Kristen & Filip: From Chicago’s Lakeshore to Lake Como

A Love Story That Always Finds Its Way Back to the Water

Kristen and Filip's story began in Chicago in 2017, when a mutual friend introduced them. Filip immediately noticed how beautiful and kind Kristen was, while she remembers being struck by what a gentleman he was. He made the first move, asked for her number, and, as Kristen likes to say, they haven't really stopped talking since.

Over the years, they built a life around the things they love doing together: discovering new restaurants, taking long walks through Chicago, and spending evenings along the shores of Lake Michigan. Sometimes they would simply sit by the water, watch the boats go by, and talk for hours without realizing how much time had passed.

Even Filip's proposal happened by the water. During a Christmas trip to Florida, he arranged a romantic beach picnic for Kristen, complete with flowers, champagne, and a photographer friend who was there to capture the surprise.

So perhaps it was only natural that, when the time came to choose a wedding destination, they found themselves drawn to another beautiful lake, this time in Italy.

Neither of them had ever visited Italy before, but they knew they wanted their wedding to be part of a special trip with their families. Rather than planning a large celebration, they imagined a few relaxed days on Lake Como, with an intimate ceremony shared with just four guests: their parents.

From the very beginning, their vision was clear. They wanted something timeless, romantic, and full of love, without the stress of a traditional big wedding. And that's exactly the kind of day we set out to create together.

Villa Balbiano: A Little Piece of Italian History

For their ceremony, Kristen and Filip chose Villa Balbiano, one of Lake Como's remarkable historic residences.

The villa's history goes back to the 16th century and is closely connected to some of Italy's noble families. Over the centuries, it has welcomed elegant gatherings, musical evenings, and celebrations, becoming part of the lake's rich cultural history.

Today, its Italian gardens, fountains, sculptures, and tall cypress trees frame beautiful views across the water, while the interiors still feature magnificent Baroque frescoes.

For Kristen, who loved classic, understated elegance, Villa Balbiano felt like the perfect setting. The architecture and gardens were already so beautiful that we didn't need elaborate decorations to create the atmosphere she had imagined.

Two First Looks and One Very Personal Ceremony

The wedding morning began at The Lake Como EDITION, where Kristen and Filip got ready and enjoyed their first photographs of the day. We had deliberately kept the schedule relaxed, leaving plenty of time for preparations and making sure they could enjoy every moment without feeling rushed.

One of Kristen's wishes was to save two very special moments for the villa. She wanted her father to see her in her wedding dress for the first time just before the ceremony, and Filip to see her only when she walked down the aisle.

To make that happen, the bride and groom travelled to Villa Balbiano separately.

Kristen arrived first, and when her father joined her, they shared a beautiful, emotional first look. It was one of those quiet moments that can become one of the most meaningful memories of the entire wedding day.

Then, with both families gathered for the ceremony, Kristen walked down the aisle on her father's arm. And there, waiting for her, was Filip, seeing his bride in her wedding dress for the very first time.

Although it was August, Lake Como had decided to give us a rather moody day. The sky was overcast, and there was a little rain, but it certainly didn't stop us from having a beautiful ceremony. In fact, the clouds hanging over the mountains gave the photographs a wonderfully romantic feel.

The ceremony itself was deeply personal. We shared the story of how Kristen and Filip met, talked about the little traditions they had created together, and reflected on something they both value so much in their relationship: the sense of peace, trust, and comfort they have found in one another.

With their parents beside them, they exchanged personal vows and rings, promising to continue building a life filled with love, laughter, adventures, and all those small everyday moments that make a relationship so special.

There was no need for a large audience or an elaborate production. Just two people making promises to each other, surrounded by the four people who had loved them long before their story together began.

A Relaxed Afternoon and an Italian Dinner

After the ceremony, we took some time for photographs around Villa Balbiano. Its historic architecture, elegant gardens, and beautiful lakeside setting gave us plenty of opportunities to capture the couple together, even with the unpredictable weather.

Once the photo session was finished, everyone returned to the hotel for a little rest before the evening celebrations.

Later, Kristen and Filip reunited with their parents for dinner at L'Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar, where they could enjoy Italian food, share stories from the day, and celebrate together around one table.

There was no complicated evening schedule, no long list of formalities, and no pressure to entertain a large group of guests. Just a lovely dinner with family, exactly the way they wanted it.

And that's what made Kristen and Filip's wedding so special to us.

Their celebration is a beautiful reminder that a wedding doesn't have to be big to feel extraordinary. Sometimes, having the people you love most beside you, exchanging heartfelt promises in a place you've always dreamed of visiting, and ending the day around a dinner table is more than enough.

For Kristen and Filip, their very first trip to Italy became the beginning of a whole new chapter together.

What the Bride Said

After the wedding, Kristen left a review on Google.

The Wow Italy team are 12/10 wedding planners! I never visited Italy before this and we planned the whole thing together and they made the whole thing a breeze. Time differences were never an issue and they are SO quick to respond and provide updates.