[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/intimate-destination-wedding-on-brissago-island-in-switzerland\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/intimate-destination-wedding-on-brissago-island-in-switzerland\/","headline":"Ashley and Dionne’s Destination Wedding on Brissago Island in Switzerland","name":"Ashley and Dionne’s Destination Wedding on Brissago Island in Switzerland","description":"These two brides married at Villa Emden on Brissago Island in Switzerland, exchanging vows beside Lake Maggiore. Their summer wedding blended a jazz band and mariachi ensemble, a custom gold aisle runner, and a dusty blue and gold palette inspired by the calm of the lake.","datePublished":"2026-07-31","dateModified":"2026-07-31","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/eweditors\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/eweditors\/","identifier":3,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/queer-wedding-villa-emden-in-an-island-brissago-island-switzerland-sabrina-bartal-claudiazenderphotography-equally-wed-023-1.webp","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/queer-wedding-villa-emden-in-an-island-brissago-island-switzerland-sabrina-bartal-claudiazenderphotography-equally-wed-023-1.webp","height":1200,"width":1800},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/intimate-destination-wedding-on-brissago-island-in-switzerland\/","about":["Destination Weddings","Real LGBTQ+ Weddings from Equally Wed"],"wordCount":1408,"keywords":[" lake"," lesbian wedding"," two brides","blue","California","destination wedding","gold","inclusive","Italy","metallic","silver","Switzerland"],"articleBody":"California couple Ashley Rodriguez-Vargas (she\/her) and Dionne Vargas (she\/her) married in an intimate destination wedding on Brissago Island in Switzerland’s Lake Maggiore region, surrounded by calm water, mountain views, and their nearest and dearest. They met in the middle of the aisle together, Ashley walked by her best friend and Dionne by her mother, before exchanging vows they had written themselves at Villa Emden, a venue perched at the edge of the lake.Our Wedding VibeOur wedding feel was romantic, intimate and deeply personal a celebration surrounded by nature, water and people we love most. We had a symbolic ceremony and reception on a private island in Switzerland, with just 18 guests including family and close friends. The setting at Villa Emden on the Isole di Brissago combines elegance with tranquility soft dusty blue tones, metallic silver accents and natural wooden details to match the lake\u2019s serenity. We wanted it to feel like a heartfelt getaway relaxed yet refined, modern yet timeless. The focus is on connection, joy and beauty in simplicity.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How We Personalized Our WeddingWe wanted our wedding to feel like an authentic reflection of who we are\u2014intimate, heartfelt, and filled with beauty and meaning. Set on the serene island of Villa Emden in Switzerland, the day was surrounded by water, mountains and the people who mean the most to us. With only thirty guests, it felt deeply personal and connected.Every detail was chosen with intention. We wrote our own vows and created a ceremony space that balanced romance and modernity, complete with a custom wooden aisle runner wrapped in metallic gold vinyl\u2014a symbol of the path we\u2019ve walked together.Music was a huge part of our story. We combined a jazz band and a mariachi band, blending cultures and styles that spoke to both of us. One of our most emotional moments was walking down the aisle together while the mariachi played \u201cLa Mitad Que Me Faltaba,\u201d a song that perfectly captured the feeling of finding your missing half.Our dusty blue and gold palette tied everything together\u2014the soft blues reflected the calm of Lake Maggiore, while the gold accents added warmth, elegance and a sense of celebration. Every element, from the music to the d\u00e9cor, told a piece of our story and made the day feel uniquely ours.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our Love Story“When Ashley\u2019s father was diagnosed with cancer,” says Dionne. “I knew time was precious. I wanted her to have the chance to share such a meaningful milestone with him while he was still with us. My goal was to create a moment that was not only beautiful but deeply personal one that reflected Ashley\u2019s dreams.For years, she had a photo of Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, as her computer background a place she had always wished to visit but never thought possible, growing up in a low-income household. I wanted to turn that dream into reality. So I planned our trip there, knowing it was the perfect place to ask her to spend forever with me surrounded by endless skies, breathtaking cliffs, and possibilities as vast as our love.When we arrived, it felt surreal. As the sun set over the canyon, I asked Ashley to marry me and thankfully, she said yes. It was a moment filled with joy, love and gratitude.Not long after we returned home, Ashley\u2019s father\u2019s condition worsened. His cancer advanced, and he lost his sight. We decided to postpone our wedding until the time felt right, wanting to honor both him and the journey that brought us here. We decided a date when we felt right and a location. That\u2019s how Switzerland came about, on an private island, surrounded by loved ones and remembering her father\u2019s love.