As fellow sunset admirers, the proposal Craig planned for his beloved is totally speaking our love language. Even more so? He asked his beautiful Bride if they would return to Florence one day to be married. Fast forward two years later and this duo returned to their favorite city to become husband and wife, inviting Facibeni Fotografia to capture it all. Witness their beautiful beginning in The Vault!
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From The Bride…Craig and I first met studying together in 2004. At only 19 I fell completely in love with his beautiful kind heart. Our relationship progressed as we slowly set up our future together, and after 8 years he proposed. It was the most incredibly surreal moment I have ever felt. We were on a holiday traveling through Europe, when one beautiful evening in Florence we stood on the Santa Trinita bridge, to the left a view of the Ponte Vecchio and to the right the sun setting over the Arno river. I have always told Craig, sunset is my favourite part of the day as I love watching the colours of the sky change. It was then he dropped to one knee, told me he loved me and asked me if I want to return to Florence one day as husband and wife. With tears streaming down my face I said yes, never thinking almost exactly two years later we would return to our favourite city to become husband and wife.
Our dream wedding was set in the beautiful Villa La Vedetta overlooking the city of Florence, Italy.
The original plan was to get married in our home town Melbourne, Australia with a guest list of 120 people. With the venue booked, and plans unfolding, my Grandmother sadly lost her battle to cancer 9 months prior to our wedding date. With heavy hearts we continued with the preparations, never anticipating losing my Grandfather 3 months later. With a giant void in my life, this great loss was enough for us to reassess what we truly believed our wedding should be. The decision was made to cut our losses and stay true to ourselves, to travel to a beautiful destination with our closest friends and family, and what place would be more meaningful than Florence.
Upon first sight of Villa La Vedetta, we knew we had made the right decision, it was the most beautiful property we had ever laid eyes on.
I woke up unusually calm, being a hairdresser I started on my bridesmaids hair, I completed the four girls as well as my own before the make up began. I chose a beautiful silk and lace Steven Khalil dress, Yves Saint Laurent Heels and Dior pearl earrings, whilst Craig wore a classic custom made tuxedo.
Once I was dressed my mother handed me a ring my grandfather had given her, it was a pearl and topaz ring. This was my something old, borrowed and blue, along with a lace and pearl horse-shoe she had made for me for my something new.
From the immaculate gardens we held the ceremony, to the reception on the terrace under the Tuscan sun, we watched the city light up as we ate under the stars. Our decorations were simple white flowers with touches of gold to reflect the history of this beautiful city, without detracting from the view.
There could not be a more beautiful day imagined, with 40 of our nearest and dearest traveling from Melbourne, Australia to share the most magical experience of our lives. It was simplicity meets grandeur combing our decoration with the villa and views. After 10 years Craig and I have shared together, with our love for family, friends, travel, and our engagement in Florence, this day encapsulated everything we ever wanted, needed or dreamed possible.
Our honeymoon was spent on the Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri, South of France, and the Greek Islands. This entire experience will always be the most vivid memory of our lives.
Photography: Facibeni Fotografia | Cinematography: Gattotigre - Destination Wedding Videography | Floral Design: Stiatti Fiori | Wedding Dress: Steven Khalil | Invitations: Giant Invitations | Bride's Shoes: Tribut Ives Saint Laurent | Jewelry: Christian Dior | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Zimmermann | Celebrant: Blessings From Italy | Venue: Villa La Vedetta
