Italy Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

Kissed With Love and Limoncello, An Intimate Positano Elopement

With a kiss of warm hues and vibrant citrus accents, Federica Beni turned “lemons into limoncello” for Misoo and Charles’ Positano elopement at the cliffside Villa Treville. Malafronte Fiori’s florals emulated the Amalfi Coast sunshine and added a burst of color against the venue’s crisp backdrop and panoramic coastal views. This intimate elopement was infused with oh-so-sweet touches – like the exquisite hand-illustrated invitations by Debbie Wong Design. Immerse yourself in this marriage of luxe Italian style and true amore in the full gallery, captured by Lace & Luce, and the video, filmed by Luigi De Gregorio.

From the bride… As we said in our vows, “This day was not exactly what we had in mind when we started planning two years ago for our 2021 wedding”… but our Positano elopement was absolutely perfect and unforgettable nonetheless!

We got engaged in Santorini, and we’ve traveled to Europe together every year since we started dating. So while we were disappointed to have had to postpone our big wedding closer to home, planning a destination elopement in Europe still felt very “us.” Especially after all the COVID-related disappointments from the past year, we really wanted to “pivot” and plan something special and romantic, just for us. Not to mention, we literally could not think of a more perfect place to “turn lemons into limoncello” than the Amalfi Coast!

Planning a destination elopement was admittedly a little nerve racking at first, especially after having postponed another wedding. Once we found our photographer and wedding planner though, the rest of the pieces seemed to fall so easily and naturally into place. We loved each and every vendor who was part of our day, and everyone was so kind and supportive throughout the whole process (not to mention incredibly talented).

We exchanged vows in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places that we have ever seen. From tearing up as our ceremony musicians played Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” theme song against the backdrop of his former home, to our boat ride during which so many people on passing boats loudly cheered and clapped for us, to dining under our stunning lemon-covered ceiling while watching the sun set over Positano… this day was full of so many incredible memories that we will treasure forever.

From the planner Federica Beni… It was not an easy season for lovers who had planned their special day for months and months. The uncertainty pushed many of them to postpone their celebration (for the first time and in many cases even twice) but the idea of having to wait further 12 months for living such a special emotion has not been an easy one to cope with.
Italy was Charles and Misoo’s destination for their honeymoon this past September, following their Canadian wedding which was unfortunately postponed to 2022. Why give up the idea of having a romantic Italian tour and to taste the romance of a special love celebration for just the two of them?

This adorable couple opted for a beautiful and emotional elopement in Positano, in one of the most exclusive venues of the Amalfi Coast, Villa Treville, once owned by the famous movie director Zeffirelli. When couples contact me to explore the options they have to elope in our beautiful country of Italy, finding the perfect solution is not so easy as it may seem, because the venue they like might be too big to be rented only for two people and at the same time they don’t have a secluded and intimate area where to have a small private celebration and dinner to follow. I found them the perfect option with Villa Treville, a cliffside estate, from where you can enjoy a spectacular and captivating view on Positano, private and super luxury accommodations, each one with a private outdoor area, which was the perfect solution to celebrate in style.

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A Romantic Summer Wedding at the Pinterest-Viral Abbey of Saint Galgano

You’ve probably seen this venue many times before during your late night, endless Pinterest scrolling sessions – but may have never known exactly where it was! The Abbey of Saint Galgano is a breathtaking Gothic style church from the 13th-century, situated in the beautiful province of Siena region in Tuscany. Flowersliving brought the couple’s dreams to reality… dressed in a pastel palette, overflowing with heavenly blooms, and blanketed by rows of twinkle lights. Trust us, you’re going to want to spend some extra time on today’s full gallery captured by Facibeni Fotografia.

From Flowersliving… A romantic yet modern destination wedding in Tuscany in the most beautiful church nearby Siena.
San Galgano Abbey is a breathtaking venue and the colors of the flowers really complement the beauty and the uniqueness of the church.

Sara & Marcello from Emilia Romagna Region decided to tie the knot in the beautiful Tuscany looking for the perfect rural countryside but choosing a romantic and elegant colors palette of light pinks and dusty blues.

After the civil ceremony at the abbey they decided to celebrate in the beautiful maremma area surrounded by cypress and olive trees.

The aperitive at the sunset overlooking the tuscan hills was a magic moment for all the guests who enjoyed the tuscan breeze and the dreamy view. A tripude of candles to lighten up the dinner area as a frame to celebrate the newlyweds.

The Ultimate 4-Day Fairytale Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Today’s wedding planned by Amalfi Wedding Planner is the dictionary definition of a fairytale. Their four-day Italian affair overflows with envy-worthy fashion, drool inducing cuisine, and endlessly breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea. The beautiful setting, enchanting history, and rich culture played a major role in influencing the design elements of their day, along with the playful pops of color you’ll notice in their floral arrangements by Armando Malafronte. See all the magic unfold at the full gallery, captured by Elias Kordelakos.

How We Met
We departed from very different starting points – Glaudson grew up in Brazil and moved to the US as a teenager, while I grew up in Germany and moved to San Francisco after my studies. We followed different paths, but somehow we each arrived at the same destination. Whether by the hand of fate or pure chance – many thousands of miles away from where our lives began we met – and we fell in love.

We had our first date in San Francisco at a wine bar and right there we knew we wanted to see more of each other. For us, love really did happen in a heartbeat – from the moment we began to know one another, we found an immediate ease and each of us felt an inescapable attraction to the other. Our first date, an evening where the hours flew by as we chatted and laughed together, was inevitably followed by a second date just days later. Since then we have been inseparable and the rest, as they say, is history!

The Proposal
Glaudson’s romantic proposal was worthy of the most wonderful fairytale! On a visit to my hometown, Glaudson arranged a private tour of the city’s Baroque Castle, accompanied by my family, which ended in the castle’s ancestral hall, where he dropped to one knee before kings and queens of yesteryear, presented the ring and popped the question. As I said ‘YES’, the hall erupted in cheers, before we shared a celebratory toast against the castle’s regal backdrop with my family.

Wedding Planning Process
Together we have faced and overcome many difficult life experiences, especially during the past two years but these challenges have served only to strengthen and deepen our bond. After getting engaged in January 2019, we were planning to get married in June 2020 – then the pandemic hit. We rescheduled our wedding four times due to COVID and planned and re-planned all events for 2.5 years until we finally were able to travel to Italy and to say our ‘I do’s’ on September 7th 2021. With the words from Maya Angelou: love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope! Overall, the planning process was a joy and brought us even closer together.

Wedding Gown
As I started my search for THE wedding gown, I flew to Los Angeles and met up with my close friends to visit the Galia Lahav Flagship store. I tried on a couple of dresses in various shapes and styles before putting on the Aelin gown. Once I put it on, I felt like I was immediately transported into a fairytale. The waves of white, sparkling tulle, the exquisite crystal embroideries made of hundreds of beads catch the light with the classic A-line shape of the gown made me feel like a real-life princess. The gown was modern with sequined flower petals and lustrous metal leaves cascading down its pleated skirt with the sheer corset top, yet timelessly elegant. After I learned that each gown of the Galia Lahav couture collection is designed to each bride’s measurements, all hand-crafted – I knew it was the one! It took almost 8 months to finish it. Thread after thread, bead after bead…it was worth the wait. I cried when I put it on for the first time.

The second Wedding Gown
For dinner, I changed into a light, flowy pure white pleated gown by the designer Maria Lucia Hohan and with a side slit. The gown has a feminine corset type top with an open back and corset strings and the slit made it easy to dance in.

