Location: Lake Como, Italy
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 15 months
The number of guests: 40
Wedding theme/style: Romantic, floral-filled, Bridgerton-inspired.
Ellie and Garrett’s proposal story is very romantic. Garrett wanted to recreate the scene of their first date at the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Since Ellie was difficult to surprise, he had to be extra careful and ingenious. He collaborated with their friends to devise a clever plan to surprise Ellie on New Year’s Eve.
At the bridge where they took their first photo together as a couple, Ellie’s friends suggested taking a picture. While Ellie posed for what she thought was a simple snapshot, her friends were secretly recording the moment. Meanwhile, Garrett took the opportunity to get down on one knee and propose. The shock on Ellie’s face was evident as she processed the sudden turn of events. She exclaimed, “What! No! No way! What…YES!?” as her emotions ranged from disbelief to sheer joy.
Ellie and Garrett wanted their wedding to be unique. They had many ideas in mind and decided to trust the planners at Suellen Fernandes to craft an incredible wedding. Suellen, the agency’s founder, believes that celebrating love is more than just her job; it defines her as a person. The team worked tirelessly to help Ellie and Garrett experience the true essence of La Dolce Vita.
The couple chose Villa Regina Teodolinda on Lake Como as their wedding venue. It has a rich history, with Queen Teodolinda residing there. Legend says the old oleanders’ smell fills the villa’s rooms during warm nights. The lakeside access makes it an ideal location for a romantic wedding celebration.
Ellie recalls, “I was obsessed with the Bridgerton series while planning the wedding and wanted that vibrant yet soft color vibe for our wedding.” The bride especially loved their invitation suite and the RSVP cards because they featured their three dogs. Ellie and Garrett consider their dogs their babies and want to incorporate them into their special day.
The day before their wedding, the lovebirds hosted an outdoor welcome party themed “all in white.” Under sun umbrellas near the pool, guests gathered for a relaxed and joyful evening. Ellie took a moment to express her gratitude to her bridesmaids and presented each of them with a beautiful necklace. The party created an ideal atmosphere for the couple’s upcoming wedding ceremony.
The wedding preparations began in a stunning vintage room of the villa with a bride and groom overlooking the serene lake. Garrett wore a navy suit with sleek black lapels and a classic bow tie, perfectly complemented by his well-groomed beard and hairstyle.
Ellie’s perfect wedding dress, by Rita Vinieris, held special significance for her. The bride had difficulty finding the right dress when she spotted the dress on her way out of a shop. She wasn’t sure about it at first because it was different from what she had in mind, but the intricate details on the top caught her attention.
Ellie’s perfect wedding dress, by Rita Vinieris, held special significance for her. The bride had difficulty finding the right dress when she spotted the dress on her way out of a shop. She wasn’t sure about it at first because it was different from what she had in mind, but the intricate details on the top caught her attention. From the bride: “I asked my stylist if I could try it on. I immediately started crying when I looked in the mirror, and more tears began flowing when she told me the dress was called Adeline, which is my grandmother’s name. It was meant to be!”
It was a strapless dress with a deep V-cut and a beautifully beaded bodice. Her long blond hair was styled in relaxed, big curls that cascaded down her shoulders. And her skin glowed radiantly!
Tears streamed down their faces when the couple saw each other in wedding attire. It was a sincerely moving and touching moment that they will always cherish. What made it even more special was that the bride and groom had prepared gifts for each other without the other one knowing.
The bride wanted the flowers in the ceremony area to complement Lake Como and Villa Regina Teodolinda. Margarita of Lake Como Florist created a large, dramatic arch decorated with fluffy flowers that perfectly balanced elegance and simplicity. The stunning display added a magical touch to the villa’s tranquil backdrop and the lake’s picturesque views. It fulfilled Ellie and Garrett’s desire for a ceremony space filled with charm, sophistication, and wow.
In preparation for the ceremony, the team Suellen Fernandes had carefully planned and designed a set of fans and sun umbrellas for the guests. These thoughtful additions provided relief from the hot sun, ensuring everyone could enjoy the event without feeling uncomfortable or overheated.
After their ceremony, Ellie and Garrett enjoyed a magical boat ride on Lake Como. The clear sky and mesmerizing water made their day special, creating a peaceful and unforgettable experience as they sailed hand in hand, soaking in the moment’s beauty.
While Ellie and Garrett enjoyed their boat ride, guests at the villa savored quality time. The reception area buzzed with live melodies as everyone indulged in refreshing cocktails and various delicious fruits. It was a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, perfect for connecting and celebrating with the newlyweds.
From the bride: “For the tablescape, I loved the idea of one large table with the floral piece running down the middle, accompanied by candles. Unlike our arch, I asked that we include a light pop of color into this arrangement to compliment the peach color of the villa. The flowers were so perfect; it was like I had taken the vision in my head and handed it to our florist Margarita, who made it come to life!”
Ellie wanted the colors of Villa Regina Teodolinda to shine, so she coordinated her bridal party’s attire accordingly. Moms’ dresses matched the shutters, while bridesmaids’ dresses reflected the garden flowers. She let bridesmaids choose their light pastel dresses with florals, ruffles, or flowy styles to ensure comfort. Since everyone chose pink, Ellie’s maid of honor wore yellow to stand out.
On the other hand, the groomsmen were given a lot less direction. The couple only asked them to avoid wearing black and requested that they wear something they could imagine seeing at an Italian garden party. Fortunately, they were great in choosing their looks and nailed it perfectly.
“My favorite look was Garrett’s little brother, who wore a matching toile de jouy tie and pocket square – it was adorable!” – says Ellie.
The setting sun cast long shadows from the trees, creating a warm and enchanting ambiance at the outdoor dining tables. As the evening approached, the gentle play of light and shade and the soft glow from the string lights enveloped the area in a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
The dancefloor was prepared indoors, ready to host the lively celebrations. After the newlywed’s enchanting first dance, Ellie and her father had a special moment. They surprised the guests by breaking into a lively polka during their traditional father-daughter dance. This unexpected twist delighted their guests and allowed Ellie to celebrate her Polish heritage.
After the seating part of the celebration ended, the couple changed into comfortable sneakers. The bride wore an airy summer dress decorated with frills and ruffles.
Ellie decided against tossing the bouquet and instead chose to present one to each of her bridesmaids, wanting to show appreciation to each of them individually.
When the party ended, Ellie, Garrett, and their closest friends decided to make the most of the enchanting surroundings by taking a midnight swim in the cool and refreshing waters of Lake Como. Under the shimmering moonlight, they create unforgettable memories. It was the perfect ending to a truly magical day, a spontaneous and joyful celebration of love and friendship beneath the starlit sky.
Advice from the bride:
• Research your suppliers carefully, take time to get to know them before hiring them but once you have found them, trust them because they know what they are doing and everything will be fine.
PLANNING Suellen Fernandes | PHOTOGRAPHER Selene Pozzer | FLORALS Lake Como Florist | CATERING Sunlake Catering | VENUE Villa Regina Teodolinda | DRESS Rita Vinieris | STATIONERY Lewes Lettering Co | MUAH Amanda Tironi | ENTERTAINMENT & LIGHT DESIGN Blunotte Eventi
