Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to visit the beautiful Il Borro estate in the heart of the sumptuous Tuscan countryside. My experience was part of ‘Kaleidotour’ – a tour of Tuscany and it’s wedding and hospitality services, organised by Angela Mugnai of Italian wedding and event planners, ‘Italian Eye’. It was a veritable feast for the senses, paying special attention to taste and visuals. The estate is owned by the Ferragamo family – as in the world-famous fashion house. I consider myself sufficiently spoiled to have been part of an intimate dinner that was cooked and served by Mrs Ferragamo herself, the Chef on High Heels.
Il Borro set the scene for the beautiful shoot we’re sharing images from this morning too. It’s wonderful to be able to see the estate again through the eyes of a team of British and Italian creatives and wedding suppliers.
Photography by Kate Nielen // Styling + Concept by Snowdrops Weddings And Events
These images were submitted by photographer Kate Nielen, who had collaborated with stylist Anna Petterle of Snowdrops Weddings and Events to create a scene of refined elegance that the team hoped would inspire Love My Dress readers. They include the products and services of several suppliers I’ve directly worked with or experienced the services of myself, including British bridal fashion designer Emma Hunt London and Italian florist extraordinaire, Jardin Divers.
Below, Anna describes how these images came together…
“My inspiration for this shoot came from the uniqueness of this incredible venue, Il Borro, an estate situated in the Tuscan countryside. The moment the car turned into the long cypress hallway and winded down towards the Villa and further, on the tiny road leading up to the Tuscan Borgo, I knew what wedding I wanted to design.”
“I chose a colour palette of delicate whites, creams, ivories mixed together with touches of elegant peachy and pink hues, to complement the colouring of the buildings at il Borro.
The green colours used in the shoot are the ones of olive trees and aromatic herbs as rosemary, small branches of which are used for the stunning naked cake, prepared by Sugar and Spice Bakery and decorated by me, and for the reception table setting, giving an organic and earthy quality to the styling of both.”
I can vouch personally for the wow factor that greets you when you arrive at the magnificent tree lined entrance to Il Borro…
“It was as if I had stepped back in time to when I was a child and my summer vacation had just began, a time of relax, of light heartedness and sweet memories to look back to in years to come. These feelings are what I wanted to portray with this styled shoot, a happy family sharing the most important day of their life with their friends and relatives, in a place where the silence, the slower pace, the peace and the beauty that surround you create the most magical atmosphere.
Kate Nielen Photography perfectly captured the emotions and feelings of this styled wedding photo shoot with her bright, airy and delicate photographic style.”
“Fun, swirly lettering and flowery designs from the calligrapher Betty Soldi ornate the stationery for this shoot.”
“For this bride, who I see as a young, sweet but strong woman, I chose to have two different looks: she wears a delicate camellia headdress for the church ceremony and the reception, which she exchanges for a beautiful flower crown later in the day. The make up and hair, by Silvia Gerzeli, are carefully designed to enhance her natural beauty and personality.
A touch of sensual femininity is given by the ivory peep-toe shoes form Freya Rose, with crystal and beads embellishments on the heel.”
“The flower arrangements, the bouquets and all other flower details created by Jardin Divers perfectly depict the style of understated elegance I wanted to create. The stunning flower garland we used as a picture frame is an amazing prop every wedding should have!”
“I also wanted to have extremely romantic elements, as the fairy tale wedding dress from Emma Hunt London. This dream gown, which I coupled with delicate accessories by Victoria Fergusson, has a lace bodice overlay, a playful tulle skirt and a statement rose on the waist.”
“A groom, a little flower girl, a dog and a horse were the elements I chose to complete this stunning and happy family. The photos show the tenderness and the bond between the bride, the groom and the little flower girl, so sweet and immensely cute in her Little Bevan A line dress with a big bow on the back and wearing a delicate flower crown matching the one of the bride.”
“A Fiat 500 courtesy of We Like Tuscany was the ultimate touch of Italian tradition, of a step back in time and the symbol of a romance that never ends.”
Il Borro Relais & Chateaux hosts only a limited number of weddings every year. To enquire and find out more, please visit theIl Borro website.
I’d like to thank Kate Nielen and her creative team for sharing these images with us today.
Have a beautiful Sunday all,
Love Annabel xx
Photographer – Kate Nielen Photography
Stylist – Snowdrops Weddings And Events
Venue – Il Borro Relais & Chateaux
Make up and Hair – Silvia Gerzeli
Flowers – Jardin Divers
Wedding Dress – Emma Hunt London
Shoes – Freya Rose
Headdress and Earrings – Victoria Fergusson
Cake – Sugar and Spice Bakery
Groom Attire – Groom’s own
Flower Girl Dress – Little Bevan
Car – We Like Tuscany
Stationery – Betty Soldi
Ring – Oro del Borro
Model – Anna Petterle
Groom – Niccolo
Flower Girl – Julia Nielen