Meet at ferry stop in Bellagio

Bellagio Walking Tour

Hotel Ristorante La Darsena

Rehearsal Dinner

Villa del Balbianello

Wedding Day

Wedding

Villa Belvedere Relais

Reception

Our Wedding

Laura's Version: Eric and I met during the fall of our first year of medical school at UT Houston. Our anatomy dissection tanks were right next to each other, so our first encounters were over cadavers. Despite the extremely romantic backdrop, he never asked me out during the fall semester. Then in the spring, a large group of our classmates went on a cruise during spring break. During the week, we got to spend more time with each other and got to know each other better. When we got back to Houston, he started slowly by asking me to go on walks with him around campus as a study break. After many laps around the library, he finally asked me out on a date to his favorite restaurant Phoenecia. Even with that promising start, it took him all summer until we were back at school in August to ask me to be his girlfriend! Eric's Version: I first met Laura while playing intramural soccer our first year of medical school. Before then I had only known her as the cute girl at the anatomy tank next to mine. After talking to her for the first time and seeing what she could do on the soccer field, I knew that she was something special. It wasn't until we went on a group vacation cruise to Cozumel with some of our closest friends when I really got to spend some time with her and where we really hit it off. We played volleyball on the beach (where it might have been my fault she cut her foot open on a shell), played some shuffleboard, lost every game of bingo, and danced at the club. When we made it back to school it wasn't long before I finally gathered the courage to ask her out on a date, which I can say has been the best decision of my life.

How We Met

Laura's Version: During the May of our Intern year of residency, we went to Orlando to visit Eric's Aunt and Uncle. When we were initially planning our vacation, I told Eric that you could have dinner in Cinderella's Castle and that I have always wanted to do that. He said he would call and try to get us reservations. (What I didn't know until after the trip was that when he initially called, they were completely booked up; he told them he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, and they created a table for us!) The night of our dinner, he was really quiet in the hotel room while we were getting ready and on the bus ride over to the park. I was just so excited about meeting Cinderella that I just brushed it off. When we got to the castle, Eric had to go to the restroom, which is not that surprising for him. What was surprising was how long he was taking in the bathroom! That was the second thing that made me wonder if something else was going on, but I still didn't think there was anyway he would propose (was he hiding a ring in his pocket?). When the waitress showed us to our table, I was shocked that it was this sweet table for two next to a window overlooking the carousel. What a prime location for a last minute reservation! During dinner, Eric was still really quiet and didn't really eat much which was also weird since he got a steak, and he never leaves leftovers. When it was time for dessert, I saw the waitress bringing out a white platter. When we were making reservations, I saw something called a Princess Package where you could pay a little extra and you got a glass slipper and rose at dinner. That's what I thought Eric had surprised me with, until I looked up and saw Eric kneeling next to me with an open ring box. I was in shock and don't remember exactly what he said, but I do remember him asking me to be his adventure partner for life! Of course I said YES! We finished dinner, met all the Disney Princesses, then went outside and called our parents who were in on everything already. We stayed for the fireworks and pictures in front of the castle. It was the most beautiful evening I could have imagined! Eric's Version: We had been dating for a few years, and I had known pretty early on that I wanted to marry this girl. I just needed the perfect opportunity to make the proposal an unforgettable one. Laura has always been a fan of Disney movies and as soon as we decided to go to Disney World for vacation during our intern year of residency, I knew that I would be able to plan the perfect proposal for her. Once we began planning the vacation, the one thing that Laura said that we had to do while at Disney was dinner in Cinderella's Castle. Cinderella is one of her favorite Disney movies so I immediately knew that was the place. I contacted Disney with my ideas and the planning began. I soon picked out an engagement ring with the help of her best friend Anna, unknowingly to her after she had given me some ideas. Before I knew it, the day had arrived. We spent the day in the Magic Kingdom before going to the planned romantic dinner in Cinderella's Castle. I arranged for us to sit at a table in the middle of the restaurant with a great view of the park for a three-course meal. After dinner, a special desert platter was brought out and inside of the platter was a glass slipper sitting on a bed of rose pedals. That's when I nervously got down on one knee and asked her to marry me, to which she responded with the best answer I could've hoped for, "Yes!"

The Proposal

As many people know, Eric and I share a love for all things nerdy. We both have Harry Potter wands (I have Hermione's and Eric has the Elder Wand). We both have light sabers from Comic Con (mine is hot pink and his is blue). We both have ninja swords, also from Comic Con (which came in handy when we encountered a rattle snake after we moved into our new house). When we were talking about where to get married, we threw around many different ideas from the obvious of San Antonio and Dallas, to the more exotic like California and Canada. I have always dreamed of having a destination wedding, but I knew that in order to get Eric on board, I would have to come up with something really special. What could be more perfect than getting married at the same venue where Anakin Skywalker and Padme got married?!?! How about getting married at the same place on STAR WARS DAY! After a few emails, the force seemed to be with us, and the impossible was suddenly a reality. We were getting married at the Star Wars Villa on May the Fourth.

The Venue

Our Story

Details

Photos

Bride's Sister and fellow Backstreet Boy enthusiast

Jennifer Stout

Brandon Ortega

Friend of Bride and Groom from Medical School. Also doubling as officiant.

Jordan Fernandez

Sister of Groom and expert Kill Bill impersonator

Lauren Ortega

Bride's childhood friend and fellow waterski babe

Lauren Goodwin

Rene Meza

Brandon Lee

Bride's friend from school and late night gossip partner

Anna Plote

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

Our Wedding Planner Aurora has recommended that guests choose a hotel in the Tremezzina or Argegno areas for the night of the reception. Transportation will be provided from Tremezzina to the ceremony, from the ceremony to the reception, and a hotel drop-off after the reception. The ferries do not run after 11:00 p.m. so transportation to the Bellagio area will be unavailable after the reception.

Hints and Tips

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

This will be the location of the reception, so if you choose to stay here, you won't have very far to stumble!

This is a beautiful hotel located close to the pick-up point for the ceremony. The bride and groom and several of the wedding party are staying here.

Grand Hotel Cadenabbia

This hotel is located right next to the reception venue.

Hotel Argegno

Hotel Britannia Excelsior Lake Como

HOTEL VILLA MARIE

Travel

beautiful botanical garden and museum

Villa Carlotta

Another beautiful botanical garden and museum.

The gardens of Villa Melzi

Orrido di Bellano

The Lake Como Greenway is a leisurely and pleasant hike through ancient villages, stunning villas and gardens, romantic and baroque churches, by the breathtaking landscape of Lake Como.

Greenway del Lago di Como. START

Canyoning, Alpine Hiking, Repelling, Rock Climbing. Not for the faint of heart.

Lake Como Adventure

Lake Como Food Tours offers a unique experience in the Lake Como area. Our tours carefully mix culture, scenic landscapes and high quality food tastings, all of which experienced walking in fascinating lakefront villages, biking along panoramic routes, hiking in our mountains, cooking with us or enjoying a cruise to admire the beautiful villas facing the lake.

Laura & Eric

Laura & Eric

Wedding Party