Fay & Joseph: A Romantic Lake Como Dream Wedding at Villa Erba
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Wedding date: 08/30/2024
- City: Como
Love Story
Their love story unfolded with the quiet magic that only true connection can bring—starting as many do, through mutual friends and the gentle spark of friendship. For Fay and Joseph, what began as a simple companionship slowly transformed into a profound and beautiful bond over the course of a year. "We discovered we had a lot in common and the same values," Fay recalls with a smile. Since 2017, the Toronto-based business owners have nurtured their love through shared passions—from playful rounds of golf to exploring the wonders of the world hand in hand.
The proposal was nothing short of a fairytale. On a serene morning along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, as the sun painted the sky in golden hues, he knelt on one knee on a balcony overlooking the sea, asking the question that would change their lives forever.
About Your Wedding
For their unforgettable day, Fay and Joseph dreamed of a romantic destination wedding that would sweep their guests off their feet. Surrounded by 82 of their dearest loved ones, they chose the enchanting Villa Erba on the shores of Lake Como, Italy—a breathtaking setting that captured the elegance and magic they envisioned. "I wanted it to be fun, romantic, and extravagant," shares Fay. "To have a romantic destination wedding with a beautiful view and venue."
The planning journey unfolded over the course of a year, during which the couple poured their hearts into crafting a celebration that felt uniquely their own. They imagined a wedding filled with contrasts—each moment offering a new emotion, a fresh layer of wonder. "I wanted the ceremony to be white, light colours with piano," Fay explains. "The reception to be darker with red roses and black and Rosegold touches and a lot of candles. I wanted to do something different and I haven't been to a wedding yet that had darker tones so I wanted something new for myself, friends, and family."
Morning Details
The couple poured their hearts into every detail, ensuring their wedding was not only beautiful but deeply personal. Fay designed the invitations herself, infusing their elegant celebration with a touch of her own creativity from the very beginning.
When it came to choosing their wedding rings, they opted for timeless simplicity. "We wanted something simple for our wedding bands," Joseph notes. "We walked into Cartier and selected the ones we liked." It was an effortlessly romantic moment—intimate and true to their style.
To make the celebration even more special for their guests, Fay and Joseph added heartfelt, personalized touches throughout. "I designed all the stationery," Fay says proudly. "I purchased a vintage telephone that recorded guests' notes. Guests were able to leave a message on the phone so we can hear it back. I also placed two vintage Polaroid cameras for guests to take pictures." Each element was chosen not just for beauty, but for the memories it would create.
For her jewelry, Fay selected delicate pieces from a small Italian boutique, weaving the romance of Italy into her bridal look. And on that sun-drenched summer day, guests were given customized handheld fans marked with the wedding date—a charming and thoughtful gesture that reflected the couple’s love in every last detail.
Bride Getting Ready
On the morning of the wedding, Fay was wrapped in a cocoon of love and laughter, surrounded by her mother, sisters, and dearest friends in the timeless elegance of Villa Erba. The air shimmered with anticipation and heartfelt emotion as she prepared to take the most meaningful walk of her life.
Fay's gown, a breathtaking creation by Luce Sposa, was the embodiment of romance and grace. "I saw it online and fell in love with it and found a store that carried it and tried it on," she shares, her words echoing the joy of finding the one. She completed her bridal look with classic Jimmy Choo heels and a matching clutch—each detail chosen with care and intention. Her veil, delicately crafted by Galleria Della Sposa, floated like a dream, adding the perfect ethereal touch. In her hands, she held a bouquet of pure white roses by Riccardo Ciceri Flower Designer—a timeless symbol of love, as elegant and sincere as the moment itself.
Groom Getting Ready
Meanwhile, Joseph prepared for the day with his closest friends at another part of Villa Erba. Looking dapper in a custom Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo, he was the epitome of classic groom elegance.
The atmosphere among Joseph and his friends was light yet emotional.
First Look
The couple chose to have their first look in front of the magnificent Villa Erba, with the shimmering waters of Lake Como as their backdrop. The moment was intimate and powerful, with both Fay and Joseph overwhelmed by emotion.
"She was the most stunning person I’ve ever seen," Joseph shares, his voice filled with emotion. Fay's reaction was equally moving. "He took my breath away," she says simply.
