I am by no means afraid of a little color but there is just something so romantic and breathtaking about an all white affair. And when that all white affair happens to take place in Portofino you better believe the romance will be through the roof. Jacqueline Schmitz Campbell brings us on an exquisite European adventure through the cobblestone streets of Italy to a classically elegant reception with simple yet stunning arrangements of all white blossoms and herbs. This is so timeless it could be straight out of a Fellini film. Click here to see even more in the full gallery!
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From the Bride… When my parents stayed at the Splendido 25 years ago, during their first vacation since giving birth to me, little did they know that they would be hosting a wedding for their daughter and future ITALIAN son-in-law! Well the fates were watching over me and on 2 April 2011, I had the wedding of my dreams to Bernardino Provera.
We could not have asked for better family or friends to travel from near and far to celebrate with us on the most beautiful spring day. The church was absolutely stunning, fresh from renovations and decorated with wonderful white flowers and dogwood branches. The ceremony was both in English and Italian and as we left we were showered with risotto fresh from Bernie’s aunt and uncle’s factory in Vercelli.
A highlight of the day was riding around town in our Ape. Bernie and I felt like celebrities with Jackie and tourists as our paparazzi. After a sip of Prosecco and a bite of focaccia, we were up-up-and away to the Splendido Hotel, where a feast for a king awaited. The venue was first class. Carlo at the Splendido could not have been more helpful. Our menu included seafood
salad, risotto with local scampi and pumpkin flowers, home-made ravioli, and baked sea bass over polenta and sauted spinach (which reminded the New Orleans crowd of grits). The cake, an Italian spin on a Baked Alaska, filled with gelato and berries, cooled the guests off after a few rounds of rowdy bi-lingual toasts.
Marcus Bonfanti showed up mid-way through the meal fresh from a gig in the UK the night before. He serenaded us with blues and even threw in a few New Orleans faves, like “Oh when the Saint’s” and “Iko Iko.” The Splendido never saw such a Second Line!
Wedding Photography: Jacqueline Schmitz Campbell / Wedding Ceremony Location: Chiesa di San Giorgio / 1st Appritivo: Gelateria Portofino / Wedding Reception Location: Hotel Splendido / Floral Design: Interflora Italia Ferretti Alessandra / Band: Marcus Bonfanti / Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Groom’s suit: Ermenegildo Zegna / Wedding Cake: Hotel Splendido / Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Ricci e Capricci, Santa Margherita, Italy / Event Planner: Fernanda Andriani