Allison and Emmett’s Stunning Villa Cetinale Wedding in Tuscany
Inside Brooke and Tyler’s Fairytale Villa Aura del Lago Wedding in Italy
Lake Como is the stuff of legends—think jaw-dropping views, cinematic villas, and that unmistakable Italian romance in the air. So when Brooke and Tyler’s stunning Villa Aura del Lago wedding came across our desks, we were instantly swept away. From the serene lakeside ceremony to the effortlessly elegant fashion, every detail felt like it leapt from the pages of a modern fairytale. We caught up with Yael Friedman of couture powerhouse Galia Lahav (the creative mind behind Brooke’s breathtaking gown) to get the inside scoop straight from the bride herself.
And if you’re dreaming of your own Villa Aura del Lago wedding? Stay with us ‘til the end—we’re sharing our personal tips for planning your perfect day on the shores of Lake Como. 💫
Mario Casati Photography
First off, the interview with the Bride…
1. A moment of your wedding day you will never forget?
Looking back on our wedding day, it honestly feels like a dream. After our ceremony, Tyler and I got to go out on a boat on Lake Como and have an hour-long photo shoot with our photographer and videographer. Not only are those photos my favorite, we also got to spend that time together alone while our guests enjoyed a mozzarella bar and dozens of appetizer options. It was such a special moment to have that quiet time with just us two before going back to the reception and party.
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
2. One thing you wish you knew as a new bride? What advice would you give to future brides?
It sounds cliché, but don’t sweat the small things. Every bride wants their wedding to be as perfect as possible, but at the end of it, your guests won’t notice if something needs to be changed. Just be flexible so that you don’t get too overwhelmed with the many details that go into planning a wedding.
3. A detail that made your wedding special/unique?
We had a live wedding painter, which was amazing. Our guests kept talking about that even weeks after our wedding. Not only was the painting amazing, but he provided a lot of entertainment to our guests who got to watch him.
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
4. How did you know your dress was ‘the one’?
The moment I saw a photo of the Catalina gown, I knew that was the dress I wanted to get married in in Italy. I absolutely love the details, the overskirt, and the color. When I called the bridal salon in Chicago, they said they did not have the sample yet because it was a new gown. I still made the appointment for the following week, and when I walked in for my appointment, they told me they got the sample the day before. I knew that was a sign that this was my dress! I waited to try it on at the end, and knew right away. The sample fit almost perfectly and it was exactly how I imagined it to be.
5. How did it feel when you put on your dress on the day of the wedding? What was everyone’s reaction to the dress?
I was so excited to finally wear my dress on the wedding day. The villa we got married at was the perfect backdrop for a wedding and I knew my dress would compliment it so well. All of the guests absolutely loved my gown. Even people who were not there, look at the photos, and typically notice my dress before anything else.
Mario Casati Photography
Villa Aura del Lago wedding inspiration
Villa Aura del Lago wedding inspiration
Mario Casati Photography
6. Would you have done anything differently?
Definitely not. Our wedding was exactly how I dreamt it to be!
7. What was your favorite part of the wedding to plan/were you most looking forward to?
Since our wedding was in Italy, I knew the food would be amazing! I love Italian food so much and I knew it would not disappoint. Although we did not have a ton of time to sit and eat, our guests definitely raved about the food. After the ceremony, we had a mozzarella bar along with passed appetizers. The dinner itself was incredible (which we did get to enjoy!).
And the best part, was the wedding cake, dessert table and gelato cart! It was so fun having so many options to cater to all of our guests.
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
8. How did you meet your husband? How did he propose?
We met at an Orangetheory class. Tyler’s cousin worked at the studio I went to, and invited him to a post-workout happy hour. We chatted for a minute, and then I ended up seeing him in the 6 am class I always went to about two weeks later!
We love to travel and have planned a trip to Paris and Germany for Oktoberfest in the fall of 2023. We had been dating for about two years, and I was getting antsy on when he would propose. I was hoping it would happen in Paris, and he did it on the third day of our trip with the Eiffel Tower in the background!
9. How did you find working with the team at Galia Lahav?
I worked with a local bridal salon, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture, in downtown Chicago. They did a great job showing all of the Galia options. Once my dress was ordered, everyone was very communicative on the choices I had for the lining color, and other options. It was a breeze working with everyone!
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
10. How many dresses did you try on before you found it?
I only tried on five dresses (all Galia Lahav). I am obsessed with the details on all of her gowns, so I knew I had to wear a Galia design!
11. Anything else you would like
I had been dreaming of a wedding in Lake Como within just a few months of Tyler and I dating. The moment we got back from our engagement trip, I reached out to several wedding planners in Italy to get a jump start on planning. Most of the planners said it would be impossible to get a date in 2024 – since it was Oct. of 2023 at this point. Luckily, our planner is the one who said it would be possible and she was great in getting everything secured so quickly!
