Europe Weddings

As if Italy, in general, wasn’t romantic enough – a “summer in Tuscany” themed affair? Truly whimsical. Tayma and Dave’s vibrantly colored wedding had everything on our dream destination wedding wishlist: the prettiest florals by Tuscany Flowers, a gorgeous watercolor map welcome suite by Arabella June, and sweet family moments (Tayma’s uncle officiated the wedding!). Every detail planned by Infinity Weddings was meaningful and oh-so-romantic… just fawn over these lovely photographs by Gianluca and Mary Adovasio along with us!

From the couple…Dave and I met at ABC in NYC at a lecture on food as medicine where we chatted over a vegan cheese plate. For the proposal, he recreated this scene by sneaking in a vegan cheese plate (that was on a plate he made with pictures of us and our pets and on it said “will you marry me?” He had the florist at the store put flowers and petals all around with candles. The ring was inside a hole he hollowed out inside the first book we read together as we love reading (The Course of Love was the book title and the ring was on the chapter titled “The Proposal.” On the cover of the book was a poem he wrote for Tayma out of words he cut out from the book.

We wanted a more rustic, natural, enchanted forest feel to the wedding. We didn’t want it too formal and wanted to keep authentic to the place. The design had been done considered the special venue, Il Borro in Tuscany. So the decor was based on the concept “summer in Tuscany” using vibrant colored flowers and seasonal fruits perfectly mixed by the florist. The whole weekend was a triumph of colors, tailormade tablecloths, great music, and entertainment. For the welcome night, the concept was “Italian market” offering to the guests a special experience of different Italian food stations like a mozzarella station, BBQ, vegetable station and a bar station with lemons and bougainvilleas. But the masterpiece was a special corner with the calligraphy Betty Soldi writing special bespoke sentences on straw hats’ ribbons. Guests had a very funny moment and they loved to do pictures with these special hats…..a simple but super nice idea! Something for us very special was the tailormade tablecloths with ivory and pale rose stripes…..they made the medieval village very bright and unique.

The wedding day was the most romantic day of our life and the flowers have been the protagonist…..Scabiosa, sweet peas, English roses, digitalis, delphinium, dahlia, eucalyptus and olive branches with a palette mixing pale rose, salmon and green. We had embroidered bags with a crest that was made by a South African artist, June Arabella. The crest had our dog and cat on it as well as flowers. We had this crest also engraved on the bottom of a traditional Middle Eastern silver watermelon with sugared almonds inside. We had fireworks that were curated to songs we selected “Lucy in the sky with diamonds by the Beatles” “Benny and the Jets by Elton John” and “Can’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. We also had a vegan wedding cake and most of the food was plant-based.

We had Tayma’s uncle officiate the wedding in a very humorous, light-hearted, and philosophical way. We did not follow many traditional elements such as first dance and “I Do’s” as we wanted a wedding that was unique to our personalities and more low-key. Our favorite moment was the wedding ceremony, the fireworks, speeches, and dancing. And finally our advice for future couples…Don’t try to please everyone all the time and remember to stay true to what you want as it is your day and everyone will have differing opinions. The day itself is worth all the planning and stress.

 

Photography: Gianluca And Mary Adovasio | Videographer: Marco Caputo Films | Wedding Planning: Infinity Weddings | Floral Design: Tuscany Flowers | Stationery: The Write Occasion | Jewelry: Briony Raymond | Catering: Federico Salza | Make up and hair: Cherie Spisso | Wedding Venue: Il Borro | Art Work: Arabella June Design Studio | Bridal Dress: Reem Acra | Special decor for straw hats: Betty Soldi

For these two lovebirds who also love travel, a destination wedding in Italy was a no-brainer and once they saw Villa San Giacomo in Positano, they were sold on a magical night under the stars with everyone closest to them! With the venue itself, as the inspiration, Weddings Italy by Regency went to work planning and detailing their elegant and timeless affair with blush and light pink florals by Flora Garden Positano and a stunning tablescape! Julia Kaptelova Photography captured all of the moments like the couple playing homage to the bride’s Vietnamese background to the breathtaking views for days! Take a look below and be sure to read all about their epic honeymoon!

The sweetest couple Christina and Will with their family and friends traveled all the way from sunny California to the Italian Amalfi coast, where they had an absolutely dreamy 2-day destination wedding in a picture-perfect Positano.

From the Bride Christina: Since the day we started dating, Will and I shared the same passion and love for travel. We knew immediately when we started planning that we wanted an intimate destination wedding with our family and closest friends, and Italy has always been a dream location! As soon as we saw Villa San Giacomo, we couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to say I do. From its beautiful views to the incredible cuisine and wine, Positano was everything we had imagined, and we are so blessed to have shared an entire weekend with so many of our loved ones!

Villa San Giacomo was the inspiration for our wedding style. We wanted the day to be elegant, classic and timeless while highlighting the picturesque views of the Positano cliffs and stunning coastline. All we ever wanted was a magical night under the stars and our venue provided the perfect romantic setting for us.

My journey to finding the wedding dress was an eventful one after several different bridal boutiques with my best friend/MOH. Lucky for me, she was extremely patient and went to every single appointment! Galia Lahav was the 7th store, and my experience was truly unforgettable from the start. I’ve always imagined a long train and veil to match, so the second I tried on my gown, I knew it was the one. The detachable train was also great for a more elegant look for my reception, and I was able to dance all night without having to worry about tripping over it!

Our wedding flowers were blush, ivory, and light pink to complement the neutral colors of our venue. I wanted soft florals and natural greens to create a romantic, soft, and organic feel throughout the garden and terrace.

Our favorite detail of the day was the Neapolitan quintet during cocktail hour. We wanted to create a unique Italian experience for our guests and also loved having a live band kick off the evening, while everyone drank and danced into dinner!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? It’s easy to get lost in the pressure of planning the “perfect wedding day,” but remember to enjoy the process and that the day is truly about you and your significant other! Second, on your wedding day, breathe and stop to take in moments with your husband as the day goes by so quickly and you’ll want to cherish every second if you can!

It’s so difficult to choose one, but our most memorable moment would be dinner along the terrace. Seeing the smiles and laughter of our family and best friends across the long imperial table with the gorgeous view of Positano at night is truly a moment we’ll be cherishing forever.

Even with a destination wedding in Italy, we wanted to incorporate some traditional elements into the evening and honor our families. While our guests enjoyed dinner, we snuck away to change into our traditional Vietnamese wedding attire and surprised all of our guests, as we walked around the table and greeted them with hugs, kisses, and lots of wine! We chose the color red to symbolize luck for our new journey ahead as a married couple.

We had the best honeymoon and are so grateful to have been able to visit 2 amazing countries! We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to travel with our best friends, so we opted for a “friendmoon” for the first half, followed by a romantic week in Santorini as newlyweds. We had an amazing time with our friends in Hvar, Croatia and then made our way through Dubrovnik as my husband is a huge fan of Game of Thrones. Following Croatia, we left for Greece, and everything was incredible – from the history in Athens, the beaches and parties in Mykonos, to the stunning views of Santorini, we fell in love with the country and cannot wait to go back!

Photography: Julia Kaptelova Photography | Wedding Planner: WeddingsItaly by Regency 1987 | Floral Design: Floragarden | Shoes: Alexandre Birman | Jewelry: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lulu's | DJ: Wedding Deejay Amalfi Coast | Band: Wedding Music | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Venue: Villa San Giacomo | Bride's gown: Galia Lahav | Hair and make-up: Alessandro Mancino & Marco Carpentieri | Headpiece: Galia Lahav | Video: Piero Canterella

The best way to celebrate five years of wedded bliss? In Italy of course! When Yahwe and Luca decided to throw an anniversary celebration, they knew nothing short of spectacular would do. An event designer himself, Yahwe of Del Cabo Events worked closely with Giorgia of Parade Weddings in Rome to make the couple’s vision come to life. Friends and family traveled from across the globe to spend an epic night dining al fresco and dancing under the stars at Rome’s Villa di Fiorano. Now that’s amoré! Check out the entire enchanted evening beautifully captured by Leila Brewster Photography in the full gallery.

From Leila Brewster Photography… Yahwe and Luca recently celebrated their 5th anniversary in Rome, Italy, where Luca hails from. Villa di Fiorano, the historic, aristocratic villa they chose, lent a classic and enduring vibe.

