Can we all just agree that everything Joy Proctor touches turns to gold? She brings wedding dreams to life with a total sense of ease, and when paired with Kelly Kaufman and Kate Holstein for a destination affair in the Italian countryside? Let’s just say we’re in for one serious treat. Take a break from the daily to dos and let yourself escape to a far-away wedding adventure.
From The Bride & Groom…We always wanted a destination wedding with a small, intimate group of guests – celebrating with our closest friends and family. We researched options online and fell in love with the rustic Castello di Vicarello, with all the smallest details from the brickwork to the small, antique charms the owner Aurora has collected over a lifetime of travel which really gives the venue a charm that can’t be replicated. We booked site unseen and then organized a site visit with our incredible wedding planner Joy (who flew in from California) in February. Whilst cold and rainy in winter, sitting around the fireplace discussing the wedding made everything feel real and it seemed so far fetched that we would actually manage to organize the logistics and details of the actual day.
Most guests arrived in Rome a few days before the wedding, which gave those who didn’t know each other a chance to bond over the obligatory pizza dinners and copious amounts of gelato. The day before the wedding, a large shuttle bus took guests the 3+ hours to Tuscany where we had secured both the Castello itself and two local B&Bs for the sole use of our guests. Guests spent the evening relaxing by the pool with a few bottles of wine and a simple home cooked pasta.
The morning of the wedding, whilst the bridal party prepared, our guests were provided with a shuttle to nearby Grosetto for some shopping and exploring. The groomsmen relaxed with cut-throat shaves while the bridesmaids tended to their hair and makeup.
The evening itself could not have been more perfect. The chuppah was followed by an informal cocktail and canapés hour before moving to the dinner and dancing. The following day, we enjoyed a brunch by the pool which gave us another opportunity to spend some time with our guests in a relaxed atmosphere.
It was truly humbling and we’re still at a loss for words over how far everyone traveled to be with us, dining and dancing under a gorgeous Tuscan full moon. Everything about the event reflected our personalities and own styling – it’s not everyday that a wedding serves pasta!
As incredible as the venue and evening was, it would not have been possible without the warmth our friends and families brought with them as well as the dedication and hard work of our planners and vendors – they really made the whole experience what it was.
Photography: Kate Holstein | Wedding Planning & Design: Joy Proctor Design | Floral Design: Kelly Kaufman | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: Written Word Calligraphy | Catering: Nicolai | Band: Benny Fadlun And The Mazaltov Band | Venue: Castello Di Vicarello | Venue: Castello Di Vicarello