Framed by the quiet beauty of Lake Maggiore, Emilie and Mah’s wedding weekend was anything but quiet. It was a full-sensory experience, charged with color, layered with feeling, and styled with unapologetic character. From a tearful ceremony to the glittering after-party, every chapter reflected who they are. With Blooming Eventi, the celebration moved like a masterfully directed film: dynamic, artful, and pulsing with personality at every turn.
Location: Lake Maggiore, Italy
Style: Chic, Elegant, Romantic
Time of planning: 1 years
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Both film editors, Emilie and Mah met through a shared milestone: they both signed with representation in the U.S. on the same day, a coincidence that quickly turned into a connection. It felt like fate. Emilie is from France, and Mah is from Brazil. They spent years moving between cities — Paris, New York, Los Angeles. Their connection was instant, their similarities uncanny, and their differences complementary. One proposed in Bordeaux, the other in Paris, and when it came to planning their wedding, they aligned just as effortlessly.
They envisioned a day filled with warmth, authenticity, and aesthetic depth — one that brought together their communities in one place. After searching for a meaningful “middle ground,” they found it in Italy.
"The love and respect we have for each other is endless."
Planning & Location
The couple had a clear vision: something elegant and intimate, yet nontraditional. They chose Villa Rusconi Clerici on Lake Maggiore as their venue—a location that offered both grandeur and sincerity. With its yellow facade, Renaissance interiors, and pristine lakeside garden, it immediately felt right.
Working with planner Victoria of Blooming Eventi, who also happened to be Brazilian, felt serendipitous. The three quickly established a planning rhythm, managing details across time zones through early morning Zoom calls and shared creative boards. The couple was deeply involved in sourcing vendors, often traveling to Italy to taste, test, and curate every choice, from chairs to floral palettes. The guiding principle was simple: everything had to feel true to them.
To honor their French-Brazilian roots, the day included personal touches like champagne paired with pão de queijo, a trilingual stationery suite, and a soundtrack that blended Italian strings with Brazilian rhythms.
“It was truly an incredible experience!” shared the couple.
Welcome Day
The welcome celebration was more than a casual prelude. It was a full day of joy and connection. Friends and family gathered at a lakeside restaurant with views of the water and mountains. Later, Emilie and Mah arrived from the shore, laughing hand in hand as they made their way to join everyone.
The dress code felt relaxed yet expressive, with bold prints, breezy silhouettes, and sunglasses. There were heartfelt toasts, shared plates of pasta, and spontaneous rounds of applause and happy tears.
By the time twilight settled in, the vibe shifted into party mode. Guests began dancing, drinks in hand, moving from seated laughter to full-on celebration. Emilie and Mah were all smiles, clearly soaking up every moment of the night with the same intention they poured into the rest of the weekend.
Wedding Day
Bridal Fashion
Both brides embraced modern silhouettes that still felt timeless. Mah wore a sleek gown by Lihi Hod, chosen almost instantly after finding it. Strapless with a flattering bodice and a flowing skirt, it felt both architectural and soft—perfect for her. She paired the look with pearl drop earrings.
Emilie took a longer route, trying on multiple gowns before switching plans just four months out. Her final choice came from Pronovias Beverly Hills: a fitted, strapless gown with clean lines and a floor-length veil embroidered along the edge. She styled it with sculptural pearl earrings and a deep red lip that stood out against the soft layers of tulle.
They kept their looks a surprise from each other until the first look, and when they finally saw each other, their dresses matched in an unplanned but harmonious way.
Later, for the after-party, they changed into disco-inspired white and silver ensembles with sequins, feathers, and sparkle. The transformation was theatrical and fun, a visual cue that the night was just beginning.
Ceremony
The ceremony space was like a hidden garden, blooming in full color just steps from the water’s edge. Rows of wooden chairs lined a lush green aisle framed by untamed florals by Flower One in soft lilac, coral, marigold, and blush. The lake with the silhouette of the mountains adding a cinematic depth to the scene. A harpist and violinist played softly as guests took their seats, setting the tone for something deeply intimate and timeless.
Every guest looked like they had stepped out of a magazine: think floral dresses, bold prints, sharp tailoring, and summer shades. It was a beautiful gathering, not just visually but emotionally, full of presence and anticipation.
Emilie and Mah each walked in with a parent by their side. When the brides finally met under the floral arch, it was clear just how deeply this moment had been felt, imagined, and lived already.
Their vows were personal, raw, and full of affection, and yes, there were tears. But there was also laughter, steady hands, and the sense that nothing else existed outside this moment.
The ceremony ended in applause and beaming faces, and the couple exited hand-in-hand down the aisle as wives, surrounded by the kind of energy that only comes from deep love and a community who showed up fully for it.
Boat Ride for Two
After the ceremony, Emilie and Mah boarded a vintage Italian boat for a private ride across the lake. The newlyweds held hands, soaked in the views, and allowed the moment to settle in. It was quiet and cinematic, like slipping into an old Italian movie scene.
Photographers Irina and Matej captured it all with a balance of film and digital. The analog frames were full of soul, while the digital shots brought out the movement and color of the day. The storytelling was intuitive, unforced, and emotional—exactly what this couple needed.
Cocktail Hour
While the brides were on the water, guests gathered for cocktails and a beautifully curated Italian buffet. The garden shifted into an open-air lounge filled with music, laughter, and color. Ice-cold prosecco flowed freely, and hands reached for sun-dried tomatoes, fresh burrata, and handmade focaccia.
Everything was local, seasonal, and full of flavor—curated thoughtfully by the couple after tasting their way through regional producers during planning trips to Italy.
When Emilie and Mah returned from their boat ride, they stepped in with champagne bottles. They poured the bubbly into the coupe tower, laughing as they went. There was no rush, just rhythm. Glasses clinked. Conversations grew louder. And the garden began to glow.
Decor & Setting
The dinner space took on a more refined tone, set inside a glass pavilion that looked out onto the lake and surrounding greenery. Long wooden tables were decorated with colorful, airy florals in glass vases. The arrangements felt natural and cheerful, like flowers casually gathered from a garden that morning. Taper candles and small lamps added a soft glow.
Each place setting was finished with illustrated menus and name cards that tied into the couple’s custom stationery. The result was elegant without feeling formal — stylish, inviting, and full of little personal details. The work of planner was woven into every part of the experience, ensuring each shift felt natural and cohesive.
Reception
Dinner began with a first dance to “S’ Wonderful” by João Gilberto, a nod to their Brazilian roots. The meal unfolded in courses, paired with laughter and clinking glasses. But it wasn’t long before the room shifted. “Believe” by Cher came on, the bridesmaids pulled everyone to the dance floor, and the night ignited.
Every guest joined in, dancing and singing. The energy was electric, contagious, and impossible to resist. Later, guests were ushered down a hallway into a hidden party room, now transformed with lights and music into a full-on nightclub.
The brides made their entrance in their second looks just in time to cut the cake by Sugar Cups and pour champagne.
It wasn’t about tradition—it was about rhythm, feeling, and freedom. The room pulsed with joy until late into the night.
"We spent a whole year planning our special day, so the day of was only dedicated to sharing unforgettable moments with our families and friends. It was truly an incredible experience!"
PLANNER Blooming Eventi | VENUE Villa Rusconi Clerici | PHOTOGRAPHER Irina and Matej | VIDEOGRAPHER Ivana Varesko | FLORALS Flower One | CATERING White Ricevimenti | CAKE Sugar Cups | SOUND/LIGHTS HiSunset | ENTERTAINMENT Arpa per Matrimonio
