I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles

I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - Tying the Knot Overlooking Lake Como

With its glittering blue waters, lush gardens, and stunning mountain backdrop, it's no wonder Lake Como is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations for celebrities looking to tie the knot in style. Nestled against the foothills of the Italian Alps, this glistening lake has hosted its fair share of dreamy celebrity nuptials over the years.

In 2014, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin said their vows at the historic Villa Oleandra in the sleepy village of Laglio, which Clooney purchased back in 2002. The majestic 18th-century villa, with its sloping manicured lawns and sprawling terraces overlooking the lake, provided a picture-perfect scene for the Hollywood star's wedding to the Lebanese-British human rights lawyer. Their glamorous ceremony and reception played out under the stars, with a dazzling fireworks display capping off the night.
Just a year prior, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski held their intimate wedding reception at Villa d'Este, a five-star luxury hotel situated along the shores of Lake Como in the town of Cernobbio. Dating back to the 16th century, this regal property is known for its sprawling gardens, fountains, and elaborate interior design. It was the perfect refined setting for the couple's small celebration with close friends and family.

In 2017, comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres renewed her vows to actress Portia de Rossi in a surprise ceremony overlooking Lake Como. Keeping things relaxed and low-key, Ellen opted for white pants and a T-shirt instead of a formal gown. The landscape of ornate villas interspersed with cypress trees along the lakeshore made for a breathtaking backdrop as the longtime couple reaffirmed their love.
Lake Como also provided the scenic setting for the 2002 nuptials of designer Donatella Versace to her longtime partner and former model Paul Beck. They tied the knot on the steps of Villa Fontanelle, a sprawling villa surrounded by lush gardens. With its central location right along the lake, it was the ideal spot for their A-list wedding, which was a true fashion spectacle.

What else is in this post?

1. I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - Tying the Knot Overlooking Lake Como
2. I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - A Fairytale Castle Wedding in Ireland
3. I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - South of France Chateau Nuptials
4. I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - Cliffside Ceremony on the Amalfi Coast

I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - A Fairytale Castle Wedding in Ireland

With its rolling emerald hills, rugged coastlines, and storied castles, Ireland presents a magical backdrop for couples looking to have a fairytale wedding. Tying the knot at one of Ireland's majestic castles allows you to soak up old-world charm and elegance on your special day. From medieval ruins perched atop sea cliffs to opulent historic estates, castles across the Emerald Isle open their doors to weddings.
Having your wedding at an Irish castle gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture and history. It provides a one-of-a-kind experience you simply can't replicate with a more conventional venue. As you walk down the aisle past ancient tapestries and ornate furnishings, you'll feel transported to another world. Your "I do's" will echo off ancient stone walls that have borne witness to countless romantic tales over the centuries.

One highly sought-after castle wedding venue is Ashford Castle in County Mayo. Dating back to 1228, Ashford Castle sits on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake. This sprawling 350-acre estate with its turrets, towers, and battlements looks like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale. The interiors are just as impressive, with original artworks, antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, and 35 acres of gardens. It's no wonder celebs like Rory McIlroy, Pierce Brosnan, and John Travolta have all had their weddings here.
For couples wanting something more intimate, Ballymagarvey Village in County Meath offers rustic luxury in a storybook setting. Have your ceremony in the tiny medieval chapel on site before moving to a lakeside pavilion or into the village for your reception. With its exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings, this is the quintessential Irish country wedding experience.

On Ireland's southeast coast, Waterford Castle provides a breathtaking seaside setting. Exchanged vows in the Choral Hall that opens to a romantic lakeside terrace. Then, enjoy cocktails in the ornate ballroom or have your reception in the oak-paneled Munster Room with sweeping views over the River Suir. From falconry displays to whiskey tastings, this resort can customize unique experiences for your guests.
Of course, there are the iconic ruins like Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland perched dramatically close to a cliff's edge or baronial castles like Ballyhannon in County Limerick mix old and new with a 15th century castle annexed to a country house. Even converted castles like Cabra Castle in County Cavan give you a taste of grandeur.

