Hello loves, how are you all doing? We truly hope that you are all safe and healthy and taking care of yourselves as well as can be.
The wedding we’re sharing this morning was held in Italy – a destination I personally have a deep affection for. Italy is by far the most popular of destinations amongst our bridal community who choose to marry overseas. It’s guaranteed sunshine, glorious landscapes, delicious food and wonderful Italian hospitality are unbeatable.
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Very sadly, the global pandemic is having the most unthinkable impact on this beloved country and disrupting the plans of many of our readers who were due to exchange vows in this beautiful country this year. It feels only right to me at this time that we continue to share all the beautiful Italian weddings we have lined up in our schedule, rather than pause them through fear of sharing inappropriately.
It feels like now, more than ever, we need to be celebrating this wonderful country and all it has to offer – and reminding you, dear readers, that your beautiful Italian wedding will happen when all this is over.
Come with us then for the wedding of yoga teacher Gill, and her love Dan, a sustainable investment manager. They were married on the 25 August 2019 at Villa Antiche Mura, Sorrento, Italy, which looks out over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
The couple in this wedding we’re sharing today exchanged vows whilst overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, at an elegant villa right on the Amalfi Coast. The wedding day was also filled with touching details as a tribute to the bride’s much missed mother, and inspired by chic 1960s and 70s style.
“We got engaged in Sorrento, and we find we gravitate to the Amalfi Coast most summers, as we just love everything about it – food, culture, people, sun, vino, and of course, the views. We were inspired in part because of our shared love of all things old – vintage chic. The era we particularly were drawn to was a sophisticated late 60s / early 70s vibe, in part inspired by my mother’s wedding dress and wedding. It was a little tribute to her, as she is no longer with us, sadly.”
Gill’s glitter heels with bejewelled buckles were by Sarah Jessica Parker, which she swapped later on for a pair of embellished, turquoise velvet slipper mules by Dolce & Gabbana.
With vintage elegance in mind, Gill chose a dress by Donatella Picarretta from Shoreditch boutique, Rock & Lace, who specialise in gorgeous Italian designs.
“It was actually the first dress I was drawn to in the shop. I loved it instantly, and had a good feeling it might suit my figure. I love the simple elegance of it, and that it’s backless, as I think there’s something beautiful but sexy about an open back.”
“Maria at Rock & Lace is amazing! She has the most beautiful Italian designer dresses, so chic, and will go out of her way to help you, and make sure you have everything you need.”
“Chanel No.5 is my go-to perfume. However, I loved the idea of a more personalised scent for the wedding, so I went to Jo Malone with my sister-in-law and a friend, and it was actually my sister-in-law Rach that chose the lavender scent as it fitted so well with the wedding theme, and I loved it.”
With its bespoke, 60s/70s inspired bell sleeves (inspired by Gill’s mum’s wedding dress) and a contemporary twist with the sexy illusion neckline, the dress looked magical on her, and she paired it with a custom-made, polka dot veil by Sewn Right, who also undertook the alterations.
Beauty Line Luise styled Gill’s hair in romantic, soft waves, and her make-up was by friend and Maid of Honour, Kelly. Accessories were kept to a minimum, with just a pair of vintage sapphire earrings, which had belonged to Gill’s mother.
The elegant bridal bouquet of white roses and sprigs of lavender, by a florist chosen by the venue (sadly no further details available) was tied with white ribbon, and included a locket containing a photo of Gill’s mum. Lavender was also chosen to honour her, as it had been a favourite flower.
The bridesmaids (or rather, as Gill puts it, joint Maids of Honour!) wore pale blue, 60s inspired mini-dresses, embroidered with colourful flowers, from Frock & Frill, paired with their own choice of shoes, and necklaces by Estella Bartlett, which were thank you gifts from Gill.
“Dan and I at Cardiff Uni. We lived together in our first year in university halls, Talybont. We were best friends before lovers. Dan proposed in Sorrento. It was very romantic.”
“We were staying at the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori, and at the end of the first evening, after much wine and pizza (my fave), he took me onto the balcony overlooking the sea and Vesuvius, and got down on one knee. We had a long engagement of 3 years, as we felt no rush to get married, and enjoyed the engagement period.”
Gill was accompanied down the aisle by her father, Ray, and her three Maids of Honour, Bella, Kelly, and Ella. Her entrance music was another nod to her mother (and her Liverpudlian heritage) with Liverpool band Gerry and the Pacemakers singing The Way You Look Tonight.
