A Love Story Written in the Stars: Ashley & Cody’s Enchanting Wedding at Villa Balbiano

Love Story

Sometimes fate has a beautiful way of bringing two souls together, even when their paths have crossed numerous times without them knowing. "We went to the same university, but we never met," Ashley recalls with a smile. "We both happened to be in London on the same New Year’s Eve but never saw each other."

When they finally connected through mutual friends, they remained friends for years before romance blossomed. "Dating my best friend was the best choice I ever made!" Ashley confesses.

They dated for about two years before Cody proposed in the most romantic way. "Cody proposed to me on the beach at sunset in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico," Ashley shares. "It was the most perfect day." A year after their engagement, they celebrated their union with a breathtaking wedding in Italy.

After a year of careful planning, Ashley and Cody's dream of a classic Italian wedding came to life at the magnificent Villa Balbiano on Lake Como, Italy. With 90 of their closest friends and family in attendance, the couple created a celebration that embodied timeless elegance against one of the world's most breathtaking backdrops.

"We wanted classic Italian elegance," explains Ashley. "The architecture and design of our venue itself,” was the main inspiration during the planning process.

When asked about the most memorable moment from their special day, the answer comes without hesitation: "Cody crying while I walked down the aisle and while he read his vows," Ashley shares.

Morning details

The couple entrusted Paper Tree Studios with their beautiful invitations, setting the tone for their sophisticated celebration. Their wedding rings were custom-designed to perfectly capture their personal style and love story.
"I wore a diamond ring that my dad had gifted my mom years before," Ashley reveals, her voice softening as she describes this meaningful family heirloom that added a touch of sentimentality to her bridal ensemble.

Bride getting ready

The quest for the perfect dress led Ashley on quite the adventure. "I saw a picture of it on Pinterest and knew immediately that was my dress," she reminisces seeing the masterpiece by J. Andreatta. "This dress was only sold at 2 stores in the US. I had to track the exact dress down and fly to San Francisco to try it on. It was even more beautiful in person, I’m so glad I found it."

Ashley prepared for her big day at Villa Balbiano, surrounded by her closest female relatives and friends. This intimate gathering helped calm any pre-wedding nerves as she transformed into a bride.

To complete her bridal look, Ashley paired her dream dress with a flowing veil and Christian Louboutin heels. Her bouquet, crafted by Lake Como Florist, featured an exquisite arrangement of seasonal white flowers that perfectly complemented the day's refined aesthetic. Her bridesmaids looked stunning in elegant Mirror Palais dresses, adding to the sophisticated ambiance of the celebration.

Groom getting ready

While Ashley prepared at Villa Balbiano, Cody and his groomsmen got ready at the prestigious Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The groom looked dashing in a custom-designed tuxedo, surrounded by his father Jerry, brother Jake, and friends Sal and Jack.

Ceremony

"I didn’t do a first look with Cody, but I did one with my father. It was such a sweet moment! We did it just a few moments before I walked down the aisle and I’m so glad I got to share this moment with my dad," Ashley reminisces.

The garden behind Villa Balbiano provided a heavenly setting for Ashley and Cody's vows. "The ceremony took place in a garden behind Villa Balbiano directly backed up to beautiful Lake Como Italy with a gorgeous view," Ashley describes. As "Turning Page" instrumental by Sleeping At Last played, Ashley made her entrance, preceded by Cody's young nieces who served as adorable flower girls.

When Ashley finally appeared, Cody's reaction was everything a bride could hope for. "Cody broke into tears the moment he saw me come down the aisle. I won’t lie, the song I walked down the aisle to had a long wait so he was anxious to see me," Ashley recalls with a laugh. "When I asked him about that moment later, he said he was in awe at how beautiful I looked and how beautiful my dress was. He still brings up how much he loves my wedding dress to this day."

Their ceremony honored Jewish wedding traditions, with all the ceremonial elements thoughtfully incorporated. "We had a pretty traditional ceremony. My father gave me away, we exchanged personal vows and rings, and did all the ceremonial traditions of a Jewish wedding," Ashley explains.

The grand finale of their ceremony left everyone gasping in awe. "The daytime fireworks that exploded as we kissed after being announced man and wife! We didn’t tell any of our guests about the surprise so it was a beautiful moment for everyone," Ashley shares with delight.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Following their "I dos," the newlyweds embarked on a stunning photoshoot throughout Villa Balbiano's picturesque grounds. Taking full advantage of their spectacular location, they even ventured out onto Lake Como by boat, capturing breathtaking drone shots that showcased the villa and the magnificent surrounding landscape.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Villa Balbiano captivated Ashley and Cody from their very first visit. "Cody wanted to get married near the water, but I didn’t want to get married at the beach," Ashley explains. "So this was a perfect compromise. Loved the venue at first sight!"

Their décor embraced a refined palette of white and champagne, allowing the venue's natural grandeur to shine. Thoughtful details included custom fans for guests to combat the warm Italian sun.

Reception

The celebration continued with a reception that honored Italian culinary traditions while incorporating personal touches. For their first dance, the couple swayed to the romantic melodies of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Ashley enthusiastically describes their incredible menu: "Our cocktail hour included a full cocktail bar and many food choices. We had a full seafood bar, full charcuterie table, we even had people making fresh mozzarella for our guests for dinner. We had many courses, including Truffle pasta, steak, and more. We also had to have Hugo spritz(my favorite drink."

For dessert, the couple opted for a traditional Italian millefoglie wedding cake prepared by their caterer, a delicate pastry confection that provided the perfect sweet ending to their dream wedding day.

The evening unfolded as a perfect tapestry of love, laughter, and celebration, with guests dancing under the Italian stars as the newlyweds basked in the glow of their perfect day surrounded by everyone who mattered most to them. Ashley and Cody's love story reminds us that timing truly is everything and that when two people are meant to be together, fate finds a way to make it happen—even if it takes a few near misses along the way.