Europe Weddings

This dress. The view. A castle!… oh my. I’m really not sure where to begin with this beautiful celebration of love. It’s elegant, yet casual and intimate, yet collected. For this Bride & Groom (who happened to meet in an airport!), that combination feels just about right. They decided on a gathering in Italy, where they could truly join their families and loved ones and with the help of Brenda Babcock Celebrations, the result was just that and so much more. Emm and Clau were in attendance to document every moment, which I have no doubt will spark inspiration for your own Big Day.

From the bride… We met when Saumil was visiting Vancouver for business, and on his way home he was waiting for his flight at a bar in the Vancouver airport. I happened to be seated next to him and we struck up a conversation. Even though we exchanged phone numbers before going our separate ways, I didn’t think anything would come of it knowing that we lived in different countries. We kept in touch, and months later I happened to be visiting Palm Springs, California on a holiday. Knowing that Saumil lived only a couple hours’ drive from there, I told Saumil I was going to be visiting, and Saumil drove to Palm Springs to take me on our first date. We hit it off right away, and Saumil ended up taking me on our second date the very next day!

We wanted our wedding celebration to be an intimate gathering of our families and closest friends. Our guests would be traveling from Canada (my home), the U.S. (Saumil’s current home), and India (where Saumil grew up). Italy, being centrally located between all those places was a big plus. I also happen to be half-Italian. My mother’s parents were both born in Italy and Italian traditions have played a big part in my life. Saumil also felt that Italy’s family-oriented traditions were very similar to those he grew up with in India. Knowing Italy’s reputation for hospitality and gastronomy, we thought it we would be the perfect place for our wedding celebration.

Since Saumil and I had grown up and lived in different countries for most of our lives, our families and friends did not know each other very well and so the idea of an intimate gathering was most important to us. We felt that a traditional one day celebration would not allow our our guests enough time to get to know each other, and so we decided to have our wedding celebration over three days with everyone staying on location together. Finally, we wanted Italian traditions and activities to be a big part of our celebration.

Once we picked our location, we communicated our broad ideas and desires to Brenda Babcock, our wedding planner, and gave her a lot of freedom to work on all the details. Both Saumil and I felt that we would enjoy our wedding more if we knew less about every single detail. We wanted our celebration to be as much of a surprise to us as it would be to our guests. We were extremely lucky to find someone like Brenda and her team who really embraced this idea and executed it flawlessly. Brenda really took all the stress away from us, and she made sure she understood our likes and dislikes during the planning process. Brenda was able to transform our broad ideas and desires into a celebration planned to the smallest detail, which included three very different yet very Italian dinners; a day full of Italian activities, such as a bocce tournament, pasta making class, and wine tasting; and finally a romantic yet modern wedding. At the end, Saumil and I really felt like guests at our own wedding, totally relaxed and excited by all the surprises Brenda had planned for us.

Photography: Emm And Clau | Event Design: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Wedding Planner: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Castello di Casole | hair and make up: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Lighting: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Bride's Veil: Mira Zwillinger | Custom made ceramic print tablecloths: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Groom's Shoes: Ralph Lauren | Limoncello: Profumi della Costiera | Vintage chandeliers: Brenda Babcock Celebrations | Weddng dress: Mira Zwillinger | bocce sets: Amazon

If there were to be a top five list of places to elope, Venice would be a must. Tell me, what is more romantic than intimate I dos followed by a gondola ride and a dinner date overlooking the canals? And when you throw a Silvia Valli wedding dress into the mix, said elopement becomes next level. Hunter Ryan tells the intimate, inspiration story with the dreamy images below.

From Hunter Ryan Photo… Venice. Known for it’s regal grandeur & in rich jewel tones—Italian-American planner Ema Giangreco wanted to showcase a softer side of Venice. Living and planning weddings in Venice for years, she’s seen many deep reds, golds, emeralds and blues in Venetian wedding design, so we opted for a completely different vibe for our couple. The color palette was derived from the famous Saint Marks Basilica in San Marco Piazza. The domes of soft blue hues with gold gilding, the building walls—soft greys and creams. The florals were clean and simple whites and greenery, with an unexpected modern touch of white orchids. Custom gown designer Silvia Valli created a one of a kind gown for the bride with hints of dove grey and muted blue tones in a soft ethereal vibe. A perfect juxtaposition of the grand church where the heavily candle-laden ceremony took place. Just a short distance from the church the couple walked the back canals of Venice to their reception location, an intimate space set for two at the Palazzo Morosini, canal front. The soft design carried through to the table—again boasting soft greys and blues—punctuated with simple white florals and greenery. The couple departed their reception in a quintessential Venetian gondola for two.

I’m officially convinced. The Amalfi Coast is the dreamiest place ever to say I do—and Belmond Hotel Caruso is hands down one of the most charming backdrops to do it. No, this isn’t #sponsored my friends… this is just me having a straight up major venue crush moment. To make it all the more romantic, today’s gorgeous couple decided to elope here before their traditional Indian wedding at home. Lace & Luce joined to capture every step of the way and I have a feeling you’ll be spending a little extra time with this one.

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/X8Uv6P5aI1g 600 338]

From Lace & Luce… Being based on the Amalfi Coast I absolutely love photographing elopements, there is something so romantic to me about having something special, that is just for the two of you. It is even more exciting when the couple doesn’t tell anyone they are eloping and wait to surprise everyone with photos from their Italian elopement at their traditional Indian wedding when they return home. My favourite location for elopements is definitely Ravello, being there, up in the clouds feels surreal, a literal dream. This couple had their entire day at the Belmond Caruso, from getting ready in their upgraded suite (Thanks to the hotel), to their private dinner on the terrace. They were the first couple to have the “Chef’s table” for their elopement, it is a tiny little terrace with the most beautiful view. The perfect end to their fairytale day.

When Ishra contacted me about eloping we managed to organize her dream elopement quickly in about a month. They wanted something special, for just the two of them before have their big traditional Indian wedding back at home in Vancouver.