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What advice would you give to engaged LGBTQ+ couples or marriers?Our advice to other LGBTQ+ couples is simple: lead with love and stay true to yourselves. The world is full of opinions, but your wedding should reflect your story\u2014not anyone else\u2019s expectations. Don\u2019t be afraid to do things differently, to honor your love in a way that feels natural and meaningful to you. If one door closes, keep looking\u2014because the right people and the right place will welcome you with open arms. We experienced that firsthand after hearing so many \u201cnos,\u201d and it made finding our venue in Switzerland even more special. Take your time to enjoy the process, celebrate each small win, and surround yourselves with vendors and loved ones who see and celebrate your love fully. At the end of the day, your wedding is a celebration of courage, authenticity and the beautiful life you\u2019re building together\u2014and that\u2019s something truly worth cherishing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Advice for vendors and venues working with LGBTQ+ couples\/marriers?Our biggest advice to other LGBTQ+ couples is to create a wedding that feels true to you\u2014not what tradition says it should be. There\u2019s so much freedom in writing your own story, from the way you plan your ceremony to how you choose to celebrate your love. Don\u2019t be afraid to break norms or mix styles that represent who you are as a couple. Whether that means walking down the aisle together, choosing nontraditional music, or blending cultures like we did with our jazz and mariachi bands\u2014your love is the only rule that matters. Most importantly, take moments throughout the day to pause and really see each other. It all goes by so fast, and those quiet moments\u2014a glance, a smile, a deep breath together\u2014are what you\u2019ll remember most. And finally, surround yourself with people who celebrate you wholeheartedly. Your wedding should be a reflection of love, authenticity and pride in the life you\u2019ve built together.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What challenges did you face as an LGBTQ+ couple or LGBTQ+ marriers planning your wedding?One of the biggest challenges we faced as an LGBTQ+ couple was finding a destination and team that truly welcomed us. When we first began planning, we received a lot of \u201cnos\u201d from venues in Italy\u2014places that either didn\u2019t respond or made it clear they weren\u2019t comfortable hosting a same-sex wedding. It was disheartening at times, especially when all we wanted was to celebrate our love openly and joyfully.But everything changed when we found Switzerland, and especially Villa Emden. From the very first conversation, every vendor and staff member was kind, supportive and genuinely excited to be part of our day. The atmosphere was completely different: warm, inclusive and full of respect.It reminded us that while the search can be challenging, there are places and people who will celebrate your love exactly as it deserves\u2014with open arms and open hearts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Did you encounter any pleasant surprises as an LGBTQ+ couple or marriers planning your wedding?Yes\u2014and they were some of the most heartwarming moments of our entire journey. After facing so many rejections early on, we were genuinely surprised by how welcoming and affirming everyone in Switzerland was once we found the right place. From our planner to the staff at Villa Emden, every person we worked with treated our wedding with love, respect and excitement\u2014exactly the way every couple deserves to be treated. One person who truly made our experience unforgettable was Laura from Villa Emden, our day coordinator. She went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly and that we felt supported every step of the way. Her warmth, organization and genuine kindness made us feel completely at ease\u2014like we were being cared for by family. What surprised us most was how normal it all felt\u2014in the best way. No hesitation, no judgment, just pure joy and genuine support. It was a beautiful reminder that love really is universal, and that when you find the right people, they\u2019ll celebrate you for exactly who you are. Switzerland\u2014and Laura\u2014will always hold a special place in our hearts. \u2764\ufe0f\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Featured LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Queer Affirming Wedding VendorsPhotographer: Sabrina BartalVideographer: Desidero WeddingsWedding Ceremony and Reception Venue, Planning and Catering: Villa EmdenFlorist: Miss DecoAttire for Ashley Rodriguez-Vargas: Cherie AmoreAttire for Dionne Vargas: Suit Supply; custom blouse by Cherie AmoreJewelry: Tiffany and Co.Filed underlesbiantwo bridesAshley Rodriguez-VargasDionne VargasBrissago IslandSwitzerlandLake MaggioreVilla Emdenisland weddingdestination weddingsummer weddingdusty blue and golddusty blue weddinggold weddingmariachijazz bandintimate weddingsmall weddingCherie AmoreSuit SupplyTiffany and Co.outdoor ceremonyself-written vowsCalifornia couple"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Ashley and Dionne’s Destination Wedding on Brissago Island in Switzerland","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/intimate-destination-wedding-on-brissago-island-in-switzerland\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]