Real Wedding: Marella & Max

Interview with the bride about about destination wedding planning on Lake Como

Beautiful wedding on Lake Como — the dream of many couples. Marella and Max, being Italians themselves, know that nothing could be more romantic than the vibrant and picturesque Italian region with its Renaissance architecture and hospitality. Read the interview with the bride below and learn about destination wedding planning in collaboration with our talented member, the wedding planner Ashley Smith.

Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?

"Invisible string" sums it up. Max and I attended the same small university in the Bay Area, but never met! I even attended a party at his house junior year, and he happened to be gone for the weekend. Fast forward 5 years, after my stint as a flight attendant, we ended up at the same tech company on the same team. Everything aligned and we were instant best friends. We were inseparable from then on. During COVID we travelled the country for months at a time, eventually landing in Scottsdale. We play tennis, cook and swim whenever we can. Dinner out is our favorite hobby. After 2 years, Max and my best friend planned the most special engagement at Cavallo Point overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Our families surprised us at the bar where we toasted with champagne and ended the night with dinner family-style at our favorite — Cotogna. It felt so special and so us.

Did you have any pre-wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower?

Our welcome party was at Musa di Lago and was so thoughtfully planned and a fun way to kick off our weekend. Our guests arrived by boat which gave them the lay of the land and an incredible view of Lake Como on their way. We had delicious cocktails, a pizza oven and perfect passed bites. Mama's tomatoes, a moving quartet, really brought the vibe. The feeling of greeting our guests for the first time was surreal! Then, we ended the weekend with a casual lakeside day at Giulietta. Our friends recovered with fries and gelato, a dip in the lake and rosé while we recapped the night before.

Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?

It was always Italy. We're both Italian and what is more romantic than Italy? We scoured the country and all of the venues. We ended up in Lake Como because there really is nothing more magical. Our wedding planner, Ashley, had visited some years earlier and suggested it. We immediately threw our other ideas of Amalfi and Tuscany out the window. Villa Pizzo is family owned, set right on the lake and has perfectly manicured gardens. The way you can move through the spaces and feel that you are at 4 different locations throughout the wedding really sealed the deal.

What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?

It's crazy how much my vision changed throughout the process. In the end, we leaned into the colors of the Villa (pinks, soft tones) and really kept things fun, minimal, bespoke and romantic. We wanted it to feel pretty and elegant but not stuffy. Everything was very personal — from the fish details that were an homage to my family's restaurant and the song lyrics to our first dance song as you walked the path to the ceremony.

How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?

Ashley Smith Events was the one thing I was sure of! We took over a year to plan after that. Of course there are challenges! Planning overseas is never easy with bank and wire transfers, language barriers, expectations around timing. But, it truly does come together and you forget all of the worries. A few planning trips to Italy and site visits surely helped.

How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?

120 of our nearest and dearest made the trip to Lake Como to celebrate. We couldn't even believe it! Such a pinch me moment to look around and see everyone there for us. Everyone sat at long, rectangular tables surrounding the dance floor. I wanted it to feel like a restaurant with substantial menus, focaccia to start and plenty of entertainment throughout.

Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?

Max is definitely the fashionista in the relationship. He had fittings in New York for his tuxedo with the most amazing tailors and creatives at Zegna. He wore Dior loafers, a nod to his favorite designer. His look for our welcome party fit the vibe of Lake Como perfectly in a Bruncello Cucinelli look. He wore a green linen jacket with a fun pocket square, cream pants and suede loafers. I started the weekend off in a custom skirt and tank set by House of Deanne made of vintage Italian tweed. It was perfect for a quick photoshoot on our riva and boat arrival to our welcome party. I spent the rest of the evening in a light blue Khaite dress with a neck tie that felt easy going and comfortable. Our guests really showed up in "Lakeside Chic," our theme for the evening. I shopped all over the country for wedding dresses and ended up with something so different from my vision. I wore a strapless, tiered tulle dress by Vera Wang with pointed toe Magda Butrym rosette mules. My hair was down and I felt like me! I ended the night in a feather-trim mini by Taller Marmo and pale pink Prada platforms to tie in with Villa Pizzo. I barely wanted to take 2 minutes away from the dance floor, so a lot of my glam and outfit changes were ignored! I'm so happy with this decision because it's so true: it is the quickest day of your life.

What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?

We improvised and you can really tell! Slow dancing is not our forté. We danced to our song, "First Day of Our Lives" by Bright Eyes.

Did you have any special performances or entertainment?

Halfway through our salad course, we had a tenor perform some opera classics that shocked the room. Our friends jaws dropped as they watched in awe. Gatsby, our band flew in from the UK, and was easily the star of the night. They are incredible. Jonathan, the male lead, played the piano and sang some of our favorites during dinner. It gave me chills. Then, the band took the stage and absolutely transformed the energy when dinner was over. We never wanted it to end. We had a hard stop time, so we moved everyone to the garden for cuban cigars and Max's talented cousin, Danny, DJ'ed to close out the night.

What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

It's almost impossible to say! Having a quiet morning and family breakfast at the Passalacqua felt authentic to me. My dad walked me down the aisle and officiated which made it feel extra personal and special. He was the perfect mix of funny and sentimental. The huge charcuterie spread and champagne tower were show stoppers during cocktail hour. Seeing our friends and family for the first time in the garden after the ceremony. The energy was unreal. Then, the vibe of the greenhouse throughout dinner and the constant surprises in entertainment really blew us away. Dancing until our feet blistered had to be a highlight as well.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

This could be an article in itself. None of it would be possible without our wedding planning team — Ashley Smith Events. Ashley, Alexa and Jake became more than wedding planners — they were therapists and friends. The passion and work they put into every little thing is astonishing. It would have been nothing without them. Kelly (Kelly Brown Weddings) made us feel so comfortable and at ease. Her pictures show it. Matteo, our videographer, blew us away with drone footage and our Instagram reel. Our florals came together better than I could have imagined (thank you Chiara Sperti Events). Our weekend paper and signage (Nubo Studio) was such a good representation of us and the mood we wanted to convey. Gatsby, our band who flew in from the UK, was truly the cherry on top. I want to have them at every party! Our wedding would have been nothing without the creative minds that made it so special.

What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?

I'm not going to say, "don't sweat the small stuff". If you're like me, the details mattered. But, I would tell couples that it is all worth it in the end! Have a relaxing morning surrounded by people who make you feel at ease and just enjoy every second of the rest of the day. It truly goes by in the blink of an eye!