Join us to celebrate the wedding of Lindsey Thibaut and Kevin Grubiak on May 18th 2026 in Lake Como, Italy.

Five o’clock in the afternoon at Hotel Villa Cipressi

The Venue

Villa Cipressi


Perched on the serene shores of Lake Como in the picturesque village of Varenna, Villa Cipressi offers an enchanting setting for an Italian lakeside wedding. Step through its historic gates and find yourself in a peaceful haven of winding garden paths, cascading terraces, and sweeping lake views that seem to stretch into forever.

Surrounded by lush botanical gardens and timeless architecture, the villa blends classic Italian charm with refined elegance. The romantic gardens lead gently down to the water’s edge, creating an unforgettable backdrop for ceremonies and photos alike.

Welcome Event

Sunday, May 17th, 2026

Starting from 16:00 in the afternoon until 19:00 in the evening. Set sail with us for a boat cruise.

Further details will be provided soon.

Welcome event dress code

Garden party formal!

Feel free to wear colour. Please see mood board below for more inspiration.

Reply now

Lindsey & KJ




OUR STORY

Getting to Lake Como


Milan, Italy is the closest major city to Lake Como, with most international flights arriving into Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Linate (LIN). Lake Como is approximately 50 minutes by car from either airport.

If coming to Lake Como immediately upon arrival, we would recommend pre-booking private airport transfers.If you prefer to take the slower scenic route, there are trains which take you to Como town in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Como Town, you can take a taxi to Villa Cipressi.

If you decide to venture into Milan before heading up to the lake, there are direct trains which take less than 45 minutes - another great option!

*PLEASE NOTE*
There are no ubers available in Lake Como and taxis are limited and often difficult to come by. If you think you will want to stay outside of our recommended area and have more flexibility to explore the region, renting a car is a great option. There are excellent restaurants in the Cernobbio area, and depending on where you stay, some hotels offer complimentary shuttles to Como town which is a bit more lively. Once in Lake Como, you do have the option to take ferries to other towns around the lake - they are inexpensive and frequent! This is the best way to get around Lake Como.

Accommodation

Dining & Activities

Dinner Restaurant Recommendations

Al Prato
📍 Piazza del Prato 6
⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 (1,500+ reviews)
💶 Budget: €30–50
• Why go: One of Varenna’s most celebrated fine-dining spots; perfect for a romantic evening or special event.
• What to order: Duck ravioli, lake fish, and their signature tiramisu.
• Vibe: Intimate and elegant — reservations essential.

Osteria Quatro Pass
📍 Via XX Settembre 20
⭐ Rating: 4.4 / 5 (1,100+ reviews)
💶 Budget: €30–40
• Why go: Authentic Northern Italian cooking with a creative twist.
• What to order: Octopus starter, venison ragù, or seafood pasta.
• Vibe: Welcoming yet upscale — perfect for a proper evening meal without the formality of fine dining.

Hosteria del Platano
📍 Via Statale 29
⭐ Rating: 4.4 / 5
💶 Budget: €25–40
• Why go: Known for its lake-view terrace and traditional dishes.
• What to order: Grilled branzino, homemade gnocchi, local wine.
• Vibe: A little outside central Varenna, but worth it for the scenic and peaceful dinner setting.


Best restaurants for lunch

Bar La Cambusa

📍 Piazza Martiri della Libertà 5
⭐ Rating: 4.6 / 5 (2,800+ reviews)
💶 Budget: €10–20
• Why go: Right on the waterfront with unbeatable views — perfect for a light lunch, salad, panini, or pizza with a glass of wine.
• What to order: Caprese salad, lake fish pasta, and their pizzas are consistently praised.
• Vibe: Relaxed and social — ideal for mid-day breaks or casual meetings.
• Pro tip: Go early for a table by the lake edge.

La Scarpetta

📍 Via XX Settembre 12
⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5
💶 Budget: €20–30
• Why go: Warm, modern trattoria with fresh local ingredients and a relaxed lunchtime atmosphere.
• What to order: Homemade ravioli, risotto with perch (typical of Lake Como).
• Vibe: Refined but not stuffy — perfect for couples or friends exploring Varenna mid-day.

Alma Restaurant (ALMA)

📍 Contrada dell’Arco 8
⭐ Rating: 4.1 / 5
💶 Budget: €20–30
• Why go: A great, central option with classic Italian lunch dishes and fast service.
• What to order: Spaghetti carbonara, burrata salad, or grilled lake fish.
• Vibe: Modern interior, friendly service — ideal for a quick yet quality meal between sightseeing.

Aperitivo, cafes and casual spots

Varenna Caffè

📍 Piazza San Giorgio
⭐ Rating: 4.5 / 5
💶 Budget: €5–15
• Why go: Central café with excellent espresso, croissants, and aperitifs.
• What to order: Cappuccino and pastries in the morning; Aperol Spritz and olives in the afternoon.
• Vibe: Relaxed piazza-side people-watching.

Nilus Bar

📍 Via XX Settembre 8 (on the lakefront)
⭐ Rating: 4.3 / 5
💶 Budget: €8–20
• Why go: Great lakeside terrace — the go-to for aperitivo at sunset.
• What to order: Cocktails and sharing platters; their negroni is a favorite.
• Vibe: Trendy but friendly — very popular in the early evening.

Bar Il Molo

📍 Riva Garibaldi 1
⭐ Rating: 4.5 / 5
💶 Budget: €10–20
• Why go: Overlooks the harbor; perfect for coffee, gelato, or an evening drink.
• What to order: Espresso in the morning, spritz in the evening.
• Vibe: Lively, scenic, and quintessentially Lake Como.

FAQs

Will the events be outside?

The welcome party will take place on a boat, there are indoor and outdoor spaces on board.

The wedding ceremony, aperitifs and dinner will take place outside. The wedding party will be indoors.

In both cases, we'd recommend bringing a light shawl for ladies and a jacket for gentlemen as temperatures may be cooler at night when the sun has gone down

Any advice for attire?

Please see our dress code indications above and some mood boards for inspiration. The wedding day is black tie and soft pastels, neutrals and the welcome party is garden party formal.

We recommend that one brings heel stoppers if hoping to wear stilettos as the events will mainly be on the grass, and the pathways tend to be cobbled so a thicker heel or wedge would be more comfortable. You may also decide to bring a change of shoes

As we are in May in Italy, the temperature can be cooler than you might expect so please make sure to bring appropriate cover-ups for the evenings..

Is there transport to the venue?

Please check back at a later date for all details around transport for both events.

What do you recommend regarding accommodation?

Please see our accommodation page for more information.

What time should I arrive on the wedding day?

Please check back at a later date for all details around timings.

What if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

Everyone will be catered for. If you have particular dietary requirements, please outline this on your RSVP once formal invitations are sent.

Is there anything I should know about travelling to Italy?

Please see the ‘Travel’ page for information regarding the new ‘Visa’ requirement.

Are children welcome?

Please check back.

RSVP

Please take a moment to RSVP and confirm your meal choices.

Please RSVP by April 1st on behalf of each invited guest ( select ‘Add Invited Guest’).

The Wedding

Welcome Event

Add Invited Guest