[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]purples, rich violets, coral, and lemon colors[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The love story of Ferris and Diana begins with their Syrian heritage and the friendship of their families. Inspired by their romantic tradition of watching the sunrise together in the most beautiful places in the world, and fueled by their favorite jasmine scent and the beautiful transformation of their relationship from friendship to love, the concept of the wedding “Meeting the Sunrise” was born. White jasmine, tinted in the colors of dawn, was chosen as a touching symbol of the wedding.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Diana: In line with tradition, Ferris approached the proposal with a thoughtful nod to our shared Syrian culture. It’s customary for the man, accompanied by his family, to visit the woman’s family to seek their blessing before any official engagement. True to form, Ferris and his family came to mine to ask them for my hand in marriage.
After he had the okay, we started ring shopping. Ferris wasn’t convinced by my “dream” ring, which, at the time, was an emerald-cut solitaire. He encouraged me to go ring shopping with him to make sure that was the one. To my surprise, he was right. I tried it on and didn’t like it. After that, he made me try on every cut of ring until I found the one.
After about two months, he surprised me with the ring and a proposal. The timing of his proposal was perfect, just days before their second anniversary, turned out to be enough to throw me off. He told me we were grabbing brunch and that I needed to dress up. He picked out a black off-the-shoulder Anna October dress with a drop-waist. He chose the serene garden of the Georgetown Four Seasons for his proposal, a spot just blocks away from where we had our first date. As we approached the hotel, I was admiring the garden’s greenery and saying how perfect it would be to have a wedding there. Ferris chuckled, and that’s when I realized that the greenery I was admiring was actually the proposal setup that Ferris had organized. He got down on one knee under a beautiful floral arch and asked me the four words that would change our lives forever: “Will you marry me?” Overwhelmed with joy (and laughter because he was able to truly surprise me), I said yes!
I had never been so surprised and genuinely happy; it was so freeing and something that he always makes me feel when I am with him. A few moments later, our three sisters popped out to surprise us. He knows how much they mean to me and wanted them to be there to share the moment with us.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]My wedding dress journey was an exhaustive odyssey that spanned continents, from bridal studios in Washington D.C. to the fashion capitals of New York and Milan. Initially, the process seemed straightforward—after trying on just two dresses, I thought, “Why do people struggle with this?” But as the number of gowns I tried on climbed well over 100, the situation spiralled. The overwhelming variety led to confusion, compounded by the pressure from the U.S. wedding dress industry’s daunting lead times. In a moment of stress, I was even persuaded by a sales associate to purchase a dress that, upon reflection, was entirely wrong for me. It was a low point, leaving me burnt out and questioning my choices, especially with the wedding less than six months away and the advised dress-buying window closing fast.
Seeking clarity, I began visiting bridal salons alone. It was in this solitude that I discovered what I truly wanted in a dress – timeless elegance and classic bridal beauty. Anne Barge’s designs resonated with me, particularly the Filmore dress—a strapless ballgown in silk white jacquard fils coupe, with a dropped waist and pleated full skirt that screamed ‘bridal’ in every fiber. Its classic silhouette and the radiant fabric made me feel unequivocally like a bride. I added some extra length to it which I thought brought just the right touch of drama, marrying tradition with my personal style.
For the reception, my wedding dress shopping experience took a delightful turn. During a trip to Milan with Ferris for venue checks and tastings, my planners scheduled an appointment at the Antonio Riva atelier for me. The atelier, quintessentially Italian in its elegance and warmth, offered a stark contrast to my earlier experiences. There, the staff understood my desire for a dress that was as unique and forward-thinking as it was flattering. The dress they presented captured everything I envisioned—fashion-forward, unique, and utterly me. Unlike the prolonged (6-8 week) alterations process back home, they promised to have the dress ready within a month, and that I could finish alternations within one day the week before the wedding.
In the end, my wedding attire embodied the duality of my personality and style. Anne Barge allowed me to embody the classic, timeless bride I’d always dreamed of being, while Antonio Riva gave me the opportunity to showcase my love for unique, statement fashion. This journey taught me the importance of following my heart in dress selection, leading me to find not just one, but two perfect dresses that reflected every facet of my bridal vision. It was a testament to the idea that sometimes, you don’t have to choose between tradition and individuality—you can beautifully have both.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]For my bridesmaids, Ferris and I were delighted to have our sisters by our side. In celebrating their unique personalities and styles, we chose not to limit them to a specific color scheme or dress style. Instead, we encouraged them to select outfits that reflected their individuality and the vibrancy they add to our lives.
Sally chose a stunning blue dress by Rachel Gilbert, which featured an elegant bow at the back, cascading into a long train—a detail that added a touch of drama and sophistication to her look.
Nadine opted for a captivating purple gown by Mac Duggal. This dress, beautifully crafted from luxurious tulle, showcased a sweetheart neckline, sleeveless design, and a corset bodice adorned with ruffled and tiered details, creating a silhouette that was both striking and elegant.
Sandra completed the trio with her choice of a pink gown with blue and purple hues, also from Mac Duggal—a Floral Cut Out Ruffle Tiered Gown. Her dress was a whimsical masterpiece made from floral chiffon fabric, featuring a summery cut-out bodice with covered button details and a voluminous skirt layered with airy ruffles.
