Planning a Luxury Destination Wedding in Italy: Why NY Couples Are Saying “I Do” on Lake Como
New York Wedding Photographer for Villa Balbiano, Villa Balbianello & Destination Weddings in Italy
Italy has always been synonymous with romance—but for today’s fashion-forward couples from New York, it’s more than just a honeymoon destination. Iconic venues like Villa Balbiano, Villa Balbianello, and Villa Pizzo have become the dream wedding locations for those planning a luxury destination wedding on Lake Como.
As a New York-based wedding photographer who travels often for destination weddings in Italy, I had the honor of photographing an unforgettable editorial for AMV Weddings at both Villa Balbiano and Villa Pizzo. And let me tell you—nothing compares to the cinematic beauty and grandeur of these villas.
Villa Balbiano: Old World Glamour Meets Italian Dreamscape
Villa Balbiano is arguably the most iconic wedding venue on Lake Como, known for its stately architecture, manicured gardens, and views that feel like a Renaissance painting. Every detail here—frescoed ceilings, gilded mirrors, moody lake light—is a photographer’s dream.
Our shoot with AMV Weddings captured couture gowns, opulent tablescapes, and editorial-style portraits that highlight the magic of this historic estate. It's the perfect location for couples who want their wedding to feel like a fashion campaign in Vogue Italia.
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Villa Balbianello: For the Cinematic Couple
If Villa Balbiano is grand and stately, Villa Balbianello is whimsical and cinematic. Perched on a cliff that juts into Lake Como, this villa has starred in films like Star Wars and James Bond. But more importantly, it’s a bucket list destination for couples wanting a storybook wedding in Italy.
It’s especially popular among NYC couples planning intimate destination weddings in Lake Como, due to its privacy and jaw-dropping ceremony setup beneath the loggia overlooking the lake.
Villa Pizzo: A Timeless Hidden Gem
Villa Pizzo is one of the most romantic and underrated venues in Lake Como. With its pastel façade, lakeside garden, and old-world elegance, it's ideal for couples who want a refined but relaxed wedding experience.
During our editorial with AMV Weddings, we styled modern bridal looks against the historic textures of the villa, using natural light, lemon trees, and cascading florals to create a visual story that felt both timeless and editorial.
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Why NY Couples Choose Italy for Their Wedding
- Scenic ceremony backdrops like the Alps, Lake Como, or Amalfi Coast
- Elegant villas and historic venues unlike anything in the States
- World-class food and wine experiences for guests
- A built-in honeymoon destination
- The ability to create a multi-day celebration (welcome party, boat day, farewell brunch)
For New York-based couples, a destination wedding in Italy offers a chance to escape the city and immerse in something truly magical—with curated experiences that reflect your love story.
Let’s Bring Your Destination Wedding in Italy to Life
As a wedding photographer who splits time between New York and Europe, I bring a documentary-meets-editorial approach to every wedding I photograph. Whether you're saying “I do” on a cliffside in Positano or beneath the loggia at Villa Balbianello, I’m there to capture it all: the fashion, the fleeting glances, the joy, the elegance.
If you’re planning a wedding in Lake Como, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, or Rome and looking for a photographer who knows the region and speaks the visual language of high fashion and heartfelt storytelling—let’s connect.
