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Classic Tuscan Villa Wedding

For the record, this Vera Wang number is my new dream dress. It’s classic, ethereal and chic all at once, so it’s no surprise this bride chose it for her Tuscany dream wedding photographed by Katie Grant. From the frame-worthy scenery at every angle to the five-course meal by Galateo Ricevimenti, guests were spoiled in the very best way, and you can see for yourself inside THE VAULT.

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From Katie GrantMuted blush, olive green and warm sandstone sets the palette of this elegant and classic Tuscan wedding. Jesse and Samantha chose to marry in gorgeous Tuscany in late September; when the light over the rolling hills is long and golden and the days are warm and breezy. They invited a quaint and intimate pool of guests including family scattered across Europe.

After spending a week in Tuscany, they tied the knot under a custom made, white rose and olive branch adorned chuppah at the end of a grapevine covered archway. Guests enjoyed an upscale cocktail hour as Jesse and Samantha spent some alone time watching the sun set over the lush Tuscan hills. An exquisite 5 course meal followed, replete with the finest handmade pastas and local specialties. It was served Al Fresco at long tables under both twinkle lights and the Tuscan stars. The night was finished with an immaculate three tier cake that screamed of elegance and splendour. The real showstopper though was Samantha in her amazing muted blush Vera Wang gown. The color perfectly complimented their wedding venue and the surrounds, and Sam was absolutely radiant.

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Cinematography: Danny Camara | Event Planning: Tuscandream Weddings | Floral Design: Fiori Del Chianti | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bride's Shoes: Gianvito Rossi | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Avery-Christine Golson | Catering: GALATEO RICEVIMENTI FIRENZE - MILANO | Makeup: Giulia Cresci | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Borgo Petrognano | Photography - Assistance: Julian N. Photography

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Moody + Romantic Italian Engagement Inspiration

I love unique rings and this one right here takes the cake. Add in the sequined jacket and this bouquet by Isa Events and I’m drumming up plans for a chic new engagement shoot myself. Erika Parker snapped up all this style, making our VAULT look extra sparkly and shiny – see it all this way!

From Erika Parker… For the last year, I’d been planning a trip to Italy, I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t wait to eat spaghetti, and ravioli, and pizza, or to wander winding medieval streets. Then about six months into planning my trip, I woke up with the crazy idea, that if I was going to Italy, how in the world could I go and not plan a styled shoot while I was there? I had no idea how I would make this happen, but I emailed a handful of planners, some that I found online, and others that had been recommended.

Federica Beni was recommended to me by another photographer, and when she replied, I knew we would be a great fit. Sure enough, Federica and I had similar styles, and ideas for how we would want the shoot to go. We had an amazing engagement shoot in the little town of Sirolo. In the summertime, it’s a place people from all over Italy, and other parts of Europe, come to for the beautiful beach, and turquoise water.

The day we were there, it was still a bit chilly, and it was overcast, which I almost loved more. You don’t always have perfect weather on a wedding day or the day you schedule your engagement shoot. I thought this was so perfect. The fog had rolled in to the cliff side, and added a magical element to the beach. The town of Sirolo was perfect. It has been there since medieval times, which isn’t hard to imagine in its winding streets and stone walls. It was so amazing to collaborate with vendors from halfway around the world and be able to make this shoot come to life.

Peruse more engagement inspiration here!

Photography: Erika Parker Photography | Ring: Immago Jewels | Makeup: Melanie Curzi | Hair: Silvia Saudelli | Venue: Locanda Rocco | Event Planning + Styling: Federica Beni | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Floral Design + Stationery: ISA Events | Men's Suit: Luca Paolorossi | Tulle Gown + Jacket: Kurru Kurru

Elegant Italian Wedding Inspiration

The more blue, the better in my book. My favorite color by far, Amorology and Nomad Republic took the stylish shade and used it throughout this elegant shoot. From the Groom’s suit, to the beautiful tablescape and even sprinkled onto Tuscan Wedding Cake’s creation, blue shines in all its brilliance in these pics by Mademoiselle Fiona. Our VAULT is looking extra pretty these days – see it all here!

From Amorology… Our vision behind this Italian photo shoot was “Beauty and The Beholder,” reminding us that often chaos and beauty is intertwined. Inspired by the artistic culture of Florence, we teamed up with Nomad Republic for international consulting and vendor collaboration and dreamt up a design of hand-painted features and loose scribbles, with shades of inky-blue and indigo brushed onto plates and paper. Balancing vibrant colors with soft hues, dusty pink linens dressed the table while mix-matched indigo napkins brought in a playful pop of pattern.

With the rolling hills of the Tuscan hillside at La Bandita as a backdrop, Oak and The Owl created lush and flowing florals filled with texture. Using local foliage, natural greenery was woven into white blooms and infused with accents of pink and orange.

Playing with the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” we incorporated monocles into escort cards and bridal jewelry, which paired naturally with the antique brass and metallic table details and hand held mirrors. From the calligraphy to twisting white chairs, loose and romantic touches blended beautifully with effortless hair and makeup.

Place cards were finished with gold leafing and fortunes to greet guests at the table, with sayings such as “You are enveloped in grace” and “You create magic” again reminding us that beauty is where you find it.

Peruse more Italian wedding inspiration here!

Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography | Event Design + Styling: Amorology | Wedding Dress: The Dress Theory | Cake: TUSCAN WEDDING CAKES | Makeup + Hair: Ilaria Borgioli | Calligraphy: Nancy Hopkins Lettering | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: La Bandita | Dishes: Red Raven Studios | Floral Design + Styling: Oak And The Owl | Graphic Design: Peanut Press Creative | Hair Accessories: Twigs & Honey | International Consulting: Nomad Republic International | Ribbon: Bellame Ribbon | Second Dress: Madewell | Table Top: Hostess Haven

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Getaway Guide to Tuscany from The Honeymoonist

We love everything about Italy, from the stellar food and wine to the storied landscapes and art-filled churches. The country spans multiple regions, from the tiny towns along Lake Como to the wilds of rural Sicily. But for honeymoons and destination weddings, Tuscany wins our hearts. With easy access, rolling slopes, tidy rows of cypress trees, gorgeous stone villas and medieval-era castles looking down from the hilltops, this is the Italy of your dreams.

Where To Stay

Why settle with a villa when you can have a whole town? Monteverdi Tuscany is a boutique hotel set in a hilltop village in the scenic Val D’Orcia. The 15 apartments and villas are tucked on narrow cobblestone streets that date to medieval times, and updated with perks including a swimming pool and adorable enoteca that serves up wine and cheese with epic valley views. If you want to wed here, a partnership with NYC-based David Beahm Experiences makes gorgeous weddings a breeze.