Photography: Lace & Luce | Videographer: Valerio Magliano | Florist : Armando Malafronte | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Rings: Orologio Jewelry | Hair: Alessandro Mancino & Marco Carpentieri | Groom's Attire: Harry Rosen | Hotel: The Charleston Place | Bridal Salon: Rituals of Love | Bridal Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Music: Wedding Music | Veil: Jane Rhyan

Renaissance … it is not just a person, place or period in time. It IS a feeling from deep down inside that inspires passion and timeless emotion. And this styled shoot IS a true testament to that period in time, to Italy and to the Master of artistic expression, Leonardo da Vinci. The Italian wedding dream team who came together to inspire (chiara, anna, the ladies of jardin divers, giulia, carol and esther) built on the artistic essence of the Renaissance aesthetic… romance, art, symmetry, perspective and space to inspire in a classic, yet innovative manner. All who are in search of the rebirth of romance ~ read on!

An elegant Renaissance Italian villa, Villa di Striano, set in the heart of Tuscany is a breathtaking location for a wedding. It is a perfect venue for our Leonardo da Vinci-themed wedding photo shoot. Its majestic ochre walls stand out against the beautiful woods and hills of Mugello area. Throughout centuries many famous artists, doctors and writers have visited Striano to embrace and enjoy it’s quietness and peace among the lush Tuscan hills. Its gorgeous fresco ceilings, balconies, and elegant landscaping and gardens around the property brings a true authentic Tuscan wedding experience. This ancient villa is full of charm and mystery, which inspired us to design the photo shoot with a challenging main theme of Leonardo da Vinci.

The wedding inspiration was beautifully put together by a Fine Art stylist, Chiara, of Weddings in Tuscany, and her team. Being born and raised in the gorgeous Tuscan region, which is also native to Leonardo da Vinci, Chiara drew the inspiration from the culture so dear to her. Chiara chose to incorporate beautiful Florentine decor to portray the real authentic Italian Renaissance experience. Stunning wooden Florentine trays with golden details adorned the reception table set up. Chiara paid attention to the smallest details while planning the design of the photo shoot. Her creative and elegant work is done with excellency and professionalism at the highest level.

The incredible wedding gown in a soft purple tone evokes a dramatic and deepest emotion. Its light texture and cascading design with loose ribbons tied at the shoulders is magnificent.

Giulia Cecchrini gave our bride Sara a slightly darker color on her lips and cheeks to complement Sara’s beautiful Italian dark hair and skin complexion. Sara’s loose up-do has romantic curls coming down to suggest the Renaissance style and to showcase the iridescent silk chiffon flowing Myrina wedding gown by Carol Hannah.

Romantic, loose and fragrant flowers by Jardin Divers harmoniously complement the Renaissance theme. Jardin incorporated a variety of combinations of shapes and colors in her florals. White and blush wild flowers, gorgeous roses, raspberries, all adorned with a the simplicity of a jasmine vine is a wonderful representation of an Italian elegance. The contrast between the artful gold Florentine setting and simple and romantic florals creates the perfect balance for an elegant look.

A unique paper suite by Esther Clark at Esther Clark Illustration & Calligraphy was inspired by the old-world Renaissance period. Esther uses delicate handmade paper with deckled-edges. Love letter rolled up in a scroll is sealed with a gold jasmine flower detail. Lovely cursive font was incorporated into this elegant Leonardo da Vinci inspired invitation suite. Esther’s hand drawn sketch inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings is a stunning addition to the theme. Esther’s Fine Art approach and talent is easily noticed.

Fine Art wedding photographer, Anna, with Anna Grinets Photography, captured the elegant looks in a light and romantic style. Anna achieves this look by using a medium format film camera, which makes her work stand out and gives photos a beautiful softness. Her photography focuses on documenting emotions and creating stylish imagery in the highest quality. Anna’s work has been featured in publications and magazines in the United States and in Europe.

Each and every one of these artists would love to assist you in making your wedding dreams come true…. Look ’em up (and tell them we sent you)!

Photography: Anna Grinets Photography | Florals: Jardin Divers | Gown: Carol Hannah | Make Up and Hair: Giulia Ceccherini | Calligraphy: Esther Clark | Wedding Venue: Villa di Striano | Bride Model: Sara Fioretto | Groom Model: Andrea Cecchi | Photo Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Planning, Styling and Rentals: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi

If you’re getting married in Italy, it’s a universally known fact that you have to experience authentic Italian pizza in some way, shape, or form… but integrating the pizza experience with your wedding weekend? E perfetto! Brilliant wedding planner and stylist Weddings by Silke designed Erin and Michael’s fresh and romantic Tuscan wedding to perfection, including the most chic “pizza party” you’ll ever see and loads of organic, foraged florals and details everywhere. Villa Montanare provided a flawless Italian backdrop for their weekend-long celebration and just wait until you see their sun-drenched couple’s portraits by Kate Ignatowski …

From Event Stylist Weddings by Silke… Come and join us to the intimate elopement of Erin and Michael which said “yes” in June at the magical Villa Montanare in Tuscany. This sweet couple decided to make their dream come true just with a small number of guests in a laid back and beautiful atmosphere without any conventions.

They started with a Pizza Party as rehearsal dinner and they loved the idea that each guest create a pizza by themselves and all guests share their own pizza creation. This was the best icebreaker and they had a really funny evening with the most delicious pizza and Italian salads.

On their wedding day they started in the afternoon with the getting ready in the amazing lower floor of the Villa Montanare with the original floors of 1640. We loved to see how much fun Erin had with her beautiful styling and we felt in love with her amazing robe of Catherine D’Lish.

The intimate ceremony take place on the highest point of the olive gardens with an breathtaking view over the valley. For the dinner they decided for the spot under the pergola with a stunning sunset. They liked to have everything in a very simple and organic style and we are overwhelmed about the prettiness of this dreamy tablesetting.

Photography: Kate Ignatowski Photography | Floral Design: Fineartflowers Tuscany | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture | Wedding Stationery: Ink & Press Co. | Reception Venue: Villa Montanare | Bridal Accessoires: Mignonne Handmade | Hairstylist: Frank Giacone | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Villa Montanare | Robe: Catherine D'lish | Silk Ribbons + Table Runner : Silk and Willow | Styling backdrop: Locust Collection | Stylist: Weddings by Silke

Do you ever find yourself swooning over complete strangers’ wedding films? Confession: we do this all the time. The thing about wedding films is that they bring a unique life to a set of wedding images and they are oh-so-romantic, just like today’s lovely cinematic treat by videographers Happy Together Films! In an intimate setting, planned to perfection by Italian wedding planner Weddings in Tuscany, Natalie and Shane exchanged vows with the rolling hills and vineyards of Chianti as their witness….

