Lake Como Feature Film

The Venues

VILLA BALBIANELLO

Villa Balbianello, located on the western shore of Lake Como, is one of the most enchanting wedding venues in Italy. Its breathtaking surroundings are enhanced by the villa's architectural beauty and historical significance, making it a perfect setting for couples looking to create an unforgettable experience.

The villa's origins date back to the late 18th century, commissioned by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini. Over the years, it has been adorned with exquisite gardens, lush greenery, and stunning vistas, making it an extraordinary location for weddings. The backdrop of Lake Como adds a stunning element, with reflections of the surrounding mountains creating a romantic atmosphere.

Guests enter through the property’s enchanting gardens, marked by centuries-old trees and meticulously cultivated flower beds. The gardens are designed to offer both beauty and privacy, allowing couples to celebrate their special day surrounded by nature's splendour. The views of the lake and the nearby hills provide a picturesque landscape, making for perfect photo opportunities.

The villa itself features elegant interiors that blend Renaissance charm with modern comforts. Couples can choose to exchange their vows in the charming grotto, which offers an intimate setting amid nature, or opt for the terrace that overlooks the tranquil waters of Lake Como. This terrace is a popular choice for ceremonies, allowing guests to witness the union against the backdrop of the lake and its stunning surroundings.

Villa Balbianello is steeped in history and tradition, having served as a filming location for renowned movies such as "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" and films in the James Bond franchise. This adds an air of glamour and excitement to the venue, ensuring that weddings held here are not only beautiful but also uniquely memorable. The villa's rich history, combined with its romantic ambiance, provides an inspiring context for couples to begin their new journey together.

Having a wedding at Villa Balbianello means selecting an iconic venue that holds a special place in the hearts of many. It is ideal for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations, providing spaces that can accommodate various guest counts without losing the personal touch. The villa's location also allows for a range of activities, from boat rides on Lake Como to excursions in the surrounding region, offering an abundance of experiences for guests to enjoy during their stay.

In conclusion, Villa Balbianello stands as an exceptional wedding venue that embodies beauty, luxury, and romance. Its combination of captivating scenery, rich history, and elegant spaces creates a harmonious setting for couples to celebrate their love. For those seeking a venue that offers not only stunning aesthetics but also a unique atmosphere, Villa Balbianello is truly a sought-after destination for a memorable wedding day.

VILLA SOLA CABIATI

Villa Sola Cabiati, nestled in the picturesque region of Lenno on Lake Como, stands as a quintessential setting for couples seeking an exquisite wedding venue. This stunning villa, renowned for both its historical significance and breathtaking natural surroundings, offers a romantic backdrop for exchanging vows and celebrating love.

Originally built in the 16th century, Villa Sola Cabiati boasts intricate architecture that reflects the splendour of the late Renaissance. The villa itself is a masterpiece, adorned with frescoes and opulent furnishings that transport guests to a bygone era. The rich history of the villa is a captivating feature that adds a unique charm to any wedding celebration, allowing couples to embrace a sense of heritage and timeless elegance.

The exterior of the villa is equally enchanting, set against the striking backdrop of the mountains and glistening lake. Lush gardens surround the estate, offering a variety of locations for both intimate ceremonies and lavish receptions. The meticulously landscaped grounds feature beautifully manicured lawns, flower-lined pathways, and strategically placed terraces, all of which provide ample opportunities for stunning photography and videography. The combination of the villa’s architectural beauty and the natural splendour of Lake Como makes for an unparalleled setting.

Couples can choose to hold their ceremony in one of the villa’s gorgeous indoor spaces or opt for an outdoor celebration in the gardens, providing flexibility depending on weather conditions and personal preferences. The grand ballroom, with its high ceilings and exquisite décor, offers a regal atmosphere for receptions, while smaller rooms can be perfect for intimate gatherings. For those who wish to have a traditional Italian wedding, the option to host a civil ceremony on-site adds to its appeal.

One of the undeniable advantages of Villa Sola Cabiati as a wedding venue is its comprehensive service offering. From the moment of arrival, couples and their guests can expect seamless coordination and attention to detail. The venue provides on-site catering, ensuring that guests are treated to the culinary delights of Italian cuisine. The experienced staff are adept at managing all aspects of the day, allowing couples to focus on their celebration without the stress of logistics.