Il Salviatino is a stunning 15th-century villa perched a hillside in Fiesole, just outside Florence. Explore the birthplace of the Renaissance at your leisure (a free shuttle takes you into town at will), then return to relax by the hillside pool and enjoy an aperitif as you watch the sun set over the red-roofed city. The terraced garden has the same view, and is ideal for wedding ceremonies.

A 12th-century castle-turned-country estate, Castello de Nero sits midway between Florence and Siena, in the heart of the Chianti region. The 50 rooms feature original furnishings and frescoed walls, and the 12-century wine cellar is the perfect place for private tastings or dinner. Wander the hiking trails through the 750-acre estate, then retreat to the ESPA spa for a wine-centric couples treatment…bliss. The beautifully resorted San Michele chapel is ideal for destination vows.

What To Do

Spend a day touring the streets and churches in charming Siena, or walk through the walled town of Lucca, birthplace of Puccini; both towns date to medieval times and are well worth a day trip (at least). Wine tasting is a must is Tuscany, with loads of options. Donatello himself is rumored to have bought wine from Castello di Nipozzano, just outside Florence, while Castiglian del Bosco (owned by the Ferragamo family) produces amazing brunellos in the Val D’Orcia. This gorgeous landscape begs to be explored, by foot, bicycle, horseback–whatever makes you happy. Some roads here date back to the Roman Empire, so you are literally traveling in the footsteps of history.

Where To Eat

Tuscany has its own regional specialties, so in addition to pasta and antipasti, look for bistecca alla Florentine (grilled steak), ribolita (a thick soup with beans and cabbage), and chinghiale (salami made from wild boar). Dopolavora Le Foce in Chianchiana Terme has been a popular meeting spot in the Val D’Orcia since 1939, and serves up hearty pastas and plates accompanied by their own to-die-for olive oils.

Buca di Sant’Antonio in Lucca has been serving tortelli lucchesi (meat-stuffed pasta) since 1782, and the atmosphere (think whitewashed walls and wood-beamed ceiling hung with copper pots) is as traditional as the food. In Florence, Enoteca Pinchiorre is the only regional restaurant to have garnered three Michelin stars, due to the passion of chef-owner Annie Feolde.

What To Pack

Tuscan weather is typically mild and sunny, ideal growing conditions for grapevines and olive trees. That said, the climate is diverse and the weather changeable depending on where you are. Summer brings heat and humidity, especially in August, which is why so many Italians head out of town at that time of year. (Also, note that air conditioning is not a given in Italy as it is in the U.S., so if you’re traveling in summer, check with your hotel or venue.) Winds blow frequently and it can be downright chilly in early spring and late fall, especially in the hilltop towns that overlook the grape fields. So come prepared, with layers to take on and off.

What To Buy

It’s impossible to travel through Tuscany and not buy wine. Per U.S. customs, you can bring back one liter of wine duty-free, or more if you declare it and pay duty, which is well worth it for special bottles you can’t find at home. Much like wine, the flavor of extra-virgin olive oil changes depending on the terroir as well as how it’s produced, so if you find one you love, pick it up. Handmade leather goods are a signature of the region; we love the chic selection at Maledetti Toscani, the Montepulciano-based purveyor of leather goods since 1848. The town of Montelupo Fiorentino was one of the most important ceramics centers during the Renaissance era, and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling colorful dishes and pottery.

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Honeymoon Guide: The Honeymoonist | Images 1-3: Feather + Stone | Image 4: Simply Bloom Photography | Image 5: Marisa Holmes

The Honeymoonist

Susan M, The Honeymoonist, Travel Expert
Romantic + Intimate Elopement in Tuscany

While I love a grand wedding, the truth is my heart beats a little louder for those small, intimate celebrations. Take this pair who jetset off to Italy to say “I Do”, and with the help of Super Tuscan Wedding Planners their day was Tuscany with a twist. From the sweetest vows, to the captures from Les Amis Photo, it’s the type of day that’ll have you destination dreaming and it’s all in THE VAULT!

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From Super Tuscan Wedding PlannersIn May 2015 a lovely couple called Fah and Richard decided to elope to Tuscany and have a super sweet, romantic wedding.

I arrived at the hotel to find Richard relaxing in the breakfast room with a cup of tea whilst writing some very romantic vows that he would later read to his beautiful bride.

Fah was in her room getting her hair and makeup done but soon joined Richard downstairs. After the couple had wrote their vows they headed back to their room to get ready, Fah wore a stunning dress by Monique Lhuillier with Jimmy Choo shoes, David Bridal veil and belt, her earrings and hairpiece were bought at a local boutique near her home. Richard wore a navy blue suit by Banana Republic and added a touch of color with a pink tie by Burberry, Stacy Adams shoes finished off his look.

After a first looks moment filled with love and adoration for each other in the hotel’s gardens, the couple headed to the exclusive Hotel Il Falconiere for the wedding ceremony that was held within the gardens under a pretty , rustic arch offering views of the glorious Tuscan countryside. The music from a single acoustic guitar accompanied the bride down the tree-lined isle. It was a very heartfelt ceremony and, I must admit, as they read each other their vows I was feeling rather emotional! A private toast followed the ceremony and then the couple took a walk around the hotel grounds and vineyards with their photographer (Les Amis) who did a great job as you can see in these amazing photos!

For dinner the happy couple had dinner on a very private little terrace overlooking the center of the stunning hilltop town of Cortona, there was an atmosphere of pure romance as they finished off an unforgettable day with a great meal and some of that famous Tuscan wine.

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See even more Tuscany weddings in THE VAULT! 

Photography: Les Amis Photo | Cinematography: Marco Abbatangelo | Floral Design: Super Tuscan Wedding Planners | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Ceremony Venue: Il Falconiere | Reception Venue: La Loggetta | Makeup: Gabriele Makeup | Hair: Tendenza Cortona | Groom's Attire: Banana Republic | Hotel: Villa Di Piazzano | Event Planning And Decor: Super Tuscan Wedding Planners | Groom's Shoes: Stacey Adams | Groom's Tie: Burberry | Veil: David's Bridal

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Romantic Lake Como Engagement Session

I’ve seen snippets of Lake Como’s beauty before but seeing these pics from Darya Kamalova of Thecablookfotolab brought my awe to a whole new level. Adding to Italy’s natural beauty, this handsome couple gave the region some serious competition, with the Bride-to-be’s red dress instantly added to my Pinterest style boards – see every amazing look in our VAULT right this way!

