A Dream Wedding in Lake Como: Meighan & Bertie

Nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps is Lake Como, arguably one of the most romantic settings to say your I Do's. But it was more than just the setting which made Meighan and Bertie's special day feel like a fairytale. The happy couple infused their love for all things grandeur into every detail of their day. Think a Renaissance-Bond-Godfather fusion!

Read on for all the Lake Como wedding inspiration you never knew you needed, including how to create a wedding gift list that's just as grand.

"The day was magical in every way and reflected our personalities from start to finish. Our wedding was set in Villa Erba, a magnificent Neo-Renaissance Villa built in the 19th century. I immediately fell in love with the venue's grand character, reminiscent of the great manor homes of the UK but coupled with Italian Glamour!

One of our favourite moments was taking wedding pictures on an Italian Riva boat (which once belonged to the Prince of Monaco) on Lake Como. It was the most beautiful setting! Seeing our friends and family gathered at our venue to celebrate our love was so special.

During this time, our guests enjoyed the grounds of the Villa and an Italian aperitivo with Aperol spritz, prosecco, fresh charcuterie, and canapés. When we returned from the boat ride, we entered the reception as husband and wife, and the rest of the evening flowed perfectly."

"Our wedding theme was a decadent fusion of Italian Renaissance, The Godfather, and James Bond. We wanted the decor, lighting, and ambience to match the venue's aesthetic, so we chose neoclassical urns for our ceremony flowers and table scales, candelabras for our sweetheart table, and Victorian-style furniture for the outdoor seating. 

We also used moody, rich lighting to reflect off the exquisite chandeliers! I've always loved the art and style of the Renaissance/Neoclassical and Victorian periods, so it was a dream to bring that to life at our wedding. My friends told me they felt like they were in a real-life episode of Italian Bridgerton, and I adored every part of it."

“For me, dancing and singing with the Italian Tenor during dinner was a moment in time I will never forget. He sang classics by Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, and then towards the end of dinner sang a few of my favourite songs by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra that I grew up with. Our guests were crying, dancing, clapping, singing and twirling napkins. Everyone loved him! It was fantastic.

Another moment I keep close to my heart is cutting our Millefoglie, a traditional Italian wedding cake. While cutting the cake, fireworks lit up the lake and evening. It was magical.”

"Take your time, have fun, and be authentic! Your wedding day is a celebration of your love and commitment to each other, so don't feel pressured to follow traditions or trends that don't align with your values or personalities. If you don't want white cake, or cake at all, don't have it! Serve something that you and your partner enjoy instead. Want to wear a non-traditional dress or tux/suit? Go for it! Keen on skipping the bouquet toss? Skip it! Your wedding day should be a reflection of you and your partner, so incorporate things you both love into the ceremony and reception. This could be anything from the music and decor to the venue, invitations, and table names.

It's also important to discuss your budget with your partner early on. Decide what you're happy to splurge on and what you're comfortable with cutting back on. This will help you allocate your resources appropriately and make sure that you don't overspend.

It's your day, so make it memorable!"

Building Our Wedding Gift List
"The Wedding Shop was so easy to use, and we loved the vast selection of brands, products and experiences available. Being able to have a curation of all our favourite wedding gifts in one place without having to link to different sites was a huge plus. 

The customer care team was also fantastic. They answered our questions promptly and kept us updated on our orders throughout the process.

For us, the most important thing was to choose gifts that we would genuinely use and enjoy. I've always loved browsing gift registries for friends and family members who have gotten married, and it was so much fun to be able to do this for ourselves.

We opted for experiences and group gifts too, so we could have some exciting things to look forward to after our wedding day, like a dining experience or weekend getaway.

Our family and friends also enjoyed browsing our gift list, especially knowing that they were giving us things we would use and love and that we would think of them each time we did so."

Sneak Peak: Our Favourite Kitchenware
The Cuisinart air fryer has become one of my new favourite things, along with the SodaStream - I am obsessed with sparkling/fizzy water! Our Le Creuset cookware and Waterford crystalware have been wonderful too.

Meighan and Bertie's wedding in Lake Como was a dream come true, from their venue to the decadent theme and all the unforgettable moments with their loved ones. Their wedding story gently nudges us to embrace the idea that your special day should mirror you and your partner.

If you're planning your own wedding, take some inspiration from Meighan and Bertie's big day. Choose a venue that speaks to your style, create a theme you and your partner love, and focus on creating moments you'll cherish. And, of course, don't forget to infuse the entire journey with a good dose of fun!

Wedding Venue: Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Lake Como.
Photographer: Sandra Von Riekhoff, Divine Day Photography