A Blush Pink Gown for an Italian Wedding Full of Love and Laughter

Oh bella Italia!  One of my dream holidays is to spend some time driving around various parts of this wonderful country and every time I write up an Italian wedding it further cements this wish – maybe 2017 will be that year?  Meet Martina and Robert, who married by the sea in Trieste and celebrated with their guests at a reception in Duino on the 28th May 2016.  The day was planned by Andrea Matiz of Pura Magia – Wedding & Events.

“In Andrea of Pura Magia – Wedding & Events, we found such a professional, empathetic and caring person that we felt immediately comfortable.   We listened to her personalised advice and suggestions and then chose what most suited our personalities and tastes.”

Photography by EmotionTTL

For those of you considering holding your wedding in Italy but not sure where to start with the logistics and planning, the couple leave a glowing review for Pura Magia – Wedding & Events.

“In Andrea of Pura Magia – Wedding & Events, we found such a professional, empathetic and caring person that we felt immediately comfortable.   We listened to her personalised advice and suggestions and then chose what most suited our personalities and tastes.”

The couple loved the multi-cultural feel of Trieste, which is now in Italy, but was once part of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy and Robert proposed to Martina in Duino during a weekend away so the two places seemed the perfect choice to celebrate their marriage.

Martina wore the most beautiful blush satin dress from Das Kleid in Salzburg, Austria.  She tells us that she chose it primarily for the soft, romantic colour, as she didn’t want a classic white dress, but also that she felt it was suitable for a bride of ‘her age’.  I feel that a bride should wear whatever she wants, regardless of her age, but I do absolutely love this gown- the colour is so rich and Martina looks just beautiful.

On her feet Martina wore gold sandals by Hänsel & Gretel and for a final bit of extra adornment she chose a delicate headband and earrings by Cadenzza.  A hairdresser by trade, she chose to do her own hair and make up.

Flowers were the work of Il Bouquet Trieste – aren’t they beautiful?  Such romantic colours and wonderful blousy shapes.

“I love peonies and roses in soft colours like antique pink, rosè, yellow and white and that was the basis for my choices regarding the flower decoration and my bridal bouquet.  Our choice of floral decoration was also based on the season and we wanted it to be both romantic and discreet.”

“We didn’t give exact instructions on how we imagined the flower decoration, but left the design up to the wedding planner and the florist.”

Martina was accompanied down the aisle by her nephew and the simple civil ceremony took place in the Trieste town hall.  The couple exchanged rings from Cartier, which they bought spontaneously at the Cartier shop on the Champs Elysees while having a romantic weekend in Paris- how glamorous.

Robert looked very smart indeed in a blue suit by Reyer and shoes also from Hänsel & Gretel.  I love the sunglasses he chose to add later in the day as well.

Photographers Ilaria and Andrea of EmotionTTL captured every important moment of the day in their light-filled and laid back style.

“The photographers did a wonderful job as they were storytelling our day and took only natural pictures without too many posing moments, capturing in this way all the joy and love that we felt that weekend.  They were also nearly invisible and very professional, never disturbing and discreet. We got to know them before the wedding during an aperitif and they were very sensitive, trying to understand perfectly what we wished and which kind of pictures we desired.”

“Our favourite part of the day was the boat transfer with our guests. The transfer took one hour from the marvellous Piazza Unità d’Italia in Trieste to the reception venue.  All guests enjoyed the gorgeous weather and the fantastic views and we disembarked directly in front of the restaurant.  We also loved the fireworks that crowned our day and that were shot directly from the sea.”

After the ceremony, the party had an aperitif at Harry’s Restaurant and Café, before boarding the wedding boat, the Delfino Verde, to take them to the reception meal at Alla Dama Bianca.  I adore the idea of a boat ride as part of a wedding- what better way to share the local sights with your guests?

The reception decor was also the work of Il Bouquet Trieste, who worked with different netted fabrics in shades of antique pink and white colours, to create the perfect seaside themed decor.  Menus, table plans and the tableau de mariage were the work of Fragola Lilla, while the invitations and weekend programme for guests were down to Invitianozze.

In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Martina and Robert chose a cake buffet extravaganza, provided by Maritani and favours of the traditional Italian sugared almonds called ‘confetti’.

“We opted for a buffet combining chocolate flavors with creamy and more light tastes.  For us it was important that there were different options for our guests and after various tastings we decided to go with Maritani as his sweets were just marvellous and unique.  They were very light and after a four-course dinner this was the right choice.”

In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Martina and Robert chose a cake buffet extravaganza, provided by Maritani and favours of the traditional Italian sugared almonds called ‘confetti’.

“We opted for a buffet combining chocolate flavors with creamy and more light tastes.  For us it was important that there were different options for our guests and after various tastings we decided to go with Maritani as his sweets were just marvellous and unique.  They were very light and after a four-course dinner this was the right choice.”

Evening entertainment was provided by Musique Boutique and the newlyweds danced under the stars to a personalised version ‘Marina’ by Rocco Granata.

“As our first dance we opted for something funny and typical Italian and so chose the song ‘Marina’ written by Rocco Granata which was personalised by the band singing ‘Martina’ instead of ‘Marina’. We love Italy and this was a really funny and original solution.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Stay true to yourself, listen to your inner voice and before deciding or choosing details, decoration, the order of events and the structure of the day, reflect about what is really important to you on your wedding day.  For us it was definitely to be surrounded by all people that we love and that we wanted to share this particular moment with. We also imagined a weekend filled with the things we love, like Italian seafood and wine, and a quiet relaxed time schedule without stress, just spending some time by the sea and enjoying ourselves.”

Thank so so much to Robert and Martina for sharing their day with us- the warm colours and sunshine filled photos have certainly brightened this rather grey Yorkshire day.  Are you planning a destination wedding?  We have a whole archive of beauties for you to devour right here if you are, or if, like me, you just can’t resist a pretty set of photographs…

Much love,

Shona x