Abrielle & Brian - June 2026 · Villa Monastero, Varenna, Lake Como, Italy · Photography by Irina Eller
Abrielle and Brian flew from Texas to Italy with their closest families for an intimate destination wedding on Lake Como. They had planned it for more than a year, and every detail pointed to one place: Villa Monastero in Varenna, with its terraced gardens right on the water.
When it rains on your wedding day at Lake Como
Lake Como doesn’t always do what you plan. The morning of June 10 brought heavy rain and grey skies over the lake. Abriel and Brian stayed calm and trusted the day anyway, and it worked out.
We held the ceremony on the villa’s lakeside terrace (loggia by the lake) as planned. Right in the middle of their vows, the clouds opened and the sun came out over the water. Nobody there will forget that moment, and it’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever photographed.
Couple portraits at Villa Monastero
After the ceremony the light was soft and clean, the way it often is after a storm. We used it for a relaxed couple session in the gardens and lanes around Villa Monastero. Wet stone, deep green plants and the lake still moving made the portraits feel calm and full of atmosphere.
A boat ride on Lake Como, despite the storm
The original plan was to take all the guests by boat to Villa Erba for dinner. That afternoon a thunderstorm moved over the lake, and large boat transfers weren’t safe. So we changed the plan. Abriel and Brian took a short private boat ride just off the villa, and we photographed them on the water with Villa Monastero behind them. Some of the best images in the whole gallery came from that change of plan.
Film and digital wedding photography
This gallery has both digital and analog (film) photographs. Digital lets me capture every moment as it happens, quickly and with plenty of flexibility. Film adds texture, grain and a timeless feel. Together they tell the whole story of the day: the rain, the light and the people Abriel and Brian brought with them from Texas.
Can you have a wedding ceremony at Villa Monastero, Lake Como?
Yes. Villa Monastero in Varenna hosts symbolic wedding ceremonies, with lakeside terraces and botanical gardens as the setting. Abrielle and Brian exchanged vows on the villa’s terrace overlooking Lake Como.
Do American couples get legally married in Italy?
Many couples from the USA complete the legal paperwork at home and then celebrate a symbolic ceremony on Lake Como. It’s simpler, and it lets them choose almost any venue.
What is the best time of year for a Lake Como wedding?
Most couples choose between April and October, when the gardens are in bloom and the days are long. May, June and September are especially popular. The weather can change quickly on the lake in any season, so plan with some flexibility.
Can you use a boat on your Lake Como wedding day?
Yes. Boat transfers between villas and boat rides for couple portraits are some of the most loved Lake Como experiences. They do depend on the weather: when a storm stops larger transfers, a short private boat ride near the venue can still give you beautiful photos.
How far in advance should you book a Lake Como wedding photographer?
For popular weekend dates in late spring and summer, couples usually book their photographer 12 to 18 months ahead. Weekday weddings often leave more flexibility, and you may still find availability a few months before the date. Either way, the best advice is to book your photographer as soon as your date is set and your venue is confirmed, because the best dates on Lake Como fill up quickly.
