Wedding in Como Italy
While we plan to live in Spain for a year, we are starting our travels in Italy because Alex’s brother Russell is getting married to his fiancé Jordyn in Como. For a destination wedding, this is a big one. Seventy people are traveling from the United States for this wedding!
We started in an Airbnb in Milan for three nights before getting a car to take us to our place in Como. I didn’t know much of Como other than it was a fancy place where actors owned houses and came to vacation. Coming into Como from Milan is a stark transition. Where Milan is a fantastic modern city with great bits of historic older sections, Como feels like the idyllic, picturesque, old-world Italian city that happens to be right on a bright, clear, turquoise lake.
Our home in Como was known as The Secret Garden, which was the perfect place for us. We had plenty of room for everyone, including Alex’s sister, Erin. We were within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants and not too far from the lake. Many of the wedding party were staying at the Palace Hotel, but having a home like this allowed the kids to spread out and have a bit more space for fun.
It was at this time in Como that we decided that we should have a family challenge to have gelato every night for a year. We have already failed this challenge; it is most likely for the best.🍨
One of the pre-wedding activities was a boat cruise where we all boarded a ship and went from Como to Bellagio and back. This was a fantastic time when all the wedding guests, friends, and family got to be together for the first time. The kids loved the boat ride, and everyone made them feel special and included. It turns out that George is quite the Paparazzi and ran around taking pictures of everyone. He also got to “drive” the boat while the girls lounged around pretending they were movie stars.
The actual wedding took place on the west side of lake Como at Villa Regina Teodolinda. It is a stunning villa, beautifully set up to host the wedding ceremony and reception.
The 5 of us were all a part of the wedding party, which was very special. We met at the Palace Hotel to take a bus reserved for the wedding party to the venue at noon. Russell sat in the back so that the bride and groom would not see each other. These first few hours were filled with fun getting ready moments and, of course, pictures.
The wedding was later that afternoon, followed by multiple courses of food, cake, dessert tables, drinks, memorable toasts, and dancing. It was AMAZING. Watching two families and groups of friends celebrate together was the highlight. As many of you know, Alex’s dad had a health scare that might have meant he missed traveling to the wedding, so the fact we were all together was extra special. The wedding day ended with a silent disco party, a late bus ride back to the hotel, and the 5 of us walking the mile back to our home at 2 am! The kids (and parents) partied hard! It seems appropriate to express our thanks to Jordyn’s parents, Mark and Sheri, for making this dream wedding come true and for being such welcoming and generous hosts. And to Russell and Jordyn, for dreaming it up and including the 5 of us in your big day (well, really big week)!
It’s been so fun kicking off our year of travel with this massive party!