Long before they ever reached Lake Como, Italy, for their summer wedding, Suzy Guttler and Juan Castillo’s love story spanned continents. Born on opposite sides of the world and raised in cultures shaped by movement and travel, the pair ultimately found their way to New York City, where a Bumble match turned into something special.

Their first date, tucked inside a West Village speakeasy, unfolded into hours of conversation about international schools, spoken languages, airport rituals, and the shared familiarity of growing up between places. Despite their different origins, their nomadic upbringings created an immediate, undeniable connection.

That global sense of romance carried into Juan’s proposal in the Wadi Rum desert of southern Jordan. While visiting Petra, one of their long-held bucket list destinations, Juan arranged a sunset hike through the desert’s dramatic rock formations. As silence settled over the rippled canyons and sandstone mountains, he proposed just as the sun dipped below the horizon – a moment Suzy describes as breathtaking, serene, and deeply intimate. The evening ended back at their Bedouin camp, celebrating beneath the stars.

When it came time to plan their nuptials, Suzy and Juan knew they would be hosting a destination wedding that reflected their shared love of travel. Italy emerged as the natural choice, both for its central location for guests traveling from across Asia, the Americas, and Europe, and for its deep ties to art, music, history, and cuisine. Lake Como captured their hearts instantly, and once they visited Villa Erba, nestled along the water near George Clooney’s famed estate, they knew their venue search had ended.

"We wanted to create a vibrant, summer theme that matched the elevated elegance of Lake Como and the grandeur of our iconic venue."

The couple welcomed just over 100 guests to the iconic lakeside property for an alfresco summer ceremony. Before making their grand entrances, Suzy and Juan shared a quiet, meaningful moment aboard a classic Riva Ariston wooden boat – a nod to Suzy’s family legacy of boat building. Cruising across the lake together, they arrived at their ceremony surrounded by florals in dramatic pinks, blush tones, and lush greenery designed to complement the villa’s façade.

"We wanted to create a vibrant, summer theme that matched the elevated elegance of Lake Como and the grandeur of our iconic venue," explains the bride. "Our floral designers built a color scheme of dramatic pinks, blooming blushes, and rich greens, all of which worked perfectly against Villa Erba's cream exterior on the glitzy lake shores."

After the “I dos,” the celebration continued with an elegant aperitivo hour featuring Italian spritzes, Prosecco, passed hors d’oeuvres, and curated mozzarella and salumi stations, before guests moved indoors for a lavish, four-course dinner beneath frescoed ceilings and chandeliers. Geometric golden stands were topped with lush roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, peonies, and rich greenery, "which added the palatial finishing touch to the interiors," Suzy adds.

The evening included a surprise flash mob choreographed to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” performed by friends who had secretly rehearsed for weeks – a joyful reflection of Suzy and Juan’s love for dancing and shared moments with their closest circle.

However, one of Suzy’s most cherished memories of the day came during the ceremony itself, standing hand-in-hand with Juan at the end of the aisle, exchanging vows with their loved ones gathered from around the world. It was a moment filled with warmth, comfort, and profound emotion, and one she says she’ll remember forever. "I felt so many amazing and powerful emotions," she smiles.

Following their Lake Como wedding, the couple extended their journey with a romantic mini-moon along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, followed by an extraordinary honeymoon adventure: a two-week expedition through Antarctica, a fitting continuation of a love story defined by exploration and shared discovery.

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