From Darya Kamalova of Thecablookfotolab… This engagement session leaves me speechless. The fire in the eyes of Kate and Artyom, the Lake Como view from the top of the mountain, the stunning burgundy maxi dress that was perfectly matching the bouquet and was a great bright spot on the yellow field background. Everything was so perfect that I wouldn’t change anything. We had fun taking the pictures in the movement, walking and running. Kate and Artyom were enjoying this last calm day before the crazy wedding day and it was amazing. I wish every couple could do this.

From the Bride-to-be… We shot this love-story a day prior to our wedding ceremony in the fields located in the mountains surrounding beautiful Lake Como. Planning this shoot I wanted something completely different from a wedding theme, I wanted to have a dark red dress instead of white wedding gown and a flower bouquet in colors similar to that dress. I didn’t want all the pastel colors which I’ve chosen for the wedding itself. And when I saw this dress on the Lulus website I immediately fell in love with it, there was only one size left and it was mine, like the dress was waiting for me. My fiance was wearing a white shirt and beige chinos. His look was casual but elegant at the same time. We were trying to find a perfect spot for the shoot in the mountains so that we would see the skyline with stunning Lake Como surrounded with the gorgeous mountains. We wanted to film our love together with this breathtaking view and fill the pictures with soft sunset light and fresh air. And although we were picturing fields covered with green grass at first, we fell absolutely in love with this one. It could not be better with the colors of the dress and my fiance’s outfit and it had all the views we wanted, that magic light and the air which played with the silk ribbons of my bouquet.

Peruse more Italian weddings + engagements here!

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: rattiflora | Dress: Lulu's | Bride's Shoes: Nine West | Hair + Makeup: Veronica Fiorello | Venue: Hotel Villa Cipressi | Ribbon: Silky Rivers

Romantic Hot Pink Borgo Wedding

I’ve not yet had the chance to visit the beauty that is Tuscany, but if I were to receive an invite to an intimate soiree in Italy like this one? I’d book my ticket faster than you can say “I do”. It’s the kind of wedding that goes hand in hand with candlelight, laughter, sweet floral crowns and blooming swings. You’ll find yourself hanging on every charming capture from Matthew Ree over in THE VAULT.

From Borgo Santo Pietro ItalyHaving a small intimate wedding in Tuscany Italy is a dream to many brides to be. The venue, Borgo Santo Pietro has its own sophisticated charm that doesn’t need much more to add. All the elements in the venue has amazing beauty of simplicity with such a inviting gesture. The couple invited small guests members for sit down dinner without big ceremonial event. They simply wanted to focus on having stress free gathering. But have all the guests member to enjoy the charm of Tuscany. Before the guests arrived, they decided to explore the area and capture the beauty around the country side of Tuscany.

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Peruse more weddings in Tuscany here!

Photography: MATTHEW REE PHOTOGRAPHY | Event Planning: Eventi Gaia Di Gaia Cinotti | Floral Design: Floralia | Wedding Dress: Zara | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Hair And Makeup: Daniela Delia | Lighting: Energy Events | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Borgo Santo Pietro | Photography - Assistance: CLY BY MATTHEW

Romantic Destination Wedding in Florence

Florence is my happy place, and why wouldn’t it be!? Because if those ancient cobble stone streets could talk they would sing of romance. Especially with weddings like this happening on the regular, you better bet it’s won our hearts big time. Marrying old time architecture with new age details, M and J Photography shared every moment in THE VAULT!

From M and J PhotographyDuring the heatwave that engulfed most of Europe in early July, we shot San Francisco based couple Mackenzie & Zack’s intimate wedding in Florence, Tuscany. It was a simple but joyous affair that we feel so privileged to have been a part of. The emotional ceremony was conducted by Mackenzie’s brother a top a roof terrace with stunning views over the classic skyline. Cocktails were followed by a beautiful, early evening stroll along the river and through the centre of town. The newlyweds led the rest of the wedding party (attracting a rather large number of overly enthusiastic tourists) through Piazza della Republica, past the Duomo and to Restaurant Accademia for a long evening of delicious food, heartfelt speeches and superb Italian Wine.

From the Bride & Groom…Mackenzie: When Zack proposed in my parent’s backyard, we briefly mentioned the idea of getting married right then and there. But, a year later we found ourselves on a plane bound for Italy! Zack had never been, and it had been over ten years since I had first discovered and fallen in love with the country. We wanted to get married somewhere that was already filled with such beauty and magic that we could simply “show up and get married,” surrounded by our loved ones, while getting to truly focus on the moment we said “I do.” Well, the event didn’t end up being quite that simple, but close. Each member of my family played a part in making the day come together, and we will forever be so touched by that. The day itself was so perfect, from morning until night.

Along with our family, the others that helped bring the day together most perfectly, were the family-run jeweler that swiftly and happily created our wedding bands, the incredible photographers that worked so cooly and calmly that they seamlessly blended into my memories of the day, and the owner of the restaurant that hosted our wedding dinner, who bent over backwards to create special details just for our celebration. No detail was missed by these fabulous people, and we would do it all over again in exactly the same way (well, without the heat wave, perhaps) if given the chance!

Zack: We wanted to make this wedding organic by taking advantage of what the beautiful city of Florence had to offer…strolling through the streets we were pleasantly surprised by cheers of “viva gli spose” (long live the bride) and had an unplanned but fantastic first dance as we happened to walk past a guitarist on the street. It was important for the wedding to be intimate and we were so lucky to have our family and closest friends travel so far to be a part of this day. We tried very hard to have the make up of the wedding be Italian, and while we had to sacrifice maybe a day of sightseeing, having Italian wedding rings and decorations made it all worth it. The local artisans of Florence went out of their way to make this day extra special for us and we could not be more thankful to them and this beautiful city.

 

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See more weddings in Florence!

Photography: M & J Photography | Floral Design: Al Portico Firenze Florist | Floral Design: Fiorile | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Stationery: Mackenzie Foreman | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: D H Jeweler All Sustainable Metals | Rings: Massai Orafi Florence | Groom's Attire: Tailors' Keep | Venue: Accademia | Confetti: The Paper Source | Flat Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff | Getting Ready Venue: Windows On Italy | Groom's Shoes: Nordstrom | Pocket Square: J.Crew | Tie: J.Crew | Veil: Untamed Petals

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Positano Waterfront Engagement Session

When you visit the Amalfi Coast, it hooks you, forever. Of course, I can only imagine as I’ve never visited this breathtaking destination—but I’m sure this Bride-to-be who couldn’t wait to revisit these scenes with her love, would wholeheartedly agree. With French Grey Photography trailing their every step, these engagement snaps showcased in THE VAULT are the best kind of travel souvenir.

