This Couple's Amalfi Coast-Inspired Engagement Party Featured a Surprise Musical Performance

It all started in Las Vegas: Isabella and Ben met there in July 2017, while they were celebrating a mutual friend's 21st birthday. Three years into their relationship, Ben hired a private chef to cook dinner for the pair at their home to celebrate Valentine's Day. After the meal, he led Isabella to their backyard and surprised her by getting down on one knee. After Isabella said yes, both of their families came over to celebrate.

The festivities didn't stop there—the couple decided to host an engagement party, a bigger bash, at Ben's parents' home in Calabasas, California. "They have a beautiful backyard and we celebrate many special occasions there," Isabella shares. They hired Jenny from Level Events—they had worked with her previously—and gave her just one month to execute their vision of an Italian garden party. "Working with Level Events and Jenny was so easy," Isabella says. "Especially given the short notice, she exceeded our expectations."

Surrounded by 100 loved ones on September 4, 2021, the pair hosted a joyous Amalfi Coast-inspired engagement celebration complete with a white, green, yellow, and blue color palette. Italian motifs abounded: The pair sent out digital invitations through Greenvelope that featured lemons and blue tiles; offered Aperol spritzes as their welcome drink; and set up a pasta station. With plans for a destination wedding in Lake Como, Italy, in the fall of 2022, the pair reveled in the opportunity to introduce their loved ones to each other well before the event next year.

As guests entered the event space, they were greeted by signs that read "Celebrating Isabella and Ben," complete with the date of the party. The accessories were flanked with large white floor arrangements from Everbloom Floral and shelves of Aperol spritz cocktails, their welcome drink.

Isabella wore a Posh Mia mini dress with balloon sleeves and beaded mesh detailing on the arms; Ben donned a white collared shirt with a miniature cocktail design, which he paired with jeans.

A luggage tag wall served as a backdrop for guest photos and was embellished with greenery, baskets full of lemons, and white-and-green florals.

Each white tag, which doubled as the pair's save-the-date (and directed loved ones to their wedding website), featured a gold outline of Italy and was marked with a gold heart over Lake Como; this is where Isabella and Ben will tie the knot next year. "We love to travel, so we wanted to make sure every guest left with our custom-made save-the-date luggage tag," Isabella notes.

The party took place outdoors, where mountain views provided a picture-perfect backdrop. A white rug added warmth to the stone patio, where two modern white sofas were paired with white floor poufs and a rustic wooden coffee table. A petite centerpiece incorporated white florals, greens, and lemons for a pop of color.

Their planner, Jenny from Level Events, incorporated blue-and-white patterned linens, rustic furniture, and garlands intertwined with bistro lighting to bring Amalfi to the California backyard. "We wanted a romantic space with lots of white flowers, greenery, and candles," Isabella says.

The bar was set up in front of a greenery wall and underneath a white pergola embellished with vines. Large, wild flower arrangements were placed on both sides. Guests enjoyed the duo's two signature cocktails: A prosecco drink with sparkling water, elderflower syrup, fresh mint, and lime, as well as a bourbon sip with Campari, lemon juice, and maple syrup.

Isabella posed for a few selfies with her friends, with the picturesque mountains in the background.

A central platform provided additional seating and made for a pretty vignette; baskets, light wood furniture, and grounded centerpieces added to the garden aesthetic.

The couple offered a charcuterie grazing table full of cheese, meats, fruits, and other accoutrements, courtesy of Crateful Catering. This was one of several Italian food bars—others included a pasta station, which served up fried eggplant pasta with ricotta, cacio e pepe, and pasta bolognese, and a pizza section, complete with margarita, prosciutto and arugula, and spinach and sun-dried tomato flatbreads.

Small, bite-sized snacks also made the rounds.

Ben's dad surprised the couple (and their guests!) by inviting musician Franky Perez to perform. Not only did Franky serenade the pair—he provided musical entertainment for the remainder of the party.

The groom-to-be's sister baked and decorated the cake they cut into towards the end of the soirée. "She is so talented and makes the cakes for most of our family events. We knew we wanted her to create something special that was delicious, too!" Isabella says. The confection incorporated the blue-and-white tiles seen on the duo's digital invitations and echoed the lemon décor details seen throughout the day.

To guests planning their own engagement parties, Isabella and Ben note that finding a planner you love is key. "Once we were in Jenny's hands, she truly put everything we were thinking and wanted into life," notes the bride-to-be.

Photography, Lorin Kelly Photography
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Level Events
Invitations, Green Envelope
Flowers, Everbloom Floral
Bride's Dress, Posh Mia
Makeup, Lynn Simpson
Music, Franky Perez
Catering, Crateful Catering
Signage, Wild House Ink
Linens, Nuage Design
Pool Covering, Special Event Contractors
Cake, Jordan Cakes Bakery
Rentals, Found Rentals; La Pinata Party Rentals; Bright Event Rentals