NFL Veteran Whitney Mercilus Marries Megumi Hoshi in Elegant Wedding in Italy: See the Photos! (Exclusive)

That’s amore!

NFL veteran Whitney Mercilus and Megumi Hoshi tied the knot on Saturday, July 13, in a romantic Lake Como wedding, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

The couple was surrounded by 60 of their closest friends and family members when they said “I do” at the historic Villa Pizzo in northern Italy.

“We love amazing food, delicious wine, and travel,” Mercilus and Hoshi tell PEOPLE. “And after traveling around the world, the perfect place for those in addition to choosing a place that emulated intimacy, beauty, and family was Lake Como, Italy. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate our love in the most romantic place in the world!”

The bride wore a Lihi Hod Dress that came in multiple pieces which created three unique looks. She paired the gown with Jimmy Choo shoes and a flower-embroidered Vivienne Westwood veil. Mercilus, who played in the NFL for ten seasons, primarily with the Houston Texans, opted for a chic black and white tux.

The wedding, which was planned by Georgia Louise Weddings was filled with personal details which made guests feel welcome from the moment they arrived with surprises “around every corner.” They were treated with personalized gift baskets that included wine and other gifts.

A welcome boat party kicked off the celebration at the lake with a “florals and pastels” theme, featuring yellow and blue decor.

As a personal touch, the couple had a custom aisle made for the Christian modern ceremony. The bride and groom’s parents’ handwritten letters were embedded into the structure, with their heartfelt advice for the pair’s future.

Guests, who were asked to follow the elegant formal dress code and wear “all-black everything” were seated on white couches surrounded by white floral arrangements as the newlyweds said their vows, overlooking the water.

During the emotional nuptials which was officiated by NFL player Greg Mancz, the pair exchanged personal vows.

Following the romantic ceremony, the extravagant cocktail hour featured an Italian village theme, complete with shopping at the market with fresh produce, local coffee and bread, while pasta was made fresh in front guests.

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The wedding also featured several performances by Italian mambo dancers, the band Krystal Kuartet, while Victor Angelov served as both the deejay and violinist, and Anaheim saxophone.

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Dinner was an elegant four-course meal paired with wine, which included a Nebbiolo (a red wine native to the Piedmont region of Italy).

The aperitif hour featured a beautiful spread and delicious spritz cocktails. A pasta with langoustine in a tomato sauce was served, followed by a summer truffle pasta and finally lamb with puréed potato.

A candlelit string hip-hop and R&B concert played in the background as the guests wined and dined.

Traditional Italian wedding cake, Millefoglie with layers of pastry puff and pastry cream was served for dessert with help from the bride and groom and the chef!

The party didn’t stop after the reception. The guests were treated to a Jungle Pajama party with desserts, gelato, and a ramen stand brought in all the way from Japan.

This personal touch paid tribute to Hoshi’s parents, who met at a Japanese Ramen Noodle Bar almost 40 years prior.

Guests at the affair included former NFL player Jeff Allen, Marissa Allen (the CEO of Cookie Society), real estate mogul Dan Bassichis, and NFL players Brennan Scarlett and Jon Weeks.