Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Como, Nicole and Nick’s wedding was a true celebration of love, elegance, and unforgettable moments. From the stunning venue at Villa Balbianello to the meticulously curated details, every element created a magical experience for the couple and their loved ones.
Location: Lake Como, Italy
Style: Glamorous and Fun
Time of planning: 18 months
Number of guests: 80
Setting: Villa Del Balbianello
Season: Summer
Nicole and Nick’s love story began in 2014 when Tinder was still in its early days. After swiping right on each other, they embarked on a long (and often hilarious) texting courtship. Once they both confirmed they weren’t being catfished, they had the most magical first date. “We’ve been inseparable ever since!” Nicole shares with a smile.
In the early days of their relationship, they started a fun tradition of surprise dates, each taking turns to plan something unique, romantic, and full of bonding moments. One of Nicole’s favorite surprises was a trip to the Museum of Natural History and the Planetarium, followed by a picnic in Central Park. It became a special day for them, and the museum held a lasting place in their hearts.
When it was time for Nick to propose, he recreated that unforgettable day. He set up a scavenger hunt at the museum with clues that reflected key moments in their relationship. The final clue led them to the planetarium, where Nick had arranged a heart-shaped display of flowers, accompanied by a guitarist playing “Don’t Give Up On Me” by Andy Grammer—a song that held deep meaning for them. As they stood in the center of the heart, Nick got down on one knee and asked Nicole to be his wife. “It was a moment we will never forget,” Nicole says. Once they had built their family and businesses, they decided it was time for a destination celebration everyone would remember.
Location & Planning
“I had many mood boards clipped and created, but the vision really developed over the course of our many conversations and emails with our amazing planners,” Nicole shares. From the beginning, the couple envisioned a glamorous, James Bond-esque atmosphere. “We always said we were ‘written in the stars’ from the moment we met,” Nicole continues. “We knew we wanted to dance under the stars, outside, surrounded by twinkle lights in Italy!” Thanks to their planners at My Lake Como Wedding, that dream was perfectly brought to life.
Every step of the planning process was fun and exciting, and their team handled the stress so the couple could enjoy the experience.
“We consider ourselves so lucky to have found Gemma and her team at My Lake Como Wedding. They truly took the time to understand what was important to us, and translated that into an event we, and everyone involved, will talk about for the rest of our lives!” They were amazing to work with every step of the way, and Nicole couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Welcome Day
In the days leading up to their wedding, the couple wanted to give their guests a true taste of Italian culture, infusing their celebration with vibrant, unforgettable touches. They greeted each guest with a personalized wedding favor that included a small bottle of limoncello and a charming gift bag.
The atmosphere was electric at the reception, with an Aperol Spritz station offering refreshing cocktails at the special Spritz Bar. Each guest also received a personal card with a heartfelt “thought of you.” As the evening continued, there was even a sketch station for guests to capture memories and a unique Italian cheese station where guests could watch the cheese-making process in action. The entire evening was magical—vibrant, lively, and filled with moments that Nicole and Nick will remember forever.
"We knew we wanted it to be an unforgettable weekend for us, but also for our guests who were traveling to spend this beautiful time with us!"
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
The couple was overjoyed that their son could be part of this incredibly special day and spend the wedding morning with them. “The fact that our son got to be part of this amazingly special moment in our lives was more emotional than we had imagined. It was so beautiful to have him share this memory with us!” Nicole shares.
As for her wedding look, Nicole had a vision from the start: “I knew I wanted a dress that felt like it belonged in Lake Como, Italy. I wanted something I knew I would never get to wear anywhere else while still making me feel like a bride!”
She chose a stunning Galia Lahav ballgown called Mimosa—the same designer who created her welcome party gown. “I tried on so many gowns, and none made me feel the way that gown made me feel!”
To complete her look, Nicole wore stunning gold Alexandre Birman platform heels that were surprisingly comfortable and a veil by Galia Lahav. The Studio styled her makeup and hair, and instead of traditional bouquets, her bridesmaids carried fans covered in florals by Il Profumo Dei Fiori. After getting ready, Nicole and her bridesmaids enjoyed a fun boat ride on Lake Como, setting the tone for the rest of the day’s celebrations.
Groom's Morning & Fashion
Nick’s wedding look was just as elegant and personal as Nicole’s. He wore a custom-made cream Dormeuil tuxedo jacket and black trousers from Knot Standard New York. He also gifted all his groomsmen custom tuxedos, ensuring everyone looked their best. Nicole gave him an IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire as a wedding gift, which held deep sentimental value. It was very meaningful as Nick’s grandfather was a pilot of Spitfires in the RAF during WWII.
Just like Nicole, Nick had the chance to enjoy a special moment with his groomsmen on the Lake Como boat ride. It was a perfect way to unwind before the big day and share memories with his friends.
