Wedding in Villa Erba

Lake Como is one of Europe most picturesque places. Surrounded by the Alpine mountains, it offers its visitors an extraordinary environment, breath-taking views and highly coveted luxury venues. That is why, in 2014, The Huffington Post called it the most beautiful lake in the world.

Lake Como has been a luxury destination since Roman times. Aristocrats and prosperous families always chose it as their retreat place, building on the Lake’s shores their prestigious villas.

VILLA ERBA

One of the most famous is definitely Villa Erba, a 19th-century villa now used for high-level exhibitions and luxury events. The imposing building recalls the Italian neo-renaissance standards, with external decorations and wide staircases that accompany the guest to the shores of Lake Como.

Secular trees, bushes, and colored flowerbeds create a magical atmosphere – almost timeless – that inspires peace and harmony in the guest, probably thanks to the Lake sounds. The mountains in the distance contribute to shaping the perfect frame for the fabulous wedding you always dreamed of.

In addition, Villa Erba is located in Cernobbio, a delightful village of medieval origin that still shows the signs of its ancient and elegant past.

“I remember the first time I saw the Villa: it was breath-taking and I felt like a princess. That’s why I organized so many weddings here: to let the brides feel this way on their Big Day”. 

Wedding in Villa Erba

This magnificent property is an excellent venue for unique weddings and events overlooking the lake. The botanical park and the magical interiors offer an enchanting atmosphere to celebrate your Big Day.

Villa Erba with its 100.000 sqm – both interior and exterior – is one of the biggest villas in Lake Como. This makes it the perfect wedding location for any weather condition. At Villa Erba you will never have to worry about rain or cold, there is always a contingency plan with no extra costs …and no regrets!

With its antique frescoes, ornate ceilings and lavish interior, Villa Erba is an architectural jewel even inside. Each window is a postcard that makes it a real masterpiece. Not to mention that the old ballroom, magnificent in all its details. Most importantly, the old ballroom can host up to 500 people dancing until late at night. A rarity for the Lake Como area.

However, the park is not just a contour to the villa: it can host events en plein air and also provide green areas where to relax. Thanks to its green spaces, Villa Erba is part of Grandi Giardini Italiani, a network of the most beautiful gardens in Italy.

FREEDOM OF CREATIVITY

As it is not enough, the Villa gives another great opportunity to the future bride and groom: freedom of creativity. As far as possible – considering the age of the building –  Villa Erba gives the possibility to realize all the decorations and initiatives the couple desires.

Above all, the venue is ideal for very big weddings, like Indian or Persians weddings but not only. The variety of spaces gives the possibility to organize very different kinds of weddings. Thanks to my expertise with this location, I can say that the minimum requested is 60 people.

For what regards the ceremony, Villa Erba is not licensed for civil legally binding ceremonies. Therefore the choice can be either having the ceremony at a different venue or opting for a symbolic blessing or a non-Catholic ceremony.

EASY ACCESS FROM MILAN AND ITS HINTERLAND

The Villa position allows easy access from Milan and its hinterland. The connections with the international railway network and the motorway make it easy and quick to reach Milan’s airports, of which the closest is Malpensa airport. In addition, a charming private dock, for transporting guests to and from hotel locations, and a dedicated area where to land helicopters are also available on site.

Villa Erba does not offer accommodations on site but Cernobbio is plenty of lovely hotels and B&B where guests can stay. The most chosen by my couples are the Sheraton, almost walking distance from the Villa, the Hotel Regina Olga and the Hotel Miralago. And of course the luxurious Villa d’Este – also available for side wedding events as welcome cocktails.

Given all the prestigious characteristics, please consider that Villa Erba surely is not a cheap wedding venue.

“Villa Erba is not only a stunning wedding venue, it also holds a piece of the Italian history. The guests will walk where some of the most illustrious people of our country walked a very long time ago”.

The History of Villa Erba

Where now stands the villa, once stood the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary. It is believed that the monastery (= coenubium in Latin) gave the name to the entire village of Cernobbio.

In 1815, Countess Vittoria Calderara sold Villa D’Este – another magnificent venue in Cernobbio – and subsequently bought Villa Erba. The Countess and her husband brought numerous improvements to the building. But it is thanks to Luigi Erba, owner from 1983, who ordered the construction of a new and more prestigious villa to show off his family wealth.

After Luigi’s death, his daughter Carla inherited Villa Erba, which passed by succession to her third child: the famous Italian director Luchino Visconti, who developed a profound bond with the place. His rooms are now a museum that can be visited by appointment, or as a special present for your guests.

In 1986 the Visconti heirs sold the Villa and part of the land to a company that purchased it with the intention of creating the exhibition and convention complex that we see today.

Curiosities about Villa Erba

Villa Erba served as a filming location for movies like Ocean’s Twelve and Murder Mystery – the most watched Netflix original movie – with Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sendler.

Also, Singers like Mika and Anastacia choose the Villa for their concerts and Gwen Stefani, shot the music video for her 2005 single, Cool, on the Villa’s grounds.

Events in Lake Como

If you are interested in combining your wedding in Villa Erba with local festivities, these are the one I love the most:

• La Città dei Balocchi – Christmas in Lake Como -> This event transforms the city of Como into a playful and magical Christmas location.
• Como City of Music -> the event brings to Como new forms of Performing Arts and Music. It takes place between the end of June and the beginning of July.