Moreover, the villa’s location in the heart of Lake Como allows for convenient access to a range of activities for guests. Whether it’s leisurely boat rides on the lake, guided tours of nearby villages, or exploring the scenic hiking trails, there are ample opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the region. This makes Villa Sola Cabiati not just a venue, but a destination that creates lasting memories for both couples and their guests.

In conclusion, Villa Sola Cabiati is a remarkable wedding venue that combines historical elegance with breathtaking natural beauty. Its stunning architecture, versatile spaces, and exceptional service make it an ideal choice for couples looking to create a memorable celebration. With the tranquillity of Lake Como as a backdrop, it is a setting that promises romance, elegance, and a truly magical wedding experience.

Sarah and Daniel’s Wedding Plans

Sarah and Daniel’s day started at Villa Sola Cabiati, where they both got ready- Sarah in the opulent drawing room and Daniel in on of the venues beautiful bedrooms. Sarah wore a breathtaking Galia Lahav dress, which couldn’t have been more suited to the grand setting.

Lake Como Teaser Film

Once ready, Daniel made his way by boat to Villa Balbianello for the ceremony while Sarah stayed back for a few more portrait shots and to finish her wedding vows. Both the photographer and I took the next boat with Sarah to Villa Balbianello, which is one of the most stunning sights on Lake Como. I made sure I ran ahead of Sarah once off the boat to capture some shots of her walk up the hill to the pergola as the light shimmering off the water at that time of day was just perfect.

Sarah and Daniel’s beautiful wedding ceremony then took place in front of a select group of friends and family where they recited some heartwarming personal vows to each other. I am a big fan of personal vows, as they help me put the couples personal stamp on their film and really make it a piece of work they can relate to.

After the ceremony the photographer and I took Sarah and Daniel off for some couple portraits - they partly chose Villa Balbianello for their wedding as it was the location of a wedding scene in one of the Star Wars films, so we made sure to include those spots in their portraits.

After another beautiful boat ride in the fading light back to Villa Sola Cabiati, the couple and their guests enjoyed a few cocktails before sitting down for dinner in the Villa’s grand dining room, followed by the cutting of their wedding cake and a few short speeches.

The couple and their guests then had a low-key evening of drinks, laughter, candy floss making and music.

It was great to spend time with such a warm and welcoming couple and their guests and the intimate nature of their wedding, in such a cinematic and historical setting, was a perfect match for my videography style so I left confident I would be able to make them a film worthy of the big screen!

My WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY APPROACH

My main aim as a wedding videographer is to produce cinematic, yet authentic, mementos of a wedding day. I want them to be stylish, filled with all the emotions of the day while being infused with a classic cinema flair, which I always have in the back of my mind when choosing which lens to use in a certain moment, how to frame a shot, the sounds and music I will use to tell that part of the story and thinking always about the edit.

***Me filming (in the rain!) in Portugal***

As Sarah and David has chosen such stunning and cinematic venues for their wedding day, I knew I didn’t need to try too hard to make their film fit the movie-like experience I try to provide. Instead, I focused my attention on making sure their story and personalities shone through in their feature film, as with weddings at such breathtaking locations it’s very easy to lose sight of the most important thing on the day: the couples love story.

Once I have the all story telling elements in place, though, I make sure my films are as cinematic as possible, and what I mean by that is I use every tool and technique at my disposal, from the filming style on the wedding day, to the editing and colour grading techniques afterwards, to create a piece of work that feels like a mini-movie, like a short piece of classic cinema, with a proper beginning middle and end, establishing people, place and story as elegantly as possible, woven together with music I choose carefully for each project.

Most importantly though, I use equipment and a filming style on the day that allows me to capture these moments without leaving a heavy footprint on the day- I use very minimal equipment, similar to a photographer, and avoid stage managing the day in any way because the most important element of making a great film is authentic moments and emotions and the only way to achieve these is allow them to happen naturally, unhindered by over posing/staging and manufacturing the events.