At ‘Love On Lake Como,’ we don’t just plan weddings; we design experiences as unique as the couples we work with. We ensure that our clients’ personalities shine through in every detail. Transparency, open communication, and a great deal of passion? That’s just how we do things…”
Rebecca Vinova, Love On Lake Como
Leading the magic at ‘Love On Lake Como’ is Canadian Rebecca Vinova, a professional adept at blending creativity with precision, thanks to her background as a fine artist, project manager, and wedding architect extraordinaire. With a team of skilled Italian planners by her side, Rebecca specialises in curating dreamy, stylish, and personalised celebrations – no cookie-cutter weddings here! In this exclusive conversation, we discuss the best venues, why you require a planner, and why her company is considered to be a trusted and established Lake Como ‘insider’…
C&B: “Rebecca, Lake Como is one of the most beautiful areas of the world – what initially drew you to start planning weddings here?”
RV: “As a former Lake Como bride myself, I experienced the magic of this dreamy destination firsthand. Along the way, I’d seen opportunities to make the planning process smoother, more personalised, and even more enchanting for future couples. With my eye for creativity and detail, I knew I could bring a fresh, innovative approach to wedding design – so, ‘Love On Lake Como’ was born!”
C&B: “The venues on Lake Como are stunning – which are your favourites and what would you say makes each of them unique?”
RV: “Villa Pizzo offers exclusivity and olde-world charm, with lush gardens, lakefront views, and complete privacy, perfect for an intimate fairytale setting. Villa Erba is a grand 19th-century villa with majestic ballrooms, frescoes, and lakeside gardens, ideal for a royal-style wedding, with a cinematic touch from its history as home to Luchino Visconti. Villa Pliniana, perched on a cliffside, offers unparalleled privacy, an alpine waterfall, and luxurious amenities, making it a rare, opulent venue for the elite…”
C&B: “Yes, these venues are magnificent choices for international weddings! How do you tailor the big day and/or weekend to fit the individual personalities and preferences of your couples while also considering the local culture?”
RV: “The first thing we consider when tailoring a wedding is the couple’s personal heritage and cultural traditions. Destination weddings often bring together families from different backgrounds, so we love incorporating meaningful details that celebrate both cultures in a seamless and beautiful way. Beyond tradition, we focus on the couple’s unique personalities and passions. If they’re art lovers, we might invite a local artist to create custom gifts for guests. If they have a sweet tooth, a live patisserie station could be the perfect touch after dinner. For foodies with a favorite restaurant, we can even recreate that experience for their welcome event. Every wedding we design is more than just an event – it’s a reflection of the couple’s story, brought to life in a way that feels authentic, immersive, and unforgettable…”
A successful wedding in Lake Como requires precise planning and clear roles. It’s essential to have two timelines: one for vendors, detailing logistics like loading/unloading, and another for VIPs, covering hair, makeup, photography, and key moments. Keeping these separate ensures smooth execution…”
Rebecca Vinova, Love On Lake Como
C&B: “The location of Lake Como is fantastic and the venues are amazing; however, there are logistical considerations to be taken into account. What do you suggest in terms of transit to and from the wedding itself?”
RV: “When planning a wedding in Lake Como, transportation is more complicated than simply calling a cab. There’s no Uber or Lyft, and public transportation can be limited, particularly in the more remote areas. Not everything is easily accessible by train or bus, so careful coordination is essential. Water taxis, despite their name, are not regular taxis. These stunning wooden boats are more suited for luxury transfers and scenic tours rather than quick, affordable rides across the lake. It’s crucial to book them in advance and budget accordingly. Guest accommodations also play a significant role. The last thing you want is half of your guests staying on the opposite side of the lake with no reliable way to get to the venue on time. Without proper planning, they may miss more than just the ceremony, and you could find them arriving at the after-party instead! Expert coordination is key. Moving a wedding party around the lake requires insider knowledge, strategic scheduling, and solid local contacts. Trust us, this isn’t something you want to leave to chance! Lake Como is undeniably magical, but seamless logistics are what truly make the experience as breathtaking as the setting litself…”
C&B: “You mentioned the ‘insider knowledge’ that is so crucial – can you also share a couple of memorable experiences or standout moments from weddings that you’ve planned in the area where key contacts have really counted?”
RV: “Every wedding is unique, but what stands out most from recent seasons is the power of our incredible team. Weddings are full of surprises – unexpected weather, missing items, last-minute changes – but the magic happens when our team handles it all seamlessly, allowing couples to enjoy their day without a worry. My favourite moments are when couples can fully immerse in the joy of their celebration, dancing and laughing, while we take care of the rest. That’s what makes each wedding unforgettable…”
C&B: “As well as the qualities of your own team members, how do you source local vendors and services, and what criteria do you use to select them?”
RV: “We’ve built our trusted network of local vendors the hard way – through trial and error. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy. The wedding industry here has no real barriers to entry, meaning anyone can throw together a portfolio and sales pitch in a matter of months. But no flashy presentation can replace real experience. Over time, we’ve carefully curated a list of vendors who not only meet our high standards but also bring a positive attitude, creativity, and reliability to the table. We know exactly who we can trust to deliver as promised, stay within budget, and handle any last-minute surprises with grace. At the end of the day, it’s about working with people who share our passion for creating seamless, beautiful weddings – because when the right team is in place, the magic happens effortlessly…”
Remember, your venue coordinator is not your wedding planner. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to handle decisions, contracts, and final details, then pass everything to the coordinator. But don’t expect them to follow everything perfectly – they’re there to manage the venue, not the entire event. Ultimately, success comes from having an expert service – such as ‘Love On Lake Como’ – that oversees every detail, troubleshooting in real-time, so you can relax and enjoy the magic of your big day…”
Rebecca Vinova, Love On Lake Como
C&B: “Lake Como is known to have a vibe of old fashioned glamour and elegance, however it also has a built-in natural beauty – what advice would you give to couples who are unsure about their wedding theme or style?”
RV: “I’d suggest that if they’re unsure about their theme, they should start by figuring out what they don’t like – it’s often easier to narrow things down that way! From there, they could consider what’s available then to terms of décor and furnishings based on their budget. Once they have that foundation, they can layer in accents to reflect a colour palette and add creative details that make the celebration feel uniquely ‘them’. Most importantly, they shouldn’t overthink it! Their presence is the real highlight of the day. With a stunning location like Lake Como, you don’t need to go overboard – sometimes, simplicity paired with personal touches creates the most unforgettable atmosphere. So, I’d advise they give themselves some slack, trust the setting, and let their wedding be a natural reflection of their personal style…”
C&B: “You’re clearly one of the experts in the area. Is there anything else you’d like to add that would enhance the overall impact of the special occasion?”
RV: “One last thing – keep sustainability in mind! Destination weddings naturally come with a high carbon footprint, but small, thoughtful choices can make a big difference. Whenever possible, hire locally for vendors, florals, and rentals. Not only does this support the local economy, but it also helps reduce transportation emissions. You can also calculate the carbon footprint of each guest’s travel and provide suggestions on how they can offset it, whether that’s by donating to reforestation projects, choosing greener travel options, or making lifestyle adjustments. Adding this information to your wedding website is a great way to encourage your guests to take part in a more sustainable celebration. A stunning wedding doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet – and even small efforts can have a big impact!”
CONTACT: http://www.loveonlakecomo.com