From French Grey PhotographyWhen Jessica and Leo contacted me to shoot their Engagement session and pre-wedding in Italy on the Amalfi coast, I was thrilled! Italy has always been a favourite place of mine to visit and the Amalfi coast drew me in. The soft lighting the colourful Italian way of life, the fantastic Italian accents and gestures of the people…what’s not to love!

Thank you Jessica and Leo for making me a part of your memory in Italy and I hope that the SMP readers enjoy the images which were created on that beautiful June morning.

From the Bride-to-be, Jessica…As the bride-to-be, I had been in love with the Amalfi Coast because of its beauty and romance since I visited there during my studies in Italy 8 years ago. Ever since then, I had been praying to revisit this place with the love of my life. This year summer, this dream of mine came true. So my fiancé and I decided to have our photoshoot at Amalfi Coast. It was an awesome experience, and adventurous at the same time, since we all haven’t been to Positano before. It is really a once in a lifetime experience that we would never forget!

Lastly I feel very lucky that we have found a superb photographer Brian of French Grey Photography, he is really friendly and professional! We were also blessed to have found a very nice local flower vendor called Floragarden in Positano, the owner of the shop is so friendly and kind!

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More Engagement Sessions this way!

Photography: French Grey Photography | Floral Design: Floragarden | Dress: Asos | Venue: Positano

Romantic Italian Villa Wedding on Lake Como

We can always count on an Italian wedding to bring the romance, and this heavenly match is doing just that. Starting with their airline connection that eventually led to a hilltop proposal, every moment of their love story continually scales new heights. So it’s no surprise that their wedding is completely dreamy and Darya Kamalova of Thecablookfotolab captured it all in THE VAULT!

From Darya Kamalova of ThecablookfotolabI think that till now this is the most fabulous wedding I’ve ever shot. It was so sweet & perfect in every detail that I simply can’t express it with words.

Kate & Artem are wonderful people and so much in love with each other that you start shining when stand close to them. Kate started planning everything a year before the wedding. She is my “most responsible bride”, really. She was so attentive to all the smallest details! Calligraphy, details for the boudoir, dress for the engagement session… I spent hours and hours, months and months talking to her, inventing and planning every part of the day and of the shootings. She wanted everything to be perfect and in the end it WAS perfect!

I loved the fact that she trusted me and let me the space for imagination. And not only to me, but also to the event planners from Italian Easy Wedding and to the floral designer from Ratti Flora. There was a lot of decor, but it was not overloaded. It was in a perfect proportion. I also loved so much the intimate moment of cutting the cake outside with only candles light. And it was so touching seen the guys crying at the ceremony. I think I will remember this wedding forever, because for me it was so much special. I can’t thank enough Kate for choosing me and letting me to be the part of all her fairytale.

From The Bride…We knew each other for couple a month or so and he even tried to ask me for a date, but we never had a chance to actually do it when one day I was in the airport with my friend going on vacation and accidentally bumped into himself and his friends going to the same place.. This can only be a match made in heaven as two people just can’t go in one place simultaneously and absolutely unplanned! We live in Moscow, Russia and several months later I had to move to Los Angeles for two months and this time apart just made it clear that we cannot leave without each other. It was so simple, so natural; we just knew we’re meant to be together for our lifetimes. The day I came back to Russia we moved in together and could not be happier. Then I got an offer to work in LA for two years and I after I moved there we had a two-year long-distance relationship. Many people were saying that long-distance relationships are doomed but this was not our case. We talked a lot during early mornings and evenings because of the time difference and supported each other every day of our lives. Although we were physically apart most of the time we were never apart mentally. He visited as often as he could and he proposed me in LA as well.

One Friday night while working in LA I came home from work and he told me he’d love to go for a bike ride. He should have told me that the bike ride was… in the hills.. Hollywood hills… Which was pretty tough especially on a Friday evening. I was whining and grumbling that I’m tired and don’t want to go further, but he was cheering me up, telling that he wants me to see this beautiful spot he found on the top of the hill. We were biking during the sunset, so by the time we reached the top of the hill it was already dark, but the view from the hill was absolutely stunning. All Studio City area was covered with thousands of lights. We sat on a tree which had a trunk almost in form on a bench and then he told me he had a surprise for me and asked to give him couple of minutes and not to peep. He lit eighteen red candles which he put in a heart shape and told me that a journey of a lifetime can be sometimes compared with climbing (biking) up the hill, i.e. be pretty challenging, however we should always have each other by our side to cheer each other up, be supportive even when someone is moaning and grumbling we should never give up and continue to move forward together… he told me how deep he loves me and proposed.

My fiancé has a very good taste and he was always super picky about everything connected with the wedding, especially food, venue, etc.. That’s why when we started to plan our wedding we knew right away that we wanted something well planned, unique and romantic, with good food and surrounded only by our nearest and dearest people. We have explored several opportunities in Moscow, Russia where we live but there was always something not quite right there. Then my fiancé once told me, that it would be nice to have a wedding in Italy… How can you go wrong with Italy when it offers best food, best wines, prettiest places on earth. I was stunned… This was the most bold, the most romantic idea.. This was like a dream… A fairytale, which I thought, would never come true… But then I’ve started to explore the opportunities and realized that it’s not as impossible as I thought it would be. I’ve made a huge web research over couple of months to find a venue in Italy which would be perfect making inquiries of different wedding planners… until once I’ve found it… Villa Regina Teodolinda on Como Lake, it was hard to find a place as beautiful, as romantic, as perfect as this place was. Several weeks later, my friend told me that she knows a wedding planner, who was organizing a wedding on this villa just recently and that is how I have met Anastasia Aslanyan from Italian Easy Wedding.

I am very thankful to Anastasia who helped my dreams to come true and was supportive throughout the whole process. I was very involved in the planning process and tried to think through and discuss every tiny detail on that day. I have put my soul trying to make as flawless as possible. Anastasia also recommended me to work with Darya Kamalova – the most talented photographer I have ever met! My fairytale got real, we’ve spent the best days of our lives with our closest family and friends on this beautiful villa overlooking stunning lake Como, I’ve arrived to the ceremony on a classic Como lake boat Lucia which could not be more romantic. We had our symbolic ceremony partially in Italian and we have read our vows we had written for each other and kept secret until the very moment when we promised to love each other until the end of our lives. One of the best moments was then my super picky husband told me several times throughout the day that this wedding could not have been planned any better than this.

