Emily and Stefan gathered just 56 guests for a multi-day wedding celebration at Villa Erba on Lake Como, a black-tie affair that turned intimate when rain moved the ceremony indoors. The couple worked with planner Happy Moments Collector, a Little Black Book Member, to organize the event. When the weather shifted, the ceremony relocated to the villa's atrium, where clusters of candles lined the grand staircase and a candlelit altar created a warmer, more personal atmosphere than the original outdoor plan would have allowed.
The villa's frescoed interiors played a central role in the design. Riccardo Ciceri, the floral designer, filled the rooms with white roses and hydrangeas arranged across two long ivory tables. Transparent ghost chairs kept the baroque architecture visible, letting the historic details remain the focus rather than competing with the event styling. The combination of modern seating and classical surroundings gave the reception a layered look that worked with the venue's existing character.
Julia Kaptelova Photography documented the weekend, including portraits taken in an indoor studio staged before a grand fireplace. That setup gave guests a polished backdrop for formal photos without relying on the unpredictable lake weather. The choice to build a dedicated portrait space inside showed attention to the practical side of a wedding weekend where the forecast could not be trusted.
The bride changed outfits twice over the course of the celebration. For the ceremony and main reception, Emily wore a lace ballgown from HOUSE OF GILLES. Later, for the after-party, she switched into a crystal-encrusted Galia Lahav mermaid gown. The two silhouettes gave the day distinct visual chapters, with the structured lace of the first dress giving way to the more fitted, sparkling second look as the evening shifted into celebration mode.
The night ended with fireworks over the lake, a closing moment that used the villa's waterfront position to full effect. For guests, the display served as a clear signal that the formal portion of the evening was complete and the celebration had reached its peak.
Villa Erba has a long history as a wedding venue. The estate sits directly on Lake Como's shores and has hosted events for years, known for its grand architecture and lakefront setting. The property includes extensive gardens, multiple reception rooms, and the kind of baroque detailing that makes it a frequent choice for couples planning large-scale, formal weddings. Its proximity to the water means fireworks displays are a practical option, as the lake provides a natural open space for launches.
The decision to keep the guest list to 56 people allowed the couple to focus on a higher level of detail per guest. Multi-day celebrations of this type often require significant coordination, and a smaller group makes it easier to manage logistics across multiple events. The planner's role in coordinating the rain plan, the vendor team, and the various outfit changes would have been substantial, particularly given the villa's size and the number of moving parts involved in a weekend-long event.
The indoor portrait studio is worth noting as a practical trend for couples planning lake or coastal weddings. Weather at Lake Como can change quickly, and having a dedicated indoor space for formal photos means the photography schedule does not depend entirely on clear skies. The fireplace backdrop also gave the portraits a warm, classic feel that matched the villa's aesthetic.
The candlelit ceremony design addressed the rain in a way that many couples overlook. Rather than treating the indoor move as a setback, the planner leaned into it, using the atrium's architecture and the natural glow of candles to create a more intimate ceremony space. The grand staircase, already a striking feature, became a focal point with the addition of candle clusters. The result was a ceremony that felt designed for the space rather than simply moved into it.
The two long ivory tables in the reception rooms suggest a banquet-style seating arrangement, which encourages conversation across a wider group than round tables might. With 56 guests, two long tables would seat roughly 28 people each, creating a communal feel that matches the intimate scale of the wedding. The white roses and hydrangeas kept the floral palette simple, allowing the frescoed ceilings and architectural details to remain the visual anchors.
The after-party dress from Galia Lahav, known for its dramatic embellishments and form-fitting silhouettes, marked a clear transition from the ceremony's more traditional lace ballgown. The crystal-encrusted design would catch the light during dancing and evening photos, giving the second half of the night a distinctly different energy.
Fireworks over the lake are a signature Lake Como wedding moment, and for this couple, they provided the night's final image. The display would have been visible from the villa's terrace and across the water, closing the celebration with a visual that guests are likely to remember long after the weekend ended.
Source: Style Me Pretty
