Oh how I do love the summer- long light evenings, being able to be outdoors all day and the warm sun on your skin… Sadly, we just don’t get enough sun for my liking in this green and pleasant (but overly grey and damp) land and so it doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to understand why today’s lovely couple chose to hold their nuptials in sunny Italy, land of art, vineyards and olive groves.
Meet Amelia, an investment advisor, and Mark, a chef, who married on the 10th of September 2015 in Chiesa di San Martino a Maiano, Fiesole, Tuscany, followed by a gloriously beautiful reception at nearby Villa Montefiano. These images by the talented Matteo Crescentini just make me want to book flights immediately! This wedding was expertly planned and styled by Italian wedding planner, Rossana Sapori of The Knot in Italy.
“We fell in love with Florence after having holidayed in the city many times over the years so it was a natural choice when it came to our wedding. We are very passionate about food and wine (especially with Mark being a chef) so it was the perfect place. I am Australian and Mark is British so we wanted something where everyone could get away for a holiday and enjoy the Tuscan sun.”
Photography by Matteo Crescentini
Amelia wore an utterly stunning beaded gown by the wonderful Eliza Jane Howell (one of our Little Book for Brides® members), which she purchased at Teokath of London. It’s such an elegant and delicate dress with a definite 1020s/ 1930s feel- beautiful. Amelia’s three bridesmaids looked extremely glamorous in three different styles of black dress, bought variously from Lanvin and Zimmerman, with gardenias in their hair to match the bride.
“I wanted something that was unique and very fitted, with a hint of glamour. Once I saw the designer’s dresses I fell in love with the beautiful beadwork – her gowns truly are so special.”
“Our engagement was a total surprise. It was Mark’s birthday and we had arranged to go for lunch, however en route to the restaurant Mark called me to say he would meet me in Hyde Park for a pre-drink. On arrival he had a picnic rug laid out and bottle of champagne on ice. He then got on one knee and asked me to marry him – to the applause of all the passers-by in Hyde Park!”
In her hair our bride wore a simple white gardenia flower and for jewellery she chose pearl and diamond earrings (which were designed and gifted to her by her parents) and an antique rose gold watch which belonged to her great grandmother. On her feet she wore a dainty pair of shoes from Gianvito Rossi and for scent, she chose Tuberose Angelica by Jo Malone.
Florist Roberto Fiori created the beautiful and classic floral arrangements, which were carefully made up of specific plants and flowers to show Amelia’s heritage and family links.
“My bouquet consisted of white David Austin roses, tuberoses and eucalyptus. I wanted a lovely vintage style floral bouquet to go with my dress, my grandmother had tuberoses in her wedding bouquet and I chose the eucalyptus to mark my Australian background. The bridesmaid’s bouquets were the same as mine, but with white hydrangeas instead of tuberoses.”
Mark looked incredibly smart in a black two piece suit from Paul Smith.
Amelia was walked down the aisle by her father, to the classic ‘Canon in D’ by Pachabel, played by a string duo.
“We had a Catholic church service so chose relevant readings according to this. They were very much all orientated around love, happiness and companionship.”
“We wanted an intimate space and something that was truly representative of the area and we were spoilt for choice with venues as the Tuscan hills are scattered with some of the most breath-taking villas. We settled on Villa Montefiano which is located in the beautiful town of Fiesole. The villa has amazing gardens and a spectacular terrace with a view over the olive groves and the city of Florence.”
Photographer Matteo Crescentini captured the day so beautifully. You can almost feel the heat from the sun, smell the drifting scents on the breeze and hear the tinkle of champagne flutes…
“Matteo was absolutely brilliant, we were incredibly lucky to have such a great photographer. He captured the day in such an amazing way and he made us feel incredibly relaxed- we laughed for the entire day.”
“There were so many favourite moments during the day, however one of the highlights was after the ceremony when we went off for our photos in the hills and another was catching up with all our lovely guests at the aperitif, whilst gazing at the view over Florence.”
“We chose very simple décor as the venue really spoke for itself with the gardens and view of Florence from the terrace. For the tables we had white cloths, personalised napkins, menu cards, name cards and almond pouches and we had an olive leaf runner for each table with vases of white hydrangeas and David Austin roses together with scattered candles.”
“We had a traditional Tuscan wedding cake made by our caterers, Galateo Catering. It was a gorgeous Millefoglie with fresh berries, made in front of us by the chef. Our guests could not stop talking about it.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Try and enjoy every moment and don’t get too worried about by the small things. In all the panic and stress of organising the day you forget about how exciting it is just to be engaged! Embrace every moment, it goes so quickly.”
Congratulations Amelia and Mark and thank you so much for sharing your wonderful day with us all. Thanks also to Matteo Crescentini for the beautiful images. If you’d like to see other stunning Italian weddings which we have featured on Love My Dress, then take a peek here.
Much love,
Shona x
Photographer – Matteo Crescentini
Venue – Villa Montefiano, Fiesole, Florence, Italy
Event planner – Rossana Sapori of The Knot in Italy
Wedding dress –Eliza Jane Howell, purchased from Teokath of London.
Shoes – Gianvito Rossi
Accessories – Family jewellery and gifts
Scent – Tuberose Angelica by Jo Malone
Bridesmaids – Lanvin +Zimmerman
Groom – Paul Smith
Florist – Roberto Fiori
Cake – Galateo Catering
Catering- Galateo Catering
Rings – Designed by Elena from Le Gemme di Leolini, Florence
Entertainment – Friends acted as DJ
Stationery – By the bride’s Uncle
Shona Raffle-EdwardsView all Shona's articles
Shona is a wedding admiring bookworm with a love of the countryside, flowers and all things organisational who is currently based in sunny Yorkshire with her husband and beloved cat
Words fail me! I’m in absolute wedding heaven. Every time I look at another Italian wedding I know that I made the wrong decision marrying at home. I am going to have to hold my 10th anniversary celebrations in an Italian villa! Amelia and Mark, you look beautiful, your day looks beautiful, the villa, the view, the food, drink and cake, the maids, the blokes ALL look beautiful. I’m off to silently weep at all this beauty!!! Congratulations on making a very beautiful decision xxx
Thank you all the team! But all my thank yous to Amelia and Mark and of course thank you Florence for these beautiful days! ❤️
Rossana, I will be in touch at some point in the future as I simply *must* hold some kind of celebration in Italia!! 🙂 xx
This makes me so excited to be marrying in Tuscany! What a beautiful day and a beautiful place x x x