If you ask me, gorgeous lighting can change the entire look of a wedding. There’s nothing more romantic than a soft, glowing chandelier floating above the dinner table, a perfectly lit first dance or a room sprinkled with flickering candles. So when I laid eyes on this al fresco affair in Umbria, I couldn’t help but fall in love. With Italia Celebrations behind the planning (and those gorgeous chandeliers!) and Lelia Scarfiotti behind the lens, this gallery is shining with love.
From Brenda of Italia Celebrations… Jackie and Paul are a lovely couple from New York. When they contacted me they knew that they wanted to have their wedding somewhere in Tuscany and it should be a location that not only embodied everything that was Tuscany but also be a location where a great time would be had by all. We ended up just next door in Umbria at a stunning yet intimate castle from the Middle Ages that has been renovated and converted into a four star hotel. They really liked all three of the locations that we visited but in the end this castle just felt right for them and as the location to host their friends and family for an intimate and fun wedding weekend.
They wanted to welcome their guests and make them feel at home with a variety of local goodies and snacks. The welcome bags were filled with some of the most typical and delicious products of the area. Castello di Montignano is in the Perugia region where the famous Italian chocolate kisses “Baci” come from and so those were a must. The came freshly baked “ciambelline” red wine cookies, vintage Leone vintage “pastille” dating back to 1857 in their vintage packages from ages past. Rounding it out were more practical things likes bottles of water, Italian cheese puffs and a schedule of events.
The three day wedding weekend began with a welcome dinner in the garden behind the castle. There was a buffet of assorted antipasti and pastas of the region. And of course there was gelato to finish off a lovely evening. The cuisine at Castello di Montignano is excellent and abundant which was an auspicious start to the celebration. The second afternoon I had organized a day trip that included an Eco Jeep tour through a local vineyard. Umbria is also an important wine region in Italy with the Sagrantino grape taking center stage. The zone where this grape is grown is tiny and so there is little exportation of these delicious and full bodied wines. The tour took place with 12 Jeeps, each being driven by one of the guests. Naturally at the conclusion of the jeep tour their was a wine tasting of all the products that the vineyard produces.
In the evening we organized a pizza party outside around the pool. I mean what would a trip to Italy be without pizza! Following the pizza dinner was outdoor movie night on a big screen and popcorn machine in tow. It was like a drive in movie with lawn chairs instead of cars.
What a build up to the third day which was the wedding day. The couple had an intimate symbolic ceremony in the Borgo of the old town right behind the castle. The narrow street provided for an absolutely charming ambiance. After an enormous assortment of cocktail and finger foods the guests were seated under a pergola with an incredible view of the valley below. Overhead in the pergola were suspended ten vintage chandeliers which made the dinner glisten with enchantment.
It was a very special three days. The bride’s father had been hesitant to make the trip but on the day of the wedding he took a photograph of everyone in attendance to be sure that he would never forget the experience nor those with whom he had shared it. Congratulations to Jackie and Paul. May this be the perfect start for a happy lifetime together.
Photography: Lelia Scarfiotti Photographer | Wedding Planner: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Floral Design: Noosheen | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Castello di Montignano | Grooms Attire: Theory | Chandeliers: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Groom's Shoes: Ted Baker | Groom's Tie: Hugo Boss | Veil And Headpiece Bride: Kleinfeld Bridal