Villa del Balbianello doesn’t need an introduction for most people even if they don’t realize it. It’s the villa from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, and the one where James Bond recovers in Casino Royale. Getting married there means getting married on a film set that happens to also be one of the most photographed spots on Lake Como.
Madalyn and Roel got ready separately on opposite sides of the lake, both at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, before the day turned into a genuine production in the best sense: boats moving guests, photographers, and the couple across the water toward the villa, all timed down to the minute. The bride crossed by wooden taxi boat alone; the groom arrived earlier by a separate boat with the rest of the guests. Villa del Balbianello can only be reached this way there’s no road in which turns the journey itself into part of the day.
The ceremony, a symbolic blessing, took place under the Loggia Durini, right at the water’s edge, with the groom’s father walking the bride in after a quiet first look with Roel. After a standing aperitif on the terrace under the Canfora tree, the newlyweds took a boat out onto the lake alone for sunset portraits the kind of shot that only exists because of exactly this venue, at exactly this time of day. Dinner followed under the Loggia Segrè, one long imperial table, with the party carrying on well past the cake cutting.
It’s the sort of wedding that runs on precision as much as romance moving an entire celebration across water, on a strict schedule, without losing any of the atmosphere. That takes a planner who knows exactly what they’re doing. This one was in the hands of Alessandra Fabi Weddings and the team at Italian Wedding Company, with Rossana Laura Valsecchi leading the day. Photography was handled by Bottega53, and hair and makeup by Elena Panzeri.
Vendor Credits
- Preparations — Grand Hotel Tremezzo
- Ceremony & Reception — Villa del Balbianello, Lenno
- Wedding Planner — Alessandra Fabi Weddings / Italian Wedding Company
- Photography — Bottega53
- Videography — Alex Sofo Wedding Films
- Hair & Makeup — Elena Panzeri