Villa Cipressi Wedding Videographer, Lake Como

Filming a wedding at Villa Cipressi

We filmed a wedding at Villa Cipressi, and it's one of the few places on the lake that feels genuinely intimate rather than merely photogenic. Varenna is smaller and quieter than Bellagio or the Tremezzina coast, and the villa sits right above the water with a garden that steps down toward it in narrow terraces. Compared to the grand lawns of the bigger Como estates, Cipressi is close-in and layered: cypress trees, stone paths, low walls, a lake view that opens up gradually instead of all at once. It reads warm on camera in a way that larger villas often don't.

History and setting

The property traces back to the Serponti family, who held it from 1163, and much of what stands today was built and rebuilt between the 1400s and the 1800s as it passed through a succession of noble families. The name comes from the cypresses lining its garden. Today the villa belongs to the comune of Varenna and is run as a hotel and restaurant, and it is one of the places where the comune holds civil weddings. It sits right next to Villa Monastero, and the two properties share the same lakeside garden walk in Varenna, close enough that a lot of couples researching venues mix them up.

What it looks like on film

Varenna is on the eastern shore and faces west across the lake, toward the Tremezzina coast and the point at Bellagio, so Cipressi's terraces get direct evening light off the water rather than a glow from behind the building. An afternoon-into-evening timeline makes the most of that. At the time of writing, sunset in Como is around 20:50 in mid-May, 21:15 in mid-June and 19:35 in mid-September, and the light on the terraces is best in the hour before.

Indoors, the reception rooms have frescoes from the 1400s, large fireplaces, crystal chandeliers and tall French windows that open straight onto the garden, which gives dinner and speeches a denser, warmer look than the terraces outside. The garden itself is built for a slow walk rather than a sweeping wide shot: narrow stone paths, cypress on both sides, small level changes between terraces. There's also a private dock where boats can moor, so a boat arrival is a real option here, not just a nice idea.

Villa Cipressi vs Villa Monastero

These two get confused constantly because they sit side by side on the same stretch of Varenna's shoreline. They're not run the same way. Villa Monastero belongs to the Province of Lecco and stays open to the public during ceremonies. Its ceremony package is for up to 30 people, the gardens are shared with visitors, music has to stay at low volume, and receptions must finish by 23:00. At the time of writing, Monastero's published price starts at around €3,500 for one hour, with a supplement for use before 9:00 or after 19:00.

Villa Cipressi is run as a hotel, which gives it more room: the option of exclusive use, its own rooms and restaurant for the day, and dancing on site. The hotel offers a sound system with pre-recorded music and lighting for the outdoor spaces. A dinner for around 120 guests is possible, but in our experience it gets tight on the narrow terraces. We recommend Cipressi for 50-80 guests, where the gardens and rooms feel comfortable rather than full.

Planning a wedding at Villa Cipressi

Legal or symbolic ceremony. A civil ceremony at Villa Cipressi is arranged through Varenna's town hall, with a fee on top of the venue cost. You first confirm the date with the hotel, then send a request to the comune through its official site, varennawedding.com. For comparison, a civil ceremony in Varenna's own town hall costs roughly €800-€2,000 at the time of writing, depending on the month, weekday and hour. You will also need a Nulla Osta or equivalent documents from your home country, two witnesses and an interpreter if you don't speak Italian. Because of the paperwork, some couples handle the legal side at home and treat the day at the villa as the one that matters emotionally.

No church weddings for non-residents. Varenna's tourism office notes that non-residents can't celebrate religious ceremonies in the town's churches. If a church ceremony matters to you, it has to happen elsewhere on the lake.

Best months. Late spring and early autumn tend to give clearer light on this part of the lake than the peak of summer, when the air over the water gets hazier in the afternoons. May is the wettest month on average, so keep the frescoed rooms booked as a rain option.

Guest count. For the villa to feel relaxed, we recommend keeping the list to 50-80 guests. Around 120 can be done, but the terraces are narrow and the evening feels crowded. Dancing is allowed at the villa, so you don't need a second venue for the party.

Getting there. Varenna has its own train station (Varenna-Esino) on the line from Milan, and ferries connect it to Bellagio, Menaggio and Cadenabbia. Car ferries between those four towns are run by Navigazione Laghi. Evening ferries are limited, so guests staying on the other shore need private boats or water taxis after dinner. Parking in Varenna is tight, so a shuttle is easier than asking guests to drive.

Booking ahead. For May, June and September, start 12-18 months out. If you're planning a 2027 wedding, contact the hotel and the comune now.

FAQ

Is Villa Cipressi the same as Villa Monastero?

No. They're neighbors on the same garden walk in Varenna, but Cipressi is run as a hotel and Monastero is owned by the Province of Lecco and open to visitors, with ceremonies of up to 30 people.

How many guests can Villa Cipressi host?

About 120 is possible, but it isn't comfortable in these gardens. Our recommendation is 50-80 guests. The hotel has its own rooms, so part of the wedding party can stay on site. Ask the hotel how many rooms it can block for your dates.

Can you have a legal wedding at Villa Cipressi?

Yes. Civil ceremonies are arranged through Varenna's town hall with an additional fee. Many couples do the legal paperwork elsewhere and use the villa for a symbolic ceremony.

Is dancing allowed at Villa Cipressi?

Yes. Dancing is allowed at the villa, so the party can stay on site after dinner. Ask the hotel about the finishing time and the sound setup for your date.

Can we have a church wedding in Varenna?

Not if neither of you lives there. Varenna's churches are not available for non-residents' religious ceremonies.

How do guests get to Villa Cipressi?

By train from Milan to Varenna-Esino, by ferry from Bellagio, Menaggio or Cadenabbia, or by private boat to the villa's dock.

Have you filmed here before?

Yes. It's a venue we'd happily film again, especially for a couple who wants something quieter and more layered than the biggest Como estates. For other options on the lake, see our list of top Lake Como wedding venues, our Lake Como wedding guide, or get in touch about your date.