Welcome Cocktail Gown
For the Welcome Cocktail I wore a lace embroidered gown with illusion neckline, keyhole open back, and silk chiffon full skirt by Berta Bridal. I wanted to create a wow-effect for when our guests see me for the first time in Ravello and give them a little taste of what’s to come on the wedding day. The gown was very comfortable with material of the bodice and lace appliqué being stretchy – it felt like a second skin.

Lemon Grove Tour & Rehearsal Dinner
The Amalfi Coast is all about its lemons. Leading up to the wedding events I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect dress and what would be more fitting than a lemon dress which I found by the designer Alexandro Miro. The rehearsal dinner design was inspired by the colors of the Italia flag – green, white and red. I wore a Dolce & Gabbana summer dress in those came colors with a matching D&G purse and comfortable Prada wedges while Glaudson wore a casual light beige suit.

About our Guests
We were fortunate to be joined by 40 guests made up of our closest family and friends, who came from as far as California to join us in Ravello for four days. It was the perfect group size for us, as we got to spend quality time with each and everyone of them over the course of the festivities. It felt like one big family despite different cultural backgrounds and some language barriers (guests from Germany, France, USA, Brazil, Japan, India, Russia and Africa).

Why Ravello
When selecting a location for our wedding, we considered our family and friends who are scattered all around the globe. So we decided to make an adventure out of it and chose a destination everyone would want to travel to. We were looking for a place where we could spend at least three or four days full of activities with family and friends. We love the ocean, scenic landscapes and views, lush vegetation and great food & wine. What came to mind first was the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Once we narrowed down our search we decided on Ravello, the Jewel of the Amalfi Coast!

Ravello is an ancient coastal village perched on a hilltop more than 1200 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, with the most breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. To me it’s one of the most enchanting and romantic settings in the world. A place where magical, mystical and physical elements blissfully co-exist.

Ravello has many beautiful wedding venues to choose from, but for us the one and only option was Villa Cimbrone. It combined everything we wanted for our special day – a beautiful setting, various event areas, an exclusive and intimate feel and 5-star service, food and wine. And not only that, Villa Cimbrone also has a rich history. The Villa dates back to the 11th Century, the Villa Cimbrone was lovingly renovated and restored by a British nobleman in the early 20th Century.

With it’s stunning, turreted, castle-like structure, nestled into extraordinarily beautiful gardens and with breathtaking views reaching towards infinity, this fairytale kingdom – rich in art, history, culture and natural beauty – has long been loved by authors, poets, actors, artists and composers. When asked about the most beautiful place he had ever seen, American author Gore Vidal said: the view from the belvedere of the Villa Cimbrone on a bright winter’s day when the sky and the sea were each so vividly blue that it was not possible to tell one from the other.” The villa was also the heavenly secret hideaway of actress Greta Garbo in the spring of 1938. Isn’t that romantic!?

Wedding Invitation & Stationery
Our wedding invitation was an important part of our wedding as it set the tone for the upcoming experience! Amalfi is famous for it’s hand-made paper which is a century old tradition in this region. Hence, we worked with talented calligraphers and artists such as Amanda (from La Pomme Et La Pipe Press), who created an invite of hand-made, deckled-edge paper with floral letterpress elements. Our invitations details like gold beveled edges and the seal wax stamps reminded one of the ancient Villa Cimbrone. Amanda also created matching ‘her & his’ vowcards for us with hand-dyed silk ribbons in blue and blush colors. The dinner menus were written on hand-made Amalfi paper with matching seat tags with gold foiled deckled edges.

I wrote a personalized ‘thank you’ note to each of my bridesmaids which was printed on hand-made deckled-edge paper and added together with a name card to their gift bags that included a blush satin bridesmaid robe from Flora Nikrooz and a Prada fragrance.

Wedding week and timeline of events
Our wedding was a magical four-day event (September 5-9, 2021) in Ravello, Italy and surrounding towns.

Welcome Cocktail
We started with a Welcome Cocktail in the sea-view gardens of the historic Palazzo Confalone followed by a dinner at the Belmond Caruso Hotel on Sunday, September 5th. We selected Palazzo Confalone because of its history, unique architecture, lush gardens and excellent cuisine. Like a diamond in the rough whose brightness increases over time, Palazzo Confalone stood on an uncertain date, probably between the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century, beginning a history of luster and wonder. Back then, it was the residence of a noble family originally from Scala.

When entering the atrium of Palazzo Confalone, our guests were stunned by the majestic arches and marble columns. A sumptuous staircase leading to the main floor unveiled the path to a room with a frescoed ceiling in a good state of preservation. Afterwards our guests entered the gardens with a belvedere of the Amalfi Coast. We set the mood with soft jazz music, white fairy lights in the gardens, a table with welcome bags and a hat garland which served as a fun welcome gift.

For the occasion and for a first ‘wow’ effect, I wore a lace embroidered gown with a silk chiffon skirt by Berta Bridal. As the Cocktail Party began, we welcomed our guests and enjoyed typical Italian drinks, such as Aperol Spritz, Bellinis, and local canapés while catching up with family and friends which made for an emotional start of festivities as we hadn’t seen many of them in a while due to travel restrictions during the pandemic.

Welcome Dinner
Afterwards we walked over to the Belmond Caruso Hotel for dinner at the Belvedere Restaurant where we enjoyed more time with family and friends over dinner and took in the stunning views of the coast over Belmond’s iconic Infinity pool as the sun went down.

Lemon Grove Tour
This was followed by a Lemon Grove Tour in Amalfi on September 6th with our guests where we learned everything about the Sfusato Amalfitano, the most famous Amalfi lemon. We wanted our guests to feel and taste the true essence of the Amalfi Coast and what the region is known for. We felt a cool breeze while walking through the lemon groves which protected us from the southern Italian mid-day sun. After walking the lemon grove terraces we ended the tour with a delicious hand-made pasta lunch prepared by our hosts from the Amalfi Lemon Experience.

Rehearsal Dinner
In the evening, we met our family in a little hill town called Scala at the Trattoria da Lorenzo. Spending time with our family and eating really good food are two things that Glaudson and I hold dear to our hearts and Trattoria da Lorenzo offered the perfect setting for it. We started off the evening with an Aperitivo in the Gardens with canapés and an open bar. Followed by a casual 3-course dinner prepared by who they call the ‘Mozart of Meatballs’ in this region.

Wedding Day
Tuesday, September 7th, was the day of our wedding ceremony and reception. The weather was an absolute dream! I got ready in the morning in Villa Cimbrone’s Bridal Suite with my bridesmaids. We got our hair and make-up done by the fabulous team of Alessandro Mancino while sipping on a glass of champagne. I surprised my friends with a gift bag that included a satin robe, perfume and a personal letter. I wore my Galia Lahav gown with a matching cathedral veil and with white Jimmy Choo satin sandals. After my bridesmaids helped me into my wedding gown, I headed to the Cloister area at Villa Cimbrone for the First Look.

In the afternoon our guests gathered in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone sipping on lemonade and champagne while we had our First Look and took wedding photos. At 5pm we began our Wedding Ceremony at the Tea Room. A violin and cello quartet played songs like Wildest Dreams by Duomo while guests arrived in the area. I walked down the aisle to an old-time classic ‘Can’t help but falling in love’ by Elvis Presley. The ceremony was held by Carmela, our wonderful wedding officiant, and brought everyone to tears including us.