Popular Destination Wedding Venues in Italy:
- Villa Balbiano (Lake Como)
- Villa Balbianello (Lake Como)
- Villa Pizzo (Lake Como)
- Villa Cimbrone (Ravello, Amalfi Coast)
- Borgo Santo Pietro (Tuscany)
- Castello di Vicarello (Tuscany)
- Il Borro (Tuscany)
- Belmond Caruso (Amalfi)
- Palazzo Avino (Ravello)
Featured Vendors from the Editorial:
Planner: AMV Weddings
Venues: Villa Balbiano + Villa Pizzo
Photography: Alessandra Parks Photo
Gowns: Galia Lahav, House of Savin
Layla & Chris (May 19 - Villa Balbiano)
Venue | Villa Balbiano | @villa_balbiano
Wedding Planning, Styling & Design | AMV Weddings | @amv_weddings
Florist | Flourish & Grace | @flourishandgrace
Hair | Hair by Duboux | @hair_by_duboux
Makeup | Tara Sanger Makeup | @tarasangermakeup
Cake | Erzulie Cakes @erzuliecakes | Cake Props @prop.options
Furniture Rentals | Tableset Rentals | @tablesetrentals
Linens | Nuage Designs | @nuagedesignsinc
Stationery | Carissimo Letterpress @carissimo_letterpress | Handmade Paper @elivrosenkranz
Bridal Dressing | Gold Leaf Brides | @goldleafbrides
Ceremony Gown & Veil | Zuhair Murad @zuhairmuradmariage by White House Bride @white_house_bride
Earrings | Emilia Rae | @emiliaraejewellery
Reception Gown | Galia Lahav | @galialahav @glbrides
Shoes | Kate Whitcomb | @katewhitcombshoes
Ring Boxes | The Styling Reserve | @thestylingreserve
Flat Lay Styling | Jacie Marguerite | @jaciemarguerite
Flat Lay Shoes | Bella Belle | @bellabelleshoes
Loreen & Chris (May 19 - Villa Balbiano)
Venue | Villa Balbiano | @villa_balbiano
Florist | Flourish & Grace | @flourishandgrace
Hair | Hair by Duboux | @hair_by_duboux
Makeup | Tara Sanger Makeup | @tarasangermakeup
Bridal Dressing | Gold Leaf Brides | @goldleafbrides
Couple | Loreen & Chris | @loreenxchris
Look 1 Gown | House of Savin | @houseofsavin
Look 2 Gown | Ines Di Santo @inesdisanto by White House Bride @white_house_bride
Veil | L'atelier Jour de Rêve | @latelierjourdereve
Earrings | White Jasmine Accessories | @whitejasmineaccessories
Shoes | Kate Whitcomb | @katewhitcombshoes
Zara & Roy (May 20 - Villa Pizzo)
Venue | Villa Pizzo | @villapizzo
Wedding Planning, Styling & Design | AMV Weddings | @amv_weddings
Florist | Flourish & Grace | @flourishandgrace
Hair | Hair by Duboux | @hair_by_duboux
Makeup | Tara Sanger Makeup | @tarasangermakeup
Cake | Erzulie Cakes @erzuliecakes | Prop Options @prop.options
Furniture Rentals | Tableset Rentals | @tablesetrentals
Chandeliers | Blunotte Eventi | @blunotteventi
Linens | Nuage Designs | @nuagedesignsinc
Stationery | Carissimo Letterpress | @carissimo_letterpress
Bridal Dressing | Gold Leaf Brides | @goldleafbrides
Boat | Lake Como Boat | @lakecomo_boat
Boat Gown, Ceremony Gown + Veil | House of Savin | @houseofsavin
Reception, Boat Look & Flat Lay Earrings | Megan Therese Couture | @megantheresecouture
Ceremony Earrings | Botias Accessories | @botiasaccessories
Reception Gown | Galia Lahav | @galialahav @glbrides
Shoes | Kate Whitcomb | @katewhitcombshoes
Ring Boxes | The Styling Reserve | @thestylingreserve
Flat Lay Styling | Jacie Marguerite | @jaciemarguerite
Flat Lay Shoes | Bella Belle | @bellabelleshoes
Arina & Tommaso (May 20 - Villa Pizzo)
Venue | Villa Pizzo | @villapizzo
Wedding Planning, Styling & Design | AMV Weddings | @amv_weddings
BTS Photography | Konstantyn Zakhariy | @konstantynzakhariy
BTS Videography | Annalisa Macchione Films | @annalisamacchionefilms
Florist | Flourish & Grace | @flourishandgrace
Hair | Hair by Duboux | @hair_by_duboux
Makeup | Tara Sanger Makeup | @tarasangermakeup
Bridal Dressing | Gold Leaf Brides | @goldleafbrides
Look 1 Gown | Galia Lahav | @galialahav @glbrides
Look 1 Earrings | Megan Therese Couture | @megantheresecouture
Look 2 Gown | Ines Di Santo @inesdisanto by White House Bride @white_house_bride
Look 2 Earrings | White Jasmine Accessories | @whitejasmineaccessories
Veil | Sophie Raval | @sophieraval_
Shoes | Kate Whitcomb | @katewhitcombshoes
