Old Hollywood glamour, blended with the natural beauty of Lake Como’s enchanting scenery.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are Lola and Luca Montuoro, living in Provence in the south of France. We feel fortunate to be close to our families, which allows us to share many cherished moments together. In December 2023, we bought our home, which we have lovingly renovated. Shortly after, we adopted Yma, our husky, from the local shelter. She fills our daily lives with joy and unconditional love.
Luca is an entrepreneur and landscape designer. He runs Carré Vert, a company specialising in the creation and maintenance of gardens, a profession that is both creative and deeply fulfilling. As for me, I work as a content creator on social media, where I share my lifestyle and travels. I also manage a communication agency, producing high-end content for luxury brands.
Our passions also reflect who we are: horseback riding is a true source of balance and joy for me, while Luca enjoys reading, especially about gardens, biographies, and history. Beyond that, we both treasure life’s simple pleasures, taking walks with Yma or enjoying picnics in the forest, just the three of us.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Our meeting was neither orchestrated nor planned; it had something spontaneous about it, almost as if life had gently placed us in each other’s path. We first met on a rooftop close to home, shortly after I had returned from Dubai in July 2022. It was one of those evenings that felt both ordinary and extraordinary, where a single encounter can quietly shift the course of your life.
My first impression of Luca was of a man who was calm, thoughtful, and quietly self-assured. He had this natural ability to put everyone around him at ease, and yet there was a magnetic presence about him that immediately drew me in. Luca, on the other hand, often says that he was instantly struck by my energy and presence, a blend of passion and lightness that captured his attention right away.
Although we didn’t realise it at the time, that evening marked the beginning of a journey that would go on to transform both of our lives. What began as a simple and effortless connection quickly grew into something much deeper a relationship built on mutual admiration, support, and the shared dream of building a beautiful life together.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
From the beginning, we envisioned a wedding that was less about trends and more about timelessness. We wanted to create an atmosphere of old Hollywood glamour, blended with the natural beauty of Lake Como’s enchanting scenery. The mood was meant to feel cinematic and elegant, as if our guests had stepped into a classic film set. Our inspiration came from vintage cinema, like old money sophisticated aesthetic, and the idea of evoking a sense of grandeur without it ever feeling overdone. We leaned into a colour palette of ivory, champagne, and muted gold tones, accented with lush greenery and white florals to mirror the natural setting. Every detail was designed to reflect elegance — from tailored outfits to candlelit tables and carefully curated music. Ultimately, our vision was to create an experience that felt not only romantic but also timeless, where our love story could be celebrated in a setting that felt as eternal as the lake itself.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
The natural elegance of Villa Geno in Lake Como was undoubtedly the highlight of our wedding. Its charming garden, with shaded lawns and stunning white hydrangeas, provided the perfect backdrop for our day. To maintain a timeless and classic style, we chose a floral décor combining various flowers in shades of green and white, creating a harmonious and elegant atmosphere.
Our ceremony took place by the lake, followed by the cocktail in the garden and dinner in the villa’s veranda, each setting offering its own unique ambience while remaining cohesive with our “old money” theme. The required black attire added a sophisticated touch, reinforcing the chic and timeless aesthetic we envisioned.
To make the day personal for every guest, we took individual photos with each of them in front of Villa Geno, giving everyone a unique keepsake from the celebration. Later in the evening, we served a late-night snack of pizzas in custom boxes featuring our initials, and we gifted our guests bespoke scarves inspired by Lake Como and Italian specialties, little tokens that would allow them to take a piece of the magic home with them.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
What we enjoyed most about planning our wedding was the creative process, imagining how every detail could come together to create the perfect day. We loved envisioning each moment, from the ceremony by the lake to the dinner in the veranda, and thinking about how the different spaces could be used to make our guests feel both welcomed and part of the celebration.
Our biggest advice for couples starting their planning journey would be to focus on what truly matters to you and your partner, rather than getting lost in trends or others’ expectations. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming at times, but if you prioritise your vision and your shared values, the process becomes much more enjoyable. We also recommend choosing vendors who really understand your style and vision — their support and expertise will make a huge difference. Above all, take the time to savour the small milestones along the way; the planning itself is part of the celebration, and every moment is a memory in the making.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We were fortunate to work with incredibly talented vendors who brought our vision to life.
Our wedding planner, guiding us with expertise and calm, even from a distance, and coordinating every detail seamlessly.
The florist created arrangements that were both romantic and natural, perfectly reflecting the timeless style we wanted.
Our photographer, a highly talented woman, also deserves special mention. She didn’t just capture images, she told our story through her lens, blending candid beauty with cinematic elegance.