The couple wanted to evoke the feeling of unity by using one long table for the entire group of 42. Reflecting the base color palette of pure yellow and white were powerful but ethereal florals that included garden and spring roses, sweet peas, delphiniums, dahlias, stock and cosmos.

Live music also contributed an elegant touch and varied from classical for the cocktail segment, jazz for dinner, and a 12 piece band delivering upbeat dance tunes for the after-party. The night embraced color, candlelight, and a feeling of pure joy for all in attendance.

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event design: Del Cabo Weddings | event design : Del Cabo Event Design | event designer: Parade wedding | Floral Design: Nina e i Fiori | Reception Venue: Villa Di Fiorano | Catering: ambrosini catering | lighting: Cotton Lifestyles | Rentals: Latini | leila brewster photography: leila brewster | menu place cards: Bells & Whistles | music: Elan Artists | video: Vanessa Illi Repupilli

I’m pretty sure we can all agree that when it comes to destination weddings, no place does it quite like Tuscany – and today’s wedding is proof! After getting engaged in Italy, the beautiful bride and groom decided it was the perfect place to come back for their organic-chic themed wedding. The Tuscan Wedding planned every thoughtful detail of their weekend, from the pizza party welcome dinner to the jaw-dropping fireworks show to end the wedding night. Our favorite moment? It had to be the ceremony, featuring breathtaking views of the medieval village of Il Borro – I mean, does it get any better than that?? Don’t miss the full gallery captured by PureWhite Photography for a glimpse into this heavenly day.

From The Tuscan Wedding… For this lovely couple from US, Italy was their dream destination for their wedding. They had gotten engaged after three years in the beautiful city of Venice, and decided that coming back to one of their favorite countries to tie the knot was a must. They love to explore new places trying new and native foods and immersing themselves in the culture. It was also important to incorporate nature, history, and art into their location while also being mindful of their organic, romantic, chic theme. What better place than Tuscany to accomplish all of those things? Yolanda and Ronald called on The Tuscan Wedding to help turn their dream into a reality. The couple chose Il Borro as their ideal location, a wonderful property in the Tuscan countryside, a place where you are transported back to medieval times. 

They wanted a beautiful romantic ceremony to share with fifty of their closest friends and families. Before the wedding day, they welcomed their guests with an Italian style Pizza party arranged at the Bistrot at Il Borro. It was the perfect way to begin integrating Italian culture into their big day, with good friends, great food, and fine wine. The pizza party was an exciting way to get the festivities of the weekend started. They enjoyed the customary Italian treat while listening to live music and swapping fun stories about the bride and groom to be, surrounded by the lemons’ scent of the flowers decorations arranged by Flowers Living. On the day of the wedding, the guests shared a drink and eagerly awaited the groom’s arrival for the start of the ceremony on the terrace overlooking the Italian garden, already set up for the symbolic ceremony. The view on the medieval village of Il Borro was absolutely breathtaking. 

The bride got dressed in her elegant satin gown and took her beautiful bouquet created by Flowers Living made of ivory peonies and light pink astilbe, the perfect mix to create the romantic and organic theme. The groom put on his handsome white jacket, hopped in a Mercedes Benz 190 sl, and drove down to meet his future wife under a beautiful round flowers arch, that symbolized their endless love. The ceremony space had this kind of timeless elegance. The groom stood at the altar as the bridal party came flowing down the grand staircase. As the bride revealed herself, you could see the pure happiness in Ronald’s eyes. The couple stood in front of a beautiful fountain, under an arch of endless flowers. They exchanged heartwarming vows and sealed their love with a kiss in front of their friends and families. After the ceremony came to an end, The Tuscan Wedding guided all guests to join the newlyweds on the terrace for a cocktails and aperitif arranged by Galateo Ricevimenti. 

For the wedding reception, they sat under the trees with magical lighting by Wedding Music and Lights. It was a fairytale. They shared a menu packed full of Italian cuisine. After a sunset photoshoot perfectly captured by Purewhite Photography, where Yolanda & Ronald shared some of their first moments as Mr. And Mrs. Walking across the Italian countryside, for the newlyweds it was time for the cake cutting. We cannot forget about the masterpiece wedding cake created by Tuscan Wedding Cakes and inspired by the cake served at the Royal wedding of Megan Markle and Prince Harry. 

As the reception came to an end, Yolanda & Ronald wanted to leave their guests with one last bit of entertainment… And what better way to do this than a dazzling fireworks show? What an electric way to end the perfect evening. The photographer, Purewhite, and videographer, Vertigo Wedding, had an amazing landscape to capture the most precious moments of this beautiful reception orchestrated by the Tuscan Wedding. Yolanda & Ronald, together with their guests, danced into the late hours of the night not wanting their day to end. The day had been nothing short of a dream that ended under the Tuscan stars. Yolanda & Ronald are truly soulmates and made for each other, this day really represented the intimate bond they share. Our team was so appreciative to have met this lovely couple and we wish them a life full of happiness and love together.

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Photography: Purewhite Photography | Videographer: Vertigo Wedding | Event Planning: The Tuscan Wedding | Floral Design: Flowers Living | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: TUSCAN WEDDING CAKES | Invitations: Emily Mayne Studio | Ceremony Venue: Il Borro | Reception Venue: Il Borro | Shoes: Bella Belle | Catering: Galateo Ricevimenti | Hair and Makeup: Angelo Nenna Pintor | DJ: Leonardo Martera | Car: Drive In Style | Fireworks: Pirotenica Soldi | Ice cream: Divinamente Eventi | Lights designer: Wedding Music And Lights | Tableau: The wedding letters

It is no shocker that getting married in Italy is absolutely breathtaking! Add in your not so typical color palette of shades of purple and pinks from florals to furniture and you have a stunning, one-of-a-kind wedding day! This happy couple decided on a small, intimate event at The Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello known for its spectacular views which Brenda Babcock Celebrations played upon in designing and planning their big day! Elias Krodelakos photographed the beauty of it all, including blooms by Armando Malafronte, who we have to say outdid themselves! Take a peek below!

From Elias Kordelakos…The Belmond Hotel Caruso is one of the most sought after wedding venues in Ravello. It is well known for its infinity pool and for the amazing garden with the captivating view of the Amalfi. Carmela and Derek are living in the States but the bride has roots from Italy, so they decided to tie the knot there. Brenda Babcock created an amazing styling with the most impressive florals by Armand Malafronte. Elias Kordelakos captured all the beauty with his camera. The couple also enjoyed having an engagement session in the picturesque Ravello. Do you need more excuses to have your wedding in Italy?

From Brenda Babcock…Carmela and Derek contacted me in April for their early August wedding. Just four months of planning time. They wanted to have an intimate celebration with only their families and a handful of dear friends and escaping to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast was the perfect place for the celebration. Upon hearing what they were looking for I immediately suggested The Belmond Hotel Caruso which has the ideal garden and infinity pool for an intimate gathering. Amazing views and lush gardens that had the “wow” appeal that everyone wants but in an atmosphere that would not feel overwhelming. The bride and groom had just moved to Denver and didn’t have time to fly over to choose the location in person but ample photos and videos both on my site and on the internet soon convinced them that the Caruso was what they had been looking for.

The bride wanted something elegant and charming but with a strong sense of their personal style. Flowers that were organic and flowing combined with clean and modern table setups. It can be an advantage working with a small group, in this case, 23 persons, as it allows for some unexpected or lavish details without having to spread them across 150 guests which can be laminating or at least have huge budget implications. The couple had already sent out their save the dates in multiple shades of purples with a hint of blush and ivory and we used that to choose the flowers and table set-ups and sofas for the cocktail hour. I loved the unusual mix of colors that I was able to rent for the lounges and the bride wanted a few pops of yellow somewhere which I was able to accommodate in a smattering of marigold velvet armchairs which added the perfect touch.

I gave the couple a selection of photographers to choose from representing a variety of different photographic styles and they immediately fell in love with the dreamy and romantic work of Elias Kordelakos and he captured every detail of the day just perfectly.

The couple wrote their own ceremony together with their officiant, a dear friend of the groom and it was celebrated in the Caruso garden with the Mediterranean Sea and Amalfi Coast shoreline and cliffs as the perfect postcard of a backdrop. The cocktail hour was in a different part of the same garden and the dinner was set on one long table under a canopy of olive trees. When the dinner finished they took their guests to the stunning infinity pool for the cake cutting and after-dinner drinks and dancing. The entire celebration was exquisitely intimate in every way possible.