The first look provided the couple with a private moment to connect before the ceremony, allowing them to share their excitement and calm their nerves together.
Ceremony
As the afternoon sun bathed Lake Como in a golden glow, guests gathered on the enchanting grounds of Villa Erba for a ceremony straight out of a fairytale. The setting was pure magic—white florals and delicate decor created an ethereal scene, perfectly mirrored by the shimmering lake beyond.
To the soft, romantic notes of Shania Twain's "From This Moment" played on piano, Fay made her unforgettable entrance, every step filled with emotion and meaning. The song, a tender tribute to their love, set the tone for what was to come. Her sweet nieces, dressed like little angels, scattered petals with joy, while her nephew beamed with pride as he carried the rings—each moment a precious memory in the making.
The ceremony was deeply intimate, filled with raw, heartfelt vows that touched every soul present. There were tears, smiles, and a collective sense of love in the air. And just as Fay and Joseph sealed their promises with a kiss, the sky lit up with a surprise—a burst of pink fireworks that danced above the lake, painting the sky in celebration of a love so beautifully shared.
Photoshoot After the Ceremony
Following the ceremony, Fay and Joseph set off on what would become one of the most unforgettable moments of their day—a dreamy, romantic boat photoshoot on the shimmering waters of Lake Como. "I loved the boat photoshoot," Fay emphasizes. "We were able to take a little time to enjoy and soak in the moment."
As the golden hour light kissed the lake with a soft, magical glow, the newlyweds glided past historic villas and storybook villages, their joy reflecting in every wave. With the gentle breeze in their hair and love in their eyes, they savored the quiet intimacy of that sail—just the two of them, wrapped in the magic of the moment. Their photographer captured each tender glance and smile, set against the breathtaking Italian landscape—turning fleeting seconds into timeless memories they would cherish for a lifetime.
Wedding Venue & Decor
Villa Erba, one of Lake Como's most iconic and storied villas, served as the breathtaking stage for Fay and Joseph's love story. With its timeless architecture and lakeside charm, the venue captured their hearts the moment they discovered it online. After a virtual tour arranged by their wedding planners, they knew it was the one—a place as elegant and unforgettable as the day they were about to share.
Staying true to Fay’s vision, the celebration unfolded in two distinct chapters, each with its own enchanting aesthetic. The ceremony space was a vision of grace and serenity, bathed in soft whites and delicate hues that spoke of purity and classic romance. But as day turned to evening, the mood shifted into something more dramatic and luxurious. The reception dazzled with a bold, passionate palette of red, black, and rose gold. Red roses spilled across the tables, their rich tones glowing in the flicker of countless candles. The transformation was breathtaking—an atmosphere that felt both intimate and grand, wrapped in the warmth of love and the sparkle of romance.
Reception
As evening draped Villa Erba in a blanket of twilight, its grand interior spaces transformed into a dazzling reception fit for a fairytale. Beneath the glow of ornate chandeliers, Fay and Joseph shared their first dance to the tender melody of Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” In that moment, the world seemed to fall away as they swayed together, completely immersed in each other and the magic of the night.
The wedding cake, crafted by the venue’s caterer, was a sweet masterpiece—both a visual delight that echoed the reception’s bold and romantic design, and a delicious treat that guests savored with joy. Laughter, music, and clinking glasses filled the night, as loved ones celebrated with the couple well into the early hours, savoring every joyful second.
"Every vendor was amazing we couldn’t have asked for a better team," the couple shares enthusiastically. "They were all perfectionists and really took our vision and used their talents to bring it all to life. They were patient, creative and gave 100% to everything they did."
As the celebration drew to a close, Fay and Joseph took a quiet moment to soak it all in—the joyful faces, the flicker of candlelight, the grandeur of the villa, and the dreamlike beauty of Lake Como. In that perfect Italian setting, surrounded by those they love most, their vision of a romantic, extravagant destination wedding had come to life in the most breathtaking way imaginable.
Wedding Team
- Planner Wedding House
- Venue Villa Erba
- Photographer Nonna Vanesian
- Videographer @palm.films
- Decor @riccardociceri
- Audio & Light Design @bdm.weddings
- Catering @sunlake.catering
- Wedding Dress @luce_sposa
- DJ @di_eva_fiesta
- MUAH @belaya.wedding
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