Each dress brought a bright and joyful palette to the day, perfectly complementing the wedding’s aesthetic and allowing my bridesmaids to shine. Their outfits were a celebration of the color and joy they bring into our lives.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]During our initial tasting, the menu selection was extensive but we chose cocktail hour foods that we believe were refreshing for a hot summer day. For dinner, we went with the quintessential Italian wedding menu, where only wine was served during dinner (no cocktails until the after party, which our guests loved!) with a three course menu that our caterer and wedding planners recommended.
The next day brunch food was a hit – there were different food stations scattered around the garden and guests loved exploring the different options while taking loads of pictures. The gelato cart was a popular photo spot.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Aisle – white germini herberas
Bouquet – classic white roses
Reception & brunch – colorful flowers, variety
The dinner sparkled with vibrant shades reflecting the freshness of dawn: purples, rich violets, coral, and lemon colors symbolized the joy and anticipation of a new day. The theme of the Eastern royal garden adorned the ceremony space, playing with jasmine, the symbol of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and the beautiful legend that the Creator ran out of colors for jasmine flowers, causing this nocturnal bloom to await the dawn each morning to be painted in its hues.
The dinner for 200 guests took place under the Greenhouse tent. A mix of round and long rectangular tables optimized the space, divided by the tent’s metal stands. Gray-blue tablecloths served as a celestial backdrop, highlighting the vivid shades of the rising sun. The mirrored dance floor in the color of rose gold reflected the light from the chandeliers and harmonized with the color of the chairs.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our wedding cake embodied Italian tradition. We opted for a classic Italian wedding cake, Millefoglie, we wanted to honor the rich culinary heritage of our venue’s location. This offered our guests an authentic taste of Italy, making the experience even more memorable and special. Our guests were blown away![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Our ceremony was a sacred exchange of vows that we wrote ourselves, promises that spoke of our past, present, and the infinite future. We both cried, including many in the crowd!
Readings – My Love by Linda Lee Elrod, read by our officiant Fabio (@comolakecelebrant)
We had a string quartet for the ceremony (quartetto_Effe). Our family walked down the aisle, first Ferris arrived by boat and was met with his mom at the top of the aisle, they entered together to the string quartet playing Blinding Lights by the Weeknd, then, my mom and Ferris’s father had an entrance to Somewhere Only we Know, then followed my two sisters, Sally and Sandra, with Ferris’s sister, Nadine, interlocking arms to Crazy in Love, and lastly, my father and I walked in to Can’t Help But Falling in Love. Then Diana and Ferris Kiss and exit to Viva La Vida. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]An unexpectedly humorous moment occurred as I was making my grand entrance from the villa to the aisle. Adorned in a beautiful gown with a stunning 12-foot (3-meter) long veil trailing behind me, I encountered a small hiccup. As I stepped outside the villa, my veil decided it had other plans and got caught in the doorway about 12 feet into my walk. All our guests were facing my father and I at this point and clapping. The sudden halt puzzled my father, who was by my side, unaware of the cause. He barely turned to me, still facing forward and said, “we’re stopping, are we supposed to stop?” I found myself caught between laughter and the inability to move, struggling to explain the situation to him. I told him, “I’m stuck.” We stood there, momentarily paused in our own little bubble, until someone finally noticed and came to our rescue. Though the guests were oblivious to this hiccup, it became a beautiful moment shared just between my father and me, filled with laughter and a touch of pre-ceremony excitement.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Another memorable moment came unexpectedly and beautifully in the midst of our ceremony. As the officiant shared heartfelt words, while Ferris and I were holding hands in front of him, a moment of spontaneous joy unfolded before us. A large ferry boat, bustling with tourists, glided by on the water directly in front of Villa Balbiano. To our surprise and delight, everyone aboard began cheering for us. It was a serendipitous interruption, one that reminded us of the beauty of unplanned moments. This sweet, unforeseen cheer from strangers not only added to the magic of our day but also underscored the idea that some of the most beautiful moments in life are those that simply happen, beyond the realm of meticulous planning.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Another unforgettable experience was our post-ceremony escape on a classic Lake Como Riva boat. The boat, painted in a glamorous Tiffany blue, was the epitome of elegance and offered us a much-needed respite from the whirlwind of wedding activities. In the chaos leading up to the wedding, Ferris and I hadn’t had the chance to truly take in the beauty of Lake Como. As the boat glided over the water, the driver took us on a leisurely tour around the lake, allowing us to soak in the breath-taking views. Surrounded by the stunning scenery, Ferris and I could finally pause and revel in the moment, celebrating our union in the privacy and serenity of Lake Como’s enchanting waters. It was a deeply personal and joyful experience, allowing us to momentarily step away from the celebrations and simply enjoy being newlyweds in one of the most beautiful places on earth.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]
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Photography: Julia Kaptelova Photography | Cinematography: Luigi De Gregorio Filmmaker | Event Planning: WOW Wedding | Floral Design: Lake Como Florist | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Wedding Dress: Antonio Riva | Cake: Classeventi | Invitations: Sparkles Calligraphy | Catering: Classeventi | DJ: DJ Moun | Wedding Venue: The Heritage Collection | Beauty: Daniela Guanziroli | Rentals: Latini
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