Photography: Elias Kordelakos | Floral Design: Armando Malafronte | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Groom's attire: Indochino | Wedding Venue: Belmond Hotel Caruso | Bridal shoes: Badgley Mischka | HMUA: Orazio Image Consultant | Planning & Design: Brenda Babcock Celebrations

A pizza party, a winery venue, romantic rolling hills, an al fresco reception… yeah, this is a Tuscany wedding weekend done oh-so right. Don’t mind us, we’ll just be living vicariously through this dreamy Italian weekend thanks to Purewhite Photography‘s beautiful photos, filled with all the delicious carbs a girl could ask for. The Tuscan Wedding truly thought of everything to make the couple’s destination weekend one to remember, from beginning to end! Don’t miss out on the full gallery!

From The Tuscan Wedding… The lovely Elizabeth & Andrew wanted a destination wedding and looked for a location with delicious food and wine, an abundance of romantic energy and beautiful landscapes – so what better location than Tuscany? The duo paired with The Tuscan Wedding to create the most magical wedding of their dreams!

To truly get have their wedding guests acclimate to the fabulous Italian food culture, the couple hosted a Welcome Pizza Party for all of their guests when they arrived: the pizza party had more than just a selection of delectable pizzas, but also an assortment of delicious salads and savory pastas! The day after, The Tuscan Wedding arranged for them an amazing Rehearsal dinner at the beautiful Dievole Wine Resort the evening before the big day to welcome all of the lovely guests! This charming evening had a perfect view of all the spectacular Tuscan landscapes.

The next morning, Elizabeth looked amazing in her elegant satin gown. Cherrie Spisso perfected this gorgeous look with a soft makeup paired with a romantic low bun with loose curls. And her bridal party looked just as stunning in their black satin dresses with a small bouquet in their hands.

The Tuscan Wedding created the dreamiest ceremony ever with white rose petals along both sides of the aisle and a circle altar around the bride and groom, done with greenery
and flowers thanks to the creative Flowers Living. After the entrance of the beautiful bridesmaids, the bride made her appearance at the end of the aisle and walk down escorted by her father. The pair exchanged their meaningful vows in front of the groom’s father, who celebrated the wedding, and sealed the ceremony with a kiss symbolizing their new life together! Guests were given elegant white rose petals to shower the newlyweds as they exited the ceremony.

Now, for the real celebrations The Tuscan Wedding organized a fabulous reception in the garden with the most heavenly details – antique silver candelabras everywhere that magically lit up the night! Fabulous ivory, white and light and dusty pink floral arrangements with textured greenery were at every table.

The catering from Dievole Wine Resort served the most delicious dishes ever! The three-course meal began with a green risotto with wild herbs and goat cheese. Next, a homemade traditional Tortello was served with truffle, pears, honey and truffle caviar. For the main course, a savory roasted cinta chestnut and honey. Each course was a meal in itself, yet guests knew they had to save room for the delicious four tiers wedding cake made by the Sugarcups and decorated with a cascade of flowers.

After the cake, the lovely guests headed to the dance floor to hear amazing songs from the talented Matthew DJ who kept them moving to every song all night! The most mesmerizing light design was beautifully done by Wedding Music and Lights leaving guests in awe for hours! Purewhite Photography and Waterfall Visuals captured this fairytale of an evening in the most magical way – so beautifully done. 

Elizabeth & Andrew are truly made for one another and we wish the lovely couple a life of love and happiness for all of eternity! Our team is so appreciative to have worked with such an incredible couple and an amazing team for creating this picture-perfect evening!

Photography: Purewhite Photography | Videographer: Waterfall Visuals | Wedding planner: The Tuscan Wedding | Floral Design: Flowers Living | Cake: Sugarcups | Ceremony Venue: Dievole Wine Resort | Reception Venue: Dievole Wine Resort | Catering: Dievole Wine Resort | Hair and makeup: Cherie Spisso | DJ: Dj Matthew | Lights designer: Wedding Music And Lights

It’s official… traditional Indian wedding elements mixed with a touch of Italian culture and cuisine… that’s amore!  We’ve seriously become mesmerized by the jaw-dropping Lake Como views, stunning traditional Indian attire and the overall decor, dripping in heavenly floral arrangements from Fiore all’Occhiello! Lucky for us, Katie Grant Photography was there to capture every memorable moment of this Lake Como meets Bollywood fairytale, allowing us to live vicariously through the full gallery – see for yourself!

From Katie Grant Photography… In making plans for their wedding, Esha and Aakash were quickly drawn to the gorgeous shores of Lake Como and knew it was the perfect setting for their traditional wedding events. Friends and family flew in from all across the globe to help the couple celebrate their union.

The weekend started off with a traditional Mehendi, lunch and lawn games followed by the Sangeet in the evening in which the two families got to celebrate coming together. Esha and her maids were busy with their Mehendi in the morning while Aakash was having his Haldi. The evening turned to all party where a combination of Italian and Indian elements made the event completely unique where guests were treated to Spritzes to start, curry for dinner, and a dance party into the night.

The wedding day itself kept with the pace of the weekend where traditional elements were blended with the gorgeous Italian aspects. Guests arrived via boat to the stunning Villa Pizzo and got to cheer on as Aakash arrived on his boat Baraat. 

The gorgeous ceremony and reception followed with live music, plenty of food, and lots of laughs. A group of friends even surprised the couple during the reception with a choreographed Bollywood dance reenacting their relationship!

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Lake Como Wedding

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Event Planning: Distinctive Italy Weddings | Florals: Alessandro Piacenza | Catering: AFM | Band: Bdm Weddings 42 Posts 238 Followers 368 Following La Bottega Della Musica | Boat Transport: Tassell | Ceremony and Reception: Villa Pizzo | Gowns: Custom | MUAH: Harold James | Paper: Love Letter Paper | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Villa Aura Del Lago | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Video: Moon and Back

The team at WOW Wedding along with beautiful captures by Anya Kernes Photography have taken us to a world of color, Italian romance and the most amazing, statement-making puff sleeves we’ve ever seen. Grab your passport and transport yourself to destination wedding heaven in Lake Como right here at the full gallery!

From Anya Kernes Photography… Our vision was to create something deliciously colorful while keeping a minimal decor aesthetic. We wanted to take the most out of the color of the year, coral, and play with fun little pops of blue to mirror the colors of Lake Como and the beautiful venue, Villa Cipressi.

Villa Cipressi, a gorgeous historical residence, is located on the east side of the lake and is a mix of contemporary architecture and ancient gardens. Even if you are not staying here, a visit to enjoy the botanical gardens and have a drink on the terrace with an incredible view is an absolute must when visiting Lake Como. With so much history, we drew inspiration from the colors around it but kept the design modern and fresh.

We loved showcasing two gowns from Rara Avis Group that are very different stylistically, but both fit like a glove for a classic and elegant celebration. Beauty by Korn created a stunning bridal look to go along with the dresses which was a mix of old world and modern romantic.

Biba Merlo Calligraphy wowed us with the incredibly gorgeous paper goods that transformed you into another time in space, while SOli  created a one of a kind velvet ring box. WOW Wedding put everything together flawlessly to make this beautiful vision come to life.

Photography: Anya Kernes | Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop | Calligraphy: Biba Merlo Calligraphy | Venue: Hotel Villa Cipressi | Dresses & Accessories: Rara Avis | Makeup & Hair Stylist: Beauty By Korn | Planning & Design: WOW Wedding | Ring Box / Album: Soli Box | Styling Ceramics: Simple Things Ceramics | Styling Surface: Locust Collection

Planning to elope somewhere fabulous and romantic in Europe? We may have just found your dream venue! This stunning castle set in the rolling hills of Tuscany is every bride’s dream – it’s like something out of a fairytale. The talented team at NKT Events designed a styled shoot fit for a princess, perfectly complimenting the picturesque property of Castello di Celsa. Run don’t walk to the full gallery to see two gorgeous dresses, the most effortlessly beautiful stationery suite ever and reception inspiration that’s just as breathtaking as the views – all captured by Jenny Quicksall Photography!

From Jenny Quicksall Photography... It has been a dream of Jenny’s to shoot in the rolling hills of Tuscany, so when an opportunity came to shoot our real couple’s Elopement and Wedding Inspiration shoot, we knew we had to head to one of the most special chapels, the cappella della madonna di vitaleta. 

Cappella della madonna di vitaleta sits at the top of a hill with a breathtaking view of the Tuscan countryside, making it stand out and becoming the focal point on this private property. With such picturesque setting, it wasn’t hard to capture the love shared between them as they wandered the property. 

