As if we needed another reason to be missing Italy during these crazy COVID times, this wedding just made us fall even harder for Bel Paese (the beautiful country). Cypress lined streets, molten-gold patchwork, and sprawling vineyards surrounded the couple and their lucky guests at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, an 800-year old Tuscan estate. As you can imagine, it was magic from start to finish, all thanks to their talented vendor team, including planning by Caterina Majolo and blooms by Flowers Living. Head on over to the full gallery to see it all unfold, captured by Sotiris Tsakanikas!
From Sotiris Tsakanikas… It’s easy to see how Tuscany makes one fall deeper, poetry has been written of its cucina, odes to its fashion and songs of its beauty. Bearing witness to Laura & Myles’ Castiglion del Bosco wedding -let alone capturing it- brought the same impromptu verbal reaction as any Italophile would probably have “La Magia” (the magic). Driving up the meandering, cypress-lined road to the Borgo, the historic heart of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the 800-year old Tuscan estate which we’d rather thrillingly call “home” for the next days, it was obvious why the bride and groom had given the place double thumbs up for their big day.
It was molten-gold patchwork fields stretching out below towards Montalcino, sprawling vineyards mottled with olive-trees, and milky light in perfect sync with the rolling Tuscan terra. And that was only the beginning, as quite soon I found there’s so much more to it than wildly beautiful scapes. The couple’s villa at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco with its gentle rustic shades of ochre and flax, opened its shuttered windows to Laura’s preparations while guests were still enjoying their sumptuous colazione already laid out in the kitchen, apple pie, zucchini, homemade pastries and truffle-topped Tuscan bread with cold cuts from the farm.
The weather was turning right after the couple’s poolside first look, and although the ceremony took place alfresco by the ruins of the medieval castle that gives the estate its name, the reception was held indoors decorated with roses and in-season vegetation. Chiara and Massimo Ferragamo – the youngest son of Salvatore Ferragamo (yes, that Salvatore) – who co-own the Castiglion del Bosco make their genteel presence to congratulate Laura & Myles on their journey, while long dresses skirted the patio as the weather finally decided to oblige. Between champagne toasts and cake cutting, we congratulated the bride and groom again for having us bear witness to the bounty of beauty around. By the time we returned to the villa candles have melted right down to their base but as it turned out Laura & Myles had still one dance saved.
From The Bride… Myles and I met whilst we were still in secondary school together. We grew up in Skegness a seaside town in the east of England. I wanted to go to a concert at a seaside town on the other side of the country with my friend, a big adventure at the time as we were young with no transport, and somehow Myles was roped in to drive us, and I didn’t know him until that day. Since then we’ve been inseparable, spending every moment together over the last twelve years! We’ve grown through different phases of our lives, through college, and university, moving to London and starting our careers but our affection and reliance on each other is a constant in a world of change. We love to travel, and find joy in every day together. I’m always the impulsive one looking for excitement in the now, and Myles is the long term thinker ensuring we do all the things we dream up. Together we are a great team. Myles proposed in Manorola in Cinque Terre. It was a total surprise, but looking back on it now he was anxious in the build up! Typically Myles had planned ahead, but on the day he had to improvise as I had changed the plans. He got me up early saying he wanted to go and get some photos before the crowds, and we found a quite spot on the hillside, when I turned around Myles proposed. We spent the day doing some of our favourite things, hiking in the hills, eating gelato, and jumping in to the sea from the rocks.
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Photography: Sotiris Tsakanikas | Cinematography: Moon & Back | Event Planning: Caterina Majolo | Florist: Flowers Living | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Sugar And Spice Firenze | Invitations: E.I.Y. Love | Ceremony Venue: Caterina Majolo | Catering: Caterina Majolo | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Bridal Shoes: Aquazzura | Earrings : Annoushka | MC: TUSCANPLEDGES | dj/band : Alma Project | hair piece: jennifer behr