“Dan’s father Mel was our celebrant and he did a brilliant job. I will say we definitely tailored our vows to suit us and who we are as a couple. We were particularly keen to make the vows feel equal, honest, and modern.”
Surrounded by their loved ones on the villa’s terrace, the couple made their vows looking out to sea, and along the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Gill’s engagement ring and wedding ring were antiquepieces dating from the 1900s to 1920s.
“We had three readings, as we were being greedy. Rach, Dan’s sister kicked off the ceremony with a happy and gorgeous reading.”
“Our mutual university friend Dafydd read a beautiful poem, and last but definitely not least, my old school friend Zoe read an extract from Harry Potter, as we’re HP nerds. (To other HP nerds, she read an excerpt from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chapter: The Wedding).”
Post-ceremony drinks were also held on the terrace, to make the most of that magnificent view, and guests mingled and chatted, as well as taking the opportunity to sign the couple’s Harry Potter inspired jigsaw ‘guestbook’ [there are sadly no details about this].
All of the magical, sun-drenched details were captured charmingly by photographers and videographers, When Charlie Met Hannah. We’ve featured their work before on our pages, and if you do check out this link, you’ll spot a very familiar looking bridesmaid (and bride) there!
“Well, there’s so many wonderful things I could say about this pair, but firstly, WOW, what a dream team! Not only are they super talented, but also kind and caring, going out of their way on the day and the weeks preceding to make the whole thing so special.”
“They have a true talent for capturing and encapsulating every couple and their wedding. You can truly feel the love and vibe of a wedding in every photo and moment captured on film.”
Dan wore a beautifully tailored dinner jacket and trousers by Cad & The Dandy, in a shade of deep navy with contrasting black silk lapels. He also wore a classic white shirt, a blue velvet bow tie, and a simple white pocket square.
The groomsmen looked smart in Moss Bros. suits and custom-made bow ties.
Inside the villa, tables were set for a delicious wedding feast prepared by the in-house team, with simple and elegant linens and glassware, and floral centrepieces filled with roses and lavender.
“The venue includes a wonderful wedding planner Michele (pronounced Mi’kele). He helps you with absolutely everything, he’s amazing!”
Stationery was mostly taken care of by the villa, and the table names were made by Gill as a tribute to Annie, her mum, displayed alongside photos of her.
After a spectacular sunset and a wonderful dinner, it was time for cake and dancing.
“The wedding cake was included in our gala dinner, created and produced on site by the villa / venue. We chose a classic Italian lemon sponge, with vanilla icing, and a shot of Limoncello on the side.”
“The venue recommended us their local musicians. Biaggio’s four piece band played during the five course dinner, and first hour of dancing, including performing our first dance song, Moon River. We knew the exact songs we wanted to dance our socks off to, so we chose the set-list ourselves for the venue’s DJ.”
“For me, my favourite part of the day was being with everyone I love in such a magical setting. You could feel the love and happiness all day and all night. We wouldn’t change a thing.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“We worked as a team on the wedding just as we do in life. Planning the wedding together is so much more fun, and almost stress-free, rather than trying to plan /do it all yourself. Even if you think you’ve dreamed of this day all your life, you probably haven’t really. Remember the day is about both of you, your life together so far, and how best to encapsulate and celebrate that in just one day.”
“The day is about you two, not anyone else so honestly do what you want, don’t people please. You will realise who your true friends are, and that’s okay, don’t let it get you down, focus on the ones who show love and support.”
“You’ll know when you’ve found ‘The One’ – the wedding dress I mean!”
“Don’t let the silly things get you down. No-one will remember the colour of the flowers, or what the favours were, but they’ll remember how they felt on the day.”
“It will honestly be one of the best days of your life – it’s true.”
Gill and Dan, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your brilliant day with us. What a spectacular setting, and I just loved all of the touching tributes to your mum too, Gill. Many thanks to When Charlie Met Hannah for their lovely work here also.
For more exquisite designs by Sewn Right, the Most Curious bridalNEXT winner who made Gill’s polka dot veil, do make sure you take a look at this wonderful real wedding.
With love,
Laura
Laura Callan
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Laura is a freelance writer and content creator who loves telling stories. She has keen eye for photography and art, and lives with her husband, cats, and huge amounts of books.