A Jewel-Toned Celebration of Love on the Shores of Lake Como at Villa Aura Del Lago

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”][/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The brides chose a color palette inspired by the natural beauty of Lake Como to accentuate the picturesque mountains juxtaposed by the serene lake backdrop of their wedding. The wedding reception had deep velvet green tablecloths to match the verdant mountains, along with deep blue and light blue florals to fade into the waters of Lake Como. The opulent chandeliers that hung above and lit up the couple’s dinner tables were topped with deep red, orange, and light pink florals to capture the stunning sunsets in Lake Como as the sky turned to dusk. Brittany and Amy were inspired by rainbows for equality and wanted to set the hues amongst fall jewel tones for their wedding. This celebration, and everything it stands for, was so important to them!

The brides cast their wedding venue search far and wide, in search of an international destination that featured imposing mountain views, a lakefront setting, and the ability to host the entire wedding outside, complete with dancing under the stars. After choosing Villa Aura del Lago, the couple’s vision was to emphasize the natural beauty of the backdrop of Lake Como, while showcasing the timeless elegance and luxury of Italy. The brides wanted rich, deep colors to capture the passion of their relationship, which was reflected by the luxe fabrics in the velvet lounge sets and tablecloths, gold dinnerware, and their lavish champagne tower. Brittany and Amy knew it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have all of their friends and family from all parts of their lives gathered in one spot, in one moment in time, in what they considered to be the most beautiful location in the world. So, their two primary goals were first, to marry the love of their life, and second, to give their friends and family the most memorable experiences. The couple’s wedding planner, Gather Events, helped them achieve both goals in seamless and stunning three-day wedding events. Brittany and Amy love being on the water and wanted to share that with their guests by hosting a welcome party on a private boat to see the sights of Lake Como, complete with a live saxophone player. The couple’s wedding day was centered around enjoying the beauty of the lake by putting their dance floor and band outdoors with a lakefront view, hosting dinner at two long tables to share an intimate meal on the shores of Lake Como, and ending the weekend with a picnic style farewell event complete with outdoor games from Italian Wedding Games. The brides also wanted larger-than-life experiences for them and their guests, such as their ceremony recessional parade with guests waving rainbow pride flags, their bridal portraits on a classic Riva boat by Cantiere Cadenazzi, and ending the night dancing under fireworks.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Brittany and Amy got to enjoy not one, but two beautiful proposals, tailored perfectly for each of them. Amy surprised Brittany with a trip to the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, where they stayed in the most beautiful lakefront luxury cabin at Lake Placid Lodge. Amy led Brittany to the balcony of the Lodge, which was adorned with gorgeous flowers, lanterns, and candles, and showed her a video she’d been recording throughout their relationship. Little did Brittany know that Amy’s parents and Brittany’s parents (who flew in from Texas) were standing behind them as a surprise. Amy got down on one knee, and in front of a gorgeous fireplace on one side and a sweeping overlook of mountains and a lake on the other side, asked Brittany to marry her. After Brittany said yes with eyes full of tears, they were whisked away on a wooden boat across Lake Placid to explore the picturesque mountainside with trees turning the most stunning fall colors. To give Amy her own unique experience and special moment, Brittany knew she wanted to propose back. She took Amy on a surprise vacation to Hawaii, which Amy only found out her destination upon boarding. The couple went to Lanai and Kauai, where Brittany proposed on the beach of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay with an intimate picnic setup surrounded by stunning tropical flowers, a violin player, and, of course, another beautiful mountain backdrop. After Brittany said yes with eyes full of tears, the two then whisked away on a wooden boat across Lake Placid to explore the picturesque mountainside with trees turning the most stunning fall colors. The night ended with a beautiful lake view dinner with their families, stargazing, and s’mores. Then!! As if that wasn’t magical enough, Brittany surprised Amy with a proposal set in beautiful Hawaii.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Brittany wanted an elegant dress to match the style of the Italian villa where they would be getting married, so she chose a fitted gown with long sleeves and a high collar by Wona Concept from Jaxon James Bridal in Los Angeles. Brittany also wanted to capture the high-fashion luxury vibe that was reflected in their wedding decor, so she had customizations made to fit her design style, including making the gown backless. The ornate, fully beaded gown had a chapel train that was accentuated by the bride’s long veil by Toni Federici. Amy wanted to express her authentic self, confidently wearing a sleek white jumpsuit that was both high-fashion and elegant. Brittany and Amy had timeless wavy curls and makeup done by Lydia of Malino Beauty, which added the perfect touch of femininity and class. Brittany had a purse custom-designed, with embroidery illustrating the wedding venue, the backdrop of Lake Como, the couple’s wedding logo, and even a Riva boat, made by VR Storybook. The couple’s appearances wouldn’t have been complete without the months of hard work they put in with their incredible personal trainer, James King III, who they credit with prepping Amy to effortlessly lift Brittany, while in heels, during their first dance. The three-day celebration was filled with outfit changes to match each occasion. For example, before the guests arrived at the welcome boat party, the couple had a photo shoot with their wedding photographer, Andrew Bayd, at the nearby Villa Melzi. Brittany wore a luxurious toile-patterned blue Mestiza Torrero gown, its intricate design reminiscent of the tapestries in Italian villas. Paired with an artistically inspired Cult Gaia clutch in pearlized white and blue, and delicate toile drop earrings, the ensemble exuded timeless elegance and modern sophistication. Amy wore a custom-made powder blue suit to match Brittany’s gown, perfectly complementing the charm of their Lake Como celebration.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