After the engagement session we headed to the Castello di Celsa, a family owned property for the past 400 years that is situated in the picturesque countryside of the “Montagnola Senese”. To highlight the venue itself, Nyachia from NKT Events structured the creative direction and design around this 16th century castle and dreamed up an inspiration fit for a queen with a modern & sexy flare. 

When thinking of the perfect ceremony dress, Romanian designers Ersa Atelier came to mind with their cap sleeve gown with layers upon layers of tulle. With accessories from Lindsay Marie Design perfectly accenting our design, hair & make up artist Trine Juel created the perfect updo. The ceremony setup created by master florist Dario Benvenuti Florals, was strategically placed in the garden to mirror the stone wall structure that elongated the view over the Tuscan Valley spread before the castle. Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside with Kendall & Mattia and start dreaming of your next destination event.

Photography: Jenny Quicksall Photography | Florist: Dario Benvenuti & Viviana Mioranza | Stationery: Aerialist Press | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Edward Avedis- Fine Jewelry | Hair and Makeup: Trine Juel | Calligraphy: Letters by D | Tux: Jean-Jacques Cérémonie | Accessories: Lindsay Marie Design | Bridal Look #1: Ersa Atelier | Bridal Look #2: Inbal Dror | Bridal store: Metal Flaque Paris | Castle: Castello Di Celsa | Design and Planning: NKT Events | Female Model: Kendall Tobin | Male Model: Mattia Rego | Rentals: Preludio Noleggi | Ribbons: Seidenband | Ring Boxes: The Mrs Box

This gorgeous couple said yes to forever under a blooming “unfinished” arbor by Chiara Sperti with views of the breathtaking mountains and crystal waters of Lake Como – I mean, it just doesn’t get much dreamier than this. The entire destination wedding weekend was planned to perfection thanks to Eventoile – from the post-ceremony boat ride to the al fresco reception under a canopy of romantic café lights, the team truly brought every detail of the bride and groom’s vision to life and so much more. Don’t miss the full gallery of images taken by Katie Grant Photography to immerse yourself in everything this gorgeous day has to offer.

From Katie Grant Photography… On a beautiful June day in Lake Como, Italy, Alison and James were married in a lovely ceremony surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Alison and James traveled all the way from San Francisco to have their wedding in the unparalleled location of Lake Como. The mountains, the sparkling emerald water, and the gorgeous food drew them in and led them to plan the most divine day for friends and family. Eventoile and Chiara Sperti created a beautiful and wild garden oasis where the couple exchanged vows and where the guests dined under the open skies of Italy.

From the Bride… Two years into dating, James and I dropped everything and moved across the world from New York to Shanghai together. Ever since, we’ve loved going on adventures and traveling the world. Italy is a special place for us given our love of food. Pasta is my favorite, while pizza and gelato are James’. Of the places we’ve visited together, Lake Como was one of the most beautiful. The sparkling turquoise waters, surrounded by the lush green mountains, and the picturesque cobblestone streets at every turn were captivating. We knew our guests would also fall in love with the magic of the lake. So when we were deciding on destinations for our wedding, Lake Como rose to the top of our list.

Our goal was for our wedding to feel warm, intimate, and lighthearted. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we wanted the wedding to feel like us. We planned fun surprises for each other and our guests. We chose secret readings for each other to be revealed at the ceremony. It turns out both were themed around dogs and love, as we are obsessed with our husky dog Jax. Our officiant was my cousin, who included references to my favorite movie The Little Mermaid in her speech. I also surprised James with a gelato cart for dessert – he and our guests loved it! For late night snacks, we had pizza and ramen. What better way to end a night of dancing under the stars than with all our favorite carbs?

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Florals: Chiara Sperti | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Invitations: Momental Designs | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair & Makeup: Samantha Pretto | Calligraphy: Emily Yan | Wedding Venue: Hotel Villa Cipressi | Cologne: Jo Malone | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Planning: Eventoile | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Video: Studio 80

It is no secret that Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places to tie the knot, but this bride and groom took it to the next level taking their stunning portraits on a classic wooden getaway boat by Como Classic Boats as they sailed through the lake. Planned in less than three months, Happy Moments Collector brought to life all of the bride’s ideas from a soft color palette to a custom dance floor for guests to dance the night away! Nastia Vesna and Maksim Gladky photographed all of the romance, dancing, and the bride’s second dress. Take a look below and read how together, with the chef, the happy new couple made their own wedding cake!

From Happy Moments Collector…This intimate wedding on the shores of Lake Como was quite special, not only because it was planned in 2-3 months, but mostly because of the lovely couple showing their tender love between each other and the guests. This day was both filled with romance and energy. Lena and Andrey were brought up in Los Angeles, California but had close family and friends from all over the world. Being Armenians they added some gentle cultural vibes making the day even more memorable and happy.

The bride knew from the very beginning what color theme she liked. It was mostly white, green and blush with just a little hint of light blue that matched exactly the windows of the villa. Blue and blush were also used in the stationery. Being very sophisticated and beautiful by nature, Lena chose an elegant dress that was just perfect on her. The second dress was very stylish and trendy as well made in silk, mid-length and with the wrap over detail. Everything started with the symbolic ceremony and the exchange of the vows that left everyone in tears. The ceremony was followed by a rich Italian aperitif accompanied by the jazz trio.

The couple was very precise with the type of music they wanted and chose beforehand all of the songs to be played for each special moment. For dinner time, we had the grand piano in addition to the live band. The couple wanted to dance. And dance a lot. As Italian villas usually have natural settings of grass and gravel everywhere in the garden, we had decided to make a special dance floor for the guests to feel more comfortable. The first appearance for the couple to their reception started with loud traditional dancing music and none of the guests were able to resist the beat and everyone started dancing. It was the first time that a reception started with a REAL party :)

The wedding cake area was surrounded by lots of candles that added magic to the moment. The couple chose a traditional Italian millefoglie cake with chantilly cream and berries that they prepared in front of the surprised guests, together with the Chef as a symbol of the first thing made together as a married couple. The cake was so tasty that it literally vanished. Dinner was followed by the party inside the villa with the DJ and a saxophone player, mixing famous songs together with some traditional ones.

Photography: Nastia Vesna&Maksim Gladky | Videographer: Marco Abbatangelo | Stationery: Letter B | Catering: Sunlake Catering | Wedding Venue: Villa Regina Teodolinda | Boat: Como Classic Boat | Make-up and Hair: Lidija Malinovskaya | Music: Blunotte Events | Wedding Planner and Concept: Happy Moments Collector

We’ve all heard of the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany, the magical Amalfi Coast and of course, the perfection that is Lake Como… but we bet you’ve never heard about THE hidden gem of Southern Italy. The town of Ostuni in Puglia will enchant you with it’s white washed walls, ancient olive trees and a charming masseria at every turn. The best part about it? NO tourists!! It’s no wonder Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel decided to tie the knot in this undeniably romantic region. Federica Beni and Sandra Fazzino joined forced to produce an editorial shoot that represents the true beauty of Ostuni, featuring beautiful floral arrangements by Siloh Floral. Don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Sandra Fazzino to fall instantly in love with your new favorite Italian wedding destination!

From Sandra Fazzino + Team… The inspiration for the design of this intimate wedding and engagement session came from the white washed walls and the ancient olive groves of the farmhouses that can be found scattered throughout southern Italy’s town of Ostuni, Puglia. Known as the White City, it offered a high key backdrop for this modern, earthy, chic yet casual inspirational shoot. Federica Beni sourced a passionately talented team of vendors and curated an ambiance that embodied a neutral color palette, organic fabrics, hand dyed silks and cotton, and rustic accents to compliment the antiquity of the grounds. 

The organic flow of the Cortana dresses added subdued drama to the all white rustic setting of the masseria. The hair and makeup by Alessandro Mancino is soft, feminine but also warm and sultry. He is the master of classic, romantic hair and made Alice look effortlessly beautiful. Liz Griffith blew us away with her floral selections, some that she transported on her lap on the plane from Milan to Puglia! Her airy organic style combines layers of soft color enhancing the space with just enough tonal variation in carmels and ochre to give interest without distracting from the various monochromatic textures throughout the design scheme. 

