Before I was a destination wedding photographer, I spent my days photographing the latest stylish creations of fashion designers across the globe. 

While I now focus my talents on my wonderful, globe-trotting couples, I’ve created a signature photography style that combines my love of fashion and my love for capturing genuine emotions without sacrificing one over the other. 

And this Villa Pizzo wedding is the perfect example of how the two collide for the most gorgeous photographs:

The 3-Day Lake Como Wedding Extravaganza

Whenever couples consider a destination wedding in Lake Como, I always try to tell them to make the most of their trip. 

Whether that’s finding the best places to stay in the area or the best places to eat, enjoying the location as much as the celebration is crucial. 

So, I was thrilled to hear this couple say they were extending all of their celebrations across 3 whole days. It was a weekend of festivities and fashion, of course. Because, after all, 3 days means plenty of time for an outfit change!

A Quintessential Boat Ride on Lake Como

No matter what Lake Como wedding villa a couple chooses, I always tell them to try and make room for a traditional boat ride on the water. 

Preferably, I tell them to reserve one of the timeless, wooden boats. Not only are these boats classically Italian, but they also make for some of the most romantic and timeless photography backdrops. 
This bride and groom did exactly that! Between the groom’s tailored black suit jacket and white collared shirt and the bride’s chic Shona Joy dress with a Berta overskirt, the photos looked as though they were meant for the pages of Vogue Italia.

The Garden Party at Villa Geno

On day 2 of the wedding festivities, the couple and their guests made their way to Villa Geno for a garden party. 

The bride stepped out in her second bridal outfit of the weekend. For a romantic garden party, only a mesmerizing, sleek gown would do. She opted for a vintage gown that she had remade in New York that was complete with detailed beading along the bodice.

A Fresh Take on a Villa Pizzo Wedding in Lake Como 

After two full days of celebrating with friends and family, the bride and groom made their way to the romantic side of Lake Como for their Villa Pizzo wedding. 

Between the serene waters of the lake, which still take my breath away, and the dramatic mountain scape in the background, Villa Pizzo is one of the most picturesque lakeside estates in the region.

A Lakeside Villa Pizzo Wedding Ceremony

On the rooftop of Villa Pizzo, the wedding ceremony site gave gorgeous views of Lake Como and the mountains. Framed by two large floral arrangements, the two spoke their vows to one another in an idyllic Lake Como wedding ceremony.

The Non-Traditional, Incredible Gucci Gown

One of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is seeing how my clients embrace their bold uniqueness. So many of my couples are non-conforming. Instead, they allow their wedding day to reflect who they are. 

That often includes incorporating signature styles and non-traditional elements, like my bride for this Villa Pizzo wedding. 

Rather than a traditional white wedding gown, she opted for an exquisite green Gucci gown straight from the 2017 runway. It was one that she fell in love with while she worked at Gucci at the time. So not only did it look divine on her, but it held sentimental value for her, too. 

And for such a magical moment in her life, she’ll always have her photographs to look back and see how she created a day that was unique to her.

Sunset Portraits Made for a Fairytale

In her Gucci wedding gown, the bride, groom, and I took to the grounds of Villa Pizzo for their “just married” sunset portraits. These are some of my favorite photos to take because there is nothing like the feeling of just getting married! 

We walked along the garden paths, with the ivy covered architecture of Villa Pizzo in the background, for some romantic, villa-inspired portraits. 

Traditional Aperitivo in the Gardens

Following the ceremony, the guests made their way to one of the many garden terraces at Villa Pizzo. There, they dined on traditional aperitivo cuisine. As they explored the gardens, took in the views, and listened to the sounds of a live trio band, everyone sipped on a spritz and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres. 

Enchanting Reception Details for a Dinner on the Terrace

The reception on the terrace was nestled up against Villa Pizzo and was made complete with picturesque views of Lake Como and the mountains. It gave all of the guests a magnificent, authentic Italian experience. 

Between the rose and dahlia filled floral arrangements and ambient overhead string lighting, the couple captured a romantic aesthetic for their reception. It was perfect for the Villa Pizzo setting!

An Oscar de la Renta Gown for the Reception

Of course, a fashion-focused bride will have not one, but at least, two outfit changes during the wedding festivities. 

So after the first dance as a married couple, the bride slipped away to step into her second gown of the evening. It was an incredibly detailed Oscar de la Renta that matched the aesthetic of the Villa Pizzo wedding venue perfectly.

The Shona Joy Gown for Dancing the Night Away

Finally, the bride ended the night with a third outfit change. As her new husband took to the DJ booth to perform for the crowd, the bride slipped back into her Shona Joy for a dress that allowed her to dance the night away.

I am so honored to have worked with this incredible couple who had a love for fashion and allowed their styles to share the spotlight with both the epic location and authentic moments throughout the wedding day.

Discover more Lake Como destination weddings on our blog! 

Wedding Day Vendors: 

Photography: Lilly Red
Videography: Lumos Produzioni
Venue: Villa Pizzo
Wedding Planner: My Lake Como Wedding
Hair and Makeup: The Studio Como
Pre-Wedding Celebration Gown: Shona Joy and Berta
Wedding Gown: Gucci
Reception Gown: Oscar de la Renta