A Wedding in Italy; What Does it Really Cost?
So you’re thinking of Italy for your destination wedding. Lake Como because, well, where else?! At a time like this, where the dollar is stronger than the Euro, a destination wedding in Europe could be a cost-saving option. Let’s see if that holds true for Lake Como, Italy. LLG has broken down all the costs for this dream destination. All prices have been converted from Euros to USD based on 2023 pricing and does not include the 10% - 22% VAT tax applied to all vendors.
Venue
The first step is always the venue. If you are looking into Italy, be mindful of their on/off (high/low) seasons. This will impact availability as well as price! There are two ways the villa can be priced; a fee for the event day with separate rates for a buyout of the villa for the other days (non-event days) or a required buyout rate for a certain number of nights. For a wedding weekend, you would pay an event price for Saturday, but for Friday and Sunday, you would pay for the buyout of the rooms (no event fee). Other venues operate as buyouts only, meaning that there is a minimum two to four-night stay required to host an event.
The below pricing reflects a wedding weekend in 2023
On/High Season (May-September): ranges from $12,000.00 to $67,000.00 for a wedding weekend. Higher-end villas can range from $103,000.00 to $155,000.00.
Off/Low Season (October-April): ranges from $12,000.00 to $33,000.00 for a wedding weekend, High-end villas can range from $103,000.00 to $155,000.00.
Security Deposit: Most venues and villas require a security deposit of 30% of the total cost ranging from $10,300.00 to $31,000.00. This will be returned to you after the event, given that there are no damages to the property.
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Tent
Most venues, on Lake Como especially, are villas with small event capacities. Typically this ranges from 50-70 guests. If you are looking for a larger event, you can add a tent build-out if the venue allows. Building out a tent that can accommodate 100 or more guests takes a lot of build-out. Your venue may have an exclusive company or you can source a local tent vendor. The tent will need to begin set up the day before, and be taken down the day after the wedding. Lighting will also be required for the tent and depending on the type of flooring you desire, that could drive up costs as well.
The below pricing reflects a wedding weekends in 2023
Clear top Tent for 100 Guests including Lighting, Carpet, and a Dance floor: $19,600.00 to $26,000.00+.
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Catering
Catering could be another vendor that is exclusive to the property you choose. Packages will most likely be offered at a price per person, similar to those we see in NYC. If catering is through the venue itself, there may be fixed menu options whereas a catering company can offer a more personalized menu. Most packages, whether through a venue or catering company, include a wedding cake.
The below pricing reflects a wedding weekend in 2023
Wedding Reception including passed Hors D’euvres, Stations, 3 Course Dinner, Cake, Wine, and Champagne to Toast: $185.00 - $220.00 per person.
Floral
The floral budget is obviously the most variable portion of your budget since it depends on your personal taste! Most of our clients don’t do as grand of floral installations or arrangements for the venue since the natural landscape of Italy does it for you! Most floral is put towards the ceremony decor and reception tables, with minimal arrangements for cocktail hour and bars.
The below pricing reflects a wedding weekend in 2023
Ceremony, Personals, Cocktail Hour, and Reception for 100 guests: $35,000.00+.
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Photo Credit: Julia Kaptelova
Transportation
While that covers the main vendors, there are some minor vendors to account for. Transportation on Lake Como is difficult to come by in any season. Taxis are few and far between, so your best bet to transport guests staying at nearby hotels is to reserve vehicles ahead of time for your wedding day. Depending on the size of the vehicle you need, the price varies. But in our experience at least $3,000.00 should be dedicated to a transportation fund! A boat ride on Lake Como for two hours ranges from $500.00 to $1,000.00 per hour depending on the capacity you desire. There are no Ubers in Lake Como so it is so important to plan ahead when it comes to your guests transportation needs!
Hotel Accommodations
In the states, most hotels offer a courtesy block for weddings. A courtesy block usually starts at 10 rooms that the hotel offers at no charge to the couple to reserve in advance for wedding guests. Guests will receive a link to book their hotel stay accordingly and pay for the rooms themselves upon check-out, like normal. In Italy, some hotels do not operate this way and they require the couple getting married to put a down payment on the room block to ensure that they will be used, it is a guarantee. This can be up to 80% of the room rates. The money is returned to the couple after those rooms are booked.
Overall Budget/Total Cost
Based on our average costs across each of the major vendors (Venue, Tent, Catering, Floral), the average cost for a wedding weekend in Lake Como, Italy in peak season is around $160,000.00. This does not include other crucial vendors like your planner :) photography, videography, or entertainment. Nor does it include additions like Day-Of stationery (which you can always order ahead and bring with you!), a food truck, a cigar roller, or other unique activations!
