A Fashion Designer Weds at Villa Aurelia in Rome

Melissa Baran
March 7, 2017
Categories: Destination, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance
Tags: Outdoor Wedding

When you’re a fashion designer like this stunner Bride, it’s pretty much a given that you’re going to steal the show at your own wedding. Can you even with this portrait? Talk about bridal glow. With the help of planner, Francesca Stunell, the entire day was equally as gorgeous, set at Villa Aurelia in Rome. Who wouldn’t want to sit at this wedding table… immerse yourself in the full romance with images from Gianluca and Mary Adovasio in The Vault.

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From the Wedding Planner, Francesca Stunell… This sweet couple decided to get married in one of the most elegant and impressive Villas in all of Rome! The bride Lilian is a fashion designer, the owner and creator of the precious handbag line named L’Afshar. A gorgeous girl with a beautiful soul! She tied the knot to entrepreneur and founder of Marz Global, Khalid. They met in 2012 in Dubai.

Their ceremony was held in the coveted Secret Garden of this Historic 17th Century Villa Aurelia, just before sunset. The Villa is just 10 minutes from the city centre, located up high on Rome’s Janiculum hill, allowing the guests a panoramic view over the whole of the Eternal City.

The bride made her grand entrance with a gorgeous custom-made Italian wedding dress. It was designed by an Italian designer and seamstress in Rome, at the boutique of Glen Spose. Lilian knew exactly what she wanted: beautiful and precious lace sleeves and a “mantilla” (a particular type of lace veil) to complete the beauty of this dress.

To complete her elegant look, stunning shoes by Sergio Rossi and accessories by …well..herself! In fact, she even made her own bridal clutch bag with their initals, L + K, and another one with their wedding date, XXI.X.XVI (21st October 2016 in Roman numerals). She walked down the aisle with her father to the sound of Pachelbel’s Canon by a string quartet.

The welcome cocktail was held in the Italian Gardens, whilst the dinner was served on long imperial tables in the Lemon Garden, outside of the Villa’s impressive facade! The color palette and vision was clean lines, ivory with touches of gold and some lush deep red and blush pink to add romance! The floral decor was designed by Urooj Goplani of the Bliss Flower Boutique. The arrangements was made of O’Hara pink roses, amaranthus, fresh cranberries with lots of candles to create the magical atmosphere by night! The onsite florist in Rome used for the creation of the design was Bloemen.

We wanted to create a wedding that was elegant and effortlessly stylish like the Bride, authentically Italian but charmingly fun! The Photo Booth was a vintage vespa covered in flowers and gorgeous handmade lace umbrellas, the food was as delicious as it was eye catching and it was the perfect blend of formal but relaxed.

Cashmere pashminas were draped on chairs for the chillier Roman autumn evenings – the weather was touch and go but thankfully it all went perfectly and therefore dined under the stars! The party dined on Prawn & Amalfi lemon risotto, Eggplant, tomato and basil flan, Beef and Seabass! To complete, a traditional Italian wedding cake covered with chantilly cream and wild berries. After the dinner, the guests moved inside the Villa to dance the night away. At the stroke of midnight, a fleet of Mercedes cars came to take the guests home (or to their after party of choice!) An amazing late October wedding to complete our busy summer season!