We timed things so that we could capture couple portraits at Villa Cimbrone’s beautiful terrazza dell’infinito right after the ceremony before joining our guests for the Aperitif. The Aperitif took place in the Gardens of Four Dancers where we gathered for a toast. We performed the cake cutting, and cheersed to our loved ones. All kids loved the wide open space to run around during this warm September afternoon. With a glass of champagne in our hands we continued with our guests to the terrazza dell’infinito. The sky and the sea were each painted in different shades of blue so that it was not possible to tell one from the other. We took in the view and soaked in the last sun rays while the sun descended over the hilly coastline.

Our Reception (dinner and dancing) took place at Villa Cimbrone’s Garden of Two Fountains, where we set up a fully stocked open bar, a separate dance floor, a bride & groom table, and two long tables where our guests could enjoy a four-course meal artfully prepared by the talented team at Il Flauto di Pan. On the menu: Roasted octopus, fresh cannelloni pasta filled with Genovese, braised beef or a choice of sea bass fillet with various sides and two types of cake – a white sponge cake with lemon cream, and Delizia al Limone di Ravello, a local lemon cake topped with strawberry sauce.

During dinner our family & friends held speeches and we enjoyed several toasts. And after dinner, we performed our first dance to “At Last” by Aretha Franklin. After, we kicked off the party with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, and danced the night away!

Boat Tour
The next day on September 8th, we invited our guests to experience the Amalfi Coast by sea and rented a 24m Turkish Gulet. We spent most of the day on the boat, enjoying a swim in the warm waters of the mediterranean sea, antipasti and homemade pasta prepared by the fabulous team of Plaghia Charter and breathtaking views of Positano and the Amalfi Coast.

Wedding Design Concept
When we decided to get married in Ravello, we had a vision for a magical, fairytale-like experience that would reflect our shared taste for elegance and the beautiful things in life (La Dolce Vita). Our starting point was a 50-page inspiration book that I put together with mood boards, color palettes, musical soundtracks, and design inspirations for each of the events during our wedding week. From the beginning, we set out to design a cohesive narrative across events that would transport guests into a real-life fairytale amidst Ravello’s naturally romantic scenery, medieval architecture, and iconic cliffside gardens.

Lighting played an important role to create a romantic setting. From the white fairy lights in the Gardens of Palazzo Confalone, to lanterns that bathed the gardens of Trattoria Lorenzo in a soft light during Aperitivo. Complemented by big white lanterns that illuminated the path, during our reception at Villa Cimbrone’s Garden of Two Fountains and fairy lights draped around trees.

Similarly, we wanted to mirror the natural beauty of Villa Cimbrone with its lush green gardens and vines climbing up the historic walls of the villa. Villa Cimbrone is such a naturally stunning location, that we did not want to overdo it, just add a personal touch to it. We chose florals and vines to be draped organically around pillars, lining the ceremony aisle, winding around the cocktail tables and even the wedding cake to evoke a lush, overgrown, enchanted garden feel without seeming overdone. Throughout, our main color scheme consisted of shades of blush, white, light blue and green with fresh pops of color such a pink and fuchsia that seamlessly tied into the natural environment. The bouquet was kept simple in white and blush colors.

Color pops were added as a red thread throughout the events such as Amalfi lemons and blue and majolica ceramic tiles. I incorporated a ‘something blue’ throughout various parts of the wedding day – from the blue tiles of the Bridal Suite, the light blue delphinium flowers at the ceremony, the blue and white Amalfi ceramic vases, the blue ribbons on the dinner table to the blue pleated Randall Loeffler sandals I wore with my 2nd dress for dinner and dancing.

Even our guests’ attire was matching the theme. My mother and mother-in-law wore a fully beaded tulle gown designed by Adrianna Papell in a light blue and champagne color. The leaf embroidery matched my dress and followed the wedding’s fairytale garden theme. The flower girls wore hand selected dresses in blush and light blue colors with ‘La vie en rose’ embroidery, while the ring bearer wore a little black tux. All of the bridesmaids wore simply elegant formal dresses in blush and champagne colors in various styles while the groomsmen wore black tuxedos and suits with matching bow ties.

In keeping with the concept of timeless elegance, we chose décor that felt timeless. For instance, elegant white Chiavari chairs at the ceremony and reception tables matched with pure white table linen and napkins. Glamorous silver vases, elegant silver under-plates, lots and lots of candles and dinner menus made of hand-made Amalfi paper with simple but classic glassware. We set up multiple standing tables in the reception area so guests could walk around and mingle. One table was placed at the beginning of the dinner area which offered a shot of limoncello to guests before taking a seat, on another one we had placed a polaroid camera for guests to take fun instant pictures.

Live music also played an important role in setting the tone of our special day. A string quartet during the ceremony evoked emotional feelings and created a romantic setting during the aperitif: our DJ played the best Motown and Jazz music during dinner and dance music after.

Overall, we added some fun touches and designed our own cocktails such as the ‘La Dolce Vita’ and the ‘Godfather’ that were on the custom bar menu.

Finally, in addition to the aesthetic and atmospheric elements, we wanted to thank our guests for traveling to Italy and welcoming them in Ravello. To that end, we invested in a variety of custom gifts for each guest: a bag with goods from Ravello and our wedding itinerary and sun hats, fedoras at the Welcome Cocktail, gift bags with robes and fragrances for bridesmaids and Ravello’s famous limoncello for each guest on the dinner table as wedding favor.

Our favorite part of the wedding
Bringing everyone together after such a tough time and being able to enjoy ‘La Dolce Vita’ together. Seeing how our family and friends become one big family, no matter their cultural backgrounds or some language barriers. And finally seeing everything come together so beautifully – after such a long time and postponing the wedding four times – was such a dream come true!

Advice to ‘Brides to Be’
Enjoy the process! The wedding planning process is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with your partner to create a beautiful and personal experience. I put a lot of effort in upfront planning and was very hands-on in the creative process and the design of our wedding events which resulted in a well planned series of events that Glaudson and I could fully enjoy and be present with our guests.

A Chic Summer-Inspired Celebration In Florence

With a touch of elegance, a bit of timeless and a whole lot of beautiful flowers, this Florence inspiration shoot is nothing short of wonderful. Tuscan Tours and Weddings and Tuscany Wine Food Adventures planned and designed a day that has our hearts swooning. We could stare for hours at the organic, free-flowing arrangements designed by Giorgia Carolini Floral Design, and can’t get enough of every single image expertly shot by Koman Photography. You’ll fall in love with every photo inside the full gallery.

From Tuscan Tours and Weddings… This editorial shoot at the beautiful Villa Le Fontanelle in Florence wanted to inspire chic brides seeking an elegant and at the same time romantic setting for the most important day of their life. Villa Le Fontanelle with its beautiful historical character and that perfect mix of city and countryside was the perfect inspiration for this summery old-world style celebration. Situated just above Florence and enjoying one of the best views of the city and Brunelleschi’s dome, this boutique-style villa is immersed in an amazing natural environment with terraced gardens full of flowers, greenery, and olive trees.

The editorial team created an amazing design for every moment of the day that wanted to remind of summer light and colors in Tuscany. The bride wore an ethereal white gown by Millia London, that gave a super romantic and dreamy vibe to the day, and flowery Bella Belle Shoes shoes completed her look together with natural makeup and a clean style updo. The gorgeous stationery suite designed by The Wedding Letters was inspired by the coral-peachy flower decorations and Brunelleschi’s dome – undoubtedly one of the most known landmarks of Florence. Florals and table rentals did add that real Italian-style summer vibe, reminding of Tuscany’s sun-soaked terracotta rooftops and sun-kissed fields, with coral and peach floral installations displayed in a delicate natural style, to give the idea of having just picked them from the surrounding countryside.

