Sana & Julien's Intimate Wedding at Villa Erba: A Minimalist Dream on Lake Como

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 08/04/2025
City: Lake Como

Love Story

Sana & Julien’s romance began in the most modern of ways—a simple Instagram message in 2020 that would change everything. "Julien messaged me on Instagram, we went on our very first date, and we’ve been inseparable ever since," Sana shares. What made their connection so special was the instant recognition they felt in each other. "What drew us to each other was how naturally aligned we were in every way: our values and our outlook on life. It felt like looking into a mirror. We understood each other on a deeper level right from the start."

After committing to each other in a traditional "baath paki" ceremony—a cultural promise of engagement—Julien orchestrated a proposal that took Sana completely by surprise. He planned everything secretly with her brother's help and whisked her away to Paris, her absolute favorite city in the world. "It was on a private rooftop, romantic, thoughtful, and dramatic just like me. It was exactly what I wanted," she recalls with evident joy.

About Your Wedding

After two years of thoughtful planning, Sana and Julien created their dream wedding. "Our vision was to create something timeless, romantic, and deeply personal—a day that felt like us. We wanted every detail to feel intimate and intentional, surrounded by people we love, with an atmosphere that was elegant yet effortless," Sana explains.

The couple chose a minimalist and refined aesthetic that allowed Lake Como's natural beauty to shine. "The concept was minimalist and refined — clean lines, soft color palettes, and natural textures that highlighted the beauty of Lake Como itself. We wanted the lake and the architecture of the venue to take center stage, with every detail designed to complement that effortlessly," she describes. The florals were kept in natural, neutral tones, and a dramatic long walkway created the cinematic entrance Sana had always envisioned.

Throughout the planning process, one vision kept Sana grounded: "What inspired me most during the preparation was envisioning how everything would come together and walking down the aisle, seeing Julien waiting at the end, and celebrating with all of our favorite people in such a beautiful place. That feeling kept me grounded and excited through every decision."

Morning Details

Every detail of this Lake Como wedding was carefully curated to tell Sana and Julien's unique story. The couple discovered their invitation designer, Ivory and Fine Co., on Etsy, and the result was anything but ordinary. "I had this vision of something more dramatic than a traditional card — I wanted guests to open a box and instantly feel the excitement of the wedding. They brought that idea to life perfectly!" Sana shares.

The wedding rings held special significance as the couple selected them together, making a day of it to find pieces that felt authentically them. "We chose our wedding rings together. It was such a meaningful part of the process. We wanted them to feel timeless and reflective of us as a couple, so we made a day of it and picked pieces we knew we’d cherish for a lifetime," she recalls.

For the ceremony, Sana made a bold choice to forgo jewelry entirely, allowing her dramatic dress to command attention. Later in the evening, she added a sentimental touch with Chanel earrings gifted by her brother, "combining elegance with sentimental meaning."

The wedding stationery, designed by Grigiocielostudio, perfectly balanced playfulness with elegance. The couple incorporated delightful personal touches throughout: a welcome sign, a creative "Take a Shot & Take a Seat" seating chart featuring limoncello shots, place cards, table numbers, ceremony fans, and the most charming detail of all—napkins featuring their two beloved cats. "Every detail was designed to be both fun and personal, adding a special touch to the overall aesthetic of the wedding," Sana notes.

Bride Getting Ready

The bridal suite at Villa Erba provided the perfect setting for Sana's morning preparations. "The venue has the most beautiful bridal suite. Spacious, elegant, and perfect for all the girls to get ready together. It was such a special way to start the day surrounded by my closest friends and family," she remembers fondly.

Sana's ceremony gown was a showstopper designed by Nicole and Felicia. Her connection to the dress was instant and undeniable. "From the moment I saw it online, I knew it was the one. I tried on other styles along the way, but I saved this dress for last and the second I put it on, I knew it was perfect." The search, which took about 2-3 months, was worth every moment. She found her dream dress at Iconic Bride Dallas.

For the reception, Sana wore a custom creation by Dina Hawidi, a designer she had admired long before her engagement. "They reached out to me to create a one-of-a-kind gown for me, which I got to design from scratch. Visiting their store in Dallas and seeing the dress come to life was truly the best experience," she shares, the excitement still evident in her voice.

The veil was perhaps the most meaningful accessory—long and dramatic, exactly as she'd imagined since childhood. As for shoes, Sana made a practical last-minute switch: "I wore Jimmy Choo shoes at first, but right before the ceremony, I switched into comfy slides. With such a big dress, I was too nervous to walk down the aisle in tall heels!"

