This Lake Como wedding is such a dream! With an amazing localtion, breathtaking florals and stylish decoration this fête is one you won’t soon forget! «Robert and I both get goosebumps when we reminisce on the beauty of the lake. There is no way to sufficiently put into words the serenity, the beauty, and the charm that are all inherent to Lake Como…» the bride shared with us and after taking a look at the beautiful images captured by Matteo Coltro, we simply could not agree more! Their ceremony took place at the magnificent Villa del Balbianello, one of Lake Como’s most famous villas known for its for its terraced gardens and mesmerizing views. Don’t miss every inspiring detail from this wedding in Italy!
Captured by Matteo Coltro.
«Robert and I met in a way that often ends quickly: we were introduced by best friends of ours, setup on a blind date. That first date didn’t quite go as intended. We jokingly reminisce that Robert “stood me up” after he had to work on a project over the weekend, and never reached back out to me on the original day we’d planned to meet in person. A week later, I thankfully decided to give it another try, and agreed to meet him on a Sunday afternoon at the Rose Bar in Gramercy Park. We like to fondly joke that I made him work extra hard until I gave him the time of day, and it took a bit of convincing by my friends, for me to continue to agree to newly-planned dates with him.»
«Fast forward from our first meet in June 2019, to the loving relationship we developed, as unforeseen changes interrupted our lives in early 2020. Robert and I planned a visit to Santorini in May 2020. As the world shut down for COVID, my world shut down after my father unexpectedly passed away in April 2020. We cancelled our much-anticipated Santorini trip, with no plans to reschedule. In May 2022, Robert surprised me with a trip to a mysterious destination. Unbeknownst to me, Robert coordinated with everyone at my office to ensure that I had scheduled days out of the office. He surprised me with a trip to Santorini; I had a feeling that he had something special planned. After all, a surprise trip is not something that we’ve ever done! He clutched his carry-on bag during that flight abroad – I surely hoped that it may have something valuable inside! Robert- not generally an avid traveller- thoughtfully planned every single detail. He surprised me with a private dinner on our terrace of the room; he was visibly shaken and insisted on wearing his blazer as we sat in the hot, strong sun! With the anticipation high and endless smiles, Robert got on one knee and I immediately started crying. We were both floating on Cloud 9, and it was a moment that neither of us will forget. We like to fondly reminisce on the intimate moment between Robert, myself, and our dinner server, George!», the bride shared with us.
Robert and I both get goosebumps when we reminisce on the beauty of the lake. There is no way to sufficiently put into words the serenity, the beauty, and the charm that are all inherent to Lake Como. The icing on top of the metaphorical cake is the beauty that one fully enjoys from the vantage point of Villa del Balbianello. Although we’re biased, we find the view unbeatable. It makes the need for elaborate flowers and decor much less necessary!
katie, bride
«We both are keen on classic greenery, and bold and elegant accents. We did not want a mix of colors and flower types, as we were worried that would minimize and distract away from the grand beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. Robert and I also are huge fans of candles. We both envisioned a sort of Beauty and the Beast scene with a room aglow with romantic, oversized candelabras. Our florist, Sophia at il Profumo del Fiori, was thoughtful in guiding us toward the best flowers for the season and venue space. She went through many design iterations with us, and we knew with certainty once we found the perfect design! She was supportive of our vision, and she brought it to reality with her creative genius.»
«As my wedding gown had a whisper of soft colors embroidered onto the body of the dress, I knew that a simple yet elegant bouquet would be best. I hoped to carry Lily of the Valley with me down the aisle. Sophia warned me that it would be difficult to source Lily of the Valley in Italy in September- true to her expertise, she made my dream come true and sourced the Lily of the Valley! This was a small detail that really did mean so much to me. I kept the flowers in a glass with water overnight after our wedding, and Robert and I enjoyed their fragrance after the wedding ended!»
«En route to Italy for our wedding, I traveled with my best friend, Tori, to London. We went to pick up my couture wedding dress, and had such a good time together – we celebrated my last days as a single woman. After the quality time, I landed in Milan, and couldn’t stop smiling the entire time I was in Italia. Emotions were high, smiles were big, and a sense of euphoria was all-encompassing.»
It’s almost impossible to specify a favorite moment that entire weekend. But, if I were to distinguish the most meaningful moment, it was Robert and I reading our vows aloud in front of our family and friends, and of course, upon saying “I do!”
katie, bride
The bride’s advice: «While everyone has a different timeline, we were thankful for a one and a half year engagement. Especially with a wedding that we hosted abroad (and with full-time jobs that are quite demanding), having some extra time allowed us to enjoy the process. We didn’t feel pressured with time, and we felt good about the time that our guests had to book travel for the festivities. While it sounds intuitive, I emphasize the focus on your guests’ experience should really be the most important consideration. Look back at weddings you’ve attended. I’m amazed by couples that prioritize decor over easy transportation for guests, for example. People will remember their experience much more than they remember the decor – and so it makes sense to consider the all-in experience. We put a lot of time and consideration into our seating chart for dinner (we had at least 5 iterations!) Great music, food, beverages, and accommodation were also very important to us.»
«Like every bride, I was on a quest to find a wedding dress that was perfect. I really don’t like shopping, and I don’t like making big decisions when there are so many options. I wanted to wear something classic, but with a tasteful spark of fun that would embody the enchanting Lake Como. London-based couture designer Phillipa Lepley was an answer to my prayers. She spent a ton of time with me to ensure she understood my wishes and she expertly crafted my left-brained thoughts into a creative piece of art. She was methodical and analytical to determine the right cut to flatter my body. We chose to use a heavy, ivory Italian duchess satin – I knew it was the right decision once I found out that the satin was sourced from Lake Como! I spent so much time (and many trips to London) with Phillipa’s diligent and skilled team. From the initial brainstorming with Phillipa, to discussing details of a whisper of floral embroidery on the bodice, the experience was one that I will never forget. I felt beautiful in my wedding dress, and I really never wanted to take it off.»