From Happy Together Films… Natalie and Shane had this dilemma. They opted for a really small destination wedding in Tuscany with their nearest and dearest loved ones. With a small guest list of only twelve, they were able to celebrate in style. The place they found for the cerebration was in fact a very alternative venue, a countryside house in the middle of the hills and vineyards in Tuscany.

Since Natalie and Shane’s group was a small number of family and friends, they booked a local restaurant with an amazing Italian menu. Ohh, we remember it so well, the food was so so delicious. And the wine… no words. The perfect menu for small destination wedding in Tuscany. Natalie and Shane were very sure about going small and intimate. To help them achieve that, they hired a local wedding planner team to deal with all the logistics of the day. As they are from Australia, it was crucial to be able to trust a local wedding planner to help them plan from afar!

Skip what is not important for you, don’t waste your energy in traditional wedding steps if you don’t want them at your wedding. If you only have 10 or 20 guests, you probably don’t need formal invitations, it might be lovely to personally call each one to invite your guest. If you won’t have a big band playing, big set of party lights and a big cake, you may extend your wedding for one more day with your small group and experience more quality time with them. Wisely spend your budget to enhance what’s more important to you and creating an unforgettable experience for you and your guest is what every couples wishes. We are so thankful to Natalie and Shane for inviting us to be part of such a small and intimate group of people and be their destination wedding cinematographer. It was a pleasure being there and witnessing your super sweet wedding vows.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/263497880 600 338]

Cinematography: Happy Together Films | Event Planning: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | Celebrant: Elena Petrucci | Villa: Casa al Bosco

Next to tiny weddings and sheer wedding dresses, destination celebrations are by far the most popular trend on SMP. And guess what? This gorgeous affair features all three of those very trends and does so in a way that will easily turn said trends into timeless must-haves. Set against the backdrop of Positano, Italy with a gown fit for a princess and a groom who is so clearly in love, this wedding was built by friends and family and a tiny but mighty group of destination vendors – like Carmen Santorelli behind the camera and The Amalfi Experience helping with coordination. And the result is the kind of loveliness that we crave all. day. long.

From the Bride…I feel so fortunate to tell people that we wouldn’t have changed a single thing when looking back at our wedding day. Donny and I have always been up for an adventure. After reloading halfway across the country, we knew that neither of our home towns were fitting for our wedding. We always knew we wanted to do something a little bit out of the ordinary, and little did he know, before he proposed, I already had my heart set on a European destination wedding.

Really for us there were only a few things that were a MUST: A Catholic Church, close to the beach, intimate, and anything but a standard “check the box wedding” for our guests. When I started scrolling the internet for a location, Positano couldn’t have been more fitting. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta was located steps from the beach, Rada Restaurant overlooked the ocean, and there was a discoteca located on the lower level of the restaurant. Perfection.

Don’t get me wrong, planning a wedding across the world wasn’t always easy, but we stuck to a timeless romantic theme and took advantage of the beautiful Italian elements. After deciding on the church and location for dinner, I hired The Amalfi Experience to help with reservations and day of coordination. I knew I wanted to let the Italian backdrop speak for itself, therefore, we kept things simple and did most everything on our own.

Our invitation suite was created by one of my college girlfriends Libby from “Libby Rae Studio”. She brought my vision of Italian tiles and lemons to life in our crest and watercolor details page. I ended up using her designs throughout the entire event including welcome gifts and day of stationary.

Looking back, one of the funniest and most chaotic parts of the entire day was regarding flowers. My mom has prior floral experience, and we thought it would be fun to design and decorate ourselves. We put in a large loose flower order and the morning of the wedding my dad hiked up the streets of Positano to grab our order, which of course, was at the very top!

I have to thank my sister-in-law and best friend for helping decorate the restaurant. And then the two of them, plus my mom, for creating my beautiful bouquet minutes before our first look. Yes, we got married in Positano, Italy, but for us it was much more than that. We accomplished our goal of creating a unique experience for those that mean the most to us. All of the right people were there and the trip was exactly what we wanted. I am so thankful we chose Carmen to capture every single moment in the most genuine fashion.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography | Wedding Coordinator: The Amalfi Experience | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Ceremony Venue: Church Of Santa Maria Assunta | Reception Venue: Rada | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Mark Patterson | Getting Ready: Casa Buonocore | Hair Artist: Piero Mansi | Paper: Libby Rae Studio

Do you remember this wedding? A California affair infused with personality, culture and the sweetest Bride and Groom. Fast forward three years and this crazy cute duo is celebrating their wedding anniversary in style with a trip to the shores of Lake Como and the talented Rebecca Yale in tow. I mean, how stunning is this gallery?

From Rebecca Yale Photography… I had the pleasure of photographing Alex and Bridgette’s engagement session three years ago at the beautiful Italian inspired Sunstone Vineyard in Santa Ynez (which was featured here on SMP) so it was only natural that we headed to Italy to photograph their anniversary session!

We spent the week exploring Como with friends taking an afternoon at the gorgeous Villa D’Este to capture some portraits in honor of their two year anniversary. 

The bride and groom made the occasion a little more special by wearing a darker version of the same dress she wore at her engagement session as well as her wedding shoes, while the groom brought along the same suit he wore at Sunstone.

Photography: Rebecca Yale | Dress: Anthropologie | Shoes: Oscar De La Renta

After getting engaged in Ireland, this Bride and Groom set their sights on Italy for a true alfresco wedding experience. And if dining under a sea of olive branches doesn’t fit the bill, then we don’t know what does. Elegant white florals by Malafronte are paired with the prettiest Italian details choreagraphed by Tanya Matthews Event Design + The Amalfi Experience and all captured by true artists – Sylvie Gil and Weddings on Film. Get lost in the magic of the Amalfi Coast right here.

Jaimie & John got engaged in Ireland, and chose Europe again for their wedding. After some deliberation they settled on the gorgeous (and warm!) Amalfi Coast in Italy for nuptials.

For a pre-wedding brunch, the couple boated their guests out to Positano, and the wedding itself was held on the cliffs of Ravello, overlooking the coast.

  Simple flowers – white and cream hydrangeas and cabbage roses – allowed the beautiful and rugged landscape to speak for itself.