 

From Anastasia and Margherita of Italian Easy WeddingWith each new wedding we understand how important is when the couple pays enough attention to the point of decor and the flower arrangements. Because the details make the difference.

The spouses wanted to fulfill their dream of elegant and sophisticated celebration. That’s why they have also paid much attention to the choice of photographer and videographer who can catch and feel the atmosphere in the best way. Thecablokfotolab with her dreamy film photography and Marco Caputo with his stylish videos were the winning pair to the surroundings.

For the preparation of the bride and groom lots of things were discussed and bought preliminary. Starting from the brush of the bride and finishing with macarons for the morning coffee served in a silver set. We can’t help saying about the design of the invitations, menus and other typographic works. They totally suited the concept and the colours of the event thanks to Krasota v detalyah.

The concept of Ekaterina and Artem’s wedding was on the base of blush colours, lace, crystals and golden vases. The ceremony accompanied by string trio took place exactly on the shore of lake Como on one of the most beautiful and cozy villas. Oval arch full of flowers, succulents, ribbons, pearls and crystals together with the classical Parigina chairs decorated in the same style gave the atmosphere of elegance and love. The lounge zone was organised with old-style sofa and armchairs with a crystal chandelier hanging from the tree. During the aperitif guests enjoyed live music from a jazz trio.

For the imperial table there was made special mint lace runner that fit perfectly the mint classical vases where were not only flowers but also grapes. Golden candlesticks and vases were mixed together through the whole table in a harmonic way. Special attention was made to the cut of the cake. The best pastry chef of Milan – Nana Cakes – made the dream of the bride come true. The lace pieces on the cake were copied from the bridal dress. Each of the flower was precisely made and it looked like a real but totally perfect flower. The cake was put on the floral base and surrounded by candles of different sizes. Above the spouses there were a scenographic candle sky that gave to the moment special brilliant effect.

But the main point is the couple with their feelings of love, joy and happiness which they spread to all of the people around. And not only during the wedding day, during the whole time of the preparation of their own “the best day ever”. We believe that these kind of couples will definitely have that “happily ever after” because they start their lives together with a fairy-tale.

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See more Italian weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Cinematography: Marco Caputo Films | Event Design And Planning: Happy Moments Collector | Floral Design: rattiflora | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Nana&Nana Cakes | Stationery: Krasota V Detalyah | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair And Makeup: Veronica Fiorello | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Villa Regina Teodolinda | Ribbon: Silky Rivers

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Romantic Amalfi Coast Destination Wedding

Italy is perfect and this gallery will help you understand exactly why. Because any country that features a vibrant mountainside village with sandy shores is a winner in our wedding book, and thanks to Kay English Photography we have a feeling you’ll be booking a destination affair ASAP. Because when you’ve got heaven at your fingertips, it’s only fair to share in the wealth – and we’ve got it all in THE VAULT!

From The Bride…Jason and I knew that when we got married, we wanted it to be an adventure. During our seven years of dating, we were lucky enough to travel to some incredible places. But when we vacationed in Italy, it simply stole our hearts.

Thirty of our closest family and friends flew to Positano, a stunning town built into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, to watch us exchange vows in a centuries-old church by the sea. After an afternoon ceremony on a gorgeous late-spring day, we meandered along the town’s cobblestone streets to the beach while Italians clapped and cheered “auguri!” or “congratulations!”

Our loved ones gathered for cocktail hour, where they sipped prosecco, dined on arancini (traditional Italian fried rice balls stuffed with cheese) and listened to an instrumental Neapolitan duo perform.

Just as the sun began to set, our guests took a seat on an ocean-front private terrace at Rada Restaurant. While we ate and danced the night away, the city of Positano was aglow with twinkling lights that reflected off the sea. We even snuck away for a few moments to take some photos along the beach under the starry sky.

Positano is known for its lemons, so our favors were hand-painted bottles of limoncello, a sweet way to remember our special day. We couldn’t have been more thrilled with how everything turned out—it was the adventure we’d been dreaming of and the perfect way to start our new life as husband and wife!

Photography: Kay English Photography | Event Planning: The Amalfi Experience | Floral Design: Franco Di Bianco | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Church: La Chiesa Di Santa Maria Assunta | Makeup: Zoe Graham | Hair: Piero Mansi | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Rada | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Music: Le Muse Societa Cooperativa | Portait Location: La Sponda Of Le Sirenuse

Romantic + Elegant Sicilian Wedding

Nope, you’re not dreaming – this grand gallery is the real-deal. So settle in for a pinfest luvvies, because from processional to portraits you’re going to delight over every moment. From the Bride’s royal statement, to the lushly lined paths, it’s the type of authentic celebration from Yaroslav & Jenny that’ll have you booking a one way ticket. Or you could save on airfare, because we’ve got it all in THE VAULT!

From Yaroslav & JennyThe style of the wedding was chosen easily. Sunny Sicily with its authentic villages and orange groves is associated with 2 things. The first one is the movie ‘Godfather’, of course, with Sicilian mafia and brutal men wearing expensive costumes in front of the old abandoned houses and catholic churches. At the same time Sicily can be related with Dolce&Gabbana fashion campaign starring Monica Bellucci. It is filled with chic and grace and a bit of Barocco style. Monica presented there as an elegant Sicilian woman surrounded by big and loving family. These two associations merged together and turned the wedding of Viktoria and Sergey into a a real Italian like celebration. It came out a very sincere, emotional and family dedicated Big Day.

Photography: Yaroslav&Jenny Photography | Event Planning: Merren Events | Wedding Dress: Helen Miller | Stationery: Barsuki | Bride's Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana | Groom's Attire: Dolce & Gabbana | Venue: Baglio Fontana | Bride's Crown: Ivory & Co | Decor & Planning: Veronica Santoro Event | Earrings: Magia Di Gamma | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab

Tuscany Outdoor Spring Wedding

When this pastry-chef-turned-bride stumbled upon Sarah Kate’s gorgeous work on the pages of Style Me Pretty, she knew she’d found the perfect photographer for their destination wedding. And let me tell you, Sarah certainly didn’t disappoint. Set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, we’re about to embark on a celebration for the books, and THE VAULT is your one stop shop to find it all.

