Wedding | Brittany & Chris

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We knew we wanted something very small and intimate, but we also wanted to turn it into a meaningful trip. We had been to Italy before and completely fell in love with Lake Como and Passalacqua Hotel—the wine, the mountains, the water—it’s all absolutely breathtaking. It just felt like the perfect place for such a special moment.

How many guests did you have?

We had just had our 3 best friends, and one of them officiated the ceremony, which made it even more personal and special.

What was your budget?

We didn’t set a strict budget, mainly because we knew we’d likely spend less than we would on a traditional wedding in the United States. That said, we did choose to splurge on certain things, especially the hotel. Other elements like flowers, food, and drinks weren’t as important to us, so we kept those simple.

Tell us about your outfits.

I wanted something simple, elegant, and easy to move around in. One day, while casually browsing at Nordstrom, I came across a House of CB dress. It was the first one I tried on, and I immediately knew it was the one.

As for Chris, he had a custom dark brown suit made, which felt both timeless and personal.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

We really wanted to focus on the trip as a whole, not just the wedding day. Our goal was to create a relaxed, stress-free experience and simply enjoy celebrating our relationship in a meaningful way.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Keeping everything intentional and intimate was really important to us. We wanted every part of the experience to feel personal and true to who we are, without adding anything that felt unnecessary or overwhelming.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Truly do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone pressure you into hosting multiple events or having a large wedding if it’s going to cause stress or doesn’t align with what you want. Your day should reflect you both.

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

Because it was such a small wedding, we kept vendors to a minimum. The one we did work with—Ashley Gabes Photography—was incredible. She made the entire day feel effortless, especially since neither of us is particularly comfortable in front of the camera. Everything felt natural and easy with her.

Photographer: AshGabes Photography @ashgabes_photography | Ceremony & Reception Location: Passalacqua Hotel @passalacqualakecomo | Dress: House of CB