I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - South of France Chateau Nuptials

Transport your wedding guests to another world by exchanging vows at a storybook chateau in the South of France. This sun-drenched region is home to some of France's most spectacular chateaux, many of which open their sculpted gates for couples seeking an unforgettable wedding backdrop. Whether you envision an elegant affair at a vineyard chateau or an intimate ceremony on the grounds of a medieval stronghold, options abound to fulfill your wedding fantasies.
One ultra-exclusive estate perfect for living out your French castle wedding dreams is the Château de la Messardière. Overlooking the glittering bay of Saint-Tropez, this 19th century palace delivers romance and old-world elegance in spades. The manicured French gardens and Belle Époque architecture look like they sprang from the pages of a fairy tale. Exchange vows on the seaside lawn against a sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea. Then, descend the curved stone staircase for a champagne reception in the chateau’s ornate dining room with its Rococo paneling and gleaming chandeliers. Finish off the night dining under the stars in the chateau’s courtyard.

For a more intimate vineyard affair, Le Vignoble Chateau sits amid the rolling vineyards of Provence. Have your ceremony on the chateau’s shaded terrace overlooking endless rows of vines. Then retreat to the elegant orangerie with its exposed wood beams and Provençal tile floors for a rustic yet refined reception. Cap off the night sampling the estate’s acclaimed wines while your guests mingle in the chateau’s painstakingly manicured gardens.
Prefer a majestic medieval vibe? The moated Château de Barbentane provides a journey back in time. Constructed in the 12th century, this massive castle surrounded by a listed park looks like it was lifted from the pages of a history book. The chateau’s vaulted chapel with its floor to ceiling stained glass makes a striking ceremony venue, while the great hall with its monumental fireplace sets a bold scene for your reception. Have your cocktail hour in the elegant salon before moving to the vast terraced garden. Your guests will feel like royalty as they dance under the stars next to the illuminated chateau.
For castle romance against a rocky seaside backdrop, exchange vows at the Château de la Chèvre d'Or. Perched high above the coast on the French Riviera, this hotel offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Have your ceremony on the chateau’s intimate walled garden terrace. Then sweep down a winding stone staircase draped in wisteria to the grotto bar – nestled fashionably amongst the rocks – for unique seaside cocktails. The chateau’s rooms with their beamed ceilings and Provençal decor lend old-world charm. Treat your guests to a celebratory reception feast at the Michelin-starred restaurant enclosed in a glass pyramid for celebrity style. Marvel at the flickering lights of the chateau village cascading down to the sea as you dance the night away with your new spouse.

I Do, With a View: Dreamy Celeb Wedding Venues from Italian Lakesides to Irish Castles - Cliffside Ceremony on the Amalfi Coast

Transport your guests along Italy's dramatic Amalfi Coast for a wedding ceremony they won't soon forget. This wildly romantic region, with its vertical landscape of shimmering sea and precariously perched pastel villages, provides a jaw-dropping backdrop for exchanging vows. Have your "I do's" echo across the sea as you get married on a clifftop overlooking the Amalfi Coast's iconic coastline.
There's no landscape quite like the Amalfi Coast to immerse your wedding in natural drama. This stretch of coastline along southern Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula wows with its vertical topography of rugged cliffs and mountainsides that plunge dramatically towards the sea. It's a scene of precipitous crags, terraced lemon groves, and colorful villages clinging to steep hillsides next to an impossibly blue Mediterranean Sea. Majestic views unravel at every hairpin turn of the coast-hugging Amalfi Drive. Sea stacks and hidden coves dot the rugged coast, creating a romantic seaside atmosphere that makes the Amalfi Coast one of the most coveted wedding destinations.

Have your ceremony at an exclusive cliffside resort like the Belmond Hotel Caruso for a truly elevated experience both literally and figuratively. This 11th century palace clings to a clifftop more than 1,000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea just east of the pastel-hued village of Ravello. Imagine exchanging vows on the resort's Infinity Terrace. Built on the edge of the cliff, it has unparalleled sea views from Positano to Salerno. The Amalfi Coast's fabled village towers and the rolling blue sea stretch out before you. Then celebrate your reception as the sun sets over your own private corner of the Amalfi Coast, with flickering lights from seaside towns twinkling in the distance.
For an ultra-romantic experience, check into Casa Angelina. This boutique hotel sits cliffside above the harbor in quiet Praiano village with spectacular vistas all along the Amalfi Coast. Have your ceremony on the hotel's rooftop Unfinity Garden. Standing under a floral canopy as you say your vows, you're surrounded by the sea on three sides for a 360-degree panorama of the Amalfi Coast. Treat guests to sunset cocktails on the rooftop before moving to the hotel's seaside restaurant, where tables spill out onto terraces carved into the cliffside.