A Joyful and Colorful Summertime Wedding in Lake Como, Italy

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julia mauro wedding couple on steps — Oliver Fly Photography

Mauro waited seven years to propose to Julia so the longtime couple could avoid the "darned seventh year," a belief in Swiss culture that most couples begin to fight—or break up—in the seventh year of dating. (Mauro and Julia live in Basel, Switzerland.) Clearly, they made it—because two years after he popped the question, the couple tied the knot during a destination wedding on Lake Como, Italy, a place that is special to both Mauro and Julia: The groom's father lives near the lake and the couple, together, enjoyed their first-ever romantic weekend away on its shores.

Plus, the location "is pretty much exactly half of the distance between Mauro's family that lives mostly in [Southern] Italy and my family that lives mostly in Switzerland," says Julia, making it easier for couple's 150 guests to make the August 18, 2018, wedding. With the location set, the couple began to plan what Julia describes as a "joyful and colorful Mediterranean summer party," one so focused on food and fun that they didn't even select a formal color palette—though blues and peaches are prevalent. The Lake Como Wedding Planner made sure the fête felt refined and elegant.

"I guess it was one of the very few destination weddings for most of our friends and family—especially the Swiss [group]—and they all enjoyed spending a weekend in beautiful Italy so much," says Julia. "The fact that they had to travel and sleep at the location [Villa Erba] made our wedding very special, because of the commitment of our guests: Nobody was in a hurry to take the last train, bus, or taxi home—or to get their children to bed."

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A Classic Engagement Ring

julia mauro wedding rings on invitation — Oliver Fly Photography

When Mauro proposed, he did so with a classic ring: Cartier's Solitaire 1895.

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A Venue with a View

julia mauro white wedding venue villa erba mountains — Oliver Fly Photography

Villa Erba offered an epic background for the couple's wedding. Not only was the villa a stunning, ivy-covered castle-like structure, but the grounds offered multiple gardens and lawns for the couple to utilize on the big day.

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Venue-Inspired Invitations

julia mauro wedding blue and pink invitations — Oliver Fly Photography

Shhh My Darling designed an invitation suite inspired by the frescoed walls of Villa Erba. "The inside of the envelopes was inspired by a pattern painted on the walls of the dining room," Julia shares.

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A Bespoke Wedding Dress

julia mauro wedding bride standing on balcony — Oliver Fly Photography

Julia's Galia Lahav wedding dress was custom-made, "because I wanted a different kind of décolleté," Julia explains. (The neckline features lace dipping into a subtle sweetheart bodice.) But her favorite part of the dress? "The thousands of layers of tulle," Julia says. "I've never imagined that tulle can be so delicate and soft!"

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For the Groom

julia mauro wedding groom accessories — Oliver Fly Photography

Mauro kept his look classic: He donned a midnight-blue tuxedo and black shoes.

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Flower Girls

Julia and Mauro didn't have a bridal party, but they did have two flowers girls who wore rose-hued tulle dresses and faux floral crowns.

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Scattering Petals

julia mauro wedding flower girl holding basket — Oliver Fly Photography

The little attendants carried white wicker baskets filled with ivory rose petals, which they scattered down the aisle.

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Filled with Flowers

julia mauro wedding ceremony setting with floral arch and chairs — Oliver Fly Photography

Florist Rattiflora used delphiniums, roses, spray roses, and dahlias in hues of peach, pink, and cream to decorate the ceremony site—a garden on Villa Erba's grounds.

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Last Row of Ceremony Chairs

julia mauro wedding ceremony guests in seats — Oliver Fly Photography

The ceremony's floral arrangements looped around the top mouth of the aisle, hugging the last row of guests' chairs.

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Walking Down the Aisle

julia mauro wedding processional down steps — Oliver Fly Photography

Julia was escorted down the aisle by her father, while Christina Perry's "Thousand Years" played.

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Ceremony Seats for Two

julia mauro wedding ceremony arch couple sitting in floral decorated seats — Oliver Fly Photography

The couple sat during a portion of the ceremony, which included readings by Julia's mother and sister and Mauro's brother. The couple also wrote their own vows.

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Aperitivo

julia mauro wedding orange drinks on table — Oliver Fly Photography

During cocktail hour—held within view of Lake Como—guests could enjoy a classic Italian Aperol spritz.

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Snack Table

julia mauro wedding buffet table — Oliver Fly Photography

Guests also enjoyed a selection of appetizers during cocktail hour, including cheeses, cured meats, and canapes.

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Seasonal Fare

julia mauro wedding appetizers fish — Oliver Fly Photography

Fish served with a light sauce and slivered nuts was just one colorful food option.

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Famous Table Names

julia mauro wedding seating chart — Oliver Fly Photography

The couple didn't have escort cards. Instead, they asked Shhh My Darling to draw table plans with their chosen table names—named for famous couples, including Barbie and Ken and Tarzan and Jane.

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Traditional Ballroom

Julia and Mauro's reception was held inside one of Villa Erba's dining rooms. To complement the room's bright and bold walls, the couple opted for gray table cloths and gold chairs.

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Cohesive Centerpieces

julia mauro wedding floral centerpiece — Oliver Fly Photography

For the centerpieces, the couple wanted their florals to reflect "the colors found in the villa," Julia says, which made for bright arrangements of peach, pink, purple, and yellow blooms.

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