Traditional Italian accents, like an Italian wedding cake and other confections, helped the ceremony feel at home in the setting. The reception was held under a canopy of olive branches.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Videography: Weddings on Film | Floral Design: Armando Malafronte | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Catering: Belmond Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast | Makeup: Ashley Brook Perryman | Hair: Antonino Santoro | Calligraphy: Penned By Palmer | Lighting: Antares | Men's Attire: George Cleverley | Transportation: Amalfi Coast Private Car | Bride's Attire: Anne Barge | Bridesmaids' Attire: Lula Kate | Cakes & Desserts: Belmond Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast | Ceremony & Reception: Belmond Hotel Caruso | Music & Entertainment: RMS Srl | Paper Suite: The Lettered Olive | Planning & Design: The Amalfi Experience | Planning & Design: Tanya Matthews Event Design | Rentals: Pressed Fine Linens | Veil: Anne Barge

Italy. A land filled with incredible history, indelible charm and a beauty that will capture your heart forever. It’s on almost everyone’s bucket list… and if it’s not, it should be.  From the rustic countryside to the old world elegance of such remarkable cities as Turin, Italy offers it all. Today, we’ll share some destination wedding inspiration that we hope will remind you of that history… the elegance and artistic expression gathered together by a team of wedding pros weaving the past with the present in a rich and luxurious way. Designed by Chiara Viarisio and captured by Pure White Photography , this shoot takes you to a time and a place that will leave you wanting for more.

From wedding planner, Chiara Viarisio… Today I would like to tell you about an unusual marriage… a marriage celebrated between the beauty of art and the romance of a wedding setting. The location we chose for this union was Ristorante Del Cambio in the centre of Turin. We organize weddings all over Piedmont, but I have a special bond with Turin, my hometown, which I adore because of its refinement and great variety of architectural styles.

Our bride’s dress was selected to harmonize with the details of the overall setting. It is from Elena Pignata’s collection and is elegant and refined, with precise and determined lines. It has some of the Turin-based fashion designer’s trademark features, such as a wide mikado skirt and a lace corset. The bride’s look is completed by a special circlet created by Cristina Signorina using an antique crafting technique. The minute flowers are made of ceramic and then individually dipped in virgin beeswax.

The first photographs of our bride and groom, together, were taken in Carignano Square, with the building of the Senate as a backdrop. The groom also wore an Elena Pignata suit, with details in line with the colour scheme of the event, a maroon bowtie and a floral item in the breast pocket. To further enhance the look of the wedding couple, the jeweler Giverso designed the cufflinks worn on the groom’s tailor-made shirt and the jewels that made the bride ever more beautiful.

The venue, enhanced by 19th-century decor and furnishings, hosts works by Pistoletto, Gamper, and Patkin. The essence of this historic restaurant can be summarized in three keywords: memories, style and innovation. The ornaments and decor create a sumptuous atmosphere steeped in history. Our team knew that Del Cambio would be the perfect spot for inspiring couples who love vibrant color and rich details.

To complement this combination of historic charm and innovative elements, we used marble tables, with wonderful stemware and china. Pink, magenta, and green were key colours of the floral displays. Everything worked together to enhance the distinct character and warmth of the room… the intense shades, fit perfectly with the walls of the hall and a sense of solemnity and sophistication was present in each and every detail. The gold hues of the candleholders, glasses, and under-plates, together with the other colours chosen for the setup, created a harmonic whole that perfectly matches the ambience of Del Cambio.

The underplates designed by Izhar Patkin deserve a special mention. Patkin, a New York-based artist originally from Israel, has been working on the concept of “ruins”: objects and creatures that are at risk of disappearing from reality and that the artist wants to save through his creative re-elaboration. As part of his collaboration with the famous French porcelain manufacturer, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Patkin completed a unique project for Del Cambio: 150 plates “discarded” by the producer due to slight imperfections were hand-personalised by the artist with references to the name and history of the restaurant. 

Photography: Purewhite Photography | Wedding Planner: Chiara Viarisio | Floral Design: Mutabilis | Wedding Dress: Elena Pignata Bridal | Stationery: Cristina Pi | Venue: Ristorante Del Cambio | Bridal Headpiece: Cristina e signorina | Jewels: Giverso Gioielli | Make Up Artist: Arianna Manghisi

From the Bride… Planning our wedding was the most fun, rewarding and exciting project I’ve worked on in my entire life. And now that it’s over, I miss it dearly! My advice for those planning?  Cherish each and every moment!  Because once it’s over, I guarantee you, you will want to relive it all. Even those minute decisions that took so much longer than they should have. I remember spending an entire Sunday analyzing ribbon length for the bouquets… yikes! A few pointers: #1 Fall in LOVE with your photographers! That’s what Jeff and I did with Peter and Veronika Photography. #2 Give yourself plenty of time for photos… lighting is so important! #3 For goodness sakes… wear comfortable shoes! 

One of the most important decisions Jeff and I made was in choosing our photographer. We narrowed it down to a list of seven, and then ranked their portfolios individually (privately). Needless to say, when we compared our lists, and had both chosen the same photographer, we were thrilled! Peter and Veronika ranked as our number one, hands down. We also loved the idea of using our  engagement shoot as a time to make sure Peter and Veronika would be right for us on our wedding day. Needless to say, they were all that and more, which made hiring them for our wedding one of our easiest decisions.

I started wedding planning a year and a half before Jeff and I were engaged. No judging! We had been dating six years, lived together; it was just a matter of time and a girl gets excited!! Also, the fact that I had my heart set on a destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast, well, there was a lot of research to be done to determine the feasibility of that dream. And planning a wedding in Italy, from California, without a planner takes a lot of time, like an obscene amount! You really have to enjoy putting in the research, which for me, I found to be incredibly fun and one of the most meaningful aspects of the wedding journey.

Jeff and I also started chatting with our closest friends and family about their thoughts on a destination wedding. These early chats were the key to the great turn out at our wedding; pretty much every guest we invited attended. Once we were engaged, it was officially planning go time!

The vision for our wedding was inspired by our wedding venue, Villa Magia. Built in the 18th century, its timeless beauty and sweeping views took our breath away. We wanted a venue in which every guest would arrive and be completely awestruck by the views and beauty around them.

On the wedding day itself, the ceremony was our favorite part of the entire day, which was a surprise to us. Jeff and I had coordinated our vows in advance so they would be similar in tone, length and structure. We also had a meaningful instrumental song play in the background during the vows, to add to the emotion. The mixture of music, setting, emotion and tone brought tears to all. It seemed too good to be true.

