Palazzo dreams become reality on Italy's magical Lake Como, where a modern woman is instantly transformed into the princess or queen she's always deserved to be. Historic villas perched on cliffs overlooking a vast, sparkling lake as boats whizz by feel like a fantasy. Legend has it that at Villa Pliniana, a majestic property subtly situated across the water from Como's bustle, night watchers can still see Emilio and Anne, passionate lovers who escaped to the villa in the late 1800's, diving into the loggia in the dark of night, wrapped in a white bed sheet. The newly re-opened villa's secret passageways, otherwordly garden, two grand ballrooms and a courtyard overlooking the lake inspire a regal take on wedding dressing and effortless opulence. In the spirit of true love and ultimate grandeur, our bella sposa dons 16 fairytale gowns–and spectacular jewels–for the undeniably modern bride.
IRON CLAD.
Pair edgy elements like subtly sheer skirts and jet black details with super-luxe extras. Above: Ines di Santo "Cheer" ball gown and capelet, $13,379, bridalreflections.com. Left: Vera Wang "Nigella" gown and corset, $25,650, verawang.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond cushion empress drop earrings, forevermark.com; Stephen Russell antique tiara circa 1850, price upon request, 212-570-6900. Right: Carolina Herrera dress, $5,990, carolinaherrera.com; Suzanne Couture Millinery crystal studded veil, price upon request, suzannehats.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond cushion empress drop earrings, Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings, cushion empress engagement ring and Riviera necklace, forevermark.com.
LAYER UP.
Separates elevate a look, adding rich texture and depth. Don't shy away from add-ons you can shed as the night wears on. Caroline Hayden blouse, $1,995, cape, $2,400, vest, $2,295, skirt, $5,995, carolinehayden.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings, cushion empress drop earrings and engagement ring, forevermark.com.
ENCHANTED FOREST.
Garden settings call for whimsical laces–like Guipure and point d'esprit–or full-on floral motifs. Left: Marchesa embellished tulle gown, $8,995, by custom order at 212-463-8135. Right: Christos Costarellos gown, $3,333, costarellos.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings, cushion empress drop earrings and Riviera necklace, forevermark.com.
HEIRLOOM HEIRESS.
Emphasize old world vibes with cascading trains, ruffled textures and breathtaking jewels. Marchesa tulle ball gown, $12,995, by custom order at 212-463-8135; Forevermark Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings, cushion empress drop earrings, cushion empress engagement ring and Riviera necklace, forevermark.com.
DARK BEAUTY.
Dare to go dark–in your gown's hue, or your precious gems. Left: Luisa Beccaria gown, price upon request, luisabeccaria.com; Stephen Russell antique tiara circa 1850 and antique multi-colored gem necklace circa 1880, 212-570-6900; McTeigue & McClelland sapphire floral quadrant studs, price upon request, 800-956-2826; Trumpet & Horn vintage engagement rings, 800-593-1933. Right: Zuhair Murad Haute Couture gown, price upon request, zuhairmurad.com.
STONE COLD.
A heavy hand with all things beaded, encrusted, embroidered or embellished makes for modern opulence. Chana Marelus embroidered ball gown, $8,000, chanamarelus.com; Jennifer Behr "Simona" headwrap, $253, jenniferbehr.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings and cushion empress engagement ring, forevermark.com.
FIT TO PRINT.
When a bold color is not enough, turn to your setting for inspiration and select a printed look that, in context, will feel effortless. Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition gown, $2,490, saksfifthavenue.com; Gigi Burris raffia headband, $250, modaoperandi.com; Trumpet & Horn vintage earrings, 800-593-1933.
TRUE ROMANCE.
Hues that hearken to the rose of your cheeks and rich tone of your pout are foolproof. Valentino gown, $31,200, valentino.com; Oscar de la Renta earrings, $390, oscardelarenta.com.
IRREVERENT ELEGANCE.
Accentuating your assets, without sacrificing high style. Giambattista Valli Haute Couture dress, price upon request, giambattistavalli.com; Forevermark deco earrings, forevermark.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond cushion empress engagement ring, forevermark.com; Marchesa "Mia" lace boots, $895, akh-grp.com.
CROWN JEWELS.
A mussed coif is a far better method to showcase standout jewels than an overwrought chignon. Vera Wang "Nigella" gown and corset, $25,650, verawang.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond cushion empress drop earrings, forevermark.com; Stephen Russell antique tiara circa 1850, price upon request, 212-570-6900.
GARDEN VARIETY.
When styling ultra-ladylike looks, be a maximalist. Monique Lhuillier embroidered bustier, $3,995, and tulle skirt, $3,346, moniquelhuillier.com; Jennifer Behr "Rosabel" comb, $262, jenniferbehr.com; Cecile Boccara "Paris la Nuit" hair pin, price upon request, suzannehats.com; Percossi Papi multi-stone earrings, $1,150, net-a-porter.com.
LADY OF THE LAKE.
Classics withstand the test of time. Case in point: healthy hair, diamond studs, a flawless face and a bridal gowns that feel inherently wedding-worthy. Left: Chana Marelus embroidered ball gown, $8,000, chanamarelus.com; Forevermark Bubbles Five Station earrings, forevermark.com; Forevermark Black Label square classic stud earrings, forevermark.com. Right: Chana Marelus embroidered ballgown, $8,000, chanamarelus.com; Jennifer Behr "Simona" headwrap, $253, jenniferbehr.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond square classic stud earrings and cushion empress engagement ring, forevermark.com.
LA SIRENA.
A strong attitude is the fast track to tasteful bridal sex appeal. Christos Costarellos gown, $3,333, costarellos.com; Forevermark Black Label Diamond cushion empress drop earrings and Riviera necklace, forevermark.com; Marchesa "Sarah" sandals, $895, akh-grp.com.
MEDIEVAL MUSE.
Ankle lengths work just as well with ball skirts as they do second-skin midis. Above: Naeem Khan "Cannes" ball gown, $8,490, naeemkhan.com; Christian Louboutin sandals, $1,095, christianlouboutin.com; Stephen Russell diamond chandelier earrings circa 1920, 212-570-6900. Below: Christos Costarellos top, $1,106 and skirt, $3,346, costarellos.com.
DAY DREAMER.
She dreams in Italian. At night the words become music; sound prettier, taste sweeter. She wears gowns that float; on boats that never sink. At dusk, she sets off into the near darkness, searching for what was missing–and found him. Took his hand; led him to the place on the lake where they speak the language of her dreams. And together, they decided to make them all come true. - Kerry Pieri for Un Reveur.
Created by Carrie Goldberg; Photographs by Christian Oth; Produced by Rachel Birthistle; Hair by Adrian Clark; Makeup by Moani Lee; Model Elena Rei; Styling and Market Assistant Tennille Yamashita; Casting by Onell Ednacot; Special Thanks to the Villa Pliniana by Sereno Hotels, Makenzie Lynch, Elise Swain, Christian Oth Studio, Tamar Birthistle-Cooke, and Villa Balbiano.
Carrie Goldberg is meltsflow.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.
