SURPRISE PROPOSAL PHOTOSHOOT AT BELLAGIO, LAKE COMO
PROPOSAL AT VILLA MELZI, INTERVIEW TO ERIN AND KEVIN
Parent's photoshoot turned surprise proposal. Interview with photogallery
To introduce this article on proposal photo shoots at Bellagio, Lake Como, I chose the photographs taken for Erin and Kevin at Villa Melzi.
Villa Melzi it’s practically a must in Bellagio, but circumstances here are special, difficult to find in other blogs.
But apart from the peculiarities, if you are planning a proposal on Lake Como this interview was projected to be useful to you, as the first thing; after the opening questions, everything was set up to talk about very practical elements, purposing useful informations, ideas and how Erin and Kevin found all the solutions.
As already mentioned, Erin and Kevin’s photoshoot was unconventional.
I started by photographing Erin’s parents, not the couple, and it’s Erin who booked me through Local Lens, a photographers’ agency, not Kevin.
Let us explain!
The proposal spot is one of most iconical around Lake Como.
It offers the view of Villa Trivulzio Gerli and the promontory of the Balbianello seen between the columns of Villa Melzi.
Luca Rajna: Erin, you are the one who booked the photoshoot, how come?
Erin
I booked the photoshoot as a gift to my parents celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, which is at the beginning of October.
They did not go on a honeymoon after getting married and always dreamt of traveling the world together.
My parents decided to embark on their honeymoon 30 years later across Europe.
As a celebration of their love, I gifted them a photoshoot session in Lake Como, the most beautiful place in the world!
I wanted to capture beautiful memories together as a family and needed to find the perfect photographer to help us do that.
Then, we met you.
Luca Rajna: This is why I started photographing mostly Erin’s parents.
Were they aware that Kevin would propose during the photoshoot?
Erin
Yes! Kevin asked for their blessing to marry me in August and they said yes.
Kevin also asked them if it would be possible for him to propose during the photoshoot and they thought that was a perfect idea.
Starting from that day, Kevin worked diligently to plan the proposal and find the best location!
Luca Rajna: How did you choose the clothing?
Erin
My mom decided to wear her wedding gown from 30 years!
I wanted to match her dress so the photoshoot looked coordinated. That is how I chose my outfit.
Kevin
I was inspired by the fashion in Lake Como and wanted to find an outfit that matched my dress. Luca recommended we wear solid colors to create balance in the photos.
Luca Rajna: Erin, your make-up remained almost intact, it rarely happens. You also cried but I saw you mostly happy. Did you ever think that Kevin might propose?
Erin
I knew Kevin was the man for me since the day we first met.
Although I was hopeful he would propose to me while on Lake Como, I didn’t think he would because his family was not traveling with us.
Little did I know, Kevin arranged for his parents to fly to Italy and be there for our special moment. They hid in the gardens until it was the right time.
Luca Rajna: My curiosity… who did you greet on that boat?
Erin and Kevin
We were so excited to be engaged, we wanted to tell everyone we saw!
We have no idea it was both so joyful and random! 🙂
Luca Rajna: Were you worried about the weather? How many days of backup did you have to ask Luca to change the date?
Erin and Kevin
We were a little worried about the weather but actually thought it was best for a photoshoot. Luca, you offered great guidance in picking the best time based on the area we wanted to have the photoshoot. We did not have a back-up for our proposal and were hopeful it would all work out – and it definitely did.
Luca Rajna: Kevin, these were your first work in our chat: ‘Hi Luca! My girlfriend Erin Biggins booked you for 1 October for her parents’ 30th wedding anniversary photoshoot.
I need to let you know that I’m actually going to use this photoshoot to propose to her! Her parents know this but she has no idea. I just wanted to reach out to make you aware of this and maybe plan out some shots for the big moment’.
In my protected blog post with all the instructions about proposals I suggest different solutions for hiding the ring or the ring box. Which one did you apply during your trip to Italy and during the photo shoot before proposing?
Kevin
Before I left for Italy, I gave Erin’s mom the ring to make sure that Erin would not find it in my luggage. Before proposing, Erin’s mom secretly handed me the ring in a pouch.
Here is a tip: ‘Do not keep the ring in the box before proposing because it is easier to see in someone’s clothing’.
Thank you, Luca, for that recommendation!