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Mario Casati Photography
Vendor List:
Planner: Michela Lunardi @michela_lunardi_events
Photo: Mario Casati @mario_casati
Videography: @agstudiovideography
Flowers: Deborah @flowersandme_com
Hair/makeup: @blbsmanagement
Jewelry: Verstolo https://www.verstolo.com/
Wedding painter: @italianweddingpainter
Venue: Villa Aura del Lago http://www.auradellago.com/index.php/en/
Catering: Class Eventi https://www.classeventi.it/
Tips and Ideas for Planning a Villa Aura del Lago Wedding in Italy
Let’s just get this out of the way: Villa Aura del Lago looks like it was ripped straight from a postcard someone dreamed up after a glass of Chianti and a long nap in the sun. The first time I attended a wedding there—I nearly missed the vows because I was too busy gawking at the actual lake glittering like it had a filter on, and the villa itself… don’t get me started. High ceilings. Mosaic floors. Marble staircases. Views that ruin you for life.
But here’s the thing—planning a Villa Aura del Lago wedding isn’t for the faint of heart, or the indecisive. There are layers to this kind of celebration, and while it feels like effortless Italian romance, pulling it off takes strategy, humor, and really, really good shoes (those stone steps are no joke).
The Venue: Luxury Meets La Dolce Vita (With a Few Logistics)
Aura del Lago isn’t a typical “wedding factory” venue. It doesn’t churn out cookie-cutter events. It’s more like hosting your wedding in an aristocrat’s private lakeside mansion—which is both magical and mildly intimidating. There’s no built-in planner or catering package. You’re curating everything, like you’re styling a shoot for Vogue Italia… while mildly panicking about napkin folds.
Still, that freedom is exactly why people choose it. The ceremony can be lakeside with the Alps photobombing your first kiss. Aperitivo in the courtyard. Dinner under the stars. It’s all yours. But trust me, hire a local planner who knows the villa’s quirks and has a plan B for weather. Lake Como can be fickle. I’ve been to one wedding where a light breeze became a small hurricane. Everyone took it in stride, but we did end up eating risotto under umbrellas.
→ For vetted local planners – check this.
Styling: Less Is More (But Also… More)
The villa is already dripping with character—19th-century elegance, frescoes, sculpted gardens. So going full Pinterest maximalist feels like showing up to a ball in a sequin romper. Let the villa speak. Brooke went with neutral florals and Italian cypress accents, and it was chef’s kiss. But I’ve also seen a bold pink-and-orange palette work beautifully there. Just… no DIY signage. It’s not that kind of party.
One couple brought in a string quartet, but asked them to play 2000s pop covers in classical style (yes, Beyoncé on violin). It was weird. It was wonderful. Villa Aura del Lago has room for whimsy—as long as it’s elegant whimsy.
For styling ideas that respect historical villas – check this Pinterest page.
Guests: Prepare Them for the Fairytale and the Fuss
Most guests at a Villa Aura del Lago wedding aren’t locals. They’re flying in from the US, the UK, and Australia. That means you’re hosting a destination experience, not just a wedding. And that includes logistics. Water taxis, foreign SIM cards, and espresso stronger than your will to sleep. The trick? Create a printed welcome guide (digital’s fine too) with maps, dress codes, weather prep, and phrases like “Il mio prosecco, per favore.”
Pro tip from experience: do a day-before pizza party. It gives everyone a chance to mingle without pressure, and helps jetlagged guests get their social bearings. I once watched a bride’s college roommate bond with the groom’s grandma over Aperol spritzes. By the next day, they were taking selfies and calling each other “my Italian bestie.”
Budget: Italy Isn’t Cheap—But It’s Worth Every Euro
Villa Aura del Lago is not a budget venue. Between the rental fee, catering, décor, transport, and hiring vendors willing to haul gear up the hillside in the heat, you’re going to spend. A smart bride I met—Leticia, from Boston—saved by booking in shoulder season and choosing a weekday. Result: better rates, softer light, and fewer tourists mistaking the wedding for a film shoot.
If you’re worried about cost, skip the 8-course meal. Go for quality over volume. Italians know how to make a 3-course dinner feel like a celebration of life itself. Also? You don’t need fireworks. The villa, the view, the wine—they’ll light everything up just fine.
→ For tips on Planning a destination wedding budget – read this Bride’s post.
Final Thoughts: What I Learned from Watching Love Unfold Here
Being at a Villa Aura del Lago wedding does something to you. You watch the sun hit the lake just as the couple says their vows, and suddenly every failed Tinder date, every bad buffet chicken, every long-haul flight delay—it all makes sense. Love like that deserves a place like this.
But more than the grandeur, it’s the quiet moments that stay with you. The groom was tearing up while tying his shoes. The bride’s mom fixing her veil like she used to fix her hair before school. It reminded me that weddings—no matter how lavish—are really just about presence. About pausing time.
If you’re lucky enough to be planning a Villa Aura del Lago wedding, just know: it’s going to be stunning. But if you let it, it’ll be more than that. It’ll be the memory you come back to when the real world gets loud again. And honestly? That’s priceless.
Want help with your Italian wedding planning? We’ve got a growing collection of resources and real weddings here: https://www.bespoke-bride.com/tag/italy 💍🍋
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or Pinterest pins to go with this post!