From The Bride…Larone and I met through mutual friends when he was living in South Florida and I was living in Georgia. Our first date was very laid back, on a random quiet Monday evening in Athens, Georgia where we went to four different restaurants. At two of those we were the only patrons there but we were completely captivated by each other we hardly noticed. Our chemistry was instant. In between him flying up to visit from Florida and my occasional trip down to Florida, Skype became our best friend as we pursued a long-distance relationship. Shortly after we began dating, I moved back to Tampa to be near my family and he received a job offer from the University of South Florida. A year and half later we got engaged and happily started planning our wedding.

After going through the painstaking process of visiting and reviewing countless different options both locally in Florida and back in our home country of Jamaica, we came to the realization that we wanted our wedding to feel simple, relaxed, intimate, and incorporate only elements that were important to us. We quickly realized a destination wedding to Italy was the best fit for us, since we could share our love of travel and adventure with our guests.

A short while before we were engaged, I was visiting Style Me Pretty looking for cake inspiration (I am a pastry chef) when I came across a stunning Tuscany elopement photographed by Sarah Kate. I instantly fell in love with her artistic style and her ability to capture emotion in every single picture and I shared the photos with Larone. Shortly after we got engaged, Larone reached out to Sarah Kate and booked her as our photographer as a surprise to me!

Working with Sarah Kate from day one was such a seamless endeavor. Most of our conversations were by email, and with her living in Texas we also communicated by Facetime. We never actually met her in person until the day before our wedding day when she showed up to the wedding venue, yet it seemed like we knew her forever. She epitomizes what photographic vision should be and her laid back style made it unusually easy to work with her. Sarah Kate’s fiancé Josh Aull, also a professional photographer, also accompanied her on the trip and we were fortunate enough to have two outstanding photographers to capture our day.

For our location, we chose Hotel Borgo Casabianca in Asciano, Italy which is nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany. For my dress, I found an elegant two piece fitted lace dress by Allure that I paired with a bouquet or rich red and pink tones. For my something old, I wore my paternal grandmother’s wedding ring that she had passed down to me.

For dinner, we treated our guests to an authentic Italian menu which started with traditional appetizers like bruschetta, melon wrapped in prosciutto, all paired with Prosecco. We sat at one long feasting with all of our guests and served handmade pastas, truffled encrusted steak, and fresh fruit drenched in Lemoncello. Our wedding cake was a delicious Mille-feuille.

My favorite moment of the day was was just after we exchanged vows, Sarah Kate led us to a spot she had scouted out the day before. It had the most incredible views of the Tuscan countryside and as Larone and I walked through the fields at sunset, just the two of us, I felt completely overwhelmed by the awesomeness of it all. It was exactly the fun and romantic adventure Larone and I had dreamt of!

I want to particularly thank our contact at Borgo Casabianca, AnnaMaria Ercolani, whose efforts and accommodation made it all possible. Finally, to our family and friends, we are eternally grateful to them for making the trip to Italy and joining us in a perfectly intimate, perfectly us, wedding celebration!

Photography: Sarah Kate, Photographer | Coordination: Tuscan Tours and Weddings | Floral Design: Fiorista La Gardenia | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Venue: Hotel Borgo Casabianca | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Romantic + Elegant Venice Engagement Session

There is something about the Italian city of Venice that makes your heart beat a bit faster, as you anticipate a new treasure around every corner; this engagement shoot by Kibogo Photography is further proof of the city’s magic. With stops all over, from the Clocktower to the Piazza San Marco, these cuties captured their love surrounded by history and romance. See it all in our Vault right this way!

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From Kibogo Photography… Venice, known as one of the most scenic locations in the world, was the perfect location for Tine and Florian’s engagement shoot. They previously enjoyed their time traveling in Venice in 1999 and 2007 and wanted to return together to capture some of the memorable moments that they had during those prior trips.

Venice leaves a long lasting impression on anyone who visits it, and it has several beautiful historic areas, such as the famous San Marco Square, where we captured most of the moments.

The Square is known for its unique architecture and its historic buildings such as the Clocktower, Procuratie Vecchie, Procuratie Nuove, the Loggetta, and other incredible structures in the Piazza, which is just the perfect backdrop for some beautiful couple portraits. It was an honour for me to capture their love for each other in one of my favorite European romantic getaways.

Florian loves and admires Tine’s creativity and courage; qualities that have helped her bring her dreams into reality. Tine loves Florian for his big heart, his serenity and single mindedness.

Photography: Kibogo Photography

Italian Destination Wedding at Castello di Vicarello

Can we all just agree that everything Joy Proctor touches turns to gold? She brings wedding dreams to life with a total sense of ease, and when paired with Kelly Kaufman and Kate Holstein for a destination affair in the Italian countryside? Let’s just say we’re in for one serious treat. Take a break from the daily to dos and let yourself escape to a far-away wedding adventure.

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From The Bride & Groom…We always wanted a destination wedding with a small, intimate group of guests – celebrating with our closest friends and family. We researched options online and fell in love with the rustic Castello di Vicarello, with all the smallest details from the brickwork to the small, antique charms the owner Aurora has collected over a lifetime of travel which really gives the venue a charm that can’t be replicated. We booked site unseen and then organized a site visit with our incredible wedding planner Joy (who flew in from California) in February. Whilst cold and rainy in winter, sitting around the fireplace discussing the wedding made everything feel real and it seemed so far fetched that we would actually manage to organize the logistics and details of the actual day.

Most guests arrived in Rome a few days before the wedding, which gave those who didn’t know each other a chance to bond over the obligatory pizza dinners and copious amounts of gelato. The day before the wedding, a large shuttle bus took guests the 3+ hours to Tuscany where we had secured both the Castello itself and two local B&Bs for the sole use of our guests. Guests spent the evening relaxing by the pool with a few bottles of wine and a simple home cooked pasta.

The morning of the wedding, whilst the bridal party prepared, our guests were provided with a shuttle to nearby Grosetto for some shopping and exploring. The groomsmen relaxed with cut-throat shaves while the bridesmaids tended to their hair and makeup.

The evening itself could not have been more perfect. The chuppah was followed by an informal cocktail and canapés hour before moving to the dinner and dancing. The following day, we enjoyed a brunch by the pool which gave us another opportunity to spend some time with our guests in a relaxed atmosphere.

It was truly humbling and we’re still at a loss for words over how far everyone traveled to be with us, dining and dancing under a gorgeous Tuscan full moon. Everything about the event reflected our personalities and own styling – it’s not everyday that a wedding serves pasta!

As incredible as the venue and evening was, it would not have been possible without the warmth our friends and families brought with them as well as the dedication and hard work of our planners and vendors – they really made the whole experience what it was.

