From their first meeting at work, to saying ‘I Do’ at Villa Del Grumello in Lake Como, Cara and Ryan sat down with The Wedding Edition to share the details behind their story and their romantic Lake Como wedding.
The Story So Far
We first met through work, though it took us three years to finally connect despite being in the same company. When we were assigned to the same team, we instantly clicked over our shared sense of humour, which soon turned a professional relationship into a close friendship. A few months later, we started dating and the rest is history. Fast forward five years, Ryan planned the dream proposal in California’s Yosemite National Park, working on it for nine months. The trip was initially a surprise under the guise of an anniversary getaway, starting with a holiday in New York. Unfortunately, I fell ill just a few days into NYC, and we had to cancel everything and return home. But Ryan didn’t give up. Four weeks later, once I was back on my feet, he orchestrated the most perfect proposal right at home. After dinner out with my best friend, I returned to find a trail of 3,000 rose petals leading me to Ryan, who was standing nervously but excitedly in our kitchen. That surprise exceeded any California dream—it felt so personal and intimate, especially with our friends and family joining us soon after to celebrate.
Ryan designed a stunning, custom-made engagement ring—a classic solitaire on a twisted setting. It was unique, and I instantly fell in love with it. The thoughtfulness behind the design, and all the romantic décor he had set up, made the moment unforgettable.
The Venue
Italy was the clear choice for our wedding—the people, the food, the scenery, everything about it felt like a dream. We are both passionate about lakes and mountains, and prefer a scenic road trip over city breaks, so Lake Como quickly became our ideal spot. Known for its romantic charm, it had everything we were looking for, and being close enough for our loved ones to join was important.
We chose Villa Del Grumello, just five minutes from Como town. It had everything we wanted—an intimate space with breathtaking lake views, surrounded by stunning gardens. The villa itself is steeped in history, with beautiful interiors, and offers excellent Plan B options in case of rain. The outdoor space, especially where we planned our long reception table, was just magical.
The Fashion
For my wedding dress, I knew I wanted something unique and fitted, given my petite figure. I’ve always loved 3D flowers and lace, so Galia Lahav was the dream designer for me. Even before I was engaged, I followed their Instagram and admired their designs. During a visit to Knutsford Wedding Gallery, I found *the* dress—a Galia Lahav masterpiece—and the rest was history. I also had a veil custom-made with delicate Swarovski crystals, subtle enough to complement the dress without being over the top. For shoes, I had my heart set on Jimmy Choos, and I even travelled to Milan to pick out the perfect pair.
For my something blue, I had a discreet blue hook on my wrist to help carry my train. Later in the evening, I changed into a second dress by Made with Love—a sparkly A-line gown with a corset top. I customised it by removing the train and adding thicker straps for better support. It was perfect for dancing the night away!
The Jewellery
I kept my jewellery minimal to balance the intricate details of my dress. My engagement ring was the only piece I wore.
The Bridal Party
My bridesmaids wore sage green, a colour that perfectly complemented our wedding theme. Each bridesmaid selected a style that suited her best, and we found their dresses at Azazie. As gifts, I gave them matching pyjamas, slippers, mini makeup sets for the day, and handwritten letters. My flower girls wore Monsoon dresses with hints of sage green to tie everything together.
The Tablescape
For our tablescape, I envisioned a modern yet luxurious feel. I love golds, whites, ivories, and greens, and knew I wanted chandeliers to elevate the look and add ambiance as the evening set in. We chose a long table to create an intimate setting for our 45 guests. The centerpiece was adorned with nude and ivory flowers, carefully arranged to be low enough to encourage conversation. I took on some DIY elements too, using Canva to design our menus, shot bottle labels, and signage.
Food & Drinks
Since we were in Italy, it only made sense to have plenty of Aperol Spritz flowing. The food was divine and a real highlight for our guests. We opted for Scallops to start, fresh spaghetti and truffle for our first course followed by a beef filet.
Entertainment
For entertainment, we flew in a 4-piece band from the UK called The Distractions, featuring a vocalist, guitarist, saxophonist, and DJ. They were phenomenal and brought incredible energy to the day. I walked down the aisle to “Yellow” by Coldplay, and after the ceremony, Ryan and I exited to “Electric Love.” Our first dance was a remix of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which kicked off the party perfectly!
Beauty & Wellness Regime
I started a dedicated skincare routine 12 months before the wedding and opted for a few treatments, including Botox and a lip flip, about four weeks before the big day. I also had several hair and makeup trials leading up to the wedding. I ended up flying in a hair and makeup team from the UK, Beccy and Yasmin, who were incredible. They made the day so stress-free, and we got along so well that we invited them to stay for the evening.
Favourite Wedding Gifts
Ryan surprised me with seven gifts for seven years leading up to our wedding day, each deeply sentimental—one was a magazine detailing “our story,” and another was a beautiful locket. I received a “Book of Letters to the Bride,” filled with heartfelt messages from my loved ones, which brought me to tears. I also received a wedding print from The Glitter Store, gifted by my best friend after we received our preview photos. It’s stunning and something we’ll cherish forever.
The Honeymoon
We headed straight to the Dolomites for a mini-moon, staying at the breathtaking Chalet al Foss. We indulged in the spa and explored the stunning mountain landscape before continuing our adventure in Switzerland for 10 days of hiking and relaxation. We ended our honeymoon with some time on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Capri, each place more picturesque than the last.
Advice
1. Hiring a wedding planner is invaluable—they take on so much stress, allowing you to enjoy every moment without worry.
2. Consider using Canva to create your own stationery—it’s a fun, cost-effective way to add a personal touch. I even made a detailed 50-page binder for our planner, which was a lifesaver on the day!
3. An engagement shoot can make all the difference. It helps you get comfortable with your photographer and makes the actual wedding day feel more natural and relaxed.
Other bits of advice for your wedding day:
- Write personal vows—this added such a meaningful and intimate touch to our ceremony, and it became one of the standout moments of our day.
- Be present—take a moment to pause and appreciate that all your loved ones are gathered in one place, something that may never happen again.
- Prioritise your time as a couple—this day is about the two of you, not just socialising with everyone. Make sure to carve out moments just for each other amidst all the celebrations.
With Thanks To:
Bride / Groom: – @Carabarratt and @Ryancoram
Venue: Villa Del Grumello, Como @villagrumello
Caterer: Class Eventi @classeventi
Dress: Ceremony dress: Galia Lahav @galialahav, Evening dress: Made with Love @madewithlovebridal
Bridesmaids: Azazie @azazieofficial
Groom outfit: Marc Darcy Tuxedo @marcdarcysuits and Boss shoes @boss
Flower girls: Monsoon @monsoon
Florist: Rattiflora @rattiflora
Tableware: Rattiflora @rattiflora
Stationery: By Bride Cara
Wedding website: N/A
Photographer: Matteo Coltro weddings @matteocoltro_weddings
Videographer: PS Visuals @p.s.visuals
Wedding rings: Beaverbrooks @beaverbrooksthejewellers
Makeup: @beccyhoult_mua
Hair: @yasminhulinhair
Wedding Planner: Charlotte Elise Events @charlotteeliseevents
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