Ceremony
Nicole and Nick always dreamed of a traditional ceremony, one filled with love, blessings, and happiness. They chose the iconic Loggia area at Villa Del Balbianello, a place as special to Lake Como as it was to them. While they knew it would be beautiful, nothing prepared them for what the planners and florists had created. “It looked as though you were in actual heaven! Floating on the clouds! It was magnificent,” Nicole recalls.
As Nicole walked down the aisle toward Nick, she was overwhelmed by the moment. “It was breathtaking,” she says, still in awe of the memory. The couple also included a blessing of love that brought everyone into the moment, making it even more meaningful for everyone present.
One of the most memorable surprises of the day came during the ceremony when Nick had their son prepare a special reading. “You can see my ultimate shock as my son came and joined us on the platform and performed this beautiful and special reading from the Book of Corinthians,” Nicole shares. This heartfelt moment added even more emotion to the ceremony.
Memorable Moments
The couple recalled so many unforgettable and special moments throughout the day that it was hard to pick just one. From the breathtaking moment when Nicole walked toward Nick in the stunning setting of Villa Del Balbianello to the overwhelming joy of seeing their dreams come to life as they walked through the venue, every second was magical.
One special moment they both cherished was the intimate boat ride they shared before the reception. Just the two of them, surrounded by the picturesque beauty of Lake Como, soaking in the love and excitement before the celebration began.
Reception Decor & Dinner
From the moment Nicole and Nick stepped into Villa Del Balbianello, they knew it was the perfect place for their reception. Surrounded by the stunning views of Lake Como, it felt like a dream come true. “Again, a moment that took my breath away!” Nicole recalls. The evening was made even more magical by twinkling lights overhead and a dazzling mirrored dance floor that seemed to float above the lake.
"Our amazing planners managed to create the most stunning, one of a kind reception area we have ever seen!"
As guests made their way onto the Garden Terrace, they were greeted by violinists playing Sky Full of Stars from raised platforms, setting the tone for the night. The dinner was equally enchanting, as Tenors serenaded the guests with beautiful Italian ballads while they enjoyed a delectable spread of pasta. “We watched the sunset over the lake and just marveled at the detail of every single aspect of our stunning table layouts and flowers!” Nicole shares. The entire reception was a breathtaking, unforgettable celebration—a true reflection of the love and joy the couple had dreamed of.
The Celebration
The dinner was unforgettable! Toasts are a huge tradition at English weddings, and these certainly didn’t disappoint. “We had three in total,” Nicole recalls, “the first given by my mother, which was moving and beautiful.” The couple took time to honor their fathers, both of whom had passed, creating many heartfelt moments. But the Best Man and the Groom stole the show with their quick wit and humor, “they brought the house down!” shared the couple. Their lively speeches were one of the biggest highlights of the day, bringing everyone to tears with laughter.
The wedding cake was another memorable moment. “The most delicious Italian Millefoglie cake with Chantilly cream and berries—it was heaven!” Nicole says.
As the evening drew close, the couple chose the perfect last song: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship. “It’s the ultimate perfect 80s movie song,” Nicole says, “and there was no better way than having a perfect movie ending to our perfect fairytale event!” Dancing with their son to their wedding song, celebrating each precious moment with their loved ones, was the perfect way to end the night. Nicole remembers, “When the Tenors came out, it was truly a moment of sheer perfection!” It was a celebration filled with so much love, laughter, and joy—beyond spectacular, truly unforgettable.
"I cried from sheer happiness and awe the moment we had our sneak peak, and didn’t stop all evening because I still could not believe this was our wedding. It was a dream come true, from start to finish!“
Advice from the couple:
• Our advice to couples would be to try and enjoy every moment, and to remember that yes it is your big day, of course, but also keeping your guests in mind is important. Especially if people are traveling to be with you! Making people feel appreciated was very important to us, and we never regretted any little things we did to also make them happy and provide them with an experience along with us! It is a celebration! And that’s what it should feel like!
PLANNER My Lake Como Wedding | PHOTOGRAPHER Lilly Red | VIDEOGRAPHER AG Studio | HAIR & MAKEUP The Studio | BRIDAL DRESS Galia Lahav | WEDDING VENUE Villa Balbianello | PRE & POST EVENT VENUE & CATERING Grand Hotel Tremezzo | PRE & WEDDING DAY FLORIST Il Profumo dei Fiori | PRE-EVENT SKETCHER Erica Lonati | STATIONERY Grigio Cielo | RENTALS Event Set | PRE & WEDDING DAY MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT Blunotte | VIDEO BOOTH Over the Box | CELEBRANT Rita Annuziata | CATERING Sunlake
