Edoardo Ferragamo and Elizabeth Stankus’s Portofino Wedding Featured Custom Fashion and a Rock Concert
A lucky seating arrangement sparked Elizabeth Stankus and musician Edoardo Ferragamo’s romance. “We first met nearly seven years ago at a small dinner hosted by a mutual friend at Café Select in SoHo,” says Elizabeth, who works in brand marketing, of their New York meet-cute. “We were seated across from one another, and in true Italian fashion, Edo was unabashedly forward, finding every excuse to brush my hand, claiming he could read palms, asking for a closer look at my grandmother’s vintage bracelet…the list goes on.” She adds, “Somehow, his charm worked, and here we are today!”
In December 2023, the couple were in Florence to celebrate Christmas at Ville Le Rose, the historic home owned by the Ferragamo family where Edo grew up. “Despite Edo’s sneaky attempt to convince me we had to attend a company Christmas dinner that night, I had a feeling he was going to propose,” remembers Elizabeth. “When he suddenly insisted we stop by Le Rose to pick up some documents for his father, I knew something was up.” Edo first asked Elizabeth to wait in the car, but texted her to help him with something inside five minutes later. “As I walked up to the glass doors, I was met with a glowing candlelit path leading to the ballroom,” she describes. “The moment I stepped inside, a pianist began to play, but Edo was nowhere in sight!”
“I wanted the very first song to be just for her, so she could truly soak in the moment,” Edo explains. When the pianist began the second song, Edo appeared in a new suit. “We embraced with tears streaming down our faces before he dropped to one knee and asked for my hand,” says Elizabeth. “The music played on, and we danced together in the 15th-century frescoed beauty, just the two of us.”
Since the couple split their time between New York and Italy, it felt right for them to tie the knot in Portofino surrounded by their family and friends. The to-be-weds would host three days of events beginning July 17, 2025, complete with a concert in the town square and a grand wedding reception at La Cervara. “Coming from the branding world, I loved the process of creating an ‘identity’ for our wedding weekend,” says Elizabeth. “It was important to me that every touchpoint felt cohesive, consistent, and true to both Edo’s and my personal style. This was the part of planning I truly reveled in…while other aspects proved more complicated, especially with Portofino’s unique logistical challenges, like the fact that there’s only one main road in and out!”
The couple decided to begin the weekend with intimate dinners with each side of their family. “Our last evening as ‘singles,’” explains Elizabeth. “I celebrated with my family at La Terrazza of Hotel Splendido, while Edo and his family dined at Langosteria.” Following their ceremony rehearsal at the Chiesa del Divo Martino, the couple hosted all their guests at Ristorante Puny, a restaurant in the heart of Portofino. “After dinner, drinks, and heartfelt speeches, Edo surprised everyone by putting on a full concert in the piazza, transforming it into a stage accompanied by his bandmates, Andrea Belfiore and Andra Zanobi, and close friends Joe Bastianich, Cayenne Noluck, and Vegas Jones,” she adds.
When it came to fashion, it was no surprise that the bride and groom chose to wear Ferragamo every step of the way. Elizabeth began her celebrations in a sequined dress from the spring 2025 collection—and followed the rest of the weekend in custom dresses and shoes designed by Ferragamo creative director Maximilian Davis. “For the welcome party, Max and I dreamed up something especially meaningful: We re-created the dress I wore on my and Edo’s very first date,” says Elizabeth. “He elevated the original inspiration beautifully—so much so that Edo recognized it instantly—while giving it a subtle Ferragamo twist. To navigate Portofino’s cobblestone streets, I paired the dress with custom off-white patent-leather open-toe wedges.” For his look to welcome guests and rock out on the piazza, Edo wore an off-white suit and white linen shirt, along with custom navy leather loafers.
When the wedding day arrived, the bride, groom, and their guests dressed in black tie. “In Italy, men typically wear morning suits for weddings, whereas in America the custom is black tie. Because Elizabeth is American and I am Italian, it was important for us to balance both traditions,” says Edo. “With my personal style and identity as a musician, a tuxedo felt more authentic to me.” The groom donned a custom Ferragamo tuxedo as well as black patent-leather slippers made especially for the day.
While Elizabeth would wear custom Ferragamo satin platforms for her walk down the aisle, she ultimately decided to wear the first dress she tried on—a laser-cut gown by Oscar de la Renta. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it: The architectural beauty of the design felt like a true work of art, and it perfectly suited the theme of our outdoor Italian garden party following the church service,” she says. She accessorized the gown with sparkling jewelry by Jacob Co.
As the evening continued, the bride would slip into two additional numbers to fête her marriage. “After the aperitivo, I changed into a sleek strapless gown with a cummerbund train, inspired by my favorite timeless icons Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn. Designed by Max for Ferragamo, it was paired with custom off-white patent-leather slingbacks,” she shares. Her final custom look was designed to evoke 1970s glamour: “A flowing silk halter gown designed by Max that moved effortlessly on the dance floor.”
On Saturday, July 19, the couple exchanged vows at Chiesa del Divo Martino, which was lightly decorated in florals in white, green, and soft pink. “It was very important to Elizabeth and me to be married in the church, with two very special priests officiating: my dear uncle, Padre Marco, and our close friend Padre Bernardo of the Basilica di San Miniato in Florence,” says Edo. “The moment I stepped inside and heard the beautiful string quartet, surrounded by the smiling faces of our family and friends, I was overwhelmed with joy and, of course, anticipation for Elizabeth’s arrival.”
“Despite all the nerves leading up to this moment, the instant I stepped into the church and saw Edo’s face, I felt completely at peace—like I was home,” the bride recalls. “From that point on, we were simply elated, grinning ear to ear!”