We chose to have the ceremony by the ancient chapel to add some historical charm, followed by signature Italian drinks like Aperol Spritz and Negroni, and of course Prosecco! Dinner took place in the panoramic terrace in front of the breath-taking view of Florence, at an ancient wood table lined up with wrought iron chairs and set up with lots of gorgeous items to create a classy, understated, elegant feel perfect for chic summer soirees under the Tuscan sky. This inspiration shoot is a wonderful source of inspiration for couples who dream of getting married in Tuscany and have in mind a mix of classic elegance and contemporary romanticism.

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Koman Photography

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Tuscan Tours and Weddings

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An Elegantly Intimate Wedding In Villa Del Balbianello

Our heart skips a beat for well-thought-out, intimate weddings. Picture this, your favorite people, a beautiful destination, and the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. For their special day, Rachel and George decided to entertain their nearest and dearest in Italy. The Lake Como Wedding Planner brought their vision to life complete with a waterfront ceremony and a reception that made guests feel as if they were sitting inside a secret garden. The artful blooms were elegantly designed by Tulipina, and Elias Kordelakos was able to capture the love of the day in imagery that is sure to stand the test of time. Visit the full gallery to fall in love with every last detail.

From Elias Kordelakos … An intimate wedding, means you have more time to enjoy it with your guests and be more relaxed. Rachel and George had postponed their original date a few times already so they wouldn’t want to miss another chance of celebrating their love.

The bride was radiant in her Zuhair Murad gown! They had chosen one of the most coveted villas in Lake Como,Villa Del Balbianello and a talented team of vendors to make their dreams come true.

The Lake Como Wedding Planner, together with Tulipina created a magnificent setup for the ceremony and reception area, Marco Failla created some delicious chocolate favors as a farewell favor and Elias Kordelakos captured all the magic!

Limoncello Inspired Italian Wedding Editorial

When life gives you lemons, use them in your wedding decor! This limoncello inspired editorial, at the historical Villa Cetinale in Siena, Italy, has everything from a limoncello table to fresh lemons decorating romantic reception tables. AMV Weddings planned, designed, and styled this spectacular day filled with free flowing organic blooms by Flowers Living. It was all elegantly captured in the incredible imagery by Jenny Wagner Photography. Take a trip to Italy in the full gallery.

From Jenny Wagner Photography… This wedding editorial, set in the autumn in the countryside of Tuscany, features a vibrant couple and fittingly bright and crisp details to suit their style. Lemon trees and a limoncello table, a cake design inspired by porcelain, and a gorgeous vintage getaway car round out a vibrant and romantic wedding design.

The couple enjoyed their ceremony at the back of the historic Villa Cetinale in Siena, Italy, with a ceremony space covered in beautiful florals and greenery.

The bride took a quiet moment to admire her gorgeous reception table, also adorned with intricate greenery and lemon and porcelain details. The couple then shared a few sweet smiles and kisses during a more private moment between just the two of them, in their vintage Italian getaway car.

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Koman Photography

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AMV Weddings

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An Intimate Wedding In Ravello That’s So Dreamy It Feels Like A Fairytale

We must be dreaming because this wedding is so beautiful it looks like a fairytale! The Amalfi coast is known for its idyllic scenery, making it one of the most romantic wedding destinations in the world. For this Ravello wedding, Rachael Ellen Events planned and designed a day worthy of the location filled with everything from a chic Vespa to a garden reception that will take your breath away. With romantic blooms seeming to organically grow around and on top of the banquet table this is certainly an alfresco wedding guests won’t soon forget. The beauty of the day was all elegantly captured in the artful imagery by Elias Kordelakos. Visit the full gallery for a trip to Italy.

From Elias Kordelakos… Italy is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations. Ravello, a small picturesque village situated on top of a mountain, has some of the most amazing wedding venues the Amalfi Coast has to offer.

Brikelle and George had their intimate destination wedding at Belmond Hotel Caruso. The couple made the most of their visit to Ravello by having a pre-wedding photoshoot in Villa Cimbrone as well.

The magic of Italy came alive in this exquisite intimate wedding day. With jaw-dropping views and beautiful design details, what more could you ask for?

This Destination Puglia Wedding Feels Like A Dream Inspired By The Desert

Pack your bags for Puglia for this dreamy destination wedding. With a wheat, rust, and amber color palette, the desert inspired the design for this special day planned by Elegante Weddings and Events. Boho yet garden chic vibes were artfully orchestrated in the florals by Lilla Bespoke Floral Design. Lush and low tablescapes, with eclectic natural wood and soft blush taper candles, created a glow through the multi-course dinner. It was a sight to behold, beautifully captured in the stunning imagery by bonphotage. Get lost in all the beauty in the full gallery.

From bonphotage… Kyla and Madison’s Puglia destination wedding was out of a dream. The white backdrop of the stunning Masseria Grieco in contrast to the bold and lush florals and natural vegetation from the region made it a dramatic and elegant location for this stunning wedding.

This LA-based couple decided on a destination wedding to escape the fast-paced life of the city and bring all their friends together to an unexpected location. The ceremony had a large, circular arch as a parallel to the symbolism behind the wedding bands.

With the use of pampas grass, cappuccino and toffee garden roses, lisianthus, olive greens, and other local foliage the aesthetic of the wedding complimented the location. It was an incredible celebration of two wonderful people finding each other and being surrounded by so much love and joy.

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bonphotage

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Elegante Weddings and Events

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Would You Believe Us if We Told You This Was a REAL Wedding?

Get ready to do a double take – because it’s hard to believe this is an actual real wedding. A drop dead gorgeous, statement-sleeve gown, Villa Balbiano, and a firework show to end the night with a bang – I mean, does it get any better? To make it all the more unbelievable, this Lake Como affair was planned in just two short months! All thanks to the talented team at Happy Moments Collector. Julia Kaptelova Photography was there to capture every last detail, we can’t wait to see our Pinterest feeds filled with magic from today’s full gallery!

From Happy Moments Collector… This wedding was planned in less than 2 months! But we were lucky enough having the couple who were very fast with the decision making and very organized! And we are not mentioning how beautiful and model looking the bride and groom are… When we saw the guests on the wedding day – we literally thought we are having only models around! Young and beautiful! The couple fell in love with villa Balbiano and after the site inspection it was 100% match. Villa itself and amazing gardens overlooking the lake – it can’t leave you without taking the breath away.

For the flowers and decor overall we had 2 different opinions and references from the bride and groom and we needed to find some solution that would work for both parties. Groom tended to something more classical and timeless in white/blush colours and the bride, on the contrary, wanted something more saturated in terms of colours and trendy but at the same time natural looking and elegant. So we decided to merge mostly light colours with some hints of burgundy, navy and golden elements. So at the end we had really elegant garden wedding.

Play of high flower arrangements at some tables and lower arrangements with chandelieres hung above added movement and chic to the table setting. Modern garden furniture added trendy look to the aperitif and dinner area. Dinner was accompanied by sets of the cover band playing famous songs together with the touching speeches from the guests and entertainment from the famous talk show host.

Cutting of the cake was done with the background of the fireworks that added so much romance and festive feeling to the moments that everyone was literally fascinated. And we can’t help mentioning the looks of the bride starting from the morning till the end of the event! The main wedding dress was just out of words! Very stylish and fancy. The second black and white dress that was very elegant and at the same time trendy was fantastic as well. The preparation shoot and the wedding itself were such a blast for all of the team of vendors that we are looking forward to the anniversary of this beautiful couple a lot!

