Location: Lake Como, Italy
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Number of guests: 120
Wedding theme/style: Sophisticated, lively, extravagant.
When Stephanie and Matthew visited Lake Como a few years ago, it was love at first sight. They knew this magical place would hold a special place in their hearts, but little did they know a four-day wedding celebration would soon take place in the area they explored with wonder, sharing it with their friends and families. Their love story began in Chicago in 2017, where they connected on Hinge. After dating for a little more than five years, Matt proposed outside their home in Chicago, surprising Stephanie with an engagement party filled with family and friends. Originally considering Colombia for their wedding, where Stephanie was born, they ultimately chose Lake Como after a memorable trip to Italy that solidified their love for the lake and its beautiful surroundings.
After we came back home, it felt too natural to go back for the wedding as Matt’s family has Italian heritage.
The wedding was masterfully orchestrated by Bespoke Unique Weddings and Events. “Once we found our planners at Bespoke Unique Weddings, Alba and Cinzia, the wedding planning process really flowed smoothly,” Stephanie shared. “They guided us through scheduling all the events, selecting venues, and handling all the details big and small. Their attention to detail and communication was amazing.” The four-day wedding was a testament to their hard work, filled with activities, emotions, and experiences for the couple and their guests.
What we loved most about this wedding was the creative flow as we worked from the couple’s input on their favorite concepts and developed them into four completely different – but consistent – projects, each with a strong personality and many subtle details that delighted the guests during these four days of pure fun.
The celebrations began with an unforgettable cruise across Lake Como during sunset on an original vintage ferry. Departing from the iconic waterfront Piazza in Cernobbio, the ship was equipped with custom-made food and drink stations on the deck, an indoor open bar, custom cushions and tablecloths in traditional blue and white maiolica prints, and lemon trees for a true Mediterranean welcome. An engaging Italian roaming band and a limoncello bar got guests dancing until – and even after – the ship’s return to port.
The following day, guests enjoyed an Aperol-Spritz themed beach party up the lake at Lido di Lenno. They indulged in sunbathing, swimming, and dancing to a DJ and sax, while being treated to BBQ fresh fish and seafood, a gelato cart on the sand, and a custom-made Spritz bar.
The setting included boho-style bamboo lounge furniture, king-size sun beds, wooden tables and chairs, white gazebos, and tropical plants, all accented with the iconic orange color of Spritz. There was also a custom-made photo booth corner, orange fans, beach towels, embroidered caps, spritz-flavored Italian candy, and even spritz-flavored gelato.
Honestly, our welcome party and beach party were also two very unique events that made the whole weekend special.
The main wedding event took place at the historic Villa Pizzo, a venue that perfectly fit the couple’s vision of classic old Italy. The villa, located right on the lake, offered beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces, creating an elegant and romantic atmosphere for the celebration.
The couple’s first look took place at Passalacqua, a favorite hotel where they stayed during the wedding. The setting was beautiful and felt like a fairytale, capturing the essence of their love story. This intimate moment was beautifully captured by their photographer, Elisabetta Lilly Red.
One great part of the day was that we were able to do our First Look and family photos at Passalacqua. The setting was beautiful and felt like a fairytale.
Stephanie and Matthew’s touching and elegant ceremony took place in a beautiful, quaint church in Cernobbio, Chiesa Prepositurale del Santissimo Redentore. Celebrated by their family priest, Father Hurley, and accompanied by beautiful violinists and Matt’s sister-in-law Natalie, a trained opera singer, the ceremony was truly memorable. “We were extremely lucky to get married in a Catholic Church in Cernobbio,” said the couple.
Church weddings are not common in Lake Como, but when they happen, they remain in peoples’ hearts.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a prosecco toast in the Piazza before venturing on Venetian taxi boats for an impressive arrival at iconic Villa Pizzo. They were welcomed with an Italian aperitivo, golf carts shuttling to a surprise secret photo corner on the rooftop of an old boathouse, one of the best viewpoints in Lake Como, and a champagne tower in the Italian gardens to celebrate the wedding couple.
During their private moment alone, Stephanie and Matthew embraced the enchanting beauty of Lake Como aboard a classic boat. The sun reflecting off the tranquil waters and the picturesque landscape in the background set a perfect scene.
They shared intimate smiles and laughter, capturing the joy and love of their special day. This peaceful escape allowed them to fully absorb the magic of their wedding, creating lasting memories amidst the breathtaking scenery.
The wedding reception took place in a glass marquee in the villa’s courtyard, combining interiors and exteriors. The exquisitely decorated tent incorporated trees and statues, with green and white colors and touches of gold on the table settings, creating a curated and romantic garden-style reception.
From the solemnity of the wedding ceremony to heartwarming touches such as the bridal bouquet being ornate with her mother’s favorite flowers, these wedding celebrations were full of special moments and tangible emotion.
An immersive international band, Inspiration Live Music, entertained guests during and after dinner, with a DJ afterparty set taking place in the frescoed interiors of the villa until the early morning hours. The couple’s first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s “Young at Heart,” keeping with the Italian theme.
The traditional Italian Millefoglie wedding cake was constructed and decorated with fresh berries on the dance floor, only for a brief moment because nobody wanted to stop dancing!
As one of our guests put it, it felt like you were at The Grammy’s with the performance they put on throughout dinner and dancing.
When we sat down for dinner after our first dance, taking in the incredible setting and decorations, and then Inspiration Band kicking off their performance, it felt surreal to have all of the planning come together so well.
The farewell event was a vibrant pool party at Lido di Cernobbio’s private pool overlooking the lake. A Barbie-style colored theme with bright pinks and hot colors, silver mirror disco balls, inflatables in the pool, giant balloon installations, and an open bar created a colorful and lively atmosphere.
The whole venue was customized with the theme: from the bar to table tops, food stations, lounge furniture, parasols, and cushions, every design item was manicured for a picture-perfect setting.
Advice from the couple:
• Communicating with each other as a couple and with our planners was key, and it got everyone on the same page over what felt like thousands of details. And since we were asking our guests to come all the way to Italy for us, we really tried to focus on the guest’s experience, like transportation logistics, filling dead time, dress codes, music to set the vibe, and the food to keep them well-fed – we wanted people to feel like making all the trouble to travel so far was well worth it.
PLANNING, DESIGN & PRODUCTION Bespoke Unique Weddings and Events | VENUE Villa Pizzo | VIDEOGRAPHER Mat Caste Films | PHOTOGRAPHER Elisabetta Lilly Red | FLORALS Vertuani Fiori | RENTALS Sofi Design | CATERING AFM Banqueting | STAGING, LIGHT & SOUND Blunotte Eventi | VIOLINISTS & LIVE BAND Inspiration Live Music | MUAH BLBS Management | STATIONERY Grigio Cielo Studio | PHOTOBOOTH Over the Box Italia | BOATS Como Classic Boats | COUPLE Stephanie & Matthew
