A Dreamy Lake Como Love Story: Jordan & Anthony Celebrate Their Wedding at Villa Balbiano

Love Story

In the halls of their high school back in 2013, Jordan and Anthony's paths crossed through mutual friends, igniting what would become a decade-long love story. "It was love at first sight," Jordan reminisces with a warm smile. Their journey together has weathered numerous life changes, from new schools to career shifts and city moves, only strengthening their bond with each passing year.
The proposal itself was nothing short of magical, taking place during their first trip to what would become their favorite destination - Lake Como. "Anthony proposed while on a beautiful riva boat tour on the lake," Jordan shares, her eyes sparkling at the memory. "it was magical and I was beyond surprised!"

After two years of meticulous planning, Jordan, a sports broadcaster for CBS Sports covering college football, and Anthony, a real estate agent, brought their dream wedding to life in July 2024. The couple chose to host an intimate celebration with 100 of their closest friends and family, centering their festivities around two iconic Lake Como locations: the magnificent Villa Balbiano and the historic Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
"My vision for the wedding weekend was to show our guests, who were our closest friends in family, Lake Como through our eyes," Jordan explains with enthusiasm. "It was important for us to show our favorite people our favorite place on earth in all of its beauty."
The celebration began with a welcome party at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a special place the couple visits each year. "We chose Villa Balbiano because the beauty is just unmatched, we chose a minimalist decor because we wanted the villa ground, and lake to be the center focus," Jordan shares.
The couple's vision extended beyond the traditional wedding day festivities. "At our after party we invited all the locals who we've met over the years to a local spot in Tremezzo called Glams Cafe where we've become close with the owner Giuseppe," Jordan says with a warm smile.
Their wedding style was thoughtfully curated to honor their surroundings. "The style was a beautiful blend of traditional Italian elegance with a chic, modern twist," the couple explains. "We embraced the timeless beauty of the villa, incorporating classic elements like white roses, lush greenery, warm candles, and elegant decor."

Bride getting ready

The morning of the wedding found Jordan at Villa Balbiano, surrounded by her loving entourage of ten bridesmaids, two sisters-in-law, mother, and grandmother. Her journey to find the perfect gown was a testament to patience and dedication, requiring three trips to New York City before discovering her dream Leah Da Gloria dress at Bridal Reflections. The moment Jordan slipped into the gown, it was clear that every effort had been worth it—an exquisite masterpiece that perfectly captured her elegance and grace.
"Simple bouquet to not overshadow the dress," Jordan shares, explaining her choice of a simple, elegant bouquet that wouldn't overshadow her gown. She completed her bridal look with classic Jimmy Choo heels and a particularly meaningful touch – her grandmother's gold earrings. Her bridesmaids complemented the sophisticated aesthetic perfectly, each choosing their own unique black gown.

Groom getting ready

Anthony prepared for the day at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, accompanied by his twelve groomsmen, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, and father-in-law. The anticipation of the day ahead filled the room with excited energy.

Ceremony

The lakeside ceremony at Villa Balbiano was a vision of understated elegance. "We chose to line the aisle with simple white roses and chose against a ceremony backdrop which I absolutely love because the focus is strictly on us and the beautiful lake," Jordan explains. As the Vitamin String Quartet's rendition of "I Will Always Love You" filled the air, Jordan made her way down the aisle in a moment that would be forever etched in their memories.
The ceremony was intimate and deeply personal. One of the most touching moments came during their officiant's speech about Anthony's parents. The couple's hearts were especially touched by Jordan's father's dinner speech, marking the emotional milestone of giving away his first daughter in marriage.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

The newlyweds took advantage of Villa Balbiano's numerous picturesque locations for their photos. "There were soooo many places to capture iconic photos and Danilo and Sharon made magic happen!" Jordan exclaims.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The wedding design embraced a sophisticated palette of white, black, and gold, allowing the villa's natural beauty to shine. The couple aimed for a beautiful blend of traditional Italian elegance with a chic, modern twist, incorporating classic elements like white roses, lush greenery, and warm candles.

Cocktail hour

Reception

The reception began with a show-stopping entrance that left guests in awe. "All the guests remember the moment walking into the reception and seeing our whole band on mirrored platforms as if they were floating with the mountains of Lake Como in the background," Jordan reminisces. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to Ben Rector's "Love Like This," setting the tone for an evening of celebration and romance.
The menu was a carefully curated journey through Italian cuisine, reflecting Anthony's passion for food. "We opted for two pasta dishes to start as Anthony is a big foodie!" Jordan explains with a smile. The feast began with burrata-filled ravioli topped with fresh tomatoes and basil, followed by fresh linguine whipped with butter and sage on Parmigiano Reggiano cream, crowned with freshly shaved summer truffle.
For the main course, guests could choose between sea bass with baby vegetables, currant grapes, and pine nuts in a basil cream sauce, or a decadent beef fillet with milk and truffle cream, accompanied by duck foie gras mousse and thyme-infused potatoes. The culinary experience concluded with espresso martinis paired with tiramisu and a spectacular Italian Millefeuille cake, prepared live by a pastry chef from Sun Lake Catering.
Perhaps the most magical moment of the evening was nature's own contribution to their celebration. "Leading up to the wedding, I was always very nervous about the weather," Jordan confides. "It rains always and I really didn't want to have an indoor wedding. I wanted to enjoy our meal and the party under the italian moonlight." Their wishes were granted in the most spectacular way. "The best part of the wedding was enjoying dinner and the pink sunset that was over us. In all the years visiting lake como and especially the week leading up to the wedding we were told how terrible the weather has been and how their are never sunsets. Well, we got blessed with the most incredible pink sunset during the evening that I'll never forget."