Five lavish venues for a VIP wedding experience

Whether you're planning a wedding ceremony or simply enjoy window-shopping, take inspiration from some of the world's most spectacular wedding venues. Whether stunning natural views or wonders of manmade architecture, each of these destinations provide a breathtaking backdrop to say "I do".

Villa D'Este, Lake Como

Weddings venues don't get more picturesque than this 16th century villa on the shores of Lake Como. As a private residence, the palatial residence passed through aristocrats for centuries before becoming a first-class luxury hotel in 1873.

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British actress Emily Blunt and The Office US star John Krasinski chose the Villa d'Este for their nuptials in 2010, holding an outdoor ceremony in the hotel's 25 acres of landscapes gardens. Marriage celebrations can be held either on an intimate terrace overlooking Lake Como, or in the grandiose Mosaic Garden.

Chateau de Vallery, Vallery

Halle Berry wed her French beau Olivier Martinez in 2013 in this sprawling 16th century mansion an hour outside of Paris. Even though the relationship went south soon after, the glamorous wedding itself was an affair to remember.

Once known as the Chateau des Conde, after the cadet branch of French royalty who called it home, the palatial estate fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century. It has since been impeccably restored to its full Renaissance glory and now specialises in wedding celebrations.

For Christian services, the chateau has its own church on the grounds, where generations of princes and princesses of the House of Conde are buried. Elsewhere, the estate boasts landscaped gardens, a Moroccan-style courtyard, and a banquet hall dating back to the 1500s.

Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, Bracciano

Located on the southern shore of Lake Bracciano, 20 miles from Rome, Castello Orsini-Odescalchi makes a stunning backdrop for a classic Italian wedding.

The castle has served as a venue for high-profile weddings, including that of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who were married in the 5th-century armoury in front of guests including Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez and David and Victoria Beckham.

Marie Claire reports that Bernie Ecclestone shelled out £310,000 to hire the venue when his daughter Petra wed there in 2011.

For those seeking a church ceremony, the castle is connected by a tunnel to the neoclassical 16th century St Stephen's Cathedral.

Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh

Europe had plenty of scenic backdrops for a wedding celebration, but there equally striking destinations closer to home. The Queen's granddaughter, Zara Phillips, married former rugby star Mike Tindall at Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk, on the city's famous Royal Mile.

While the grey-stone church might not be as grandiose as an Italian villa, the imposing 17th century edifice has a distinguished history as the parish kirk of Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament and the monarch's official residence in the city, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

After a low-key Church of Scotland ceremony, Phillips and Tindall held their reception at Holyrood, where guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a Scottish-theme wedding breakfast.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

When it comes to destination weddings, you can't do much better than this tropical paradise in the British Virgin Islands. A 28-year-old Richard Branson purchased the 74-acre island for £114,000 and then, in 1989, wed Joan Templeman on it.

Necker Island can cater for wedding parties of up to 200 guests, although most of them will have to stay on a neighbouring island, as the resort itself can only accommodate 28 people.

However, the good news is that those who make the cut will get A-list treatment, enjoying exclusive access to beaches, swimming pools, tennis courts, and the services of a personal chef. The ceremony can be held on the gleaming white sands of Turtle Beach, or on the terrace of the Great House, giving views across the whole island.