We then had an hour and a half cocktail party on the pool deck at the villa. We were so thrilled to hire a local accordion/bass duo that played traditional Neapolitan music during this time.

I drew design inspiration from Joy Proctor (from Style Me Pretty!) and even Marie Antoinette. Our goal was to have our wedding feel as timeless as possible, with neutral colors, lace, ribbons, vintage tabletop pieces, tapered candles, calligraphy, vintage stamps, handmade paper, and a ten person big band that played from dinner until the end of the night.

One of our favorite wedding moments was when everyone sat down to dinner. Sweeping views all around us, beautiful candlelight, the big band kicking off; watching all of our guests smile with absolute delight and amazement was something we will never forget. The pinnacle of our happiness came when guests thanked us for giving them “the best event they will ever go to in their lives.”

SOOOO much more of Jeff and Elaine’s wedding from Peter and Veronika on their blog ~ right HERE!

If you’re not totally convinced how awesome their photography is ~ take a look at Elaine and Jeff’s TWO engagement shoots:

 ~ Romantic Engagement Evening in Ravello ~

~Sunrise Engagement Shoot in Positano~

Photographer: Peter & Veronika | Event Designer: Floretally | Floral Design: Rosalinda Flowers | Wedding Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Flagship Boutique | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Makeup: Joanna Falanga | Makeup: StyleBee | Hair: Piero Mansi | Band and Musicians: Wedding Music | Bridal Boutique: Lace and Bustle Bridal | Bridesmaids' Cami and Short Set: BHLDN | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Suite: Shasta Bell Calligraphy | Rentals: Allestimenti le Rose | Villa: Villa Magia

Dreamy destination wedding shoots are just one of the many things we love about what we see every day  on Style Me Pretty… our imaginations soar to all new heights! The amazing vendors who pull together all the details in the most romantic and do-able ways are our heroes. Today’s romantic wedding inspiration shoot, planned and designed by Sweet Love & Confettis, will take you to the shores of Lake Como, to Villa Balbiano. From there, we’ll let the images from Maddy Christina and film from Stephane M tell the rest of the story!

From Maddy Christina… This styled shoot is above all else, a beautiful study in contrasts. We had the honor of being able to organize our shoot at one of the most beautiful locations on Lake Como, the Villa Balbiano. We wanted to create a refined, elegant and soft styled shoot… finding that perfect balance between Italy and the famous “French Touch”.

Our color palette and textural elements contributed to the marriage of the French-Italian experience… brilliant shades of blue-green in the water and surrounding landscape contrasted beautifully with the velvety softness of the linens and stationery. The vibrancy of the fruit and floral design from Emily Alarcan in our tablescape played charmingly against the stone walkways and architectural elegance.  The three-tiered cake from Delicatesse Cake was a masterful combination of modern design and romantic imagination.  Brightly colored wisteria on the property served as the finishing touch for this extraordinary experience.

Our real life newlyweds came from Luxembourg to spend the day with us!

The beautiful stationery suite with hand-lettered calligraphy was designed by Callyane. From the adventures that began the moment our couple launched the Riva Boat trip to reach the famous Villa Balbiano… to the race for the perfect lighting under the harsh yet sometimes powerful Italian sun, it was a day filled with wonderful contrasts from the beginning. The French Touch in Italy from a truly united team!

Enjoy the day in it’s entirety in this short film from Little Black Book cinematographer, Stephane M 

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/269147666 600 338]

Photography: Maddy Christina | Cinematography: Stephane M | Wedding Planner: Marine Lebeaux | Wedding Dress: Elisa Ness | Cake: Delicatesse Cake | Stationery: Callyane S. | Ring: Pierre Lorin | Hair + Makeup: Justine Chery Makeup | Suit: father & son's | Venue: Villa Balbiano | Flower Designer: Emily Alarçon | Rentals: Tableset | Ribbons: Le Temps File | Riva Boat: Como Classic Boat

From Chiara with Weddings in Tuscany… We decided to organize the shoot at Villa Barberino for its beautiful Italian style gardens, which provided an absolutely perfect outdoor courtyard setting. Set halfway up the hill separating the Valdarno and Chianti Valleys, Villa Barberino dates back to the 14th-century. It was an amazing day working with some of the finest wedding vendors.

We used predominantly soft pastels – adding to the overall theme of romance. Our bride’s lush organic bouquet was created with fresh seasonal flowers from the garden.

The bride wore a tulle and lace gown designed by Adi Shlomo with lovely embroidered shoes from Bella Belle. The groom’s attire is by Menguin.

Usually, a Tuscan color palette is predominantly warm. We balanced the colors from the villa walls and its surroundings with the colors in our floral design. With a blush pink color palette, the stationery designed by Nicole of Every Little Letter was the perfect addition to a beautifully styled table setting. A soft pink velvet tablecloth and inlaid white plates completely enhanced the romantic feeling.

Audrey Norman, is a talented and passionate photographer. As you can see, she has the great ability to not only capture details but incredible moments.

There’s so much for from this beautiful wedding inspiration shoot in the full gallery!

Photographer: Audrey Norman | Event Design + Styling: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | Floral Design: Chiara Sperti | gown: adishlomo.bridal | stationery: Every Little Something | shoes: Bella Belle | jewelry: Lindsay Marie Design | rings: Susie Saltzman | hair and make up: Silvia Gerzeli | Groom's Attire: Menguin | Venue: Villa Barberino | Veil: Ariel Taub | bridal salon: La Belle Salon | furnitures: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | ribbons + napkins: Allegoria Textile Delights

From Marco Caputo Films… The wedding of Feiping Chang, an Instagram fashion star and founder of the lifestyle website xoxoFei.com, and financier Lincoln Li spanned over three incredible days in June of 2017. After scouting wedding locations, they fell in love with Villa Lysis. The local government had never allowed a wedding to be held there, so the couple felt honored to be the first. The ceremony took place in the gardens of the villa, facing the sea and overlooking a breathtaking view of Capri. 

This short wedding film from Marco Caputo captures the spectacular festivities in all their glory!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/227397683 600 338]

Having spent summers vacationing in Capri, there was no doubt about where Feiping and Lincoln wanted to have their wedding when they started planning the extravaganza with Diana Sorensen of Sugokuii Events. Guests sat on cushion-lined stairs that led from the doorway of the villa to the garden. The bride walked down the aisle with her father to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. 