Photography: Kate Holstein | Wedding Planning & Design: Joy Proctor Design | Floral Design: Kelly Kaufman | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: Written Word Calligraphy | Catering: Nicolai | Band: Benny Fadlun And The Mazaltov Band | Venue: Castello Di Vicarello | Venue: Castello Di Vicarello

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For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Elegant Tuscany Villa Wedding + Boudoir Inspiration

You know what every Monday afternoon deserves? A shoot like this one from Thecablookfotolab transporting us to a destination with an honestly pure beauty—in this case, the rolling hills of Tuscany and a charming spot like Villa BarberinoBianco Weddings set forth to create a truly natural look for this striking bride and succeeded, from her fern crown and SIBO Designs veil to the textured Pronovias dress. The Vault is filled with sooo much more.

From ThecablookfotolabI loved working on this story of the bride in the middle of the beauty of one of the most picturesque regions of Italy – Tuscany – on the one of the most beautiful villas I’ve ever seen – villa Barberino.

The story starts with the boudoir session in a lace Oysho body that looks so delicate and tender on the pale and soft skin of the bride. The SIBO design lace veil works so good together with it, they seem to be made for each other.

The bride is having light fruit & croissant Italian breakfast in the middle of nature, on the grass, in the garden. She looks in the mirror and does the final touches of her styling (that was carefully done by MUAH artist – Lidija Malinovskaja). She wears a green crown in a easy and natural way. And it seems that she was walking in the garden and made it for herself.

Then she puts on her amazing Pronovias wedding dress that seems to be made of 1.000.000 little butterflies. She looks classy & ethernal in this long sleeved gown with a long tail. The final touch of the look are the SIBO design flower crown that has the same “butterflies” on it. It makes her look like a little princess. And neutral white&green bouquet from Bianco Wedding in her hands looks so perfect.

The inspiration of the whole shooting comes from nature&simplicity. We didn’t want to overload the youth & the natural beauty of our bride and of the venue. So that all the decor and styling are very calm, in white&green colours and mostly of all the natural materials. And only a drop of gold foil comes out on the invitation suit from Greyberry that reminds us of the classic wedding ring colour. Also the invitation envelopes are made in a very organic and weightless manner: transparent & covered with gorgeous hand written calligraphy.

From Bianco WeddingsThe main aim in our shooting was to show the natural beauty of our bride. So, in floral decorations we used simple, but elegant plant crown and romantic, but sophisticated wedding bouquet, made of lovely white peonies and green succulents, which added just the right amount of texture to the overall look.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Floral Design: Bianco Weddings | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Invitations: Greyberry | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair And Makeup: Lidija Malinovskaja | Venue: Villa Barberino | Body: Oysho | Film Lab: Carmencita Film Lab | Veils & Crown: SIBO Designs

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Romantic Italian Villa Wedding Inspiration

Get scrolling Donna Bella, you’re invited to a very Italian fête as seen through the lens of Greg Finck. Because when it comes to inspirations with aisle-style, this one is as good as it gets. Marrying wedding-worthy landscapes with vineyard views and luscious blues, it’s a gallery with endless elegance. We vow you’ll wow over every detail in The Vault!

From Greg FinckThe Marche Region in Italy is unknown to many. It is however breathtakingly beautiful thanks to a very rich artistic, cultural and culinary heritage. The region is full of amazing landscapes with vineyard-covered hills plunging into the sea, and wonderful venues such as Villa Buonaccorsi. This majestic venue located on the hills was the perfect backdrop to this shoot.

Designer Honeymoon and Cinnamon Weddings imagined this ethereal and refined shoot, inspired by the architectural style of the venue. She went through a long creative path, made of research of high quality vendors, accurate conception of the perfect styling and the choice of little details that could make this project be one and only.

The Villa Buonaccorsi, dating back from 1500 – surrounded by a huge and marvelous terraced park, adorned by niches, obelisks and fountains – is structured on two levels with a suggestive internal courtyard. Around the Villa, an amazing Italian garden where ancient sculptures keep an eye on flowerbeds and incredibly high hedges, hiding corners of rare beauty.

The ethereal and refined style of this shoot was inspired right by the architectural style of the venue, with its wall in neutral colors and the atmospheres of its inner empty rooms echoing of ancient splendors, with its frescoed ceilings and the big windows facing the beautiful park.

We opted for a color palette in the shades of dusty blue and grey, with touches of white for flowers and ivory for dresses. These ones were kindly lend by Cortana, a Spanish bridal designer, whose dresses are characterized by soft shapes with layers of tulle and organza. We found the grey in the marvelous linen table clothes by Arte Pura, overlapping and falling down to the floor, with their unique relief embroideries joined with tulle for a beautiful game of contrasts. The same laces were used as ribbons for the bouquet, expressly created with an unstructured shape, in which the white colors of Lisianthus, Spirea, Peonies, Ornithogalum, perfectly combined with the green of eucalyptus and Artemisia. The same marvelous combination, enhanced with Ivy branches and Viburnum, was realized for the two impressive centerpieces in which the virtuosity and the skillful art of floral designer Isa Events created such a beauty.

The über talented Design House of a Moira was the author of a bespoke and refined stationary suite all in shades of watercolor and hand-painted dusty blue. Our bride Laura has been wonderfully appraised by the make ups and hair styles of Manola Spaziani, and adorned by the beautiful accessories realized by The Wild Rose of Linnéa Bergqvist from Sweden.

The gorgeous Italian garden of the villa housed the cakes corner, very simple but elegant in their shape, realized by Le Dolci Alchimie, with delicate ruffles and wafer flowers, purposely created in white with just linen ribbons and greenery to adorn them. The garden of the Villa played a leading role in this shoot, when the sun light became softer and softer, creating a play of lights and shadows in which the model floated gently.

Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Styling And Design: Federica Beni | Floral Design: ISA Events | Wedding Dress: Cortana | Cake: Dolci Alchimie Di Martina Onofri | Stationery: Design House Of Moira | Bride's Shoes: Mascia Mandolesi | Hair And Makeup: Manola Spaziani | Venue: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Hair Accessories: The Wild Rose | Table Cloths: Arte Pura Store Riccione

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Romantic Italian Cliffside Elopement

Remember how I was dreaming about an e-sesh re-do? Well, I’m about to make that wish-list a little longer because that same couple eloped in Italy with Renee Hollingshead along their side. Tucked away in the steep Amalfi Coast cliffs every moment is complete with stunning views that are guaranteed to ignite the romantic in us all.