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The Heritage Collection

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A Romantic Citrus-Infused Engagement Party Under the Tuscan Sun

With an engagement party this good, we can’t even imagine how incredible their wedding is going to be! Under a canopy of cascading greenery, vibrant lemons, surrounded by endless vineyard views – the darling couple and their closest few dined under the Tuscan sun in style. Italian Weddings and Events planned the festivities to perfection, while Elias Kordelakos was behind the lens capturing all the magic unfold – don’t miss out on the full gallery of inspo!

From Elias Kordelakos… This couple had their engagement party in Tuscany as a prelude to a spectacular wedding in Mexico that will take place in 2022. Nonetheless, the setup offers an idea of what’s going to follow.

There was a table covered by greenery and lemons, a photobooth and a special corner with a couch where the couple exchanged their gifts as their families and closest friends cheered them up. And all of this at a brand new venue in Tuscany!

Incredibly Chic Intimate Wedding In The Hills Of Tuscany

Set on a hilltop in Tuscany, this beautiful Italian wedding is full of elegance. Villa Petrea made for the perfect location for a destination wedding, with hundreds of acres of vineyards next door and olive and cypress trees right in the front yard. Above and Beyond Weddings Tuscany created the intimate, outdoor wedding with the couple’s closest family and friends, and Stiatti Fiori filled it with fabulous florals. Arielle Peters Photography beautifully captured all of the magical moments in her artful imagery. Visit the full gallery for a closer look.

From the bride… I stumbled upon Villa Petrea when Ron and I were planning a trip to Italy before getting engaged. When I realized we would be able to rent out an entire villa we contemplated seeing if we could convince some friends to join. That’s when I suggested we wait and do that for our wedding.

Most vendors I found via Instagram and Style Me Pretty looking at other Tuscan weddings. This was at the height of the lockdown knowing that they had just been hit with a loss of business, we blindly offered deposits feeling confident it would all come together.

We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. Luckily borders opened up just a few weeks before the trip and we were able to have our magical day!

This Vibrant Fairytale Celebrated the Italian Spirit With Love, Laughter, and Limoncello!

The sun shined bright on this Italian countryside villa that set the stage for a vibrant micro wedding in Puglia! Inspired by the property’s natural surroundings of fig & olive trees, Kirstie Kleine Jager designed a sumptuous celebration with fresh and fruity twists, reminiscent of warm Italian summers. Amsicora Fiori incorporated this international couple’s citrus-tone color palette into stunning floral arrangements, which were balanced with subtle blue linens that created a romantic, organic feel. George Liopetas Fine Art Photographs captured the Italian-spirit, love, and laughter that emanated from this sweet day. Don’t miss all the zesty pops, golden hour views, and limoncello favors in the full gallery!

We can’t get over this intimate wedding in warm and sunny Puglia. Beautiful stories lead to beautiful weddings, the ones you witness and feelings of an old-world romance arise. Every detail of the day perfectly captured by George Liopetas. Whimsical floral arrangements made by Amiscora Fiori and an incredible menu of local homemade dishes served by private chef Puglia Delicious.

The most amazing part? The planning and design were done by the bride herself. And believe me, dear readers, she did an amazing job.

The setting at this beautiful private villa is mesmerizing. To reach it, you’re driving down a small countryside road, with only olive trees and the occasional villa in sight. The property itself, full of fig and olive trees, adds a traditional Puglian touch. A fresh and fruity wedding design inspired by Italian summers. Modern table decor and stunning floral arrangements are set outside between the villa, pool, and scenic property. A perfect color mix of soft toned pink, peach, and orange with pops of bright coral tie into the citrus theme. The subtle washed blue linen tablecloth adds an organic feel. Custom limoncello favors and the wedding cake work seamlessly into the design. Think lemon, vanilla, and buttercream deliciousness. The minimalistic dinner menus with dried citrus slices on top add a modern element. While we’re on the topic of menus… the private chef, Davide, truly blew everyone away with an incredible 4 course menu of homemade Puglian dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Kirstie and Niklas are an international couple from the U.S. and Germany, who met in Shanghai. They initially went back and forth with the idea of a big wedding and decided on a micro wedding vacation with just their immediate families together at this beautiful villa for a week. As they mentioned ‘Our families, living in different countries, don’t often get to spend time with each other and this quality time means a lot to us.’

After the champagne toast, the father of the groom read out a beautiful, personal fairytale that he created for Kirstie and Niklas about their lives and journey together, as 2 stars in the sky. Something they will cherish forever. This along with the perfect setting during golden hour in the warm Puglian air, was nothing short of magical.

From the bride… We’re an international couple, from the US and Germany. We met in Shanghai and spent a month there together. On our last day there together, when parting ways at the train station, I told him I really hoped we would see each other again. He told me he knew we would. I took it with a grain of salt, the thought international relationship seemed daunting. He stuck to his word and flew to NY after a few months apart and stayed with me for the 3 months his visa allowed. A few months later after graduating, we both moved to Berlin together. I had never been there before, was unsure if I would get a visa, and had no clue what life would look like, but I trusted that we would figure it out together – and that’s what we did. Fast forward 4 years and we’ve moved together to Zurich mid-pandemic with many complications, visa issues, etc. Through all the hurdles and uncertainties, we’ve gained so much patience. We’ve grown so much individually and together along our journey so far and are excited for what the future brings. We are forever grateful for that trip to Shangahi that led us together. Onto the next chapter as Husband and Wife.

The atmosphere, incorporating elements specific to Puglia, and that everyone has an amazing time together. We look forward to a memorable week in Puglia, with just our immediate families. We initially went back and forth with the idea of a big wedding and decided on a micro wedding / vacation hybrid given the ever changing restrictions. Our families, living in different countries, don’t often get to spend time with each other and this quality time means a lot to us. We will spend a week together in a villa and will drive from Zurich all the way to Puglia seeing lots of beautiful Italian cities along the way. Looking forward to lots of love, laughs, and limoncello.

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George Liopetas Fine Art Photographs

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A Whimsical Wonderland On Italy’s Lake Como

Anastasia and Alexey got married on the shores of Lake Como at a historic villa on a warm September day. They transformed Villa Balbiano into a fanciful fairytale complete with fairies, fawns, and other magical creatures! From the all-white ceremony with flowers designed by Haute Couture Flower that seemed to grow from where the couple stood to the reception filled with touches of luxurious gold, every inch of this wedding designed and planned by Happy Moments Collector feels enchanted. Andrew Bayda artfully captured the whimsy of the day in his elegant imagery, get lost in all the fun in the full gallery.

From Happy Moments Collector… Before the ceremony, guests were welcomed by the fairies, fawns, and unique magical lady creatures. The magical creatures showed the way to the ceremony and at a certain moment opened the gates to the villa, so the guests could proceed to the area with the magnificent view of the lake.

After the ceremony there was a traditional Italian aperitif time with lots of food and drinks. On the “secret garden” gates there were two fairies acting. An immersive theater act happened in between the guests when a couple of artists started singing and performing a duel with swords.

Before the cut of the cake actors performed once again in some special led light costumes after which they guided the guests to the cut of the cake area where the truly special moment happened. The cake cutting moment finished with fireworks after which all of the guests danced the night away.

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The Heritage Collection

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A Fairytale Wedding Under Tuscan Sun

Imagine falling in love with a dress that you saw in a magazine, finding out it wasn’t even on the market yet, and then becoming the first ever real bride to wear it on her wedding day! Oh, and then it subsequently becoming majorly instagram-famous. Well, that’s the story of our beautiful SMP bride, Maria! To see all the swoon-worthy details from their fairytale wedding under the tuscan sun planned by Happy Moments Collector – complete with blooms by Haute Couture Flower, sparkling string lights and a peacock – head on over to the full gallery of inspo, all taken by Andrew Bayda and Artur Nechaev!