From the Bride… The architecture and the mountaintop location are incredible. It has a romantic, almost mystical history, and holds a lot of sentimental value to the people of Capri. We wanted the natural beauty of the location to be the focus, so we wrapped the tree trunks in white peonies and covered the entire floor in wildflower heads.

For my ceremony dress, I wanted a dramatic tulle creation that felt like a fantasy brought to life. Giamba really went above and beyond and created a spectacular masterpiece. I felt like I was wrapped in a cloud pulled right from the sky.  

Cinematography: Marco Caputo Films | Event Design: Sugokuii Weddings Capri | Wedding Dress: Giambattista Valli | Jewelery: Nirav Modi | Villa: Lysis

From Vanessa, the Bride… Our wedding was in a town in Florence called Barberino Val D’elsa, the perfect setting for our intimate Tuscan wedding. We married on September 5th 2017, and celebrated our reception at Borgo Petrognano. What made our wedding special was not only the setting and the love we received from our friends and family; but also that our vision was brought to life. From the catering, music, flowers and lighting; everything was perfect and exactly how we pictured it when we began our planning 2 years prior. Our thanks to our wedding planner, Germana at Super Tuscan Wedding Planners for all their help!

More from the couple… We wanted a small romantic wedding with amazing food, wine, scenery and we got exactly that! As it was a September wedding we chose to be more on the neutral side of colorways using a lot of blush pinks, ivory and also complementing it with navy, marsala for a hint of bold color. My engagement ring is on a rose gold band, so we wanted small hints of rose gold throughout the decor as well. We wanted the style to express minimalist meets romantic.

Our photographer, Ann-Kathrin Koch, was a dream! She was the very first photographer we contacted (of the many we reached out to) and I knew she would be the one we hire after reading her views on wedding photography. On her website she mentions “You are planning a destination wedding…… You are out in the countryside with the sun setting over the green rolling hills and all you can think of is how amazing it would be to have all your friends there with you to celebrate.” This was something we remained true to during the entire wedding process and it was greatly appreciated that our photographer understood how important enjoying our wedding with our loved ones is. Her photos were flawless, we wouldn’t have chosen anyone else!

Inspiration behind the day: We searched for other Tuscan weddings or al fresco weddings to come up with our inspiration. We found that a lot of weddings made special use of lighting so we wanted to make sure our dinner setting was picturesque.

Floral Design: Our floral designer, Flowers Living, was recommended to us. She was able to guide us on the types of flowers to use. Marta completely understood our vision!

The Venue: We wanted a place where most of our family and friends would be able to stay that had a pool and breath-taking views of the town. We had a guest list of 50.

My Wedding Dress: I aimed to find a dress that fit in with the location of the wedding. Something romantic, with delicate detailing and that wasn’t overwhelming in size. Accessories were chosen on what complimented the dress.

The Wedding Party Fashion:  Our bridesmaids wore a blush pink due to the color scheme, the dresses aimed to be more airy and lightweight. Since Florence is still warm in early September, it was important that the dresses weren’t too heavy.

DIY projects for the day: The welcome bags given to each guest who stayed at Borgo Petrognano included essential toiletries, slippers, mints and even water bottles!

Favorite memories of the day: Two memories that stand out are leaving the chapel as newlyweds and driving through the town and soaking in the hills, all of the grape vines along the route and feeling the tuscan breeze. The other memory is our first look of the set-up for dinner as a moment we will never forget, it completely blew us away!

Music choices: During dinner we played slower r&b songs from the 90’s and early 2000’s (artists like Monica, Alicia Keys, Maxwell) as well as some trendy hits from 2017 (artists like Ed Sherran, SZA, and Rihanna). We also played some Spanish ballads from artists like Chayanne and Luis Miguel. After dinner it was more upbeat salsa, and reggaeton as well as some party music from 2017.

Videographer: The team at EmotionalMovie were a joy to work with. The team was very professional throughout the entire day of the wedding but also made us feel very relaxed and even entertained us! Daniele was very accommodating and helped us customize a package that worked within our budget and must have features.

Advice for brides planning now: Be patient, organized and understand you can’t control the uncontrollable. If I learned anything during this wedding planning is to enjoy the process but also start planning with more than enough time that you are not consumed by it. It is important to remember what your main goal is: to marry the love of your life. All of the decor, lighting, music, food and stationery come second to this point. Try not to stress about the small stuff (easier said than done) and remember once the day comes it ends in a blink of an eye so take moments during the wedding to soak it all in!

Photography: Ann-Kathrin Koch Photography | Videography: Emotionalmovie | Wedding Planner: Super Tuscan Wedding Planners | Flowers: Flowers Living | Ceremony Venue: Church of Sant'Appiano | Reception Venue: Borgo Petrognano | Bride's Shoes: Steve Madden | Groom's Attire: SRG Fashion | Bride's Dress: Christos | Hair + Make-Up: Adrienne Aereboe

Even though temps soared well over 100 degrees, Abby and Jeff’s guests were perfectly content celebrating the day. A wedding that dreams are made of. Seriously, who wouldn’t enjoy a yummy outdoor Tuscan dinner party, great Italian wine, surrounded by their close friends and family? Enjoy these sun-soaked images from Les Amis Photo and film by Marco Caputo Films. Wedding Planning by Exclusive Italy Weddings. See the full real wedding feature on Les Amis Photo’s blog [HERE]. 

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/255542025 600 338]

From the bride… Jeff and I wanted to have a civil ceremony in Florence. We envisioned a reception at a Villa that would basically be a big outdoor dinner party under the stars with great food and great wine and all of our closest family and friends that turns into a dance party to the “classics” afterwards! We both have more sophisticated and traditional tastes, but we didn’t want that to mean “stuffy.” Casual elegance probably best suits our style. There were so many good options and we loved all of the sites but our favorite was Villa Le Fontanelle. Even during a heat-wave and wedding day temperatures of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, we had guests commenting on how “this looked like a Vogue wedding. If your guests can forget the heat and appreciate the beauty of an event, you know that what you’ve got is special!

Style Me Pretty Full Gallery is HERE!