It was amazing to witness the suspended arrangement come to life for the ceremony site. We love the asymmetry and how it seems so natural in its setting. The dinner plates were especially designed for us by a local artisan, Enza Fasano Ceramiche, and we think they are a powerful example of modern meets rustic. The olive trees surrounding the farmhouse are over 2,000 years old! There is something almost spiritual about their presence, a nod from ancient ancestors. The wood and metal benches fit the scene perfectly. Plume Calligraphy knows just how much or how little to add to an invitation suite to keep it interesting while adhering to the neutral palette. We especially love the envelope liner she designed and the natural edges of the 100% cotton paper. These candles and candle sticks were one of our most favorite details, because the hand dipped candles come in the most gorgeous range of colors. 

The team had a really hard time deciding which three hues to select. Choosing various tones offered depth to the monochromatic table settings, just one more way to keep things interesting when working with a neutral color palette. Since the intimate ceremony was based on neutral colors, we went in the opposite direction for the engagement session or day after session. We went with strawberry red for the bride and a crystal blue for the groom. 

We all had goosebumps (not just because it was a chilly morning) when Alice walked out in her dress. The way the wind played with the fabric, and the way the bright colors popped against the white walls of the masseria – it was magic! We hope that you see something here that may inspire your viewers. The team traveled far and wide to join forces. We overcame some terrible weather, rescheduled everyone at the last minute bumping up the shoot by one day, and we had some mini cakes that never made it to the location due to a car accident (!). The team could not have been more professional, kind and generous with their spirit, talent, and passion. 

Photographer: Sandra Fazzino | Floral Design: Siloh Floral | Rings: My Golden Age | Hair + Makeup: Alessandro Mancino & Marco Carpentieri | Stationery + Calligraphy: Plume Calligraphy | Venue: Masseria Le Carrube | Bridal Accessories: SIBO Designs | Bridal Dresses: Cortana | Ceramic Dinner Plates: Enza Fasano Ceramiche | Ceramic Styling Plates: Madlen Ceramics | Female Model: Euphoria Fashion Agency | Hand Dyed Ribbons: Fati Amor | Male Model: 4 Upper Models | Planning + Design: Federica Beni | Rentals: Itinera | Southern Italian Farmhouse: Masseria Le Carrube

From the watercolor invitations to the post-ceremony boat ride to the romantic floral-filled fountains… this wedding blends all the best elements of our favorite wedding destination – Italia! Prepare for Figli Dei Fiori’s organic floral arrangements and ceremony arch to take your breath away, lush with hundreds of café-au-lait dahlias and English cream roses. My Lake Como Wedding planned every unforgettable moment and had the festivities running smoothly while Shannon Moffit Photography was the behind the lens, capturing every detail. Trust us, this full gallery is an absolute MUST. Oh, and don’t forget to read the bride’s wise wedding planning advice at the bottom of the post!

From the Bride… Our wedding was in Lake Como, Italy, and we could not imagine a more romantic destination. From the start, our most important item on the wish list was to keep our wedding small (around 50 people), so we could spend more quality time with our guests and with each other. One of the passions we share as a couple is traveling, so having a destination wedding was the perfect option for us. I started searching for places we might like to go and when I stumbled upon photos of Lake Como, I had the moment that brides get where you just “know!”

When vendors asked me about our vision for the wedding, it was hard to describe it succinctly, so I often painted this picture: The ceremony will be a personal and intimate lakeside moment when we will exchange our vows, surrounded only by our families and closest friends. An outdoor terrace for the reception lends itself perfectly to a romantic garden party atmosphere under twinkling lights and the stars. Forest green mountains surround the Alpine blue lake, painting one of the most picturesque backdrops imaginable for a wedding day. Accordingly, I want the wedding to fit the natural beauty of the lake and to possess an atmosphere that is quintessentially Italian. Organic, naturally occurring colors, textures, and styles—whatever those may be— will most appeal to us as we surround ourselves with the natural beauty of the lake. If I could think of words to describe how I envisioned the wedding, they would be: intimate, romantic, fun-filled, natural, organic, and Italian.

We are so lucky to have found Gemma Aurelius, our wedding planner, who understood this vision right away, even though we were more than 5,000 miles apart while planning! She recommended a beautiful, 18th-century villa, Villa Cipressi, nestled on the shores of Varenna—a small town on Lake Como. Standing here on the shores of the lake for the first time brought me to tears! The vision for our flowers was light and airy colors arranged loosely—kind of like they had always been growing there—for a natural look. Our planner works with a wonderful florist in Como, Figli dei Fiori, who created the most stunning flower arch, bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres. We were lucky enough to be able to travel to Italy before the wedding, and on this trip we chose specific flowers we liked, including café-au-lait dahlias and English cream roses. The flowers lining the aisle were some of my favorite pieces; the perennials added height to the arrangements and they had the look of wildflowers growing right on the terrace.

One of my favorite elements of the wedding was working with Christine Ross, our invitation designer, and Cassie Schott, a calligrapher and designer, to create luxurious and vintage-looking invitation suites, menus, welcome cards, thank you notes, and place cards. Christine painted a custom watercolor image of our venue for us, which was featured on our invitation. Several guests actually called me to RSVP, saying they didn’t want to send the RSVP back in the mail because it was too beautiful to part with! Other guests told me they carried the invitation suite with them around in their purse all the time and showed it to people. I am so grateful we had this team of wonderful ladies to create such exquisite pieces of art! Finding my wedding dress was actually one of the most difficult parts of planning! I knew I wanted a v-neck style and an a-line skirt. I did most of the shopping with my mom, and we visited between 15-20 local salons and boutiques looking for the perfect dress—but came up with nothing! After searching everywhere else, I visited Kleinfelds in New York City, home of the popular TV show Say Yes to the Dress. We made an appointment and our consultant, Michelle, was able to find the perfect dress for me! My gown was designed by Michelle Roth and the Erinn style was everything I dreamed of—floral lace appliques and a long, sweeping train.

Favorite Moment…We chose to do a First Look at Villa Monastero before our ceremony and I’m so glad we did. Leading up to that moment, we were both full of nerves and excitement. Our first look was a wonderful moment for us to just be together and soak in the magic of the day. When it was time for the ceremony, we were able to be present in the moment and soak in the joy we all felt during that time. Plus, we got to spend more time together! Win-win in my book.

Favorite Details…Aside from actually getting married (of course), there are two things that stand out as highlights of our wedding day: 1. A boat cruise on Lake Como after aperitivo (Italian cocktail hour): Guests were whisked away to a Chicca sightseeing boat for a tour of the most beautiful sights in the mid-lake region, including Villa del Balbianello (Star Wars and James Bond movies have been filmed here) and panoramic views of the Italian Alps. Meanwhile, Matthew and I had our own Riva speed-boat; we surprised our guests by speeding past them on our Riva and the views of the lake were a sight to behold. 2. An Italian Tenor: My parents surprised us—and all of our guests—with an Italian opera singer as we cut the cake! Everyone stood mesmerized as he belted out several classics next to the grand piano on the terrace. It was a truly magical moment in which it felt like time stood still. I still get chills when I think about it!

Advice for Brides-To-Be:

· Create a new email address that is used only for wedding planning. It was so helpful to have everything wedding related be separate from my personal emails, especially since 95% of our communications with vendors abroad was over email. This is a great trick for all brides, not just destination weddings!

· Hire a great wedding planner. We could not have planned a wedding without someone who knows local vendors and can handle all of the day-of details for you without a hitch. I trusted Gemma, our planner, implicitly—meaning I could relax and enjoy our wedding day without having to worry one bit!

· Do your research on vendors. Spend time looking for vendors you “click” with. After we had our planner secured, we found our wedding photographer here on SMP—Shannon Moffit Photography. Knowing I wanted a photographer who shot film and digital photos, I found Shannon and the rest is history! It felt like the stars had aligned for us with each wonderful person we found to help us achieve our wedding day vision.

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Photography: Shannon Moffit Photography | Videographer: Marco Abbatangelo | Event Planning: My Lake Como Wedding | Floral Design: Figli Dei Fiori | Wedding Dress: Michelle Roth | Ceremony Venue: Hotel Villa Cipressi | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Calligrapher: Dreams and Nostalgia | Entertainment: Blunotti Events, ASAP Band | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Dress Shop: Kleinfelds | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | First Look Venue: Villa Monastero | Invitation Designer: EVR Paper Co., Christine Bellagamba | Makeup/Hair: Daniela Guanziroli | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Bar il Molo | Rentals: Tableset

Dreaming of a wedding destination that feels like a real life fairytale? Infinite views, enchanted gardens and sparkling pools for your guests to enjoy – let us introduce your to Belmond Villa San Michele – a venue that encompasses that and SO much more. Lucas Rossi Photography, Acquamarina Wedding Planner, and  CMG Events brought together a talented team of local Italian vendors to create an inspiration shoot that illustrates the effortless elegance and endless romance of the beautiful city of Florence. From the balcony reception to the muted color palette… be sure to stay tuned ’til the very end for an incredible video wrap-up from Marco Abba – then head on over to the full gallery of images for some major destination wedding inspo.