From Anastasia of Happy Moments Collector… When we met the very first time Maria and Stas – we just fell in love. Pure beauty of Maria just simply took our breath away. First we started thinking of Lake Como as a place of the event but after we found the unique villa in Tuscany and the couple visited it – the decision was made immediately. Bride and Groom wanted to gather all the closest family and friends in one villa and to enjoy couple of memorable days all together to celebrate their love! Maria chose as the main colour palette blush, peach and greenery that perfectly matched the villa itself and the surroundings.

The flower arrangements were meant to be natural looking and fresh, inspired by the venue and the Tuscan hills. We can’t help mentioning the peacocks that live on the territory of the villa! And we were lucky enough to have them posing together with the bride for some pictures and making the event in time they have their beautiful tails. I guess, you may not know that the tail of the peacock is beautiful only during some certain period of time during the year. By August/September they lose it in order to grow it once again by Spring time.

Ceremony was followed by Italian style rich aperitif hour and the dinner accompanied by an Italian band singing famous songs. After we proceeded with dancing near the pool – and OMG, you haven’t seen that amazing dance performed by the couple. It was just something out of words! By the way, it was really hard for Maria to find the dress of her dreams.

Her heart was stolen by the dress of Galia Lahav and it was not yet on the market, only in catalogues and it seemed impossible to be found by the date of the wedding. But Maria managed and found the dress and she was the first ever real bride wearing this masterpiece by Galia Lahav. This dress looked like it was made for Maria.

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A Modern Affair on the Amalfi Coast at the Breathtaking Casa Angelina in Praiano

Organic beauty was the name of the game at this breathtaking wedding on the Amalfi coast! Wedding Boutique Italy planned and designed an affair that highlighted the magical, raw beauty of its location, with the prettiest florals, an ethereal tablescape, and a memorable ceremony, to name a few. Adding to the beauty of the day, the bride wore a Monique Lhuillier gown full of unparalleled glamour. It’s safe to say that this Italian paradise wedding was something out of a movie. You won’t want to miss the fairytale unfold in the full gallery, captured lovingly by Katie Grant Photography!

From Katie Grant Photography… Meg and Benton married in the most gorgeous, intimate ceremony overlooking the stunning coast of Amalfi in Southern Italy. Their closest family and friends gathered round to watch them exchange vows under a sunny summer sky on the coast. In choosing their perfect location, they looked no further than Casa Angelina in Praiano…the venue encompasses all the best of the Amalfi coast with its sweeping views, luxury service and fine dining. Their private lawn was the perfect place to host the intimate ceremony while the infinity patio set the stage for the reception. In between, guests enjoyed local Prosecco and handmade pizzas for a delightful cocktail hour.

Meg wore an incredible Monique Llhuillier gown that featured stunning tulle wings while Benton looked sharp in his classic tux. Together they were the epitome of refined coastal couture.

The evening was perfectly brought together by the Wedding Boutique Italy with a clean tablescape and modern elements accented by soft white blooms. After a traditional first dance, Meg and her father shared a very special father daughter dance that then led into a delicious dinner and an evening of fun celebrations overlooking the famous coastline of Amalfi.

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The Wedding Boutique Italy

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A Jaw-Dropping Two Day Wedding In Lake Como With Persian and Lebanese Influence

Villa Balbiano is truly an awe-inspiring Italian jewel, so Sogol and Jad made the perfect decision to host their wedding at one of the most glamorous locations on Lake Como. As they come from two different backgrounds, The Lake Como Wedding Planner worked with the couple to uniquely plan and design this amazing event that embraced both their traditions. Ratti Flora worked her magic to display the most eye-catching purple wisteria which hung over the reception. One word to describe this celebration? Magical. Fall in love with the full gallery of images, captured amazingly by Manisol Wedding.

From Manisol Wedding… This is a two-day Wedding in Villa Balbiano, Lake Como. The couple, Sogol and Jad, live in Dubai but have Iranian and Lebanese heritage, respectively: therefore, they decided to have a two-day Persian-Lebanese Wedding (with a twist!) to embrace both their traditions. Rachel Birthistle and her team, The Lake Como Wedding Planner, took care of organizing and designing this amazing event in the perfect setting of Villa Balbiano. Built by the end of the Sixteenth Century, Villa Balbiano is the perfect venue for a large destination wedding, its garden is perfect for a big tensile-structure or open-air dinner! In this case, the couple used the symmetrical lakeside garden for the first part of the wedding (the traditional Sofreh), and the front of the villa for the second part (the Wedding ceremony called Zaffa). On the first day, Sogol and Jad had the Iranian ceremony of the Sofreh.

During the Sofreh, the bride and groom sit in front of a table filled with symbolic items and exchange their rings and vows, while their female best friends read love poems and thoughts to them. Sogol and Jad wanted something a little different here, so Rachel and her team designed a modern take on the traditional setup. Using monochrome colors and perspex plinths to display the items. Every item on the table has a specific meaning: the mirror represents bringing light and brightness to the couple’s future, the spices represent protection against bad luck, the almonds represent fertility and prosperity, and so on. The ceremony took place in the lake-facing garden of Villa Balbiano. All the guests, and the spouses, arrived there by water taxi and enjoyed an Italian-style aperitif afterward. In contrast to the decor of the evening, wedding guests were asked to wear light-colored dresses and suits; whilst Sogol wore a stunning Victoria Beckham white jumpsuit while Jad rocked a black and white suit. The day ended with a big pre-wedding party with DJs and live musicians in the halls of Villa Balbiano.

The second day was the actual wedding and seated reception. Sogol and Jad got ready in the amazing rooms of Villa Balbiano, while the team of The Lake Como Wedding planner and Rattiflora were preparing one of the most beautiful set-ups we had ever seen: three open-air imperial tables with small gazebos above that were filled with rich colored flowers and purple wisteria hanging over them. Which by night created the most beautiful glow above the guests. Sogol and Jad’s wedding ceremony followed the Lebanese tradition of the Zaffa. The Zaffa is an ancient wedding march in which the groom and his friends, accompanied by Arabic drummers and dancers, walk towards the wedding ceremony. It is somehow similar to the Indian Baarat. Jad had one – and it was really impressive and exciting! – walking into the backyard garden of Villa Balbiano. Once Sogol stepped out of the villa, holding hands with her mother and father, the music changed to violins and a romantic first kiss proclaimed them Husband and Wife. After the ceremony, we shot some couple pictures inside the halls of Villa Balbiano and then headed to the dining area. The dinner was accompanied by three Italian tenors singing and preceded by speeches served by the couple’s best friends. After the dinner and cutting cake in front of the lake, the party started: there were DJs, live music, and even a full casino (with S&J branded dollars!) to celebrate the night away. It was a stunning wedding that will always be in our hearts. Some words from the bride: “Magic was a word I so often heard but never encountered until I got to Lake Como. I decided that day if I were to ever get married this is where it had to be. A few years later I was back at lake Como celebrating my wedding. I so often go back to the pictures that my wonderful photographer took, capturing the essence of that weekend. The air was fresh, the lake sparkly and the music and laughter of my guests filled the space. I fell in love over and over again. My husband and I couldn’t have picked a better destination to celebrate our love or a more perfect and impeccable team behind us. Thank you Lake Como Wedding Planners for introducing us to the best teams out there️ – we cannot wait to have our anniversary there this time with our little boy Noah!

