Zenaida and David are a Cuban-American couple from Miami whose story began back in college, first as friends who “secretly had a crush on each other.” Their relationship grew naturally over the years as they traveled, explored, and slowly built a life together. Because they were always taking trips, Zenaida never suspected a proposal, which made it even more surprising when David got down on one knee in Phuket, Thailand. He had planned that part of the journey entirely on his own, giving nothing away. “When I asked him to help me pick a dress,” she laughed, “he chose the brightest green one I brought, completely ignoring the white and soft yellow options next to it.”
Location: Lago di Garda, Italia
Style: Intimate, Romantic, Timeless, Magical
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 47
Setting: Isola del Garda
Season: Summer
They always knew a destination wedding was right for them, drawn to travel and experiences that felt truly meaningful. When they started imagining where that celebration should be, Lake Garda came to mind immediately. “We visited the year before getting engaged and fell in love with how it felt like a hidden corner of the world,” they shared. Less known in the States yet breathtakingly beautiful, it struck the perfect balance of small and grand, intimate but awe-inspiring. From that moment, they knew they had to bring their closest people there and share the place that had completely captivated them.
Details & The Photo
Their vision for the wedding was simple but deeply meaningful: an intimate celebration filled with joy and an element of total surprise. They focused on quality over quantity, curating every detail with intention and planning each moment with purpose so their guests would experience something truly unexpected. The entire day was captured beautifully by their photographer, Marta Ilardo, whose editorial approach elevated every photo. The colors, the emotion, and the candid moments were breathtaking — a perfect reflection of the day they had dreamed of.
What made the day even more unforgettable was the way they planned their venue-reveal surprise. The ceremony took place on an island in the middle of Lake Garda, but their guests had no idea. Everyone was instructed to meet at what appeared to be the venue, only to discover it was actually a boat dock. Moments later, boats arrived to carry them across the lake to the true ceremony location — a magical reveal that left everyone stunned and set the tone for an extraordinary celebration.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
“My dress was a Berta Privée, and I’m still completely obsessed with it.” Zenaida had always imagined something timeless and romantic, and the off-white lace, delicate detailing, and blushed veil brought that vision to life. The lace sleeves quickly became one of her favorite elements: “they moved so beautifully,” she shared, and the thin, airy bows added a whimsical, organic touch that felt perfectly her.
She kept her hair and makeup in the same romantic direction, opting for a soft, glowy, natural look so nothing felt overly structured or overpowering. Her bouquet echoed that aesthetic perfectly: loose, airy, organic, and aligned with both the florals and the atmosphere of the venue. Later in the evening, she shifted to a cascading bun that still kept that flowing, elegant feel while moving gently with her throughout the celebration.
Her Jimmy Choo heels completed the look with a sentimental touch. “The pearl detail meant so much to me,” Zenaida explained, because it echoed the tiny bow and petite pearl at the center of her dress. It was subtle but deeply intentional, the kind of thoughtful connection that made the entire ensemble feel cohesive, personal, and unforgettable.
Groom's Fashion
David wore a custom white jacket with classic black trousers, creating a sophisticated look that complemented the Italian setting. Inside the collar and lining, he added personal details such as their wedding date and both initials, making the suit feel uniquely his. He completed the look with Boss patent leather oxfords and a simple Calla Lily boutonnière. For accessories, he chose the Longines Dolcevita watch, explaining that the name “felt perfect for the day,” along with Ray-Ban Zuri sunglasses for a sleek, modern touch.
David described the wedding day as an emotional whirlwind, sharing, “The day was definitely a roller coaster of emotions. A mix of nerves, the excitement of finally seeing the love of my life walk down the aisle, and the overwhelming love I felt from all my friends and family.” He added that watching years of planning come together into “one of the best days of our lives” left him feeling profoundly grateful and genuinely happy with how everything turned out.
First Look
Zenaida shared that her first look began with her bridesmaids and then with her dad. Seeing her closest friends, many of whom she has known since sixth grade, made the moment incredibly emotional. “Standing there together, all grown up, sharing this moment… it was overwhelming in the most beautiful way,” she said. “I couldn’t feel luckier.”
Then came her first look with her dad, a moment Zenaida described as even more powerful than she ever imagined. “Watching my dad walk toward me, completely speechless, which is very unlike him, brought instant tears to my eyes. We stood there, forehead to forehead, in silence, taking it all in. It was a moment I dreamed of as a little girl, and I know I’ll hold it in my heart forever.”
Ceremony
Their ceremony took place right on the lake, romantic, intimate, and framed by the breathtaking views of Lake Garda. They wanted the scenery to be part of the moment, which is why their bridal party remained seated throughout. As Zenaida shared, “It created this serene, unobstructed view of the lake behind us as we got married.”
Zenaida and David chose a live string trio for the ceremony, creating a timeless, cinematic atmosphere from the very first notes. The bridal party walked in to an instrumental version of “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull, a little nod to Miami, where their love story truly flourished. “I walked down the aisle to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love,’ the same song our violinist played when David proposed,” Zenaida shared, tying their ceremony music back to one of their most meaningful moments.
"We hadn’t shared our vows beforehand, so listening to those words, so raw, honest, and full of love, felt incredibly intimate. It was one of those rare moments where time slows down, and you’re completely present, absorbing every emotion."