From CMG Events… Tucked away in the outskirts of Florence, Italy is the stunning venue Belmond Villa San Michele. With stunning views of the skyline of the romantic city, you could not imagine anywhere else you would want to be. No better place to look into the eyes of the one you love and say ‘I do’. 

We traveled from California with Lucas Rossi Photography to capture a destination we know people long to see and more frequently these days, planning to emulate with their destination weddings. We partnered with local wedding planner IIlaria Manaresi of Acquamarina Wedding Planner to help navigate through the Italian language and help us build a team of incredible Italian vendors. 

Florals, by Nina Eifiori, came from Rome, rentals from Milan, dress from downtown Florence and so many more. The collaboration was an inspiring international thing of beauty. We knew we wanted romance and it to feel authentic to Florence, which is why we chose an elegantly muted palette to let the details speak for themselves. 

My favorite design element was the tablescape that was enclosed in its personal balcony with views of the entire city of Florence. I knew that others would see this shot and feel the same emotion I did standing there in the moment. It was an honor putting this editorial together and would be an honor to share with the SMP readers and have them transport to Florence and start daydreaming about or planning their own Italian destination wedding.

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Photography: Lucas Rossi Photography | Cinematography: Marco Abbatangelo | Event Design: CMG Weddings & Events | Wedding planner : Acquamarina Wedding Planner | Florals: Nina e i Fiori | Wedding Dress: Le Spose di Mori | Cake: Sugarcups | Shoes: Bella Belle | Wedding Venue: Belmond Villa San Michele | Beauty: Antonella Macaluso | Charger Plates: Roland's | Paper Goods: test | Rentals: Preludio Noleggi | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

An intimate wedding on a sun-soaked day in Lake Como with a classic color palette and the floral arbor of our SMP dreams… yup, that about sums up today’s gorgeous Italian nuptials planned by Happy Moments Collector. There’s nothing better than celebrating your special day surrounded by just a few of your nearest and dearest in the most romantic destination in the world. From the cascading table runner to the surprise performance from the bride for her groom – don’t miss a moment at the full gallery of images captured beautifully by The Cablook Fotolab!

From the bride… Italy was always very special for us — our very first trip together was on Lake Como, my husband made the proposal on top of the Duomo di Milano, we love this country to the bottom of our hearts — so there was no other plan than to celebrate our wedding in Italy, and especially on Lake Como. Our beautiful girls from Happy Moments Collector agency helped us to find the ideal site — Villa Regina Teodolinda — it absolutely matched our vision of a very intimate wedding.

We wanted all the decorations/florals etc. to be classic so as after years looking at our wedding photos it will still look great. We wanted all our not so numerous guests to sit at one table and as for the florals on it — we wanted it to be a “flower path” (and not that typical high compositions in vases) — so as we all can communicate at ease without any obstacles and see each other well. Even though the color scheme was classy and traditional — pastel pink, white, a lot of greenery — we added touches of navy (which is groom’s favorite color) and blue (which is bride’s favorite color) such as eryngium and navy blue agate stones as seating cards.

From the Planners… Remembering that special day we prepared for this beautiful couple, leaves warmth inside our hearts. Olga (the bride) was from the very beginning very precise with the details and wanted that day to be filled with emotions not only for her and her beloved one, but also for all of the guests. During the preparation period we became more like a family and were on the same page with the couple in terms of styling and the concept on the whole. 

On the first day we had a boat tour for the couple to shoot a love story, after which was family gathering – pizza party in truly Italian style. On the day of the wedding we were having Italian band and the bride performed as a present for family and the groom song by Elton John. It was really touching moment. Cut of the cake was unique – couple decided to follow the Italian tradition and prepare the Millefoglie cake, as a symbol of the first thing made as married couple, together with the chef in front of the guests. Everyone was amazed and this gave to the event even more romance.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Videography: Marco Caputo Films | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Stationery: Letter B | Wedding shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Catering: Sunlake Catering | Groom's Attire: Boggi Milano | Boudoir cape: Rime Arodaky | Concept and planning: Happy Moments Collector | Make-up and hair: Lidija Malinovskaja | Music: Blunotte Events | Ring box and guest book: Bark and Berry | Villa: Villa Regina Teodolinda

If you find yourself throwing out words like ‘old-world’ and ‘fine-art’ when it comes to your own wedding, then this one is for you, friend. Dreamt up by Designs by Hemingway and K.R. Moreno, this editorial—set at La Badia Di Orvieto—is the definition of rustic elegance, complete with three gorgeous gowns, candlelight and the most beautiful blooms you ever did see. Go pin crazy babes, I know you want to!

From Designs by Hemingway… My inspiration for the design of this shoot was the incredible crumbling picturesque arched terraced view overlooking the beautiful olive grove cliffs in the Umbria region of Italy. The feeling is surreal almost like you have become part of a painting. The visual beauty is everywhere you look from the frescoes to the Tuscan landscape surrounding the hotel. The architecture of the historical ruins makes La Badia a perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding. As a floral designer, this was like being in a dream with a blank canvas to create my heart’s desire!

The Romanesque chapel with its gorgeous mosaic marble floors all cut by hand was so inspiring. I designed a romantic altar of vintage lite taper candles that created a romantic moody backdrop for our intimate morning shoot with the bride. We foraged for olive branches to create a dramatic lush ceremony backdrop at the entry to the chapel. My favorite part of our day was creating a beautiful table top next to the terraced oval arch overlooking the olive groves. The beautiful details of layering of silks and gauze draping the ground, lush florals in brass and copper vessels, beautiful candles and all the finishing touches made this my favorite tabletop to date.

From K.R. Moreno… In each scene created, we wanted to show off the potential this venue has. The intention behind each vignette we created was to inspire. We wanted to step out of the obvious choice for a ceremony and use the chapel doors and entrance way as opposed to the actual chapel. The result was a ceremony with the gorgeous arch installation. Every corner of the venue contains such beauty so my pro tip for brides is to not be afraid to choose the unexpected for portions of their day. The tower and ruins of La Badia can be seen from the clifftop town of Orvieto leading you straight to the venue and providing the perfect backdrop for a wedding. I chose this tower as the setting for the majority of portraits to inspire brides on how to incorporate the architecture of this venue in their portraits. The sun sets behind the lawn in front of the tower creating that golden, glowy atmosphere that is gorgeous for your Bride and Groom Portraits.

Photography: Kaylea Moreno | Florals: Designs by Hemingway | Gown: Carol Hannah | Gown : Claire Pettibone | Gown : Emily Riggs | Shoes: Bella Belle | Makeup: Ana Matanovic | Hair: Frank Giacone | Hotel: La Badia Orvieto | Agency : 4 Upper Models | Bridal Accessories: Noon on the Moon | Creative Direction : Designs by Hemingway | Paper Goods: Theoberry | Rentals: Preludio Noleggi | Table linen: The Wedding Linen Company | Table runner and Silk: Silk and Willow | Taper Candles: Ester & Erik

We’ve been serving up a whole lot of Lake Como weddings as of late and I’m not one bit mad about it. It’s truly the stuff that wedding dreams are made of… with it’s incredible views, old-world charm and quaint ceremony spots that were put on this earth for intimate I dos. Take a moment to experience this celebration planned by Fanny Staaf Events and captured by 2 Brides Photography, it will be time well spent, promise.

With the love and support from family and friends, Elin and Abdré married in a special ceremony at the Villa Pizzo by Lake Como in Italy. It was one of those days where you just felt you didn’t want it to end. Like ever. At the end of the evening we put our cameras away, danced, had a glass of champagne and just lived it. After 12+ hours feet hurt, your shoulders are somewhat tense, and your cheeks are in pain from smiling so much!

I’m so thankful for the series of events that led me to meet Elin and André. They are an absolutely charming couple, and I’m beyond grateful I got to document their beautiful wedding day. The vision was to make Elin and André’s wedding as personal as possible! The planner Fanny Staaf Events wanted to bring in so much of their history, life together, and their personalities. The color palette was based on the stone in Elin’s ring, and their living room couch, the rest of the design was based on their love for interior styling.