From the planners… We had such a wonderful time planning and designing this wedding with the mix of traditions that made it really special and unique to Sogol and Jad. We loved the fact that they were open to doing something a little less traditional to reflect their personal style. The glycine over the tables really reflected the local area which during spring becomes full of the stunning flowers cascading all around the lake. We love to bring all these elements together, the location, the traditions, and the tastes of the clients that really make a wedding unique.

From the Photographers and Videographers… Sogol and Jad’s wedding was simply amazing to witness. The love they share between each other and with their friends and families from all over the world filled the days with magic. Villa Balbiano is an amazing venue to shoot at and the whole mood of the wedding was the definition of Beauty. It is definitely one of the weddings we remember with the highest joy!

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Edited by Lauren Megerdichian and Carly Zumar

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ManiSol Wedding

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The Heritage Collection

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Apulian Charm and Italian Ease, This Idyllic Inspiration at Masseria Montenapoleone Is a Must-See!

Personally, I’ve always dreamt of getting married among the olive trees and whitewashed walls of Puglia. If you’ve never visited this insanely gorgeous region of Italy, please do yourself a favor and put it on your post-COVID destinations list! Need some more convincing? Allow today’s shoot from Joy Proctor Design to do the talking. That bright blue gown, epic bloom installations from Flower Addicted and towering floral cake! There’s just so much to fall in love with at the full gallery, all captured by Andreas K. Georgiou!

Welcome to the Masseria Montenapoleone, an idyllic Mediterranean haven in the middle of Italy’s vineyards – and the perfect place for this stylish and whimsical bridal inspiration designed by wedding designer and stylist Joy Proctor. Joy Proctor’s impeccable aesthetic paid homage to Puglia’s rich natural beauty and natural history, as well as the unpretentious charm of the area. The Apulian peninsula, surrounded by the Ionian and Adriatic seas is where ancient olive groves amble over hills stretching into crystal-clear waters. Lovingly-restored, bohemian, family-run Masserias, such as the Masseria Montenapoleone, set the stage for luxurious weddings with a hearty dose of fresh Italian food and homemade wine to wash down the feast! The Masseria Montenapoelone was indeed the perfect embodiment of this area, ensconced in the heart of century-old olive plains, with acres natural vegetation and endless vineyards of the ancient Susumaniello grape.

We photographed our captivating bride in the centennial olive orchard overlooking the sea. Our bride embodied elements of the colors and textures of the editorial. Puglia was born out of the azure waters millions of years ago, as is still visible by the abundance of fossil shells still found in the fields. Our bride’s gorgeous billowing gown by Elizabeth Dye moved in the wind like the water on the sea, a symbolism of Puglia’s aquatic history. Her earrings too, by Twigs and Honey, echoed the wildflowers that adorn the Masseria, while the bride’s bouquet was made of roses and local foliage native to Puglia, including laurel leaves. The table also brought the beauty of the Masseria to life. The entire tablescape feels alive and is a homage to the Olive orchard meadow and a celebration of the colour and beauty of wildflowers with hues of creme, light blue, blush, yellow, lavender and peach, peppered with local flora such as lavender and rosemary greens. Everything is set atop a gorgeous white linen which adds to the entire organic feel.

All these elements conjured up a heavenly light and organic dinner table. The whimsical invitations by Shhh my Darling are the perfect combination of elegance, playfulness, and Italian ease. The blue emphasises the aquatic importance in Puglia, while agricultural and floral elements emphasise the connection of the region with its rich land. The cake as well was a beautiful representation of the natural environment and the wild flowers that adorn the earth. Among other fantastic vendors, floral designer Flower Addict Angelica, was inspired by the blossoming beauty of Apulia to bring to life a gorgeous S-shaped botanical corridor in front of the ceremony area. The corridor is lined with wildflowers and local greens, thus effortlessly picking up on the natural colors of the surroundings. The corridor leads to a seating area comprised of linen-covered benches under a canopy of pine treas. The whispering melody that rolls off the pine needles in a gentle wind, combined with the scent of pine, wild rosemary and oleanders, all creating a multi-sensory experience that is so quintessentially Apulian!

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Joy Proctor Design

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Prepare to Fall in Love With This Underrated Region of Italy for Your Destination Wedding

Considering marrying in the land of love? The beguiling beauty of Italy is bound to create an unforgettable affair for you, your partner, and your guests. Among the Apulia Region, lies Masseria Le Torri, the setting of this precious inspiration shoot. Adding the perfect touch of color to the muted architecture of the venue, Flower Addicted lined the aisle with luscious greens and blooms. Surely, Gionata Russo curated a design that didn’t lack intimacy or romance in the least. To see each and every romantic moment unfold, view the full gallery of images, captured lovingly by Jessica Grazia Mangia.

From Jessica Grazia Mangia… That Italy is filled with beauty and incredible locations rich of history and traditions, is well known, what most don’t know is that there is a true gem hidden and unexplored in the marvelous south of the country. The Apulia region, near and dear birth-home of the creators of this shoot, is a land of warm and flavorful people with lush and majestic views with endless olive trees orchards and ocean sights to die for.

Among the olive trees Jessica Mangia Photography and Gionata Russo Events, found a precious untouched wedding venue Masseria Le Torri. They were welcomed by Mrs (Signora) Silvana, that with great hospitality opened the doors to a truly outstanding and typically southern scenario. White fresh walls, bouncing gorgeous light, contrasting with the deep blue sky, clean spaces that felt warm and welcoming despite the minimal look, and an architecture unique in the world. The old farm living of the Apulia region, with the home made traditions are all merged together with the most modern and high-tech features to guarantee an unforgettable experience for all of their guests.

Looking at these breathtaking photos taken by Jessica Mangia is truly easy to see the beauty of this venue and the land that it sits on but planner and designer Gionata Russo created an unbelievable wedding experience that blew our minds.

Starting with the preparation of the bride and groom, in the majestic suites, walking through the absolutely mind-blowing indoor and outdoor spaces you can enjoy breathtaking views while keeping privacy a priority.
Alex and Christina’s suite, was truly a refined space, enriched with frescoes, a rustic thub, ancient pavements, a rural canopy bed and a charming fireplace. It overlooked endless stretches of olive trees that they could enjoy from their giant patio. While Christina was getting ready in her Julia Stefanello lingerie, feeling sexy and beautiful, Alex took a walk around the Masseria’s property exploring the glorious swimming pool and overall enjoying the sun in his summery attire.

Once Christina was all dolled up by makeup artist Vania Tommasi and hairstylist Frank Giacone, she was finally ready to wear her first wedding gown, accurately selected by bridal stylist NEA Milano who also provided incredible gold jewelry and headpieces from her very own collection. All the dresses were pulled from suggestions made by Alessio Lo Russo of Rosanna Perrone Couture, including a marvelous Italian lace mermaid gown that inspired the delightful choice of Bella Belle Shoes.

After capturing some unforgettable memories also with videographer Merak Studio it’s time to walk down the aisle majestically dressed up for a runway walk keeping in mind the organic nature of the venue. Lush but clean, low to the ground, arrangements, by Floral Addicted Angelica, featuring white flowers with a touch of baby blue to evoke the colors of the Apulian’s ocean all studied to keep the gorgeous Masseria in the background.

Alex in his Friar Tux tuxedo is standing smiling at the end of the aisle, waiting impatiently for his soon to be bride while caressing in his pockets the wedding rings by Italian Linea Laboratorio Orafo, that they’re about to exchange. Surrounded by the love and the emotions of their dearest friends and family bride and groom tied the knot and they now can begin their love journey together as husband and wife.

