Virginia and Federico married in July in Piedmont in Italy, with their ceremony held at The Santuario della Madonna del Lago and their reception at Castello di Torre Ratti, which also happens to be the groom’s breathtakingly beautiful family home. Their close friend Isotta Fanfani planned and coordinated the wedding from Italy, bringing everything together on the ground as guests travelled in from different countries to be there.
The couple first met in 2008 at a sailing school in Sardinia and remained close for years before their relationship blossomed in 2020. By the time they married, they had known each other for seventeen years.
Florals were by Oltre Il Giardino, arranged for the ceremony and reception, then reworked for brunch the following day so everything could be used again. A vintage car belonging to Federico’s family, once raced by his grandparents in the Paris Dakar, also played a special role on the day.
Virginia’s chic and minimalist look was Cortana – she discovered her gown at Le Fate Atelier in Milan, where she was provided with ample time to try each option without pressure and chose a dress that prioritised movement and ease. She paired it with a silk Coftana veil embroidered with small stars and a sheer top inspired by 1930’s evening wear.
Wonderfully talented and Love My Dress recommended photographer, Stefano Santucci, documented the day using analogue photography, in his signature effortless and entirely unobtrusive style. We absolutely adore Stefano’s work and it is an incredible pleasure to be able to share it here once again. Enjoy!
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The Dress
Cortana
My dress was by Cortana. I purchased my dress from Le Fate Atelier in Milan – where I got my veil and shoes from too. The experience was incredibly calm, thoughtful and supportive from start to finish.
The team immediately understood my vision and gave me the space and time to really feel into each dress, without any pressure. Their guidance was sensitive and intuitive, helping me focus on how the dress felt on my body rather than following trends or expectations.
It was a truly positive experience and one I would absolutely recommend to other brides looking for something timeless, personal and chosen with care.
I was drawn to a wardrobe that felt effortless, fluid and deeply personal. I wanted to feel completely myself on the day, without anything restrictive or overly constructed.
What mattered most to me was movement, lightness and a sense of subtle elegance.
What I loved most was how natural everything felt when worn together.
The dress moved beautifully with my body and never felt like a costume. It allowed me to be present, comfortable and free to enjoy the day fully, while still feeling timeless and considered.
Hair and make-up ws by Angelo Nenna Pintor, who created a look that felt natural and true to me.
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Photography
We chose Stefano Santucci because of his use of analog photography and his unique way of working with light and colour. His images feel gentle, nostalgic and poetic, never forced.
On the day, he was incredibly discreet and kind, almost invisible, yet he captured every meaningful moment.
If you love natural, mostly unposed photography with a strong emotional depth, he is an absolute must-hire.
The Reception
Flowers were by Oltre Il Giardino. We loved their sensitivity and creativity. They understood our vision immediately and even reorganised the flowers from the dinner tables into a new setup for the following day’s brunch, allowing everything to be reused and enjoyed again.
Notes From The Wedding Planner
The couple’s friend, Isotta Fanfani
Federico and Virginia wanted a celebration that felt deeply personal, informal and full of meaning rather than overly styled.
The design of the day was guided by their shared love for nostalgia, history and authenticity, with the aim of creating an atmosphere that felt lived-in, warm and joyful.
The setting itself, Federico’s family home, played a central role in shaping the aesthetic. Rather than imposing a concept, we worked with what was already there: the architecture, the garden, the natural flow of the spaces and the emotional weight the place already carried for the family.
Everything was designed to feel effortless and spontaneous, allowing guests to move freely and feel at ease.
Florals were intentionally natural and abundant, with a soft, organic feel, enhancing the spaces without overpowering them. Details were chosen with care but never to feel precious or untouchable.
The focus was always on people, connection and celebration, leaving room for the day to unfold naturally and imperfectly, which is exactly where its beauty lay.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
We would have reminded ourselves even more to slow down and fully live every moment. The day truly flies by.
Ask for help and don’t try to do everything yourselves. Let go of small details and focus on being present. What stays with you is the feeling, not perfection.
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