Photography: Les Amis Photo | Videography: Marco Caputo Films | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Wedding Bands: David S. Diamonds | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Needle + Thread | Catering: Roland's | Make Up: Lara Navarrini | Bride Shoes: Valentino | Bride's Earings: Tiffany & Co. | Flower Designer: Jardin Divers | Planning and Design: Exclusive Italy Weddings | Save the Date: Paper on Pine | Stationary wedding Suit: Two Paperdolls | Villa: Villa Le Fontanelle

Whenever I speak to photographers about the kind of photos we like to see, I talk about the white space. The quiet, simple images that give us a chance to breathe through the wedding so that we can really appreciate every moment. Every detail. This wedding is the quiet that every one of us needs. Photographed by utter perfection by TheCabLook Fotobook and designed Bianco Bouquet in beautiful Tuscany, it is the tiniest wedding with the grandest heart we’ve ever seen. Full gallery here.

From THECABLOOK FOTOLAB… The San Galgano Abbey was the suggestive backdrop of this intimate and romantic wedding. Allen and Vivian, a young couple from Los Angeles, flew to Tuscany together with 10 closest friends and relatives to realize their dreamy Tuscan wedding. Immediately, they got in touch with our planning team at Bianco Bouquet, Florence, sharing their love story and their wishes…and we were super happy to work with such a special couple, so in love since forever.

They were looking for a ceremony location with an authentic Tuscan vibe, and when we proposed the San Galgano Abbey, they immediately fell in love with this place! This is an ancient in-ruins church, with no ceiling, in the middle of the Tuscan countryside – a perfect place for civil and symbolic ceremonies.

Here you can breath the history and you can live the incredible feeling of being in a church, surrounded by centuries of history – looking at the sky at the same time. And on that September day, the sky was incredibly pure and light!

The bride always dreamed about her wedding and was attentive to every single detail. The chosen color palette was green, blush and white, and the style was a perfect mix of Tuscan country romance and pure elegance. The flower designer – Il Giardino delle Fate – designed a romantic bouquet that fit perfectly with the bridal gown by Tara Lauren, and all the wedding decorations were made with english roses, peonies and greenery.

The civil ceremony was cozy and intimate and immediately after, the newlyweds had a couple photo session with Darya as it was important to eternalize every single moment and every emotion. The reception took place in the close by Borgo Santo Pietro, a stunning resort surrounded by the quiet of the Tuscan hills. Here, everything is a perfect balance of relaxation, luxury, charm and authentic country architecture. And in one of the gardens, under the pergola, a spectacular reception table was set up for impress the guests: a small table for 10 people, under a ceiling of chandeliers and hanging candle boules, decorated with a greenery garland with roses, peonies, candles and vintage tuscan candleholders.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Event Planning + Design: Bianco Bouquet Weddings | Floral Design: Il Giardino Delle Fate | Wedding Gown: Tara Lauren | Reception Venue: Borgo Santo Pietro | Hair + Make Up: Lidija Malinovskaja | Wedding Venue: San Galgano Abbey

Emily had been dreaming of an outdoor ceremony overlooking Lake Como accompanied by a celebratory boat ride for the months leading up to her Italian destination wedding, but when the forecast the day of called for rain, she had to make the tough decision to move things under a tent. Luckily, Happy Moments Collector was there to expertly execute plan B, and now the bride reflects, “Looking back, all I remember is that September 9th was the most beautiful and magical day of our lives.” And we have to be honest – with the mist over the mountains, the dreamy draping of the tent, and the lovely images by Thcablookfotolab, everything looked picture perfect in our book.

From planner Anastasia Aslanyan, founder of Happy Moments Collector…. This wedding was on the 9th of September, and usually we are still having summer on Lake Como, but last year it was something extraordinary – quite chilly, and the forecast was showing heavy rain all day long with wind. Of course, we had a plan B, but we were all a bit worried. And what can I say? All the guests and the couple were telling us that it was even more cozy, memorable, and special because of the rain. Not all weddings are on sunny days, and couples are always worried about this point. Usually it is their nightmare. But we assured Emily and Michael that rainy weather could still be beautiful and unique. The only thing is you must have a well-organized plan. You know, in Italy they have a proverb, ”Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata.” that means that rain on the wedding day brings good luck to the bride. And we are sure that Emily and Michael will have their happily ever after.

The theme of the wedding was elegant simplicity, with a color palette of white, ivory, blush, olive green, and touch of gold. You can see it starting with the stationery and finishing with the small details. We couldn’t help adorning the lovely dog of the couple with the wreath on his neck. It walked down the aisle with the groomsmen, opening the ceremony. 

From the bride… Michael and I have quite a love story. He is originally from Germany, and I was born in Canada, but we met eight years ago at a surf camp in Costa Rica. We fell in love and ended up dating long distance for four years before he moved to California to be with me. We got engaged in Big Sur, California, and had dreamed of getting married on the coast of California, but after a trip to Lake Como, Italy, we fell absolutely in love with the idea of an Italian wedding. It was the best decision we made as the food, wine, and romantic atmosphere can’t be beat.

I found our wedding planner, Anastasia, on Style Me Pretty, and all of her weddings were so beautiful, so I knew she would be able to execute our ideas perfectly. Every day for two weeks leading up to the wedding, I would check the weather reports. The night before, the radar was calling for 100% chance of rain, and I became so upset even though everybody told me not to worry. I had been dreaming of our beautiful, floral arch overlooking the lake, our guests enjoying cocktails in the garden, and us taking a sunny boat ride for photos. Our friends and family all traveled from far away to be with us, and I wanted it to be the perfect day spent outdoors. On the morning of the wedding, we had to make a decision, and I wanted to so badly have it outside, but our planner, Anastasia, suggested we move everything under the tent. Halfway through our ceremony, the winds picked up, and it started raining. Looking back, all I remember is that September 9th was the most beautiful and magical day of our lives. It didn’t matter that the rain ruined my hair and my dress was destroyed, because the only memories we have now are that everything felt perfect.

