A historic 12th-century estate on Lake Como with lush gardens and stunning views, perfect for a romantic elopement.
An elopement at Villa Monastero places your ceremony in its famous botanical gardens, but the venue operates as a public museum with strict rules.
Ceremonies are limited to fixed time slots during public hours, and complete privacy is not possible.
Our role is to make it work. We manage the venue’s regulations, secure your time slot, and coordinate every detail for a seamless event.
This package is designed specifically for Villa Monastero’s unique constraints. You can compare it with our other Lake Como elopement venues to see all your options.
Our 2027 packages begin with the core elements for a symbolic elopement for two people on a weekday. The starting price covers the specific services required to hold a small, elegant ceremony at Villa Monastero, including navigating the venue’s booking process and rules.
| Included | What It Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Planning & Coordination | Complete planning process, supplier booking, and day-of management. | We handle all contracts, payments, and communication with Italian vendors. |
| Venue Rental Fee | The official fee for a 1.5-hour ceremony slot at the Loggia. | This is for a symbolic ceremony during the villa's public opening hours. |
| Photography | 4 hours of professional photography coverage. | Captures your ceremony, portraits in the gardens, and a boat tour. |
| Hair & Makeup | Professional hair and makeup services for one person at your hotel. | We schedule the artist to ensure a relaxed morning and a smooth timeline. |
| Symbolic Celebrant | A professional English-speaking celebrant to perform your ceremony. | This is not a legally binding ceremony. |
| Personal Florals | One seasonal bridal bouquet and one matching boutonnière. | Designed based on your preferences and delivered on the day. |
| Private Boat Transfer | A one-hour tour on a classic Venetian taxi style boat after the ceremony. | For portraits on the lake and transfer to your next location. |
Starting price: €13,300
Prices are VAT inclusive. The final cost depends on guest count, day of the week, and any optional extras.
The base package is a starting point. We can add any of these services to create a day that fits your needs. We manage the booking and coordination for every element you choose.
| Extra | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Videography | Couples who want to capture the vows, sounds, and movement of the day. | Adds a second creative supplier to coordinate within the villa's time slot. |
| Live Musicians | Adding atmosphere to the ceremony with a solo harpist or violinist. | We manage supplier access and placement according to venue rules. |
| Ceremony Florals | A simple floral arch or arrangements to frame the ceremony space. | All designs must be freestanding and receive prior approval from the villa. |
| Legal Paperwork Assistance | Making your marriage legally binding in Italy. | This adds significant administrative steps and requires a separate town hall appointment. |
| Private Dinner for Two | A celebratory meal at a lakeside restaurant after your elopement. | We recommend and book a restaurant that fits your style and budget. |
| Guest Management | Couples eloping with a small group of up to 10 guests. | The package cost increases to cover guest fees, transport, and coordination. |
Planning an elopement at Villa Monastero requires understanding its specific operational rules. We handle these details, but it is important to know how the venue works.
A well-run day depends on a clear schedule. We build your timeline to work with the venue’s fixed slots and the best light for photography. This is a typical structure for a late afternoon ceremony.
Our 2027 Villa Monastero elopement packages start at €13,300. This price is for a symbolic ceremony for two on a weekday and includes the core planning, venue, photography, florals, and hair and makeup services. The final cost will vary based on your guest count and any optional extras you choose.
Yes, the package can be adjusted for small groups of up to 10 guests. Adding guests increases the venue rental fee, transportation costs, and our coordination fee. Due to its public nature and limited space, Villa Monastero is not a suitable venue for larger wedding groups.
A legally binding civil ceremony cannot be performed inside Villa Monastero. Legal ceremonies must take place at the local town hall, Varenna's Sala Civica. We can arrange this for you and schedule a separate symbolic ceremony at the villa if you wish.
For peak season dates from May to September, we recommend booking 12 to 18 months in advance. The villa releases its calendar on a specific schedule, and time slots are extremely limited and competitive. Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred date.
The ceremony takes place during public hours, and the gardens remain open to visitors. While the Loggia itself is reserved for your use, you should expect tourists to be in other parts of the garden. We manage the timing to secure the best possible conditions, but complete privacy is not possible.
Ready to plan your elopement at Villa Monastero? The first step is to check availability for your preferred 2027 dates, as the venue’s schedule is tight.
Once we confirm a date, we provide a detailed proposal outlining the exact costs for your specific needs.
We manage all communication with the venue, so you have a simple, direct planning process.
