A Collette Dinnigan Dress for a Sun-Filled Destination Wedding Overlooking Lake Como in Italy

Good morning beautiful blog readers! This post is being brought to you from a desk bathed in sunshine. I may not be able to get outside and enjoy the fine weather we're currently experiencing in the UK, but sitting with the window wide open is almost as good. It helps that there's plenty of colour and sun in this stunning real wedding too!

Geraldine Torrens and Rohan Whiteford were married on 10th September 2012 at Villa Daniela overlooking Lake Como. The bride travelled to the ceremony by boat and the couple, who had already been together for 15 years when Rohan proposed, exchanged vows outside as their guests basked in the warmth of the Italian sun.

Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Morlotti Studio + wedding planner/styling by Leoeventi

'We met through mutual friends at a NYE party and kissed at midnight – we’ve never looked back. Rohan proposed to me at the top of Mt Titlis during a day of skiing in Switzerland. After a morning of skiing he'd planned to take me to the bar at the top of the mountain to propose, but I took a bad fall on an icy floor on the way and almost didn't make it. After a lot of coaxing we continued, and at the top – overlooking the world – he got down on one knee with a ring in hand and asked me to be his wife. With tears welling in my eyes and a broad smile on my face I said 'yes' and we celebrated at the highest bar in Europe.'

'We chose this venue for its location, the views of the lake and its perfect size. We loved everything about it… true Italian style right on Lake Como.'

I would imagine planning a destination wedding could be terribly complicated, but Geraldine and Rohan enlisted the help of Leoeventi, a planning team based in Italy. They took care of everything from the flowers to the catering, and helped the couple source the very best suppliers for their day.

Geraldine wore a gown by Australian designer Collette Dinnigan which she purchased from the Chelsea boutique. I love the elegance of this dress, particularly the delicate straps and the way the fabric falls at the back.

'I always knew I didn't want a traditional 'meringue'. I chose a satin evening gown with jewels encrusted on the bust and straps, sourced by the designer in Paris.'

'I found a stunning pair of Elie Tahari sandals, but couldn't get my size in the UK so had a friend send them from NYC. Totally extravagant, but completely necessary.'

'The dress was heavily jewelled so a necklace would have been too much. My earrings were a gift from my bridesmaid Kelly. I wore a vintage jewelled watch, loaned to me by my mother, and a rhinestone hair clip, found in a boutique on Richmond Hill.'

'Rohan wanted to stand out from the crowd so opted for a fully tailored silver grey suit and white shirt from Suit Supply. He definitely looked like a stylish Italian! His contrasting fuchsia tie and socks were from Calvin Klein and his cuff links from Paul Smith.

Suits for the groomsmen were hired from Formally Yours in the UK. We gave them Calvin Klein socks to match Rohan's, together with silver cuff links.'

Geraldine and Rohan enlisted Nico Tinozzi, head of the Leoeventi design team, to take care of their flowers.

'We chose to incorporate pink peonies, used in the bouquets, in the table flowers which were mixed with other pink and white flowers in vases running along the length of the one long table. There was also a beautiful tree with pink flowers in bloom at the end of the table which suited perfectly, but happened by chance.'

'The idea for the one long table came from a photo and was the perfect way to create a casual closeness for all the guests. It is not a traditional Italian style so the team at Leoeventi worked hard to make it work.'

'My dad passed on when I was younger, so without him there it seemed only natural to have my mum by my side whilst getting ready and walking down the aisle. She also read a poem that I was too emotional to read myself. She did a wonderful job and it was so nice to have that special time with her.'

'I walked in to Carter Burwell’s 'Bella’s Lullaby'. It’s such a beautiful & dramatic piece that builds throughout to a stunning crescendo. It still makes me tear up every time I listen to it.'

The newlyweds and their guests were entertained by a jazz trio and DJ provided by La Blunotte Eventi.

'I chose ‘Getting Some Fun Out Of Life’ by Madeleine Pyroux for our first dance. We wanted something fun, quirky and memorable, and didn’t want to have to take dance lessons or ‘perform’ on the night. We just wanted to feel comfortable and have fun – and that we did.'

'My favourite moment? How can I choose! A friend suggested the two of us meet up after the dinner, away from everyone to enjoy a moment together and to take in what was happening around us. We were only gone for 15 minutes. We stood at our room window, which overlooked the table, chatting about the day – it's a moment that will stay with me always. The day really flies and I'm glad I took the time out to spend with Rohan and enjoy the 'view'. I also loved the first dance. It was completely unrehearsed, but turned out better than I could have imagined. It's the people around you that make the moment special.'

 

'We didn’t bother with our own vows and went for the traditional Italian version, which for an outside ceremony was perfect. The service was spoken in Italian and translated to English so we felt this was romantic enough, and we were too nervous to worry about memorising anything.'

'I wanted to read a poem to Rohan to express what my own words could not, but knew I wouldn’t make it through without choking up. So instead my mum offered to read it and did such a beautiful job. It’s such a special poem and explains how I feel about my husband and our relationship….'

 

‘I Carry Your Heart With Me’ by E.E. Cummings

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in
my heart) I am never without it (anywhere
I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling) I fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) I want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart).

v

Words of Wedded Wisdom…

'I was incredibly nervous all morning and, as an incredibly emotional person, of course there were a few tears during the ceremony. But after the ceremony, it was all smiles and laughter. I was also a little worried about falling in the water, getting in and out of the boat, on the way to the ceremony. My advice is to enjoy the day to the full, be in the moment 100%, try to be relaxed and have fun!!'

Well now, who's craving a little Meditteranean sun after reading this?! I know I am! Huge thanks to Geraldine and Rohan for sharing the details of their beautiful day with us, and of course to Morlotti Studio for allowing us to feature these stunning images.

As always we'd love to hear from our readers in the comments section below; are you planning a destination wedding? Do we have any other Colette Dinnigan brides reading?

 

You might want to take a look at this other Collette Dinnigan bride who featured on Love My Dress if so!

Love Franky

Photographer – Morlotti Studio
Wedding Planner/Stylist – Leoeventi (Weddings in Italy)
Venue – Villa Daniela, Lake Como, Italy
Wedding Dress – Collette Dinnigan
Brides' shoes – Elie Tahari
Groom's Attire – Suit Supply
Bridesmaids – JS Couture

Flowers – Leoeventi
Cake – Leoeventi
Entertainment – La Blunotte Event
Rings – Quality Diamonds,, Hatton Garden.
Makeup Artist – Arianna Manghisi

 

(highly qualified makeup artist selected through www.leoeventi.com)
Boat Travel – Mr Riccardo Luppi
Stationery –

 

The Letterpress of Cirencester