That's Amore - A stylish spring wedding in Lake Como
Everything you’d imagine a wedding in Lake Como to be…
Alex and Ashleigh got married in Lake Como in the spring. They exchanged vows on the balcony of an 18th Century villa overlooking the lake. And then jumped in a speedboat across the emerald water, to where they spent the afternoon drinking Aperol and dancing barefoot on the sand.
I know, I know, it sounds too good to be true. Luckily I took tons of photos…
With elegant, classically beautiful styling, an achingly romantic ceremony, and an absolutely iconic boat trip, A&A’s day was everything you’d imagine a wedding in Lake Como to be. If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding in the Italian lakes, come take a look. This might be that little nudge you’ve been waiting for.
A tale of two letters
Ashleigh was sitting by herself on a sunny terrace overlooking the lake. A gentle breeze blew in across the water, and distant mountains loomed through the morning haze. On her lap sat unopened Cartier; in her hand was a letter from Alex. She read the letter again and again, smiling to herself and laughing each time. And finally, she opened that little red box.
Alex and his groomsmen stood in a cool, bright loft a few stories above. It’d been a morning of beer and bow ties, ironed shirts and velvet jackets. That same breeze blew through the open balcony door, and Alex was smiling ear-to-ear at the letter from Ashleigh in his hand.
In the garden far below there was a gentle *pop* from the first of many bottles of Laurent Perrier.
Bridal styling inspiration for your Lake Como wedding
Ashleigh’s bridal look was understated, stylish, and perfect for a wedding in Lake Como. She’d designed the dress herself, and had it created bespoke by Sarah Sews, pairing the figure-hugging silk gown with spectacular shoes from Amina Muaddi. And as a quintessentially Italian final touch, a rustic bouquet of olive branches.
When the final flute had been drained and the last hair brushed into place, we headed out into the sunshine and walked the cobbled streets down to the water's edge. With one last smile towards the shore, Ashleigh jumped in a speedboat with her girlies. And sped off across the water to marry the love of her life.
Villa Del Balbianello
Villa Del Balbianello is a breathtaking place to get married. The gorgeous 18th Century mansion, the immaculately-kept gardens, the ancient stone steps and centuries-old towers, the truly incredible ceremony space, …it’s stunning. As in, gob-smackingly “oh my God, is that really where we’re going?!” stunning.
We got off the boat, I wished Ashleigh good luck and ran ahead up the hill to where Alex and the guests were waiting. After a few minutes of hushed excitement, Ashleigh stepped out onto the balcony, and Alex’s face broke into the biggest smile.
And the way they were with each other was just wonderful to watch. How they never once stopped holding hands and hugging each other. The adoring way Ashleigh looked up at him. How they kissed the rings before placing them on each other’s hands. It was one of the most heartfelt, romantic ceremonies I’ve ever seen. And when it was all over, they skipped and swayed their way back down the aisle as husband and wife.
Champagne and couples shots at Villa Del Balbianello
While the guests were sipping champagne on the balcony, I snuck Ashleigh and Alex away for a little stroll around the grounds.
And as a wedding photographer, these little moments of quiet and calm are always some of my favourite parts of the day. I love that in the midst of all the excitement and attention, I get to give you a chance to escape the crowds, take a breath, and focus on each other for a while.
We strolled through the gardens together, enjoying the warmth, the quiet, and the gorgeous views. After a little while, we rounded a corner and heard a huge cheer from the guests on the balcony welcoming us back. There were hugs, tears and congratulations. Champagne flowed, the sun shone, and the lake glittered far below.
If you’re having a wedding in Lake Como, there’s one thing you have to do…
Even if your feet never need to leave the shore, find an excuse- any excuse- to take a private boat trip across the lake.
The engine purred beneath us as we bounced across the water, the sun warmed our skin, and the wind played in our hair. Ashleigh nestled in Alex’s arms, they played with each other’s hands, kissed and cuddled.
As a wedding photographer, it was one of those *pinch me* moments. As a couple, it was a moment Ashleigh and Alex will never forget.
Sax on the beach - wedding reception at Lido di Lenno
We spent the afternoon on the private beach of Lido di Lenno. And by the time we got there, the saxophonist was jamming away to the DJ and the party was already in full swing! A&A grabbed their his n’ hers Aperols, kicked off their shoes and jumped straight in. And after such an emotional day so far, it was awesome to see everyone just letting loose and dancing barefoot on the sand.
The reception styling was perfect for the more relaxed vibe of the afternoon. A horseshoe of trestle tables had been decorated with an understated tablescape of straw mats, white candles and tangled olive branches. It was rustic and simple, and looked beautiful laid out across the sand with the mountains silhouetted against the sky behind.
As the sun set, the villages began to twinkle in the darkness on the other side of the shore. Music played late into the night, champagne and Aperol flowed, and sparklers burned gold beneath the jet black sky.
My favourite thing about being a wedding photographer
I’ll be honest, a wedding in Lake Como is a big tick off my bucket list! And yes, it was everything I’d ever imagined and more.
But my favourite thing about Ashleigh and Alex’s wedding wasn’t the drop dead gorgeous setting, or the flawless styling, or even the epic boat trip! My favourite thing about their wedding was them. The way they looked at each other, held each other, danced with each other. I could see how much their day meant to them, and I loved that I got to be the one to tell their story.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Lake Como (or anywhere in the world!) and you love my work, I’d be so excited to hear from you. Get in touch today and let’s have a chat and get to know each other.
All writing credits go to the wonderful Jonathan Carpenter of the @thecarpentercopy. Find him here: https://thecarpentercopy.com.
