Fashion

Lake Como In Golden Light

An American–Australian Love Story Written in Italy

December 14, 2025

There are some weddings that feel less like events and more like films; stories shaped by light, history, and the rare alchemy of place and emotion.

For Lindsey and Alex, Italy wasn’t just a destination. It was a return, a homecoming, a setting that felt instinctive from the moment they began planning their celebration.

“We both grew up hearing family stories that made Italy feel nostalgic,” Lindsey says. “It felt like returning to our roots but in the most cinematic, meaningful way.” With guests traveling from the U.S. and Australia, the couple wanted a location that felt “truly extraordinary,” a place that would make the long journey feel worthwhile.

Lake Como, with its mirrored waters and timeless villas, gave them exactly that…a sense of old-world romance and effortless elegance that shaped the entire mood of their celebration.

Lake Como In Golden Light — Image courtesy Hassan Hadad

THE VENUE

Planning from opposite sides of the world meant late-night Pinterest boards and dreamy inspiration sessions, but one image kept reappearing for the couple: Villa del Balbianello.

Its arches, perched above sweeping lake views, held a film-like glamour the couple couldn’t ignore. “It kept appearing like a dream we couldn’t shake,” Alex recalls.

Once they learned its history and saw how the golden Italian light hit its terraces, the decision became inevitable. “It wasn’t just a venue; it was the fairytale stage our love story deserved,” Lindsey says. “We looked at each other and said, ‘This is it.”

THE PALETTE

The natural surroundings played muse from the start. Terracotta facades, warm stone, peach-tinted sunsets over the water: these hues became the heart of their palette.

Soft peaches, blush tones, and gentle pinks blended seamlessly into their décor, creating an aesthetic that felt romantic yet understated.

Even the menu leaned into local culture, with a modern Italian approach that delighted guests course after course.

THE FASHION

For Lindsey, finding the right dress was its own journey. From Sydney to Chicago, she tried nearly forty gowns before slipping into the one she didn’t want to take off: the Vivienne Westwood Nova Camille. “The structured corset gave it that romantic, subtly sexy edge while still feeling effortless,” she says. “I wanted something beautiful but never overpowering the venue, and this was it.”

Alex leaned into a European summer mood: an off-white Saint Laurent jacket paired with black trousers. “Classic, elevated, and light enough for Italian heat,” Lindsey adds. “The white jacket highlighted his dark features so beautifully.”

Though their wardrobe wasn’t exclusively Italian, it was globally meaningful: Cartier wedding bands, Gucci and Saint Laurent accessories for the boat ride, Jimmy Choo heels, and a Cult Gaia bridal bag.

The true Italian influence came not from the brands but from the people: their Milanese planner Sara Azzi and her brother Sergio, who officiated. “It became a genuine Italian family affair,” Lindsey says. “Spending a month in Milan before the wedding, meeting locals, and bonding with the Azzi family made everything feel intimate and personal.”

Her bridesmaids, both sisters, wore butter-yellow dresses from Bec + Bridge: “intentional but not overly matched,” while the groomsmen kept to a black-tie palette that allowed Alex’s cream jacket to stand out with a touch of Bond-like polish.

THE DAY

Floral design was the couple’s top priority. “The venue was already breathtaking, but the flowers would elevate the atmosphere and curate the guest experience,” Lindsey explains.

A harpist played through the ceremony and cocktail hour, filling the villa with soft, ethereal notes.

Artist Monja Scarcella painted a live scene from the ceremony as her partner created watercolor portraits of each guest: an interactive, heartfelt bomboniera that guests adored.

Dinner unfolded like a love letter to Italy: a caprese-style salad served inside a tomato, two handmade pasta courses including truffle shaved tableside, and a playlist of Italian-American classics: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, voices that felt right at home on the lake.

The millefoglie wedding cake layered with fresh berries was the star of the show. “People went back for seconds and thirds,” Lindsey laughs.

Afterward, servers passed fresh affogatos on the dance floor, an Italian finale that kept the celebration buzzing until late night.

THE MOMENT

Ask them to choose a favorite moment, and they share the same answer without hesitation: standing beneath the iconic arches of Balbianello as they exchanged vows. “Those forty minutes were magical,” Alex says. Surrounded by florals, harp music, and elegantly dressed guests, the world seemed to fall away. “The location didn’t just enhance the moment, it transformed it,” Lindsey recalls. “Making our vows in such a breathtaking place felt like the greatest blessing.”

THE FAIRYTALE

Their photographer, Hassan Hadad, became more than a vendor, he became a creative collaborator. “He held our hand from the minute we signed him,” Lindsey says. He built mood boards, helped refine fashion choices, and quietly captured moments the couple didn’t even realize were unfolding.

“He exceeded every expectation. Seeing the photos, we were blown away, he caught details we had forgotten.”

Guests praised him for his professionalism and how he subtly dressed in theme. Lindsey and Alex also credit Wendy Khoury and Stephen Abadair of Wedded Wonderland for connecting them with Hassan. “They knew he would match our vibe perfectly and they were absolutely right.”