They didn’t care much for a cake, so it was exchanged for a champagne tower, a close friend of the bride and groom officiated the wedding for maximum personality and the catering company composed a customized menu according to their wishes instead of serving from their regular selection. Every little detail breathed Elin and André, and nothing was by chance or because tradition dictates it to be included. Their monogram that graphic designer Elin’s Art Studio produced was put a lot of thought to it. The line that goes through the A and E symbolizes a strand of hair since the bride is a hair stylist. Finally, the letters lean against each other just as Elin and André do.

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A few words from the graphic designer, Elins Art Studio… Coming up with the suite for this lovely couple was a treat! As he is a retired professional football player and she is a influencer hairdresser I created their monogram to represent both a strand of hair, or a football being swooshed through the air.

Fanny had made an amazing mood board, inspired by the couples decorating style, and their big navy velvet sofa. So I took on the challenge to gold foil on velvet paper. It was tricky to make the design so thin, but with some trial and error we ended up with pleasing results both esthetic and in quality. The blue marble design is a hint to both the lake itself, and as a crossover between Italian and Scandinavian design. So I also incorporated that into the mandatory map. A villa as beautiful as Villa Pizzo is a must to illustrate.

I always think as practical as I can when I design for a wedding. We had two challenges here, where the fist was we had to ship everything down, and make it fit in a suitcase. the second thing was that they were going to eat outside, and we can’t have the paper goods flying away at the smallest breeze.
So I ended up making a vellum bellyband, with the marble pattern and everybody namne in white ink. This was wrapped around both the menu and the napkin to give it some weight. I loved making this crossover Swedish minimalism meets Italian villa, and I would love to make something like this again!

Photography: 2 Brides Photography | Cinematography: Innar Hunt Films | Event Planning: Fanny Staaf Events | Floral Design: Elite Floral Group | Invitations: Elins Art Studio | Ceremony Venue: Villa Pizzo

What do you get when you combine the talents of an all-star vendor team, a villa in Lake Como, two couture wedding gowns and blindingly vibrant blooms? An Italian summer wedding DREAM! We’re in heaven over here with each capture by Oliver Fly Photography. With planning by Before the Moon and fleurs from Miss Rose by Perrine, this editorial perfectly blends French and Italian style, seamlessly incorporating details from each culture. Grab your sunnies and head on over to the full gallery to see all the inspo this bright, sun-soaked beauty has to offer.

From Before the Moon… Nestled in the foothills of the French Alps lies a lakeside Italian villa, unlike any other. Known as Villa Balbiano, this 16th-century palazzo set on the shores of Lake Como evokes a sense of timeless romance and provided an unforgettable backdrop to our wedding editorial shoot. Inspired by a fusion of French and Italian style, we incorporated design elements unique to both cultures, all while playing with color, light, and texture in a fresh and engaging way. 

Our color palette was built around rich shades of rose, coral, ochre, and copper, all of which worked together beautifully against the villa’s cream exterior. Our vivid use of color was so foundational to the design because we wanted to showcase just how stunning vibrant color tones can be. 

Of course, florals played an important role throughout the design, from the ceremony to the tabletop, and every moment in between. Our floral designer used a mixture of sweet peas, roses, orchids, buttercups, and eremurus for their saffron, mustard, and orange hues, softened by shades of dusty pink. 

To work alongside the show-stopping florals, our cake designer created edible works of art for the occasion. Her designs included crystal glass added between cake layers for a heightened sense of drama, with handmade flowers adorning each and every layer. 

As a nod to French culture within this charming Italian setting, we included Baccarat, the most renowned French manufacturer of fine crystal glassware. Baccarat crystal glasses, votives, and vases complemented the colorful florals on our tablescape, while also reflecting their tints and the surrounding light for a stunning effect.

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Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Videography: Studio 80 | Wedding Planning: Before the Moon | Floral Design: Miss Rose By Perrine | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Hair + Makeup: Modern Beauties | Calligraphy: Silent Word Studio | Groom's Suit: RIVES | Venue: Villa Balbiano | Bridal Shoes: Bella Belle | Cake Designer: Made In Cake | Dress Boutique: Zoro | Glassware: Baccarat | Rentals: Options | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Take one of the most striking wedding destinations in the world and one incredibly talented vendor team like Rossini Weddings and Koman Photography and you’ve gone a #winning combination. But really, does it get any better than Lake Como? I never tire of seeing the charm it brings to our pages, like today’s editorial that is light and airy, yet rich with texture. See the full collection of images here and make sure to press play on that pretty video by the Komans below.

View the gorgeous video by the Koman Photography to get a behind the scenes look of this magical day.

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From Rossini Weddings… Our inspirational shoot by Koman Photography took place on the breath-taking shores of Lake Como, Italy at the exquisite Villa Balbiano. Creatively directed and planned by Rossini Weddings and styled by Saint and Sage, this shoot was the epitome of all that is beautiful and glamorous about Italian lakefront weddings.

Unsurprisingly, the Villa was the main source of inspiration for this shoot; we wanted to create ethereal imagery that is light, airy and mixed with an opulent palette of rich textures which we pulled from the fresco wall coverings.

Chiara Sperti created a stunning scene for the tablescape centerpiece with delicate shades of pink and pops of bright fuschia. The table was draped with a silk runner by Allegoria Textile Delights and the candlelight offset the muted colors of the stone fresco walls and architectural elegance. The Elegance tableware range, paired with gold flatware and the pink Rosealine glassware from Table Set Rentals were the perfect companions to the table design.

The bride started the day in delicate French lingerie by The Lace Atelier, and her stunning gown by Musat Brides was accessorized with Bella Belle Shoes, Karlin Anderson Ring and beautiful earrings by Lindsay Marie Designs. Her hair was gracefully styled by the ever-talented Frank Giacone and her make-up perfected by Veronica Tavella. The groom wore a classically sleek black suit by Isaia Menswear.

The three-tiered cake from Qualcosa diDolce was a masterful combination of modern design and romantic imagination, the ornate gold detail complimented the textures of the venue. And providing the perfect addition to any wedding – the prosecco reception was provided by the iconic little pop-up prosecco van Bubble Bar Italia.

Complimenting the venue’s inspiration, a beautiful stationery suite was designed by NicNillas Ink, with a hand-drawn illustration of the Villa, produced on soft handmade paper with bronze envelopes.

Finally, as every Lake Como wedding must soak in the full expanse of the lake’s to-die-for views, our couple sailed away on a luxury Riva boat by Erio Lario, wearing swimwear by JETS and resort wear by Isaia Menswear with chic sunglasses by Finlay London.

Photography : Koman Photography | Cinematography: Koman Photography | Event Planning: Rossini Weddings | Styling and Design: Saint and Sage | Floral Design: Chiara Sperti | Wedding Dress: Musat Bridal | Cake: Qualcosa di Dolce | Stationery: Nicnillas Ink | Shoes : Bella Belle | Rings: Karlin Anderson | Makeup: Veronica Tavella | Wedding Venue: Villa Balbiano | Accessories: Lindsay Marie Design | Hair Styling : Frank Giacone | Lingerie: The Lace Atelier | Menswear: Isaia | Models: Independent Mgmt | Photo Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Proseco Van: Bubble Bar Italia | Rentals: Tableset | Resort Wear Sunglasses: Finlay London | Riva Boat: Matteri | Swimwear: Paul Green | Textiles and Silk Ribbon: Allegoria

In case you haven’t already heard, Giacomo Gianniotti (aka dreamy Dr. Deluca on Grey’s Anatomy) recently tied the knot to the beautiful Nichole Gustafson in an intimate ceremony at Villa Pocci in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Today, we’re walking you through every can’t-miss moment of their special day planned by Sanda Pandza Events. Prepare to be blown away by their romantic ceremony covered in enchanting mauve and blush blooms from Andrea Patrizi. Check out the full gallery of images by Linas Dambrauskas and keep on reading for an interview with Mrs. Gianniotti herself!

Tell us a bit about your love story! How did you two meet?

So I’m a makeup artist. We met on a photoshoot in Beverly Hills. I was hired to do Giacomo’s hair and makeup for an Italian magazine. They were featuring him. I was the only American on this shoot, it was all Italians and ME, I didn’t know anything about Giacomo, just that he was on some TV show called Greys Anatomy. I had never even seen the show. There was this instant chemistry on set tho. But, he waited for a month to actually ask me out! I mean the rest is history. He took me on one romantic date after the next. We both knew on our first date it was something truly special. We just fell completely in love and it has been such a beautiful love story.