The food and drink were impeccable, as one would expect with authentic Italian food. At cocktail hour, guests were served aperol spritzes and the bride’s signature cocktails with custom drink stirrers in the shape of the Riva boat. An elaborate menu of aperitifs consisted of local cuisine, such as Parmesan lollipops and Sicilian arancini. Dinner included squid ink ravioli, scottona fillet, sea bass, and dessert featured creme brulee, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Nicole from Fiore Quotidiani was a dream to work with! She wove Brittany and Amy’s jewel-toned rainbow throughout every area of the event in whimsical florals. The focus on color and texture truly complemented these beautiful brides and their chosen location for celebration. Italian busts were adorned with lush, contemporary flowers like ranunculus, adding a touch of sophistication and vibrancy. The couple’s seating chart, a floating sign reading “Olive Our Favorite People,” was a whimsical focal point, with tags displaying guests’ names and table numbers attached to bottles of olive oil. Surrounding the seating chart and bar were clusters of blue baby’s breath, complemented by pops of jewel-toned florals.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Not only are two proposals better than one, but so are two wedding cakes! The brides had an oversized traditional Italian mille feuille, with custard in between perfectly crispy layers, topped with fresh raspberries and blueberries. It was also important to the brides to honor the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate their pride by having their cake, with its organic natural edges and brushed gold accents, feature rainbow-colored layers inside.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Brittany and Amy had their hearts set on their favorite Italian band, Daudia, before they even chose their wedding venue. The only problem, Daudia was already booked on their wedding date. During the couple’s year of wedding planning, they searched for an alternate option for the music, but nothing felt right. In what the brides truly believe to be fate, Daudia emailed them just a couple of weeks before their wedding, letting them know that the event they originally booked on the couple’s wedding date was cancelled, so Daudia immediately thought of Brittany and Amy and asked if they could still perform at their wedding. Daudia performed a heartfelt, acoustic version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley as the bride walked down the aisle. The couple also chose specific songs throughout the night to reflect the feelings they wanted to invoke in those special moments, from “Higher Love (Remix)” by Whitney Houston and Kygo for the brides’ grand entrance and champagne tower, to ending the evening with “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay for the fireworks display finale. One of Brittany and Amy’s favorite moments was performing their masterfully choreographed first dance to “Wild Love” by James Bay. The brides took dance lessons from Danse L’Amour to perfect the lifts, dips, and spins.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Pre-wedding Photo Shoot at Grand Hotel Tremezzo: Upon arriving in Italy for their wedding, Brittany and Amy captured the excitement of the moment with a pre-wedding photo shoot at the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Against the backdrop of the hotel’s signature orange and white umbrellas, the brides wore sleek black ensembles—a dress and a jumpsuit—that stood out beautifully against the vibrant colors of the setting. The shoot was an elegant celebration of the anticipation and joy leading up to their special day. Rainbow Flag Recessional Parade: As the couple exited their wedding ceremony at Villa Aura del Lago, a vibrant parade of wedding guests waving rainbow pride flags filled the grounds with joy and celebration. Walking hand in hand, the brides led the procession through the villa’s stunning gardens, the flags honoring the LGBTQ+ community and the significance of being the first lesbian couple to marry at this iconic Lake Como venue. The parade continued down to the pier, where cheers echoed as the couple stepped onto a classic Riva boat for their grand exit. Surrounded by love, the shimmering lake, and a sea of rainbow colors, it was a moment of pride, unity, and pure magic.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

Grandparents’ Surprise Speech: After dinner, heartfelt speeches followed, with the highlight a surprise Brittany had kept secret—a recorded message from Amy’s grandparents, captured by a videographer Brittany had sent to upstate New York. Amy’s 101-year-old grandfather, not knowing he would pass away just two weeks before the wedding, shared a heartfelt message alongside her grandmother, calling themselves “the world’s proudest grandparents” as they offered their love and blessings. As their voices echoed off the shores of Lake Como, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. Fireworks: At their wedding planner’s great advice to keep at least one thing a secret from their guests (including their bridal party and parents), the brides surprised all of their wedding guests with a fireworks display to end the night. Brilliant colors danced across the water, illuminating the faces of the newlyweds and their guests. Seeing the guests’ faces light up with pure awe as the sky over Lake Como erupted in a breathtaking display of fireworks made the secret more than worth it, ending the celebration with absolute magic. Welcome Bags: The welcome guest bags were a thoughtful touch, each adorned with a hand-drawn illustration of the venue. Inside each tote, guests found baseball hats featuring the couple’s wedding logo and a Riva boat, along with a lemon-shaped cookie made by Leila’s Delights, delicately decorated with an imprint of the words “Lake Como.” The invitation, designed by their talented planner, Gather Events, was a work of art, featuring a drawing of the villa and a sleek, transparent film overlay.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]