Aileen and Diego’s story began on a warm evening in Tampa, Florida, at a restaurant called Whiskey Cake. The two were introduced through mutual friends, but they never imagined that a simple outing would change their lives in such a significant way. There was an instant spark and an “undeniable connection that felt both exciting and familiar”—more than enough to prompt them to spend the night talking, laughing, and noticing the natural flow of their interactions.
“When I drove home that night,” Aileen recalls, “I remember thinking to myself, ‘He’s the one.’ From that moment on, we became inseparable.”
“We’re reminded that love is both destiny and choice.”
A Romantic Engagement in Paris
After spending two years together experiencing countless adventures, growth, and shared dreams, the couple had a month off of work and knew they wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. Diego had always wanted to visit Europe, so they planned a European trip that would take them through some of the most romantic places in the world.
The couple’s first stop was Paris. As the sun set over the Eiffel Tower, Diego led Aileen to a beautiful setup of huge, glowing “Marry Me” letters, scattered roses, a violinist playing softly in the background, and sparklers lighting up the night.
“My heart raced as he got down on one knee,” says Aileen, “and through tears of joy, I said ‘Yes.’ That evening, we celebrated with the most romantic dinner cruise on the Seine River, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle as if it were celebrating with us. We got engaged on March 24, 2023—a date we’ll forever hold close to our hearts.”
During that same trip, Aileen and Diego visited Lake Como in Italy, which was a place they had both dreamed of seeing. They spent a day exploring picturesque villas, including the famous Villa Balbianello.
“As we admired the breathtaking views, we saw a couple taking wedding photos on the terrace,” Aileen adds. “We smiled at each other, joking about how magical it would be to one day get married there. At the time, it seemed like a wild, far-off dream.”
A Dream Becomes a Mission
Months later, as the couple began discussing wedding plans, life threw them a heartbreaking challenge.
“My father passed away from cancer,” Aileen shares, “and the thought of not having him walk me down the aisle was devastating. I found myself reflecting on how to honor him in a way that felt meaningful and full of love. That’s when the idea of marrying in Lake Como resurfaced. I mentioned it to Diego, thinking it was still too far-fetched, but he paused, smiled, and said, ‘Let’s try to make it happen.’
“From that moment, our dream became our mission. We found our amazing wedding planner, Zaira, who was based in Lake Como and understood exactly what we envisioned. A year before our wedding, we flew back to Italy to meet her, select our venue, choose our menu, and even do an engagement shoot with our photographer, Cristiano Ostinelli. Every detail began to fall beautifully into place.”
Ethereal, Elegant, and Authentically Italian
The wedding was beyond anything the bride and groom could have imagined. It rained that day, but as Italians say: “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata”—a wet bride is a lucky bride. The setting was ethereal, with Lake Como shimmering in the distance, surrounded by lush greenery and soft clouds.
“I wore red-bottom heels embroidered with our initials, while Diego matched with his own,” says the bride. “As my mother walked me down the aisle, one of my father’s last voicemails played softly in the background, accompanied by a harpist performing ‘Young and Beautiful’ by Lana Del Rey. It was emotional, powerful, and deeply personal. When we released white doves at the end of the ceremony, it felt like my father’s presence surrounded us, blessing the moment.”
The following reception felt like “pure magic” to everyone in attendance. With wedding guests traveling from all over the world, many were meeting for the first time; yet by the end of the evening, everyone felt like family.
“We wanted a celebration that was elegant, traditional, and authentically Italian,” Aileen explains. “The décor featured timeless white florals, gold accents, and candlelight that reflected off the lake’s surface. The highlight of the night came when three tenors surprised our guests with a live performance during dinner—an unexpected touch that left everyone speechless. We also had a live painter capturing the evening on canvas, transforming each guest into part of our story.”
The night was filled with laughter, dancing, incredible food, and endless joy. Every detail of the celebration—the music, the wine, the conversations—felt like the perfect reflection of who the bride and groom are as a couple: passionate, connected, and full of gratitude.
“When we look back at our story from meeting at Whiskey Cake to saying ‘I do’ in an iconic Villa of Lake Como,” says Aileen, “we’re reminded that love is both destiny and choice. It’s the spark that begins it all and the commitment that carries it through. Our story is one of faith, laughter, resilience, and a love that continues to grow more beautifully with every passing day.”
An Adventurous Honeymoon in Thailand
A month after their Lake Como wedding—and after two back-to-back hurricanes that forced them to evacuate their home during their wedding week—the newlyweds set off for an adventurous and much-needed honeymoon in Thailand.
“We started in Bangkok,” says Aileen, “soaking in the culture, temples, and street food. Then we went to Chiang Mai, where we participated in the famous Lantern Festival exactly one month after our wedding, on November 16th. Releasing our lanterns together into the night sky felt symbolic of our marriage, two souls letting their light rise, side by side. We ended our trip in Phuket at the stunning Katathani Resort, where our room had its own private pool overlooking the turquoise sea. From exploring ‘James Bond Island’ to visiting the beach made famous by ‘The Beach’ movie, every moment felt like a dream.”
>Written by Lauren Malamala
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Villa del Balbianello; Planning & Event Design: I Do in Lake Como; Floral Design: Flowers and Me; Rentals: Memorable Rentals; Lighting & Entertainment: Blunotte Eventi; Cake & Catering: Class Eventi; Wedding Dress: Kim Kassas; Hair & Makeup: Merita Bridal Beauty; Groom’s Attire: Bespoke & Co.; Groom’s Watch: Longines La Grande Classique; Dancefloor & Marquee: 0039 Events; Wedding Painter: Agnes Sundling; Cinematography: AG Studio; Photography: Cristiano Ostinelli