La Dolce Vita: A Recap of The Lighthouse at Glen Cove’s Italian Summer Showcase
This July, The Lighthouse at Glen Cove became a slice of the Italian coast as we transformed the venue into an immersive, sun-soaked celebration of La Dolce Vita. As the event designer and producer, I wanted to create an atmosphere that transported guests from their everyday lives and dropped them right into a luxurious Italian summer—complete with Prosecco, live accordion music, and the salty breeze off the marina.
La dolce vita recap Video by Love Unique Studios
Designing with Intention: A Coastal Italian Escape
Working with The Lighthouse posed a unique opportunity to capitalize on their most rare and underutilized feature: direct marina access. The waterfront location immediately inspired a coastal, summery design direction, grounded in tones I’ve been personally drawn to—pale yellows, soft blues, fresh greens, and neutrals.
Photo by dia photography co
The theme became clear early on: Italian Summer – La Dolce Vita. From that concept, everything else followed. Lemons and the color yellow served as the visual anchor, and from there, each layer—vendors, signage, experiences, and food—was curated to bring the vision to life.
The Lighthouse is divided into four main spaces: the East Lawn, West Lawn, the deck, and the indoor venue. Each area was designed to evoke a different mood, all within the broader Italian summer theme.
East Lawn: Guests were welcomed here with a serene garden-inspired vibe. A Prosecco tricycle greeted them with chilled bubbly, while an accordion player serenaded the crowd. This area also featured hand-painted name tags and wine portraits—playful and refined ways to make guests feel seen. Boat tours were originally planned to highlight the marina setting, and while the vendor had to cancel last minute, the rest of the design held its own with ease.
The Deck: Styled as a breezy coastal lounge with colorful umbrellas, espresso service, and beautiful views of the water, this space invited guests to relax and recharge.
West Lawn: The more social, celebratory space—complete with chic lounge setups, a vibrant cocktail bar, lawn games like bocce bowling, and a glowing AMORE marquee moment perfect for photo ops.
Indoors: We created a true sensory feast. Guests enjoyed Italian small bites and culinary displays under olive trees and mood lighting. A Ferrari driving simulator added playful glamour, while an AI-powered photobooth transported guests to iconic Italian destinations. We even hosted a live podcast recording that captured the buzz of the evening.
Creative Direction Meets Collaboration
I provided creative direction across all elements of the event, guiding vendors toward ideas that reflected the theme while still showcasing their unique strengths. From food to florals, I believe the best work happens when vendors are creatively supported but also trusted to bring their own vision to the table.
For instance, the menu—featuring Aperol spritz, Limoncello cocktails, fresh espresso, and elevated Italian fare—was built in collaboration with SF Cocktail Club and a stellar lineup of caterers, including robert dorsey catering, from scratch with love, and travelin’ joe espresso. I shared the direction and must-have elements, and they took it from there, infusing their own flair and flavor.
Entertainment was no different. The accordion performances, bocce bowling, wine portrait station, and DJ transitions were all selected to reflect a balance of fun, culture, and elegance. Every vendor had a purpose, and every activation was placed with intention.
Guest Experience Comes First
One challenge The Lighthouse team shared with me was that the East Lawn is often underutilized. With that in mind, I was intentional about designing a balanced guest flow. By spreading vendor activations, experiences, and bars across the entire venue, each area stayed activated and lively throughout the night. The East Lawn wasn’t just “used”—it became a favorite among guests, thanks to the layering of touchpoints that invited curiosity and conversation.
Throughout the event, guests were met with visual cohesion—thanks to consistent signage and matching menus from lucky orchid designs, and unified styling across all stations. These small touches often go unnoticed, but they make a big difference for vendors and guests alike.
Built for Content, Made for Connection
From the Prosecco trike vignette to the AI photo booth and AMORE marquee letters, each area was designed with both form and function in mind. Showcase events like this don’t just highlight what’s possible at a venue—they serve as a collaborative marketing opportunity for everyone involved. We created focal points that served as content hubs: places where guests naturally gathered, snapped photos, and experienced the magic of the venue and the vendors working together in harmony.
Why The Lighthouse is a Hidden Gem
There are very few venues in the Bay Area with true waterfront access. The Lighthouse’s indoor-outdoor flow, marina views, and flexible layout make it a prime choice for luxury weddings, brand activations, and creative social events. With the right creative team, it can be transformed into something truly transportive—whether you’re dreaming of Italy or something else entirely.
A Note to Future Clients and Creative Partners
If you’re a couple looking to host an experience-forward event or a brand dreaming up an unforgettable activation, let’s talk. I specialize in curating immersive, highly detailed, and visually cohesive experiences that reflect both your vision and your values.
If you’re a venue or vendor reading this: know that I approach every collaboration with clear communication, creative intention, and a deep respect for your craft. I don’t just bring in vendors—I build partnerships that elevate the entire experience for everyone involved.
photo by dia photography co.
Grazie Mille
To all the incredible vendors, the Lighthouse team, and every guest who showed up in style—thank you. This event was a celebration of creativity, community, and the sweet life we all deserve to live.
Until next time—cheers, or as we say… Salute! 🍋🇮🇹
Vendor Team
Planning + Coordination: Lo & Behold Events
Event Property: The Lighthouse at Glen Cove
Photography: Dia Photography Co
Florals: Calla Leah Blooms
Florals: Inspirations by Gina
Catering: Robert Dorsey Catering
Catering: From Scratch with Love
Bar Service: San Francisco Cocktail Club
Rentals - Indoor: Casanova Event Resource
Rentals - West Lawn: ChairsForEvents
Boutique Rentals - East Lawn: Lo + Co Events
Coffee Service + Waffles: Travelin’ Joe Espresso
Design + Paper: Lucky Orchid Designs
Live Engravings & Name tags: Letterati
Wine Portraits: Vignette du Vin
DJ - West Lawn: DJ Taj Panganiban
DJ - Inside/East Lawn + Lighting: DJ Airsun
Live Music - Accordion East Lawn: Vybe Society
Ferrari Game: Pop Arcades
Bocce Bowling + Marquee Lights: PlanIt Interactive
AI Photo booth: SnapFiesta
Bridal Beauty Team: Sarah Nika Glam
Valet Service: Marin Valet
Cleaning: B’Santi Cleaning
Live Podcast: Fantasy Sound Event Services
Videography: Love Unique Studios
Content Creator: Captured by Kayla
Event Staffing: Events Pro