Danielle and Andrew’s Lake Garda wedding unfolded with the kind of beauty that lingers long after the weekend ends. Villa Bettoni, with its grand architecture and sweeping lakeside views, offered a dreamlike setting for a celebration rooted in modern design and editorial elegance. Bold creative contrasts shaped the entire experience – most strikingly, the oversized crimson flower installation that rose behind the ceremony terrace. Sculptural, unexpected, and vividly expressive, it became an instant icon of the day, bringing contemporary artistry into a place rich with history. Danielle’s Oscar de la Renta gown moved with ethereal drama through the villa’s gardens, its sculptural silhouette mirroring the event’s design language. The all-black, black-tie dress code heightened the atmosphere, transforming the gathering into a living composition of color and form. Capturing it all with her signature poetic eye was our member, photographer Sophie Lin Berard, whose imagery preserved every detail in luminous, emotional clarity.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Before we officially met, Andrew messaged me on Instagram and asked if I was an artist. I wasn’t, and the pickup line didn’t exactly land — we still laugh about it. During the second half of 2019, Andrew moved from San Francisco to New York, where I was living, and that’s when we first met.
Once we had a conversation, we realized very quickly that we were on parallel trajectories — both trying to leave our careers in tech to pursue our dreams in the fashion industry — and we really bonded over that shared vision and supported each other’s ambitions. Eventually, Andrew founded a men’s fashion label called Bravest Studios, and I’m at CHANEL. We elevate each other, and we’ve been best friends ever since.
The Proposal
The proposal was a genuine surprise in a way that felt very authentic to us. It was spontaneous, in motion, and not overly choreographed. We didn’t have a dialogue around how it might play out and had only gone ring shopping once, very casually. I brought Andrew on a work trip, traveling from Paris to London, and we decided to stop in the South of France during the weekend in between. Andrew realized that this St. Tropez weekend was an opportunity to surprise me, and he proposed in a very private and intimate manner. There we were on the side of a road, at a scenic overlook called Point de vue Rayol, right outside of St. Tropez, getting engaged! It happened to be Bastille Day, so fireworks ensued.
The Engagement Ring
The ring felt as instinctual as the proposal itself. Andrew sourced the diamonds and had it custom-made with a jeweler he’s worked with several times in New York, right before we left for the trip. It’s an emerald-cut center stone with two trillion-cut side stones. He nailed the design — it’s very timeless and very me.
Our Wedding
The Vision
Our vision was to create a wedding with an editorial sensibility — a modern counterpoint to Italy’s romantic nostalgia. We also wanted it to feel transportive, like a curated summer gathering with the people who shaped our lives. We had intentional contrasts, like the sculptural, architectural florals set against the soft beauty of Lake Garda and the historic grandeur of Villa Bettoni. We opted for an all-black, black-tie dress code to add a touch of refined elegance against the colorful villa gardens. The interplay between modern and romantic, minimal and ornate, was a through-line for the entire weekend.
Our Team of Vendors
With a destination wedding, it was critical for us to find a planner who shared our eye for aesthetics and who we could trust to make judgments on our behalf when we couldn’t see things in person. Sharon and her team from IDO Events understood the assignment, and we were so grateful to have their support. They understood our design goals, were extremely organized, and were amazing support during the wedding weekend. We also loved Studio Lilo’s work on florals — Lilo is a Berlin-based artist who does large-scale botanical sculptures, and Andrew and I both became obsessed with her installations. Photography was very important to us, and we had such a fun time working with Sophie Lin Berard, who we instantly clicked with. Finally, we must mention Barbara and Rossana, who own and run Villa Giulia. They made us feel at home during our stay, between each event, and during our welcome dinner. We can say they truly went above and beyond for our guests and made us feel like family.
The Location
The setting always had to be in Europe — a place I frequented for work and that we both adored for its fashion and culture. We wanted to share that part of our world with our family and friends. Originally, we planned to marry in the South of France, where we got engaged. But when Sharon proposed Villa Bettoni — a historic lakeside palace on Lake Garda in Italy — it instantly inspired our vision. We fell in love with its grand, neoclassical setting. Being near water was a non-negotiable for Andrew, and the moody, cinematic backdrop of the lake was perfect.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place on a terrace overlooking Lake Garda, with a singular large red floral sculpture behind us. I walked down the aisle with my dad to a harp rendition of “Moon River” by Frank Sinatra, but I was so nervous I don’t even remember hearing the song!