Luca Rajna: Who chose Villa Melzi and Bellagio?
Kevin
I chose the villa! I did a lot of research and knew it was the perfect spot.
I had also inquired at the Villa Monastero, Villa del Balbianello, and the Hotel Villa Cipressi.
The mosaic tile of the loggia and the manicured gardens of the Villa Monastero initially caught my eye as the prime perfect example of the culture of the Lake Como region.
Villa del Balbianello was also a consideration due to its Hollywood ties and stunning and dramatic vantage points from many points on the property, but it requires a special booking out from the visiting hours for taking really good frames.
The Hotel Villa Cipressi is an underrated gem of Varenna with kind and attentive staff and a lakefront garden with many romantic spots to steal a kiss from my darling Erin. It was unfortunate for me (but of course lovely for all involved) that the property had booked a wedding EVERY DAY for the entire month of October!
Luca Rajna: Not everyone knows that almost all the gardens around Lake Como are private. The first step here is always getting in touch from the contact section of the website of the venues, and ask for the availability, the authorization and the fee. Kevin, how did you go about it?
Kevin
Yes, we needed to ask for permission and pay for the professional filming rights.
The process was relatively easy, however, there is limited availability during the time of year we were getting engaged.
I recommend inquiring well in advance with a location to make sure you find availability or the best spot.
Luca Rajna: You mentioned ‘il Lago di Como’ as the most beautiful place in the world. What are its characteristics, according to your sensibility? What other Italian locations have you visited?
Erin
Although I’ve travelled to many parts of Italy, such as Portofino, Florence, and Rome, Lake Como is the most beautiful in my opinion.
Lake Como has unparalleled beauty and picturesque towns, mountains, and landmarks.
It is a very romantic and prestigious location to visit.
Luca Rajna: Kevin, Villa Melzi doesn’t offer the option to book exclusively, taking the pictures without other visitors around.
Apart from the fact that I specialize in telling a story excluding other people in the pictures, did you feel this a challenge while taking the photoshoot?
Kevin
I viewed it not as a challenge but as an opportunity to capture the vibrance and liveliness of Bellagio.
I think back to the moment in which we called in out in joy to the newlyweds on the lake, both couples enjoying the happiest moment of their lives together.
Exclusivity is nice, but I would rather share our loving moment with all those folks we happen to encounter along the way.
Luca, you did an excellent job in making sure our moment was captured perfectly, in particular, by making sure other people or objects were not pictured.
Luca Rajna: Kevin, What were your main concerns during the planning of your proposal? How have these been solved?
Kevin
One main concern to keep in mind is transportation in Lake Como, because it’s really wide. Making sure to plan free time in advance of the photoshoot was important to me because I wanted to make sure we were respectful of Luca’s time and were not late. Also, I wanted to make sure we all looked our best, especially Erin, and she definitely did. I made sure to research transportation services beforehand.
About the images, these are the most beautiful photos we have, Your expert work is remarkable: the shoot looks as if we booked the entire villa exclusively. Everyone, including me and Erin, thinks these photos should be in a magazine!
We are so in love with how they turned out and the story behind how you captured the happiest day of our lives.
We love reliving this magical day by looking at our pictures. Thank you from both of us, Luca!
THE END
PROPOSALS AT BELLAGIO: HOW TO BOOK
The right timing for taking the photoshoot around the gardens of the villa without transforming it in a rush is two hours and half.
This includes the surprise proposal and this is what I offer as the shortest option, please get in touch with me from the form at the end of this post.
One more hour can be added to the booking for experiencing the lake from the water, which is almost a must here, the best lake is from the water.
Just out of the villa there is a small harbour with the headquarter of a collaborative taxi boat company. I can introduce its captains to you.
In case you prefer to spend less time with a photographer you can book a shorter photoshoot from Local Lens, a fine agency I am happy to work with. Just browse their website selecting Lake Como as the destination then you can choose me as the photographer.
If you are interested in Villa Melzi the procedure is contacting them from their official website.
NB The villa doesn’t have a convenient changing area, so you will have to arrive at the location in the clothes you have chosen for taking the pictures.
TO FIND OUT MORE
Would you find out more about my couple photoshoots?
This is my landing post about Lake Como, you can find there more useful informations: www.progettifotografici.com/lake-como-photoshoot
In case of elopement wedding: www.progettifotografici.com/lake-como-elopement