Toni Louise Cruse first reached out to Caroline Johnson Cruse via direct message on Instagram, not because she had a crush, necessarily, but because she was inspired. “I saw something in her that I deeply admired—she looked so happy and free, and it was the kind of confidence and joy I aspired to have in my own life,” Toni says. “I wanted advice on coming out, and I thought she might have some insight or wisdom to share.” They messaged back and forth a few times, then decided to meet for drinks. “From that moment on, everything just clicked. It was like we’d known each other forever.”
After four and a half years together, they chose to make that “forever” official and got engaged not once, but twice. Caroline proposed first—under the guise of a birthday party for Toni’s 29th—at Laguna Gloria overlooking Lake Austin. “Later, I proposed to her again, this time in the way that meant most to her: in our pajamas, just the two of us, in the quiet of our own home,” Toni says.
They were drawn to their venue, Villa Pizzo, after seeing a wedding there on TikTok. “It stayed in my mind, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how magical it would be,” Toni says. “As an Italian, Italy holds a special place in my heart, but Lake Como was a fresh destination for most of our family and friends, and we wanted to give them an experience of a lifetime.”
The couple turned to Italy’s ILES Events and photographer Luis Mendoza to build and capture their vision, one inspired by their love for each other. “Our wedding aesthetic was all about capturing the bright, joyful energy of our relationship,” Toni says. “We wanted it to feel like a garden party: elegant but full of warmth, with a lively, celebratory atmosphere. The colors, the flowers, the ambiance—everything was designed to reflect the happiness and love we’ve shared on our journey together.” They leaned into the location, too, focusing on Italian food and wines to round out the full experience.
For her wedding dress, Toni was inspired by her ultimate style icon: Carrie Bradshaw. “I’ve always been obsessed with her style, and I’d imagined myself in a Vivienne Westwood dress for as long as I could remember,” Toni says. I tried on a lot of other designers and styles, but nothing made me feel as beautiful and feminine as Vivienne’s corset dresses.” The one she fell most in love with was actually a minidress; she worked with the label to have it custom-made into a full-length wedding dress.
Toni ultimately found Caroline’s dress, too. “Caroline is known for loving high-neck, open-back dresses, and when I saw the Danielle Frankel Sasha dress, I basically told her she had no choice!” Toni laughs. “It was the perfect match for her, and she looked absolutely stunning. We both felt like our true selves, but elevated, in the dresses we chose.” The Studio gave them natural glam to complement their looks.
Though they didn’t have a traditional wedding party, Toni and Caroline asked 18 close friends and cousins to match the vibrant yellows, oranges, greens, and pinks that would be seen throughout Riccardo Ciceri’s florals and decor on the big day. “Their outfits perfectly complemented the flowers and venue, creating a joyful, colorful atmosphere that made the day feel even more personal and intimate,” Toni says. “It was a special way to have our loved ones involved without the usual wedding party setup.”
On July 17, 2024, each bride walked down the aisle with her parents—Caroline first to “Simply the Best,” then Toni to “You!” by Lany, a meaningful song from the first playlist she’d ever made for Caroline. During the ceremony, “we laughed, we cried, and we shared personal stories,” Toni says. “When it came time to exchange vows, they were almost too perfect; our words seemed to align so seamlessly, as if we had read each other’s vows beforehand, but we hadn’t. It was an emotional moment for me, realizing that I was marrying the love of my life, a woman, in front of so many people. It was something I never thought I’d experience, and yet, there I was, feeling more at peace than I ever had before.”
After the ceremony, guests sipped spritzes in the garden and grazed a stunning charcuterie spread before moving into the glass reception marquee. Two long tables were laid in the center of the space for the newlyweds and their family and closest friends, with custom hand-stitched linen napkins at each seat. Fresh fruit was woven into the tablecapes alongside sunny florals in shades of yellow, pink, and orange.
“Our walk into the space was set to ‘Best of My Love,’ and the evening flowed seamlessly into our first dances, with each other and with our dads,” Toni says. “The candles flickered just right, and the florals were absolutely insane, creating an atmosphere that was breathtaking.” The meal, too, was unforgettable: rigatoni and steak by AFM Banqueting, followed by a showstopping millefoglie.
Blunotte Show Band took the bandstand and brought the energy to unprecedented levels. “And then, to top it all off, there were the surprise fireworks!” Toni exclaims. “No one knew they were coming, not even Caroline, and I could tell how much it meant to her, my family, and all our guests. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable night.”
But it wasn’t the ending, not really. The couple and their guests returned to the villa for an after-party complete with late-night pizza, limoncello shots, and dancing beneath a disco ball until the early hours of the morning.
