What to Wear for a Lake Como Wedding: A Couple’s Style Guide

After years of photographing weddings and elopements on Lake Como, I’ve noticed that what couples wear makes a real difference — not just to how the photos look, but to how comfortable and present they feel all day. Here’s what I’d genuinely recommend.

Choose fabrics that move. Lake Como almost always has a breeze coming off the water, and that breeze is your friend. Silk, chiffon, crepe and light organza catch the air beautifully and give portraits a sense of movement. Stiff, heavily structured fabrics photograph flatter and can feel much warmer in summer.

Think about length before you think about the dramatic train. The lakeside paths, villa gardens and stone steps here are gorgeous, but they’re not smooth ballroom floors. Long trains look stunning in portraits and are worth it if you love them, just plan for someone to help you on the stairs, or consider a detachable train.

Colours that work with this landscape. The palette here is soft: pale stone villas, deep green cypress, blue-grey water. Ivory, champagne, warm neutrals and dusty tones sit beautifully against it. Bright white can occasionally look stark in strong midday sun, while soft off-whites hold detail much better on camera.

For the groom, lighter is almost always better. Linen and light wool in stone, sand, pale grey or soft blue photograph wonderfully in Italian light and are far kinder in summer heat than heavy dark suits. If you want a dark suit, consider a lighter weight fabric.

Shoes: bring two pairs. Genuinely, this is my most practical tip. Heels for the ceremony and portraits, and something flat and comfortable for gravel paths, boat transfers and the walk between locations. Block heels handle stone and gravel far better than stilettos.

Plan for the weather, not the forecast. Spring and autumn evenings by the water get cool, so a beautiful shawl, silk wrap or elegant jacket is worth having. Summer midday sun is strong, so consider a hat for portraits and remember that sleeveless styles will be much more comfortable.

Small details that photograph beautifully. Simple jewellery that catches light, a veil that moves in the breeze, well-pressed fabrics, and shoes you can actually walk in. And do steam everything the night before — creases show up more in photos than you’d expect.

FAQ

What should I wear for a Lake Como wedding? Light, flowing fabrics in ivory or soft neutral tones, with comfortable shoes for stone and gravel paths.

Is it too hot for a suit in summer? Midday summer heat is real, so linen or lightweight wool in a pale shade is much more comfortable than heavy dark fabric.

Do I need a wrap or jacket? For spring and autumn evenings by the water, yes — it gets noticeably cooler after sunset.

Are heels a bad idea? Not at all, but bring flats too, and consider block heels for the uneven paths and steps.