My advice to other brides planning an outdoor wedding would be to not panic when you see rain in the forecast because your wedding will be the best day of your life regardless of the weather. Your guests are there to celebrate your day, and the rain won’t stop them from having an amazing time. Also, don’t be afraid to take some chances in the rain. We almost canceled our boat ride when we knew it would be raining, but our favorite photos from the day were taken in the rain. The way the fog and the mist rolled through the mountains was truly stunning.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Event Planning: Happy Moments Collector | Floral Design: Flower Haute Couture | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Invitations: Sydney Beth Designs | Rings: Mark Broumand | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Needle & Thread | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Fame And Partners | Catering: Sunlake Catering | Groom's Attire: Loro Piana | Venue: Villa Geno

This is not a styled shoot. We repeat, this is not a styled shoot. So you better believe we’re obsessed with this drop-dead-gorgeous couple’s modern elopement planned by Weddings by Silke, which took place at Masseria Moroseta. It is hard to pick what we love most about it all, but a strong contender is the bride’s beautiful and natural style, from her Cortana gown fit for Juliet to her romantic hair and makeup by Sara Onori and Frank Giacone. See it all in the dreamy gallery captured by Lilli Kad Photography.

Agnesa and Francesco are a very unconventional, modern couple. They knew they didn’t want the very traditional Italian wedding and decided to elope. It was always going to be hard and expensive to have their vision incorporated at a big, over-100-people wedding, and so they decided to have two celebrations. The first one was to celebrate their love with only a handful of their closest of friends, exactly the way they had imagined it. They found the Masseria Moroseta in Puglia, which was perfect, and they fell in love with this magical place. It has all the minimalistic elements that they love combined with the southern Italy feel.

Their wedding day started with waking up together at this magnificent venue, and they allowed Lillikad Photography to capture these intimate moments in bed before they prepared for their intimate ceremony together rather then separately. Agnesa wanted to feel comfortable and therefore got a beautiful, textured, simple gown from Cortana Bridal with the softest silk tulle you can imagine. Her styling was stunning as the makeup artist, Sara Onori, and the hairstylist, Frank Giacone, highlighted the natural prettiness of Agnesa. Francesco wore a dark blue suit and a white shirt, which complemented his magnificent eyes to perfection.

Floweraddicted Angelica created the beautiful bouquet in neutral, soft tones along the color palette of the venue. The ceremony on this hot day in September took place under a shady spot in the beautiful garden of the Masseria, which is filled with the prettiest plants of this area. Inspired by the venue, the styling of the stunning wedding table was kept very simple to highlight the minimalistic elements. Planner and stylist, Weddings by Silke, used just an antique white runner, napkins by Silk + Willow, and the beautiful handmade porcelain of the Masseria Moroseta.

The couple didn’t just enjoy the day at the Masseria, but also stayed a couple of nights there to really enjoy the venue. This was a completely modern – not traditional – elopement, which had our hearts singing. They had a few elements like the venue and the film photography they knew they wanted to ensure that the memory of this day would last forever. A month later, Agnesa and Francesco did have a big party that their family organized, which was to celebrate with their wider family and gave them the best of both worlds.

Photography: Lilli Kad Photography | Floral Design: Flower Addicted | Wedding Dress: Cortana | Stationery: Nicnillas Ink | Jewelry: Delbrenna | Makeup: Sara Onori | Hair: Frank Giacone | Venue: Masseria Moroseta | Bridal Boutique: Feinstens | Event Planning + Styling: Weddings by Silke | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Headpiece: Nea Bridal | Linens: Silk and Willow

Whenever I hear Lake Como, I tend to think Clooney but that may no longer be the case. After oohing and aahing over Marta Guenzi’s gallery right here, I can’t stop thinking about this wedding, the elegance, romance and the straight up style of it all. Beautiful white blooms burst everywhere, with pops of bright lemons and sweet kisses from the beaming Bride and Groom; it’s stunning to say the least. See our new King and Queen of Lake Como right this way – and don’t miss Alessandro Bordoni’s film below that captured the magic live!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/233521629 600 338]

From Marta Guenzi… One requirement of any visit to Lake Como is a cruise of the lake by boat. This not only allows for one to feel instantly glamorous, but also allows for an uninterrupted vantage point from which to take in the steep Alpine foothills that line Como’s perimeter and the many historic villas that dot its shores. If you’re particularly lucky and your captain is especially experienced, he’ll know which buildings warrant a closer peek and he’ll steer just close enough to those so that the eye may roam freely and the imagination may run wild.

The villa that most captures the wildest imaginations is a very grand mansion on the western branch of the lake. This villa is known as Villa Sola Cabiati, or —to those in the know— La Quiete. It is famous for being one of the most stunning villas in a wonderland of stunning villas, and also for being the 18th-century vacation home of the very wealthy Duke Gabrio Serbelloni. It was his children who transformed La Quiete into its current Baroque dream, filling it with a museum’s worth of paintings, frescoes, porcelains, tapestries, and furnishings. And this is the place Tyisha and Thomas fell in love with when they started to plan their destination wedding in Italy.

The bride is from New York while the groom is from Stockholm, so their guests came half from the U. S. and half from Northern Europe. And who doesn’t get excited at the prospect of going somewhere gorgeous and unique to exchange vows? What I love about a destination wedding is the feeling of adventure that binds all the participants and this was exactly what I felt during the two days I spent with this amazing couple and their guests.

The wedding weekend started with a boat cruise at sunset and culminated the day after with the religious ceremony at the Church of the Ascension in Cadenabbia followed by an elegant reception at Villa Sola Cabiati in Tremezzina. I loved every minute of this intimate celebration, from the bride getting ready inside the historical rooms doing a pillow fight with the bridesmaids, to the first look in the fern-flecked Italian garden, to the moving religious ceremony, to the relaxing dinner around the imperial table overlooking the lake. Tyisha and Thomas were inspired by typical Italian fruits like lemons and white flowers that in summer adorn the shores of Lake Como. So they designed their watercolored stationery using these elements and chose to decorate the imperial dinner table with a mic of flowers and fruits: lemons, lisianthus, roses, eucalyptus and olive branches. The floral designers, Maurizio Buzzi and Luca Perini by Haute Couture Flower, suggested the spouses to set the dinner under the stars, in the upfront garden of the villa, overlooking the lake. What a better place to have fun and listen to the most touching speeches by the closest friends and family? I won’t steal more time and I’ll leave you with the images of this lovely day!

Photography: Marta Guenzi Photographer | Videography: Alessandro Bordoni | Floral Design: Haute Couture Flower | Ceremony Venue: Church Of Ascension | Reception Venue: Grand Hotel Tremezzo | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Maison du Food | Hair + Makeup: Daniela Guanziroli | Music: Blunotte Events