A Villa Garden Wedding That Felt Like a Cherished Dinner Party by the Sea

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]white, emerald green, and soft blush pink[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The design, ambiance, and concept for our wedding were inspired by the charm of an intimate dinner party or a sophisticated house party, surrounded by our dearest friends and family. We chose to exchange our vows in the villa’s garden, with a breathtaking view of the sea, creating an atmosphere of personal warmth and elegance. We aimed to maintain the intimacy of a cherished family reunion while seamlessly incorporating all the traditional elements of a wedding.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

From a young age, I had dreamed of visiting Italy, envisioning its enchanting cities and romantic landscapes. After years of researching, planning, and immersing myself in photos, videos, and blogs about this dream destination, we finally made it a reality with a two-week journey through Italy’s most captivating towns. We began in the serene beauty of Lake Como, then ventured to Milan, Sardinia, Positano, Capri, and concluded our trip in Rome. As a meticulous traveler, I had planned each day with precision, mapping out activities and dining experiences to make the most of our time. Upon arriving in Lake Como, our itinerary included a scenic tour of the lake on a classic wooden boat and a day of exploring the region’s most exquisite villas. However, our boat tour was unexpectedly canceled. In a bid to salvage the day, the boat company suggested we head to Varenna to find an alternative. When we arrived in Varenna, its charm took our breath away. It was so enchanting that I suggested we forgo our planned itinerary and spend the day exploring this beautiful town. To my surprise, Colby was unusually resistant to this change, which led to a gentle debate. Eventually, I agreed to stick to our original plans, albeit reluctantly. The next morning, Colby dressed in exceptionally smart attire for the day. Despite my concerns that he might be uncomfortable, he assured me he was fine, staying true to his usual determined nature. We returned to Varenna, where we toured a stunning villa. As we admired the view, Colby suggested we take a selfie. As we posed for the photo, he began to speak about our relationship and how surreal it felt to be in Lake Como with the love of his life. Before I could fully grasp the moment, he got down on one knee and proposed. To my astonishment, he had arranged for a photographer to discreetly capture the proposal, blending in as a tourist so we could enjoy the moment privately. The rest of the day unfolded beautifully, with us meandering through Varenna’s quaint streets, savoring delicious food, and toasting to our future. It was a day that perfectly mirrored the romance and magic we had always dreamed of.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Dress: Netta BenShabu
Shoes: Valentino
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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

We’re passionate foodies who often plan our vacations around exceptional culinary experiences, particularly Michelin-starred restaurants. For our wedding, we wanted to recreate that Michelin-starred dining experience, complete with a multi-course menu and craft cocktails, as if you were at a fine dining restaurant. During the cocktail hour, we served a selection of exquisite tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, including: Sicilian aubergine croquettes with yogurt and mint sauce, Breaded potato cubes with sweet chili sauce, Calzoncello pies with tomato and mozzarella, Hazelnut cookies with porcini mushrooms, lemon, and Parmesan, Savory tarts with zucchini, Scapece style, Crispy lasagna, featuring puffed pasta chips with Bolognese ragout and Parmesan mousse. For dinner, we delighted our guests with a refined four-course meal. The experience began with an appetizer trio of exquisite bite-sized creations. This was followed by a delectable Gessetti pasta paired with yellow scarpiello. For the main course, guests could choose between succulent amberjack with celery gel, lovage emulsion, and tomato confit, or a Beef cheek with papaccelle puree, parsley oil and purple potatoes.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our moodboard for the florals and decor embraced a theme of timeless elegance, designed to enhance rather than overshadow the inherent beauty of the villa and its picturesque village surroundings. Given the villa’s and town’s existing vibrant charm, we opted for a subtle approach, focusing on a refined palette that complemented the natural splendor without competing with it. Our goal was to allow the villa’s exquisite character and the village’s colorful backdrop to remain the focal points, highlighting their beauty through understated and harmonious decor.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

To cap off the evening, we served a classic Italian millefoglie, bringing a touch of tradition and elegance to the finale.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

We both agree that our first look was truly unforgettable. It was the one precious time during the entire wedding week when it was just the two of us, allowing us to fully embrace the moment and take in the beauty surrounding us. In that intimate space, we cried, laughed, hugged, and kissed, creating a memory that is everything we could have hoped for and more. I will cherish that moment forever.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

Beyond the first look, walking onto the boat for our welcome party and down the aisle are two other moments etched deeply in my memory. Each of these moments made me feel incredibly loved and special, filling me with such a sense of fulfillment and happiness.

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

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

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