The day is not over yet, while Christina changes into her second and third dress, enjoying some private time with her new husband (kissing in the kitchen hiding from their guests and eating “pasticciotti”, the Italian private chef of the Masseria is preparing a delicious meal for their intimate reception and the air is filled with typical Italian food’s smells.

The table is ready, a farm style affair elevated by a prestigious linen runner, gold candle holders and baby blue tapered candles, all blending with the traditional materials of the Apulia region with terra-cotta vessels showcasing marvelous floral centerpieces also by Flower Addicted Angelica.
The whole event was created around simple design and routed in the local culture and traditions, all perfectly represented in the most elegant stationery created by renown Shasta Belle Calligraphy.

One last toast, right before the cutting of the cake created by Once Upon A Dream, then bride and groom take a moment to share laughters and stories with their friends, enjoy the delicious cake designed thinking of the Masseria’s walls typical aesthetic and the bride’s dress.

The day is over, but the fun is only beginning for Christina and Alex, in the beautiful town of Polignano a Mare.

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Edited by Lauren Megerdichian and Carly Zumar

Get Lost In All Of The Elegant, Old World Charm At Castello di Celsa, A Castle in Tuscany!

Oh to get married at a castle in Tuscany…well, Tuscan Tours and Weddings is here to show you exactly how at Castello de Celsa with all of the Old World charm, romance and views one could ask for! Alexandra Vonk captured one epic photo after the next from images of the brides ethereal Daalarna wedding gown to florals by Corcortez and of course a vintage getaway car from Slow Hills. Take a peek below and be sure to check out the video by Katia Casprini!

From Alexandra Vonk…This editorial shoot at Castello di Celsa in Tuscany is elegant, romantic and breathtaking with this ancient castle in the background.

Castello di Celsa, an extraordinary castle, built in the 13th century, with amazing views over Tuscany and Siena and a stunning garden. A castle that immediately brings you back to the ‘old world’. This castle is the perfect mix for your luxury Italian wedding day with an old world vibe.

The walls of the castle formed the inspiration for the color palette. Soft and romantic tones with a touch of dusty blue. Which you can find back in the beautiful door of the 16th century chapel and in some of the walls.

Industry talent from all over Europe came together to make the perfect intimate celebration.

Pen to Paper created a stationery suite with the most beautiful envelop liner and menu cards. She was inspired by the wedding gown’s exquisite lace, the florals and the stunning venue. She felt that delicate handmade paper was a must, combined with inky calligraphy, charcoal vignettes and wax seals, to celebrate the beauty of Tuscany and its history.

The bride wore an exquisite Daalarna couture gown. The delicate details on this dress are just beyond and gives you that romantic feeling. These romantic lace Bella Belle shoes suited the dress perfectly. The bride also had two hair styles. A more romantic feminine look with some waves during the ceremony and a classic updo as a party look, both created by Frank Giacone.

We chose to place the intimate ceremony setting at one of the gardens with a magnificent view of the castle. Lush flowers decorated the old doors and with the beautiful Louis XVI chairs we created a luxurious organic old world feeling for the ceremony setting.

Since it was a very hot day in August, we decided to go for a champagne tower instead of a wedding cake. The champagne tower was decorated with amazing flowers from Corcortez floral design and stood in front of the beautiful dusty blue door of the chapel.

The elegant Italian garden of the castle was the perfect setting for this timeless intimate outdoor ‘fete’. The table wanted to evoke old world romance with a modern and elevated twist, using layered linen and pretty textures, gorgeous blooms focused primarily on soft romantic pinks and mauves and a touch of blue, plus a few statement décor elements. All to announce the delicate transition from Summer to Fall. And to make you want to get lost in this modern romantic wedding prettiness.

The couple drove away in a stunning vintage get-away-car that was decorated with flowers, because who doesn’t love a good vintage car?!

This feature is the perfect fit for a couple seeking elegant, luxe inspiration with a hint of old world vibes for their wedding day.

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Alexandra Vonk Photography

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A Blush Gown, Lake Como Views, and Roses Galore – This Is What Microwedding Dreams Are Made Of.

Today’s inspiration shoot from Honour and Blessing is every romantic bride’s dream microwedding – brought to life! With the idyllic Villa Balbiano as their backdrop, the sweetest couple wed under a baby’s breath adorned floral arbor from Ratti Flora. The bride absolutely stunned in an elegant, blush pink Le Spose Di Gio gown that perfectly complimented her sugar plum, pink and cream bouquet. To see every last detail and breathtaking view, don’t miss out on the full gallery… all taken by Jen Huang!

From the planners… Our couple got engaged in the summer of 2019 in Southern Italy and were planning to have their wedding also in Italy. When we were conceptualizing the idea for this shoot, we designed it with an intimate wedding in mind. From the colours to the actual wedding and reception, we wanted to create a wedding where the designs will complement and flow with the beautiful designs of Villa Balbiano and also have plenty of Italian touches as the groom is Italian. With the classic and opulent decor at Villa Balbiano we wanted the colours to be elegant and timeless. As we looked at the details of Villa Balbiano we fell in love with a beautiful antique chair and it became the inspiration for our theme of “Sugar Plum Romance” for the couple.

Using shades of sugar plum, pink, and gold, we wanted to paint the scene of a picture out of a storybook. Villa Balbiano proved to be the perfect setting for our “Sugar Plum Romance” concept with its idyllic views of the lake against the backdrop of majestic mountains. Creating around this concept, all the vendors came to bring this story to life. Veronica Halim of Truffypi created a breathtaking invitation suite with plenty of texture and depth in the handmade paper and various colour tones. For the ceremony, we wanted to keep the focus on the iconic Villa Balbiano building. We chose white flowers to create a dreamy and airy arch to complement the surroundings and an archway that surrounds their doorway. Rattiflora also created plenty of low floral arrangements in various sugar plum shades that we used during cocktail hour, table, and fireplace. Using the impressive stone table for reception, we soften the look with a delicate silk runner and napkins from Fati D Amor and plenty of candles from The Floral Society.

The Wedding Day:

The day started with Ying getting ready leisurely with hair and makeup done by The Glamourist. With the delicate and romantic vintage Claire de Lune outfits, Jane created a soft look with wavy curls as Ying took different portraits throughout the Villa. In the meantime, William got ready in his Hall Madden tux and everything about the morning was very relaxing, just like a vacation in Italy. For the ceremony, Ying changed into her Le Sposio Gio gown that was dreamy and flowed perfectly with the sugar plum romance as it is in a full and delicate wedding gown with a touch of pink tones. Her hair was also transformed into a low bun to match her gown and to showcase the design of the neckline. The small group of international guests arrived on the property for the intimate ceremony and were seated on the lawn facing the iconic entrance to the villa.

As Ying walked down the aisle, which was the area on both sides of the fountain area. She only had eyes on the smiling groom as he waited under the baby breath’s arch as she walked towards him. The couple exchanged their vows as guests witnessed their love story and celebrated together with them. Everyone also gathered around in front of the majestic archway to give the couple their blessings by showering them with a confetti toss. After the ceremony Ying changed into her evening gown for cocktail hour with her guests as everyone admired the view of the lake and mountains.

Under a private canopy of foliage and flowers, the newlyweds entered the reception area with cheers from the guests and shared a lovely meal together. The beautifully textured wedding cake in sugar plum tones by Qualcosa Di Dolce tied everything together, ending the wonderful day on a sweet note full of love. We hope you can relive the enchantment and romance through the magic of Jen Huang’s lens and also the snippet of the video from Julie Aarons.