What was your inspiration for the wedding design?

Rustic Italian with elegance. Romance way key. I just wanted it to feel warm and very romantic. It was a bit of rustic, modern, classic Italian, elegance? Is that even a thing? I just wanted lot’s of flowers and beautiful lighting. And boy, did I get that! Our floral designer Andrea Patrizi was a magician. I mean, he did more than I could have asked for. The ambiance was there. It was so romantic.

Why did you choose Villa Pocci as your wedding venue?

We chose that venue for the location. We really wanted an intimate setting. The lake (Castel Gandolfo) is so beautiful.

Tell us about the dress!

THE DRESS! It was a custom, one of a kind, Netta Benshabu gown. It was everything I wanted. It was so romantic and elegant, but hugged my curves, as the shape was a mermaid silhouette. I just love off the shoulder dresses. The lace was so detailed. I felt so beautiful in it. Giacomo loved it.

We love that you did your own makeup for the Big Day, you looked gorgeous! Describe your bridal makeup look.

My look was more emphasizing my eyes. I did a smokey brown eye using warm tones to bring out my light eyes. I went for a soft rose tone on my lips. I used Armani Beauty and Beauty Counter products.

Nichole, with your incredible background in the beauty industry, do you have any tips or products you love for bride’s who are prepping for their big day now (skin, choosing your makeup direction, getting that glow)?

I would definitely suggest getting a facial a few weeks before. Hydrating a lot and not fussing with your skin too much before the big day. Everyone is different. But, my skin is sensitive, so I didn’t want to stray too far off from my normal routine. Decide beforehand what your look will be. I think it’s best to choose one focal point. So, if you are going with a bold lip, choose softer eyes. And vice versa. If you’re going with a bold smokey eye, go with a more subtle lip. I also think it’s best to not over do it and not look like yourself. Ultimately, find what makes you feel the most beautiful. Even if that means very simple and minimal and that’s true to you. Getting that glow comes from happiness! Haha It really does tho. But, highlighters help too! ;)

What was the most important aspect of the wedding day to you as a couple?

The most important aspect to us were our vows and that people walked away feeling the love between us. Often times we’ve both gone to weddings in the past and just felt that the love didn’t shine through. We didn’t want our guests to leave that way. Music was huge part of that for us. We had music playing the entire time. It was a soundtrack to our love. I think people really felt that too.

Walk us through the floral design, the arrangements were absolutely breathtaking!

Oh gosh! Yes! My floral designer is one of the best in Italy. His name is Andrea Patrizi. I really owe all that credit to him. I sent some Pinterest photos. But, he delivered on a way bigger scale than I could have even asked for. The ceremony flowers were insane. The arch and just everywhere you looked there were huge floral arrangements. My colors were whites, with soft blushes and mauves. Lot’s of greenery. All the guests just kept talking about all the flowers.

Favorite moments from the day?

My favorite moments were: Our vows. The speeches our friends gave. There were not many dry eyes in the room. Our friends said some of the most beautiful words we’ve ever heard. My husbands little sister (19 years) surprised us with a song. It was by Daniel Cesar and H. E. R. Called Best Part. She had the dining room giving her a standing ovation, she blew us away and that’s one of my favorite songs. We kissed before we were supposed to haha. We were confused and kissed before we had even exchanged rings. It was really funny. So we actually got to kiss twice, everyone was laughing. And toward the end of the night… I started Dj’ing and Giacomo got behind the bar and started doing his old flair bartending tricks. It was like out of cocktails. It was a blast! Our wedding planner surprised us on our first dance. Red flower petals fell from the sky, we were totally surprised and the videos show it. It was so cute and the guests loved it.

Did you incorporate any traditional Italian elements to your wedding day?

Yes, very much so with the food. Our guests couldn’t stop asking us what the cake was. It was a mille foglie cake. Which means a thousand leaves. It has many layers. Very popular in Italy. It’s delicious. We gave bomboniere’s to our guests. Traditional confetti (candy coated almonds) with a bottle of wine from the region. Wine and prosecco were flowing all night for sure. We had a guy walking around making fresh cannoli’s and another station where they were making fresh mozarella. It was very Italian. A cigar bar as well. And of course driving off in a classic car.

What was the most challenging aspect of planning a destination wedding? Any advice to future brides looking to do the same?

It was challenging at times. And that was with having an incredible wedding planner (Sanda Pandza Events). But, ultimately we still have to sign off on everything and so that means lot’s of emails. I tried to not bother Giacomo too much with stuff unless I needed to. He has long hours on set. So, I always tried to keep it minimal for him. We both decided together the whole look of the wedding tho. We have similar tastes, so that always makes it so easy. We are great collaborators together. We value each others opinions.

ADVICE: get a wedding planner for destination weddings. And if you can’t afford one, start way earlier with your planning. It takes time!

What were your food and cocktail choices?

Pasta. We had a lobster pasta that was to die for! A fish dish that I chose. Sea bass with a Limoncello sauce on top, that the guests loved. And the mille foglie cake of course was a hit. We had the signature bride and groom cocktails. A classic Margarita and Negroni. During the aperitivo hour there was lot’s of Aperol spritz flowing, prosecco and wine. We had 2 full bars all night as well with amazing cocktails.

Tell us about the honeymoon!

We went to the Philippines and Indonesia. It was pretty adventurous. That is very much true to who we are tho. We first went to El Nido and then Coron in the Philippines. We chose those places because of their beauty and because neither one of us had been there before. It did not disappoint! The Philippines is so beautiful. White sandy beaches and clear water. We wanted to be where it was warm. We snorkled a lot and saw some amazing coral reefs. The people were so kind. We would love to return and explore more. Our second stop was Bali. We stayed in Uluwatu and then Ubud. Bali was great! We stayed more in the jungle and it was a great experience. Went to the monkey forest and the temple at sunset. It was all so magical and so nice that we had time to take a few weeks off and just travel and live in the moment of being husband and wife. It was everything I think a honeymoon should be. Romanic private dinners watching the sunsets in the most beautiful places.

Were any Grey’s Anatomy cast members in attendance at the wedding?

I’ll never tell. Haha But I won’t. I like to keep peoples privacy. There were a few familiar faces at the wedding.

Tell us about your hair & makeup business! Was it hard to decide on your wedding hair and makeup since you’ve seen it all or just the opposite?

Ya know, I think I keep it pretty tame. I really look up to old school makeup artists. I prefer classic over “overdone” I am not really into the latest instagram trends. I hate that stuff. I like to make my clients into the best version of themselves. But, still keeping them looking like a version of themself. Personally, I love switching things up on myself tho. I am a gemini, we get bored ya know :) Sometimes I want to rock a bold red lip, or just keep it simple with some lashes, a nice liner and a soft nude on the lip. I decided on my wedding makeup and hair to feel like me. I kept my hair down because I hate my hair up. I wanted a classic bouncy wave in my hair (which was done by my amazing hair stylist in Italy named Sasa Sicilia from Sasalon) I paired it with beautiful statement earrings and a necklace. My gown was the standout. I didn’t want to over do it.

Both having successful careers, how did you two juggle your busy schedules on top of wedding planning?

It was tough. But we did it! And we made sure to have fun along the way. We had a longer engagement (1. 5 years) and that helped so much! I couldn’t have imagined planning it in one year. We needed that time. And also just to enjoy being engaged was so nice.

Nichole, what has been your favorite role of Giacomo’s thus far? Besides “husband” of course ;)

Dr. Deluca duh. And yes, for all the fans that ask me on the daily. I ship Merluca! I just learned what ship means btw.

WEDDING PLANNER: SP Events by Sanda Pandza | Wedding Dress: Netta Benshabu | HAIR STYLIST: Sasalon | Wedding Venue: Villa Pocci | BACKSTAGE PHOTOGRAPHER: GIUSEPPE VOCI | COCKTAIL BAR: OFFSIDE EVENTS | FIREWORKS: LA PIROTECNICA | FLORAL DECOR: Andrea Patrizi | LIGHT DESIGN: MAMA EVENTS | MAKE UP ARTIST: Arianna Fares | MARQUEE: Paolini Allestimenti | OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Linas Dambrauskas | PARTY DJ: LEO ALESSANDRELLI | PHOTOBOOTH: Zin Gone At The Wedding | VIDEOMAKER: Matteo Castelluccia Videomaker