Cocktail Hour
Right after the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests toasted with champagne overlooking the stunning views of Lake Garda. “What made our wedding day truly unique was how intentionally personal it was,” Zenaida shared. “Every moment felt crafted with love, and the love our guests gave us is something uniquely ours.”
Venue & The Concept
Their inspiration began with the venue itself. Isola del Garda felt almost otherworldly the moment they stepped onto it. “It was such a magical, breathtaking place,” the couple shared, and it instantly set the tone for everything that followed. With frescoed ceilings, lush gardens, and the lake encircling the villa from every angle, they knew the design shouldn’t overpower the setting. Instead, the planners at Weddings at Lake Garda set a simple goal: enhance the beauty that was already there and let the island speak for itself.
From there, the couple leaned into a romantic elegance that harmonized with both the architecture and the landscape. Their color palette stayed intentionally soft—whites, blush tones, and vibrant natural greens inspired by the scenery. “We wanted everything to feel airy and full of movement,” they explained, and the florals reflected exactly that. Unstructured, flowing arrangements shaped the atmosphere, and the bouquet carried the same gentle, organic rhythm, completing a vision that felt timeless, understated, and deeply connected to the place they fell in love with.
A Boat Moment
And of course… the boats. They brought a kind of magic that no one expected. After the ceremony, guests boarded their boats and began drifting toward the reception, while Zenaida and David were taken onto a private boat just for the two of them. “As we pulled away, our captain sped us playfully around the guest boats while everyone cheered, clapped, and waved,” she shared. It felt like the perfect expression of that just-married glow — wind in their hair, the lake shimmering, their people surrounding them from the water. A moment that could only happen once, and one they’ll never forget.
Their reception began with another unforgettable moment: a boat ride across Lake Garda toward La Torre di San Marco. As they approached, the skies suddenly opened in what they described as “not a drizzle, a full romantic downpour,” instantly turning the moment into something cinematic and surreal. They arrived drenched, laughing, and completely wrapped in the joy of having just gotten married, a spontaneous, joy-filled memory that set the tone for an evening that felt intimate, emotional, and beautifully romantic.
Reception
La Torre di San Marco became the dream location for the entire evening, carrying forward the same soft, romantic palette from the ceremony. The décor and florals felt natural, elegant, and effortlessly cohesive, with the long tables they had always imagined bringing everyone together in one warm, intimate space.
One of the couple’s favorite details was their signature cocktail sign, “Cherry’s Choice,” named after their beloved mini Aussie, Cherry. “We missed her so much that night,” they shared, and seeing her illustrated on the custom napkins and signage made it feel as though she was right there celebrating with them.
And then came the surprises. “In true us fashion, the surprises continued,” they said. A roaming band danced through the reception, filling the night with movement, rhythm, and pure joy. For their grand entrance, they chose Volare by the Gipsy Kings, a moment that instantly electrified the room. “The band was incredible,” they recalled, playing a mix of Italian, Spanish, and English songs that turned the entire reception into a vibrant, cross-cultural celebration.
But the most heartwarming surprise of the night came from their wedding party, who secretly choreographed a full dance routine just for the newlyweds. “When we realized what was happening, we ran to join them,” they shared, laughing — and within seconds, the entire room was on its feet. From that moment on, the dance floor never emptied. They barely sat down to eat because the music, the energy, and the pure happiness of the night carried everyone straight through until the very end.
Into The Night
For their cake, Zenaida and David chose the traditional Italian Millefoglie, crisp, creamy, and absolutely delicious. They even helped assemble part of it, a fun and symbolic tradition they loved, calling it their “first first task together as husband and wife.”
And just as they cut the first slice, fireworks burst into the sky while A Sky Full of Stars played. It was magical, unexpected, and one of those moments that made everyone cheer, laugh, and tear up all at once.
As their great friend Xavier said in his speech, “No amount of writers in Hollywood would have written a better love story than you two share.” And that is exactly how the day felt to them—like something no one could have written better, no matter how many scripts they tried. From the surprises to the unplanned moments, everything unfolded more beautifully than anything they could have orchestrated themselves, and truly, they “wouldn’t change a single thing.”
"The joy, the memories, the love you feel surrounding you are all worth it. We wish we could relive our wedding day a thousand more times. You won’t regret creating a moment that celebrates your love in a way that feels true to you."
Advice from the couple:
• Our biggest advice is simple: have the wedding. Whatever that may look like for you, an intimate dinner with your closest family and friends or a big celebration, lean into it. If your gut reaction to wedding planning isn’t a firm “no,” and you find yourself somewhere in the middle, do it. We were on the fence ourselves, and now we can say with absolute certainty that it was one of the best decisions we made.
• And most importantly—be fully present. Take it all in. Savor every second. Leave your phone behind and let yourself truly experience the day! It goes by so fast.
PHOTOGRAPHY Marta Ilardo | WEDDING PLANNING Weddings at Lake Garda | VIDEOGRAPHY DK Wedding Film | VENUES Isola del Garda, Torre San Marco | FLORALS Lisa Torelli Flowers | HAIR & MAKEUP Belaya Lyudmila | WEDDING DRESS Chic Parisien, Berta Privée | BOATS Danieli Boat Service | FIREWORKS Brixia Fireworks | ROAMING BAND The Brotherrockers | DJ Rallo
