Some proposals become unforgettable not only because of the location, but because every element comes together at exactly the right moment.
On June 12, 2024, international DJ Alesso proposed to Erin Michelle at one of Lake Como’s most iconic settings: Villa Monastero in Varenna.
This Villa Monastero proposal was planned and coordinated by Proposal in Italy®, with every detail designed to create an intimate and elegant experience overlooking Lake Como.
A Private Proposal at Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero is one of the most recognisable historic villas on Lake Como, known for its lakeside gardens, elegant architecture and extraordinary views across the water.
For Alesso and Erin, the setting needed to feel romantic and sophisticated without losing the intimacy of the moment.
The proposal took place around the villa’s iconic Loggia, where the architecture naturally frames the lake and creates one of the most beautiful backdrops in Varenna.
The design centred around timeless white florals, candlelight and a white baby grand piano, creating a setting that felt refined rather than excessive.
Designing the Moment
A proposal of this kind is not simply about decorating a beautiful location.
The experience depends on timing, privacy, positioning and the way each element is revealed.
For this event, Proposal in Italy® coordinated the proposal experience around the architecture and atmosphere of Villa Monastero, ensuring that the setting, floral design, candlelight and music worked together as one composition.
The white piano became a focal point of the scene without overwhelming the historic setting, while the flowers and candles softened the space and created a romantic contrast against the stone architecture and blue tones of Lake Como.
The Proposal
When Erin arrived, the surprise was finally revealed.
Against the backdrop of the lake, surrounded by white flowers, candlelight and the piano, Alesso got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
She said yes.
It was an emotional moment, but also an exceptionally elegant one: no unnecessary spectacle, just a carefully designed setting, a remarkable location and the couple at the centre of it all.
That balance is one of the reasons Villa Monastero works so beautifully for intimate proposals. The landscape and architecture already provide the drama; the design simply needs to enhance what is there.
Planning a Proposal at Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero is an extraordinary setting, but planning a proposal here requires careful coordination.
Access, timing, photography, use of the different areas of the villa and the overall flow of the experience all need to be considered in advance.
This is particularly important when the proposal must remain completely secret.
The photographer and videographer need to be positioned before the couple arrives, the timing of the reveal has to be precise, and every supplier must understand exactly when to move and when to remain invisible.
For Proposal in Italy®, this behind-the-scenes coordination is just as important as the visual design itself.
The person proposing should not be thinking about photographers, musicians, flowers, timings or logistics.
They should simply arrive and experience the moment.
Why Villa Monastero Works So Well for a Lake Como Proposal
Villa Monastero combines several qualities that are difficult to find in a single proposal location.
There is the unmistakable Lake Como scenery, but also architecture, gardens and covered spaces that give the experience a more editorial character than a simple viewpoint by the water.
For couples who prefer understated elegance rather than a highly theatrical setup, the villa can provide an especially sophisticated backdrop.
The result can feel intimate, cinematic and unmistakably Italian.
Alesso and Erin’s engagement is a perfect example: the proposal was visually striking, but the couple remained the focus throughout the entire experience.
More Than a Beautiful Location
A memorable proposal is rarely created by the location alone.
It comes from understanding how the couple should arrive, where the surprise should happen, what they should see first, where the photographer should be positioned and how the experience should continue after the question has been asked.
For this Villa Monastero proposal, those details were brought together by Proposal in Italy® to create a seamless experience around one of Lake Como’s most iconic settings.
The flowers, piano and candlelight created the atmosphere.
Villa Monastero provided the backdrop.
But the story belonged entirely to Alesso and Erin.
Planning Your Own Lake Como Proposal?
Proposal in Italy® designs and coordinates tailor-made marriage proposals across Lake Como and throughout Italy.
From private villas and historic venues to boats, photography, video, live music and floral design, every experience is created around the couple and the way the surprise should unfold.
Explore our
Lake Como proposal experiences
and discover how we can design a proposal that feels entirely your own.