Inside: A Whimsical Wedding In Puglia

Our Story

In November 2011 we met while studying at the same university in Aberdeen, Scotland during a Halloween party. We got engaged seven years later in June 2018, in Cancun, Mexico. Danilo’s proposal was one of the most romantic days of our lives. He took us on a helicopter ride towards Isla Mujeres and upon our return to our hotel, he proposed on the beach. The set up was amazing, there was a huge circle of lights in the sand where he kneeled down and asked the question with a Tiffany engagement ring. We couldn’t wait for our Puglia wedding.

Photographer: @robertafacchiniphotography

Venue

Our wedding was split into two days. The welcome event and the wedding day. We always wanted an outdoor summer wedding in Puglia, Italy, so we chose this location for a reason, Danilo’s father comes from the region and we are both extremely proud of it. We always knew we wanted to marry there and show the best of Puglia, and therefore an idea of a two-day wedding event was born. One showing a very traditional and authentic side of Puglia and the other more chic and elegant to fit the style of the main wedding venue.

Welcome Event: The welcome event took place at Masseria Mangiato, a hidden gem and one of the region’s oldest farmhouses, dating back to the sixteenth century. It captured the authenticity of Puglia that we wanted our guests to experience.

Traditional Pizzica dancers accompanied by a famous local band, Terraross, various food stations, decor and personalised tambourines for our guests set the scene. It was a proper Village Party (Festa di Paese). We also arrived in a typical Ape car and I wore a Zimmerman dress for a bohemian feel.

Wedding Day: We thought that a ceremony by the seaside would be very romantic as the sea provides an idyllic backdrop. Besides, we got engaged on the beach and so it’s always been meaningful to us. The ceremony took place at a newly-opened beach club that belongs to our reception venue and we loved its modern design as well as the fact that it was close to the venue.

We chose to hold a wedding dinner and party at Masseria Pettolecchia La Residenza nearly three years ago. After spending two weeks in Puglia hunting for our perfect place (we visited nearly 20 different venues), Masseria was love at first sight. Everything was perfect about
it: the surrounding area of millennium old olive groves, perfectly maintained gardens with pink bougainvillea flowers everywhere, the lush lawn that surrounds the pool, and a very unique décor.

You can just feel it that every detail has been thought through with care. The Masseria itself was a traditional farmhouse that is now turned into a luxury private villa with an amazing art collection and furniture. It’s located close to the seaside and has quick access to the most beloved Pugliese towns like Ostuni, Cisternino, Locorotondo, Monopoli or Polignano a Mare.

Fashion

Firstly, before my sister and I visited Berta in Israel, I had eyed a particular dress online, however, I was told on the phone before arriving that the dress is not for sale yet. The dress was from the newest Berta collection and it was just being presented at New York fashion week at the time.

It was a huge disappointment but we decided to make a trip to Israel in any case as I knew that the bridal fashion there was amazing. When we arrived, a sales person told me that actually the dress had just arrived and I would be able to try it on! Oh my, it was love at first sight, I knew right away that I found my wedding dress of dreams.

However, the journey of the dress was one for the books. Due to the pandemic, the dress was kept in Israel and I couldn’t go to try it on when it was being made in order to make adjustments. Just in time for the wedding, I finally received an approval to go to Ashdod, however, then the unrest between Israel and Palestine began. We had to find a person who could fly the dress to Dubai, where we were staying. After that we took it with us to Italy. It wasn’t perfectly fitted to me as I couldn’t try it on while it was being made, but most
importantly it was finally with me.

My husband wore a Ermenegildo Zegna custom made tuxedo – a cream jacket and black pants. He wore this with his Watch: IWC, Da Vinci Jubilee Edition, in rose gold, limited to 250 pieces (serial number 37). This watch was very special for Danilo because 37 is his favourite number and the watch is very symbolic to him. His cufflinks were rose gold with mother of pearl from an Italian jeweller.

Jewellery & Accessories

I wore a Berta, multi-layered tulle with crystals. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror, I had happy tears in my eyes, I immediately knew it was the one. I also wore Jimmy Choo shoes, Idea Sposa veil, and of course my Tiffany engagement ring.

My earrings were created in Dubai by a local supplier and my wedding bouquet had a horse-shoe shaped pin that was my grandparents’ gift to my parents for their wedding day.

Bridal Party

My bridal party wore elegant long silky dress with a different top to fit each bridesmaid’s body type and style. We chose the blush colour for the dress and chose the styles collaboratively as I wanted each bridesmaid to feel confident and beautiful on the day.

We opted for a classic look for the groomsmen with black tie tuxedos to contrast against the groom’s cream coloured jacket.

Flower girls were wearing cute blush dresses, matching shoes and fresh white flower crowns and the ring bearer was my niece, she chose her outfit on her own: a peachy knee length dress.

Tablescape

The colour scheme of the ceremony was white and ivory, the reception was a mix of blush, sand and white with a touch of gold. We had a “messy” flower arch composition made out of white and ivory roses, hydrangeas, and other fresh and dried flowers. The aisle runner was made of the same flowers as the arch, placed asymmetrically, along the white carpet which led to the white platform and the flower arch.

Food & Drink

We had a four course menu, served on a beautifully decorated sweet table. Probably the most memorable dish that guests talked about was the peach and champagne taglierini pasta with prawns and peppermint.

Many various cocktails were served during the evening as well as a three layer cake (sponge cake with pistachio cream) in white with blush flowers and gold leaves.

Transportation

A Ferrari Testarossa was our wedding car.

Entertainment

Throughout the ceremony we had live musicians playing piano and harp.

We had bands. The local “Vagaband” street band was entertaining during the cocktail hour and during our entrance to Masseria Pettolecchia la Residenza. The “Echoes Of” band from France were playing covers of 70s disco/soul/funk after the dinner.

70s disco was our main music theme of the evening. There was also a 3D video mapping on the facade of the Masseria to visually match the theme.

First dance song: Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.

Beauty & Wellness

Quite naturally the dress defined the look for the day as the style of it and the crystals were quite prominent, so accessories and my hairstyle had to be simple. I wanted the dress to be the centrepiece of the whole look with subtle makeup that would highlight my eyes and nude lip.