Our team for video are amazing! And we are so excited to see the result! For the movie.
The caterer and cake designer exceeded our expectations as well, providing delicious dishes and a single, stunning cake that was both visually perfect and incredibly tasty.
What impressed us most was how all our vendors worked together so smoothly, like a true team united by the same vision: creating a day that reflected our love story in the most authentic and beautiful way possible.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
For my wedding dress, I chose the Kenya model by Milla Nova, featuring a corset that added the vintage touch I love. The gown was rich in lace and paired with a very long veil, creating a romantic and majestic effect. It was an instant love at first sight.
For the after-party, I opted for a custom-made dress that was shorter, more comfortable, and still in lace, designed by Fyliou.
This gown brought a slightly more playful and sexy feel while remaining elegant, perfect for dancing and enjoying the evening fully.
For shoes, I wore a pair reminiscent of Cinderella: Christian Louboutin heels in a nude shade, adorned with glitter, which elegantly dressed my feet and added a touch of sparkle.
Luca chose a bespoke tuxedo with a white jacket and black trousers, combining sophistication and contemporary elegance, perfectly in line with our “old money” theme.
What made our outfits truly special was their harmony: they complemented each other without being overly coordinated, reflecting our individual styles while expressing our identity as a couple. Behind these choices was the desire to look back at our photos in years to come and still feel that timeless elegance, far from fleeting trends.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Our engagement ring holds a very special story.
Luca chose a heart-shaped diamond ring, delicate and unique, with a subtle opening in the band that gives it a light and graceful feel.
It perfectly reflects our romantic love.
For our wedding bands, we wanted something classic and timeless, a daily reminder of the vows we made. Mine, from Zeina, is a slender pavé diamond band, designed to complement my engagement ring without overshadowing it.
Luca’s is a timeless, polished band, simple yet elegant.
What we love most about our rings is that they feel like an extension of who we are: not overly flashy, but deeply meaningful. They symbolise not only our commitment, but also the memory of that unforgettable moment by the lake, when we exchanged them and officially began our forever together.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
For us, a few elements were essential, and we chose to invest a little more in them to fully enjoy our day and create unforgettable memories.
Photography was a top priority: we wanted every moment, from the preparations to the sunset over the lake, to be captured with elegance and sensitivity.
Hiring a talented photographer allowed us to relive each emotion through beautiful and timeless images.
The second element we prioritised was the floral décor. Flowers bring a unique and magical atmosphere, and we wanted them to perfectly reflect the classic and elegant style of our wedding. Investing in high-quality arrangements enhanced every space of the ceremony by the lake, the cocktail in the garden, and the dinner in the veranda and provided our guests with an unforgettable visual experience.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
There are so many precious moments it’s hard to choose, but a few will remain forever in our memories.
The first was our ceremony by Lake Como, where I had my first look at Luca. Seeing him for the first time that day, feeling all the emotions, and seeing our loved ones gathered around us was incredibly moving.
Having our closest family present, including our grandparents, made the moment even more special.
What also deeply touched us were the speeches from our loved ones and a video montage showing our journey from childhood to today.
These moments created a unique emotional atmosphere and allowed us to celebrate our story surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.
Another moment we will always treasure was the photo session with each guest in front of the villa.
It gave us the chance to share a personal moment with everyone while creating unique keepsakes.
These memories, filled with laughter, connection, and emotion, perfectly capture the essence of our wedding: elegant, intimate, and profoundly heartfelt.
LOCATION Villa Geno, Como, Italy, @villa_geno BRIDE Lola, @rosovia GROOM Luca PHOTOGRAPHER Esther van Geenen Photography, @esthervangeenenphotography VIDEOGRAPHER Art and Roses Films, @artandrosesfilms CONTENT CREATION Candid & Co, @candidandco__ STYLIST & PLANNER Giulia Risaliti, @giuliarisaliti_weddings FLORIST Il Profumo delle Rose, @ilprofumodellerose_beatrice CELEBRANT Blunotte Events, @blunotteventi HIRE INSTANT SUDISTE, @instant.sudiste CATERING Sunlake, @sunlake.catering RINGS Cartier, @cartier BRIDE’S DRESS Milla Nova, @millanova BRIDE’S AFTER PARTY DRESS Filyou, @filyou.off BRIDE’S SHOES Christian Louboutin, @christianlouboutin HAIR Merita Lake Como Bridal Beauty, @merita.bridalbeauty MAKEUP By the bride BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Zeina Alliances, @zeina_alliances SUIT Gaudissard Cérémonie, @gaudissardceremonie GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Cartier, @cartier
