts and a moment on the water

After the vows, guests gathered on the Terrazza Cipressi for the aperitivo. The tenor welcomed the newlyweds with Libiamo ne’ lieti calici, bringing the exuberance of the celebrated drinking song to the festivities. A champagne sabrage added a touch of spectacle before an Irish band brought a livelier energy to the gathering.

As the day moved into its next chapter, the music changed with it. The emotion of the ceremony gave way to conversation, raised glasses and the pleasure of celebrating on the terrace. The intimate scale of the wedding made each encounter feel natural and allowed the couple to enjoy time with their guests.

During the aperitivo, the newlyweds slipped away for a short boat photo session. Leaving the shore offered a few quiet moments on the water and a chance to admire the villa from the lake. The photographs captured this perspective too, with the residence and its gardens providing a beautiful sense of place behind the couple.

A long table in white and blue beneath the pergola

For dinner, guests gathered on the Terrazza della Fontana around a long table beneath the pergola. Seating everyone together reflected the family spirit of the wedding: a shared setting where conversation and glances could flow throughout the meal.

Pale blue and deep blue hydrangeas ran along the centre of the table, interspersed with white roses. Elevated arrangements and small vases created a rhythm of varying volumes, giving depth to the floral design. The white roses softened the richer shades, while the hydrangeas brought the same gentle fullness that had characterised the ceremony.

Clear glass allowed the light to pass through, while small golden accents and mercury-glass candleholders added reflections to the table setting. The overall effect was striking, carefully balanced with the proportions of the table and the wish to encourage conversation.

As evening fell, candlelight brought warmth to the palette. The blue flowers gained depth, the whites took on a softer glow, and the glass reflected the gentler light. Beneath the pergola, dinner became the most atmospheric part of the day, surrounded by the garden with the lake beyond.

An evening of music and heartfelt moments

The first dance ushered in dinner. From then on, the repertoire moved between Irish songs, Italian classics and the sounds of Sinatra and Dean Martin, bringing a variety to the evening that reflected the couple’s tastes.

Between courses, a blessing and speeches from those closest to the newlyweds gave voice to the affection around the table. At such an intimate celebration, words feel close and personal to everyone: they become part of the atmosphere, alongside the music and the toasts.

The tenor returned to the theatrical mood first heard during the ceremony, this time with a more playful spirit. One of the most entertaining moments came with The Barber of Seville, in a performance that also involved the groom. Moving from heartfelt emotion to light-hearted enjoyment gave the celebration its own rhythm, shaped by moments that truly belonged to the people sharing them.

The closing celebration on the Terrazza della Fontana

The wedding cake was prepared live before being cut on the Terrazza della Fontana. Dessert became another moment for guests to enjoy together, followed by a dessert buffet on the veranda and soft music accompanying the final moments of the evening.

Throughout this wedding, flowers and music connected each chapter, from the ceremony terrace to dinner, creating unforgettable days for the newlyweds and their guests.