Her bouquet, designed by florist Riccardo Ciceri, featured open white roses, amaranthus, anthurium, and calla lilies, creating a soft and elegant complement to the ceremony florals.

Sana's bridesmaids looked equally stunning in custom dresses by Khanums. "They made the process effortless and ensured that each dress was exactly what we envisioned, making everyone feel beautiful and confident on the day!"

First Look

What was meant to be an outdoor first look took an unexpected turn when a few guests arrived early, prompting a quick change of plans. "Our first look took place in the bridal suite. It was originally planned to be outside, but a few guests arrived early, so we had to quickly find a new spot. Despite the change, it turned out to be an intimate and special moment just between us," Sana recalls.

The moment Julien saw his bride, emotion overwhelmed him. "This first reaction was instant tears it was such an emotional and beautiful moment that perfectly captured how much he was feeling." For Sana, the first look was equally powerful: "During the first look, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. I kept thinking about how lucky I was to be marrying Julien, how all of our planning had led to this moment, and how incredible it felt to finally see him standing there. It was a mix of excitement, love, and pure happiness all at once."

Ceremony

The ceremony unfolded in the most picturesque setting imaginable—outdoors on the lake with the stunning water and surrounding scenery creating a breathtaking backdrop. "It was exactly what we wanted for our day. And the weather was perfect!" Sana exclaims.

As guests took their seats, Julien's youngest niece charmed everyone in her role as flower girl. "Being the youngest, she brought such a joyful and innocent energy to the ceremony, making every moment she was involved even more special. It was so sweet to see her walking down the aisle, and she added a truly memorable and heartwarming touch to our day." Julien's sister served as ring bearer, making the family involvement even more meaningful.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Sana walked down that long, dramatic aisle she'd always dreamed of to "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey, performed live by violinists. "The combination of the iconic song and the live strings made the moment feel out of this world," she remembers.

The ceremony itself was deeply personal, beginning with Sana's father saying a heartfelt prayer. "My best friend served as the officiant, which made the entire experience feel intimate and incredibly special. These touches made the ceremony uniquely ours and filled it with so much love and meaning."

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

Following the ceremony, they escaped to the Villa Erba Gardens for a romantic photo session. "The gardens offered a stunning and romantic backdrop, and we loved being able to run around and capture fun, candid moments in such a beautiful setting," Sana shares.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Choosing Villa Erba was a decision made from the heart after touring several Italian venues. "One of my priorities and dreams was having a long walkway for the ceremony, and this venue provided exactly that. The combination of the setting and the layout made it feel like the perfect choice for our day," Sana explains.

The wedding's color palette of green and white created a fresh, natural aesthetic that enhanced rather than competed with the venue's inherent beauty. "From the florals to the table settings, it created a fresh and natural feel that perfectly matched the beauty of the venue," she notes.

Personalized touches abounded throughout the celebration. Charming cat cake toppers paid tribute to the couple's five feline family members, while custom napkins from Etsy and getting-ready robes from Bridal Favours—engraved with their names and wedding date—added intimate details. "Each detail helped make the wedding feel uniquely ours," Sana says.

Reception

As newlyweds, Sana and Julien took to the floor for their first dance to "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You" by Cigarettes after Sex—a tender moment that set the tone for an unforgettable evening.

The reception was a full black-tie experience, beginning with handed-out hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour. The couple thoughtfully incorporated Lebanese and Pakistani hors d'oeuvres, "giving a nod to our own cultures and adding a unique twist to the evening." An open bar kept guests refreshed throughout cocktail hour and the reception, while a sophisticated seated five-course dinner showcased the culinary talents of Classeventi, the catering team who also created the couple's perfect wedding cake.

One of the evening's most entertaining additions was the wedding confessionals booth. "At the reception, we also had a wedding confessionals booth where guests could spill tea, share their thoughts about the wedding, and even answer some very controversial questions. It was a fun and unique way to capture the personalities and reactions of our loved ones throughout the night," Sana laughs.

Reflecting on the entire day, Sana's most treasured memory speaks to what truly matters: "What I’ll never forget is how much love filled the entire day. Everyone — our family, friends, and even our vendors was just so happy to be there for us. The speeches from our family were so touching, and by the end of the night, everyone was on the dance floor, smiling, laughing, and celebrating together. It was the best feeling in the world."

"Working with our wedding vendors was an incredible experience. Everyone was fully committed, organized, and attentive, which made the entire process stress-free for me. Their dedication allowed us to truly enjoy the day without worrying about the details," the couple shares, grateful for the team that brought her Lake Como dream to life.