Jet setting to Umbria is now at the tippy-top of my travel list and it has everything to do with this destination wedding. It is an easy, elegant yet totally un-stuffy celebration crafted by the Bride herself, who just so happens to be a destination wedding planner and it shows! Al fresco tablescapes, the most perfect Umbria-esque rattan chairs, bright blooms and a day filled with Italian beauty… these are just a few of the details to be found in the photographs by Rachel Gomez and Sposto Photography.
From the Bride… It was my dream to get married in the Italian countryside; it’s my favorite place on Earth. My fiancé and I decided on Italy for the wedding (my heritage) and to tour Scotland (his heritage) for our honeymoon! I am a destination wedding planner and produce weddings mostly around Telluride, CO. I have planned pretty much every type of event.. but for my wedding I wanted to take our family and closest friends on vacation to celebrate life, eat great food and drink wine!
Our main focus was to highlight both of our personalities with unique touches to create a completely custom event. We hosted 52 of our family and friends for a week in Umbria, Italy. The guests stayed onsite at Casali Cole San Paolo a family-run olive oil estate with three guest farmhouses and a historic chapel built in the 13th century! This was the venue’s first wedding and I was lucky enough to work with the bilingual owner of the property to secure local Italian vendors in the area.
The setting of Umbria served as color inspiration, we used dusty peach, light sage, creams and taupe with rose gold and dark gray accents. We wanted to set the tone with custom invitations and worked with Whimsy Design Studio, based in Denver, CO. Whimsy incorporated a watercolor of one of the farmhouses my artist friend painted into the design of the invitation. She added watercolor touches, custom wax seals and plant-dyed silk ribbon to complete the look.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with baskets of local wine, Turkish pool towels from Positano and chocolates from Perugia. We spent the week exploring the Umbrian countryside, visiting little hamlets and relaxing at the property!
Our ceremony was set at the top of Mount Solare at Fontanelle Farmhouse, a stone house surround by fruit trees and lavender. We used natural wicker furniture and kept it very organic. My brother-in law married us and my brother played acoustic guitar was I walked down the aisle with my father. It was truly a family affair! We set a black-tie dress code, the groom and groomsmen wore tuxedos, the bridesmaids chose their own dresses based of the watercolor painting and my wedding dress I fell in love with because to me it was elegant- classic with European glam.
The reception was hosted just down the olive tree-lined dirt road at the pink farmhouse named Poderaccio. The surroundings very natural, it was important to me to create a “black-tie garden party” and the ladies at Puscina Flowers made my dream a reality. The three sisters and fine art floral designers grow everything they use. Their attention to detail was a dream come true for a wedding planner bride.
We continued the theme of art/watercolor on the table by including small paintings “of Italy” at each setting and used a custom crest designed on the menus. The table was lined with organic looking floral arrangements, herbs potted in rustic terracotta pots and accented with fresh picked fruit and taper candles. The look slightly eclectic yet polished and cohesive with the environment. We were served an elegant 5-course meal at a table set for 52 that was looking over the Umbrian countryside. We had an American-style three tier wedding cake and Italian millefoglie cake for dessert. The dance party continued for many hours after under the gazebo overlooking the pool.
Photography: Rachel Gomez | Photography: Sposto Photography | Event Planning: Polished Fun | Floral Design: Puscina Flowers | Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal | Cake: Eros Mariotti | Invitations: Whimsy Design Studio | Shoes : Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Family Heirloom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azeeza | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Elizabeth & James | Catering: Eros Mariotti | Hair: Alex Cox | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Hotel: Villa Monte Solare | Hotel: I Casali Di Colle San Paolo | Wedding Venue: I Casali Di Colle San Paolo | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Azienda Agricola La Querciolana