COVER STORY
A Timeless Celebration: Inside Helena and Simon’s Elegant Lake Garda Wedding
WITH THE BRIDAL JOURNEY
Nearly a decade ago, a chance introduction by mutual friends at university in Innsbruck set Helena and Simon on a journey destined for the shores of Italy’s LAKE GARDA. Amid the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast years later, Simon chose a sunlit cliffside to propose, surrounded by their dearest family, creating an unforgettable moment that became a cherished milestone in their love story.
Photography Alice Mahran
HELENA & SIMON (3)
Lake Garda, Italy
Photography Alice Mahran
It was this enduring connection to Italy, with its captivating blend of alpine charm and serene waters, that drew the couple to Lake Garda for their wedding. “Lake Garda holds a special place in our hearts,” Helena shares. “It combines our shared love for the Alps, water, incredible cuisine, and the joyful Italian lifestyle.”
Entrusting the meticulous vision to renowned wedding planner Katharina Landenberger, Helena and Simon sought an aesthetic rooted deeply in romance and timelessness, inspired by their journey and the bride’s creative legacy as founder of the jewellery brand BRUNA. Each detail, carefully considered and deeply personal, echoed the couple’s shared story and values.
The bride’s gown, a custom creation by Rosa Clará, was discovered after a global search and was finally found and personalised at Vienna’s Brautsalon Flossmann. “The roses embroidered into my dress each symbolised those closest to my heart, my siblings and my husband Simon,” Helena explains. “It was an homage to my mother Rosemary, whose garden inspired my earliest memories.”
Accentuating the gown’s refined elegance, Helena chose delicate accessories including classic Vivienne Westwood gloves and bespoke jewellery pieces from BRUNA, notably the Coeur necklace and Vivo earrings. The pièce de résistance was a silk veil, intricately embroidered by Fadi El Khoury with roses and the couple’s initials, encapsulating their romantic narrative in every stitch.
Simon, impeccably styled in a custom tuxedo by Stockholm-based Blugiallo, embodied timeless sophistication. Complementing the couple, the bridal party donned chic, summery dresses by Australian brand Héxié Studio, chosen to reflect the serene palette of soft blues reminiscent of Lake Garda’s tranquil waters.
HELENA & SIMON (2)
Photography Alice Mahran
The Ceremony & Reception
The ceremony itself, held on the terrace of historic Villa Bettoni overlooking the lake, was steeped in personal touches. Officiant Marina Danner moved guests between laughter and tears with a heartfelt retelling of Helena and Simon’s love story, underscored beautifully by a live string quartet playing Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful” a moment the bride describes as utterly unforgettable.
The reception continued this narrative of Italian elegance. Guests dined at tables named after beloved Italian cities, enjoying classic dishes amid a dreamy vista that captured the very essence of la dolce vita. Even a sudden downpour after dessert failed to dampen spirits, guests carried the joyful celebration indoors, dancing the night away.
Reflecting on their day, Helena and Simon cherished each moment spent with loved ones, reaffirming their advice for future couples: “Stay authentic, trust your instincts, and ensure your wedding truly reflects your unique love story.”
It was, undeniably, a wedding that blended timeless romance with heartfelt meaning, a beautiful beginning to the next chapter of Helena and Simon’s life together.
HELENA & SIMON (2)
Photography Alice Mahran
