A Traditional Outdoor Destination Wedding in Lake Como, Italy

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on September 20, 2018

The Happy Couple

Newlyweds Douglas Wurtz and Amanda Richman share a private moment after their ceremony.

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The Wedding Location

The wedding location, Villa del Balbianello, on Lake Como, Italy.

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Wedding Guests Arrive

Guests arrive at the villa by boat for the evening wedding.

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The Groom and His Groomsmen

Doug and his entourage walk the grounds before the festivities begin.

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The Bride Arrives

Amanda steps ashore, accompanied by her hairstylist, Wolfgang Steinbauer.

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Fashionable Wedding Guests

Fashionably dressed wedding guests walk from the dock to where the ceremony will take place.

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Before the Ceremony

Guests, decked out in black-tie garb, mingle preceremony on the villa's terrace.

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The Ceremony

During their vows, Doug and Amanda are wrapped in a tallith, a Jewish prayer shawl, to signify their unity.

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The Bridesmaids

Each of the eight bridesmaids wears a dress of her own choosing by Amsale; says Amanda, "I didn't have a color palette. I wanted the wedding to be fun, funky, and eccentric, but still elegant."

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Bridesmaid Accessories

In addition to the Amsale dresses the bridesmaids chose, they wear jeweled headbands from Lulu Frost and carry bouquets of roses by Rattiflora.

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Ketubah

Doug signs the ketubah, or wedding certificate, a tradition at Jewish nuptials.

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Family Portrait

After the nuptials, the bride and groom pose for a photo with their parents, (from left) William and Joanne Wurtz and Steven and Stephanie Richman.

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Mother of the Bride

The bride poses for a photo with her mother.

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Lake Como

A spectacular view of Lake Como from the grounds of the villa.

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Husband and Wife

Guests look on as the couple -- Amanda in an Elizabeth Fillmore gown, Doug in a Tom Ford tux -- leave the altar. "The ceremony was about all these people coming together," says Amanda. "They weren't just witnesses, but a part of our day."

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Table Decorations

The two long reception tables are dressed with custom-patterned runners, tall ivory taper candles, and centerpiece bouquets of tulips.

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More Flowers

Also decorating the tables are white hydrangea, lilies of the valley, gardenias, and white lilacs.

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Reception Under the Stars

With the sky as their ceiling, guests dine on an Italian meal of ravioli with basil, tomatoes, pesto, and sliced veal before dancing into the wee hours of the morning. The clear tent is lit with hanging chandeliers and oversize candelabras.

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The View

As guests dine they look out over a beautiful view of Lake Como.

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The Reception

A warm glow from the candles creates a beautiful and romantic setting inside the clear tent.

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First Dance

The newlyweds share their first dance to "Love" by Nat King Cole.

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Clever Escort Cards

Ushers help guests find their seats for the reception; ribbon pockets for escort cards were cleverly sewn inside their jackets.

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Pashminas for Guests

Pashmina shawls in white, cream, and shades of teal are draped over the backs of guests' chairs.

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A Toast from the Groom

Amanda, her bridesmaids, and guests listen as Douglas stands up to toast his bride in a heartfelt speech that touched upon his love for her, the picture-perfect setting, and the beautiful day. "At that point, I really didn't think it could get any better," says Amanda.

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Fireworks

But when he finished talking and looked to the sky, a five-minute fireworks display, set to a soundtrack of Italian opera music, lit up Lake Como. It took Amanda's breath away: "It was so beautiful; I didn't even have words," she says.

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