Magnificent Multicultural Celebrations At This Wedding Weekend On Lake Como

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November 10, 2023

The Planning

Design / Vibe / Vision

The couple wanted multicultural celebrations through out the two days and so they did. It started with a vintage-Italian-town inspired pre-wedding photoshoot in Bellagio. The couple rented a vintage Vespa original and visited the iconic steps of Bellagio, had gelato and toured the lake on a venetian boat at sunset. The welcome dinner event featured an Asian theme with red, fuchsia and orange to honor the couple’s heritage. The couple wanted to transport the guests to a fictional early 20th century Chinese hotel. So they designed a pagoda adorned by bougainvillea as it's the native flower of the couple's hometowns. The pagoda also had Chinese lanterns hanging from above and double happiness signs. There's also a side table decorated with Chinese traditional wedding candles and a tea set. Guests are encouraged to dress in their own cultural attires. The Asian night decor drew inspirations from Hong Kong movie “In the Mood for Love” and the latest Hollywood blockbuster film “Crazy Rich Asians.” As for the wedding ceremony, the bride drew inspiration from the solarium scene from iconic movie "Sabrina" and wanted to feel on cloud nine. So the design emphasized cloud-shape floral designs. There was a custom pink couch with floral decoration as a bridal photo booth, there are full floral arches at the altar against the backdrop of the beautiful Lake Como. The bride adores hues of lilac, it's also the bride's mother's favorite color, so the floral design featured various of flowers in lilac, dusty rose, white, and light green. It aimed to give a dreamy, romantic and timeless feeling.

Proposal Story

The groom surprised the bride on her birthday last year with a helicopter ride to view their beloved New York City from up above. The groom wanted to have the helicopter stop by their apartment's balcony where there would be flower arrangements forming a sign "Will You Marry Me." But due to NYC air traffic rules that forbids personal use of east side air space, this idea is nixed. So instead, the couple just went on a helicopter ride on the west side, and as the bride returned home, she was so surprised to find there were beautiful pink and white floral arch, a flower cart, and many other floral arrangements on their patio. The TV was playing a thoughtfully-edited video of the couple's many trips around the world over the years. She was confused and thought this birthday party was too extravagant! The groom took the bride to the patio and got on his knees. The rest is history!

Getting Ready

Bridal Portraits

Flat Lays

The Fashion

Wedding Gown

The bride wore a custom Pnina Tornai wedding gown adorned with 3-D flowers, chantilly lace, corset and glitter details. The bride met the designer Pnina Tornai and said yes to the dress in Kleinfeld's flagship store in New York last fall. "It's my dream to purchase my wedding gown from the iconic place where I live. It means a lot." The bride wore an heirloom diamond necklace purchased from the Sotheby’s for the ceremony. For the pre-wedding photoshoot, the bride enlisted the award winning New York based design house Dauphinette to create a one-of-a-kind bespoke dress. Designer Olivia Cheng's work was collected by the Metropolitan Museum. For this gown, the bride wanted to incorporate her childhood memories and honor her late grandmother. The gown featured an original Dauphinette print, and is beaded with the bride’s late grandmother’s accessories. It also has a custom made pearl brooch as a tribute to the grandmother. On the Asian-themed welcome dinner night, the bride wore a traditional Chinese Qipao designed by herself and handmade by the tailor who has been making Qipao for the family for 20 years. To keep with the tradition, the bride wore 24K solid gold Phoenix & Dragon Necklace and matching bangles designed by Hong Kong based LukFood Jewellery.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bridesmaids were encouraged to mix & match styles. The three of them chose floor length dresses from A.L.C., and ASOS.

Groomsman Attire

The groom wore a bespoke Brioni tuxedo for the wedding, and separately a gray Brunello Cucinelli suit for the pre-wedding photoshoot. The groom also wore a watch that was gifted to him by his Dad when he graduated from high school.

Wedding Party

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

The Details

Food & Drink

The food and drink were provided by Lake Como's best vendor Classeventi. The groom's drink is a Negroni, and the bride's drink is a violet color cocktail made of: Gin, lemon juice, violet liquor, prosecco . The wedding reception had a 1.5 hour cocktail reception, three-course Italian dinner, full open bar, a gelato cart, a traditional Italian wedding cake, and a champagne tower. The welcome dinner features live grill stations of seafood and sharable Italian entrees.

Florals & Decor

The bride wanted a dreamy feeling like walking on cloud nine, mixed with the feeling of a summer fragrant flower garden inspired by movie "Sabrina." Floral designer Il Profumo Dei Fiori did a wonderful job bringing that to life. The ceremony space featured a loose "S" shape floral isle. Two floral arches with flowers in pastel colors of lilac, white, pink, and pale green are placed on top of a white platform, with cascading effect. The dinner reception featured a long table under the trees, two floral arches with chandeliers hanging over the newlyweds, hugging the head table from both sides. Embroidered napkins with the couple's initials, candles and a runner of continuous floral arrangements were placed on the table.

Wedding Cake

The wedding cake is a traditional Italian wedding cake with chantilly lace cream and wild berries.

Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs

The couple incorporated a cord-and-veil ritual to honor the groom's side's heritage. The The groom’s dad read a poem from his wedding ceremony program from exactly 47 years ago. The couple also enlisted a live painter to convert their best memory with the groom’s late mother added into the painting.

Special Detail #1

A seat next to the groom's dad was left empty with a bouquet placed on top, honoring the groom's late mother.

Special Detail #2

The bride's mother read a poem in Chinese titled "Ode to Oak," it's a poem written in mid-century by a famous poet from the bride's hometown. The writing focuses on the equality of a marriage.

Special Detail #3

The bride and the father of the bride sang a duet of a classic Italian song "Santa Lucia" in Chinese. A tenor performed other Italian classics through the dinner.

Couple Portraits