The ceremony was extra special to us because — a little backstory — my handbag was stolen when we arrived in Milan a few days prior, and inside were our vows and wedding jewelry. The police somehow recovered our vow books but not the rest. We considered using placeholder rings but ultimately repurchased similar ones from Harry Winston Milan three days before the wedding. Once we made it to the altar, it felt like we’d somehow pulled it all together at the last minute and returned to the heart of what mattered.
The Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour started with a champagne tower pouring, which was such a joyous moment and a release for us. I remember feeling so over the moon at that point. Everyone mingled around the garden with glasses in hand and a beautiful hors d’oeuvres spread, admiring the lakeside view. It felt like we could finally exhale and be in the celebration.
The Reception
For the reception, we had one long dinner table along the edge of the water, with a simple white tablecloth and magenta and red sculptural floral accents. Dinner featured authentic Italian courses with regional Northern ingredients. We were completely overwhelmed by the love from our parents and friends during their insanely thoughtful speeches. As the sun set and the lights on the mountains across the water slowly began to appear, it was breathtaking — especially as we did our first dance set against that backdrop.
The Special Touches
We wanted the three-day celebration to feel like an intimate vacation with our family and loved ones. Our guests spent their free time boating, wandering through the town of Gargnano, and having spritzes beneath the yellow umbrellas by the water. The day after the wedding, we chartered three boats to take everyone out for the afternoon on the lake. We danced to music, swam in the freshwater, and circled the shoreline, passing iconic landmarks like Isola del Garda. It was such an incredible time.
Our Favorite Moment
We loved writing and exchanging vows. We both put immense thought and care into each word. Our vows marked the beginning of the legacy we wanted to build together and one day share with our future children.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
This was one of my favorite parts of the entire wedding experience. I genuinely loved the process of finding the dress and probably tried nearly every bridal boutique in Manhattan. I wanted something classic yet still fashion-forward and striking. When I tried on this Oscar de la Renta gown from Fall/Winter 2020, it felt like everything I was searching for — classic, ethereal, and dramatic.
The movement and sculptural volume in the back had a swan-like quality against the lake. Naturally, I paired the dress with Manolos. For the welcome dinner, I wore an emerging designer, DATT, with Jimmy Choo heels. And for the after-party, I changed into a minidress from New Arrivals.
The Groom Looks
Andrew knew immediately that he wanted a Tom Ford made-to-measure tux, which he wore with Tom Ford patent dress shoes. He was set on something sleek and impeccably tailored. As a watch enthusiast, he wore a vintage Submariner Rolex from the 1950s, sourced in Tokyo and gifted by his extended family.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
Start early to have the best selection of options. Choose a planner you genuinely connect with — someone organized, responsive, and aligned with your design aesthetic (you’ll be texting them almost every day!). Above all, stay authentic to yourselves and your vision. No matter how stressful it might get, you’ll look back and miss every moment of it, so enjoy each step.
For On The Day
Brides spend nearly the entire first half of their wedding day in hair and makeup, so treat that time as part of the experience, not just the getting-ready process. Surround yourself with your closest friends during those hours, because you’ll likely be feeling a lot of emotions. On my wedding day, my friends took turns coming into the bridal suite to chat, and it ended up being one of the most fun and meaningful parts of the day. It became this rare, intimate moment to reconnect and laugh before everything began, which genuinely put me at ease.
For Post-Wedding
We spent an extra two days in Lake Garda with our families after the wedding, and it was a much-needed slowing down and an opportunity to soak up more of the local culture. We explored various towns, ate incredible food, and even caught the Mille Miglia (an iconic local car race). Afterwards, we flew straight to our honeymoon in Greece. We both felt the post-wedding blues, and having that gentle transition made all the difference. If you can, give yourself time to really sit in the feelings and make space for yourselves as newlyweds. It’s such a once-in-a-lifetime experience — you won’t want to rush back to reality.
Vendors
Photographer: Sophie Lin Berard
Venue: Villa Bettoni
Wedding Planner: IDO Events
Florist: Studio Lilo
Cake: Antoniazzi
Catering: Food & Sweet
Celebrant: Wedding Celebrants Italy
Music: Eric Know
Hair & Makeup: Stella Loewnich
Style
Welcome Dinner Dress: DATT
Ceremony & Reception Dress: Oscar de la Renta
After Party Dress: New Arrivals
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo
Groom Suit: Tom Ford
Groom Accessories: Rolex
Wedding Rings: Harry Winston