From Renee HollingsheadTucked away in the steep Amalfi Coast cliffs is the beautiful and romantic city of Ravello. Filled with charm, incredible history, winding roads, and stunning views, this destination wedding swept us off our feet and kept us begging for more. Rachael and Josh, Maryland realtors, met a few years back at work. Fast forward to a few months ago and they are planning their dream wedding– an Italian Elopement! They chose the ever-so incredible Palazzo Avino as recommended by their travel agent Jim. Known for their impeccable service, amazing views of the coast, and one of the top restaurants in the city, this resort was everything they dreamed of and more.

Josh and Rachael spent the most of the day at the beach club, relaxing and soaking up some some mediterranean rays. From there they got ready together in their suite before meeting each other down the aisle. Laid-back, care free, and fun would be the best way to describe the afternoon. With stunning paper details from Poppy & Scooter, a amazing dress, and a sharp Italian tailored suit, these two were ready to tie the knot in style! The Italian Mariachi strummed away popular loves songs, their guests held hands, and the officiant spoke the most beautiful words. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was one of the most romantic ceremonies I have ever witnessed. After a champagne toast and cake cutting, we strolled around the five-star resort taking in all of Ravello’s old charm. Their love is so effortless and true. They ended the night with an intimate dinner for four at the resort’s five-star restaurant overlooking the cliffs and sea. I am forever grateful for this opportunity to capture such a beautiful love story in such magical place. Congratulations Rachael + Josh!

Photography: Renee Hollingshead Photography | Coordination: Palazzo Avino | Wedding Dress: Jovani | Jewelry: Royale Jewelers | Calligraphy: Poppy And Scooter | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Palazzo Avino | Bridal Boutique: Synchronicity Boutique | Groom's Attire Retailer: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Painted Decor: Bailey McCoy Designs | Travel Agent: Perfect Honeymoons And Holidays

Romantic Summer Ravello Engagement Session

It’s a common day occurrence that I dream about an e-sesh re-do, but can you blame me? Because after scrolling through the vibrant gallery from Renee Hollingshead I’ve got gelato and dancing on the mind. And that is just the start, because we’ve got this darling duo’s elopement up NEXT!

From Renee HollingsheadWhen Rachael first contacted me to photograph her Italian elopement, I just knew we had to do their engagement session there. Their luggage arrived to their hotel just an hour before we were scheduled to meet. They quickly got ready and we hit the quaint streets of Ravello, Italy for a romantic evening stroll. They laughed, shared gelato, danced in the streets, and held hands. With the hustle and bustle of passerbys, the romantic sound of music in the air, and the delicious scents of five-star cuisine, this was easily one of my favorite engagement sessions to date. From Rachael’s gorgeous curly locks to Josh’s dapper Italian-Cobalt blue loafers, their style is top-notch! Every street and alley we turned on was the perfect backdrop to their love story. Rachael and Josh are oozing with love for each other and I am so glad I got to celebrate their special wedding weekend.

Photography: Renee Hollingshead Photography | Venue: Ravello

Rustic + Romantic Italian Wedding

Tucked away in Tuscany, Wee Three Sparrows captured one truly significant celebration. I’m talking a castle ceremony full of beautiful surprises, and the highlight – though there are many – is the sudden rain shower that proved to be a wonderful omen. It’s all waiting for you in a gallery that redefines romance in the most regal way, and you can see it all here!

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From Wee Three Sparrows… In April I had the honour of travelling to Tuscany to capture the wedding of Stephan and Julie, clients who became friends. Their wedding was full of family love, beautiful details and the most spectacular views, from the castle ceremony to hor d’oeuvres overlooking the hills of Tuscany.

From The Bride…Once we decided to go with a destination wedding, we considered a few options, and after discussing it with one of my best friends, who lived in Florence for art school, we realized that Tuscany would be a perfect setting for our small family wedding, since it would be more quiet in the spring than during high season, it would be a relaxing but less commercial spot than other destination locations, and if we could set it in a villa, it would be a perfect family vacation. When we were planning, we kept saying that our vision for the wedding was a sense of home. As well, my parents met and fell in love in Europe while on a tour, and had one of their first dates in Italy, so it has always had a draw for me.

We found a beautiful villa in a sleepy town with a storied medieval history, in Poppi, Italy. We got in touch with Francesca Panci, the owner of Fattoria Quercia Vecchia (meaning: Old Oak Tree Farm). She was so hospitable and knowledgeable throughout our planning and our wedding week. We also connected with officiants in Italy (blessings from Italy) who took the time to get to know us and bring together a meaningful wedding celebration. With these guides, we knew that we would have exactly the kind of wedding we both had hoped for – intimate, relaxed, but also meaningful and memorable. I was super lucky to have my sister and friend as my artistic consultants, for every aspect of planning – from my dress, makeup, hair, flowers. We visioned everything beforehand and went with local flowers that we arranged together, including a beautiful centrepiece of olive leaves (from the villa’s trees), branches and lemons that my friend handcrafted.

​The wedding was originally planned for the villa, but we chose to have it in the Poppi Castle, also the city hall, in case it rained, as April rains are common in Tuscany. We loved that everywhere we went in Poppi – shopping for groceries, buying our flowers for the wedding – people recounted to us their story of getting married at Poppi castle. It was nice to be connected to the community immediately. ​

It turned out to be such a wonderful choice, full of surprises and beauty. The castle was very quiet on the Monday we got married, with a few guests visiting the castle, who joined in to clap and cheer for us. We had our choice of settings within the castle and chose in the end to have our guests sit along the long hallway in the castle, opened up to the rest of the castle, with a view out the window and upwards to the castle’s ceiling where there were doves perched. It was both intimate and grand. We got married right next to the library where Dante’s original works are archived, meaningful for us as we first met in the University of Toronto library, and Dante’s words resonate with us, speaking of ‘the Love which moves the sun and the other stars’ which brought us together.

​Our wedding was attended by close family and my lovely friend who had lived in Florence, and we couldn’t believe how it all came together – with our two families connecting from B.C. and Toronto – enjoying the Tuscan countryside, beautiful wine, food, nature and sights and sounds, in the peaceful pace of Italy.

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Head to The Vault for even more wedding inspiration!

Photography: Wee Three Sparrows | Wedding Dress: La Sposa | Ceremony Venue: Poppi Castle | Reception Venue: Fattoria La Vecchia Querica | Make-up: Bride's Sister Mina Kim | Floral Design + Hair: Bride's Best Friend Esther Hollywood | Officiants: Blessings From Italy