I simply couldn’t let Wednesday slip by without sharing this charming summer afternoon in Italy. A bride who chooses a Temperley London gown to wear is always going to be someone with great style, but add to that a penchant for an original 1930’s wax flower headpiece, and the laid back surroundings of Umbria in Italy and you’ve a recipe in the making for a very beautiful wedding indeed – especially when hundreds of candles, festoon lights, and paper lanterns are involved.
Rachel and Michael tied the knot on 4 September last year at Borgo di Bastia Creti in Umbria, Italy – a beautiful old house on top of a hill with enough rooms for all members of the wedding party to stay for the week. The couple were assisted in planning their summer celebration by Monina Bucci of Italian Wedding Dream and these images were taken by Cinzia Bruschini. I love how Cinzia has captured beautiful portraits and lots of little special moments.
Photography Copyright (c) 2015, Cinzia Bruschini
“Michael and I met when we were at school and got engaged on a rooftop in Venice 12 years later. We were engaged for 18 months before our wedding day. We wanted a fun, laid back wedding where we could celebrate with our best friends and closest family.”
“The flower arrangements were a labour of love created by my mum, with help from the rest of the bridal party. I wanted the flowers to reflect the relaxed nature of the day – nothing too formal.”
“My dress dress was a customised Amoret dress by Temperley London that I bought in a sample sale from Leonie Claire Bridal on a trip down to Brighton. I bought extra lace from Temperley, to have the sleeves added. I adored the beautiful soft lace.
The bridesmaids wore different dresses that we chose together from Asos, Whistles, Coast & Adrianna Papell.”
“Our photographer was Cinzia Bruschini. We love Cinzia’s photos and were really pleased with how she captured our wedding. She (and her assistant/partner Matteo) made us feel completely comfortable on the day and were delightful to have around. We can’t recommend Cinzia highly enough.”
“My necklace, earrings and bracelet were originally my Grandmothers and were borrowed on the day from my mum.”
“I bought my antique veil and original wax flower headpiece from Susannah in Bath. Susannah’s is full of vintage treasures and she was incredibly kind and helpful.
“My dad walked me down the aisle to the sound of ‘Blackbird’, by The Beatles.
We were legally married in London the week before we went to Italy so at our Italian wedding we had a symbolic ceremony with my bridesmaid Jessie acting as celebrant. She wrote a moving and personalised service for us and we chose our own vows.
“We had two readings, ‘Love Listen’ by Ann Gray and an extract from ‘Letters to a Young Poet’ by Rainer Maria Rilke.”
“I love antique jewellery so my wedding, and engagement ring, were from Berganza. Michael’s wedding ring was a rose gold ring passed down from his great grandparents.”
“As we exited the ceremony, we were accompanied to a live version of ‘Wichita Lineman’ by Gomez.”
“We had an accordion player to add atmosphere during the day and an Italian jazz band called the Noobs played in the evening.”
We made jars of Italian rosemary salt to give to guests as favours.”
“My lovely sister-in-law of Wild Cherry Bakery made our delicious wedding cake. The base was a carrot cake and the top red velvet.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom…
“Remember what it’s all about and take the time to really appreciate that it is probably one of the rare occasions in your life that you will have all the people that you love most around you. Enjoy the whole experience and don’t worry if some things don’t go as planned – it won’t matter in the end. Get some great photos to remind you of the day and all the small touches in the future.
On reflection, we should have planned in advance for rain. We were very thankful to Monina, our wedding planner, for saving our guests from getting wet by persuading us that we needed, and finding, a marquee at the last minute.”
Stylish, classy and effortlessly elegant. My love and thanks to you both Rachel and Michael and huge thanks also to the wonderfully talented photographer Cinzia Bruschini for sharing her photography with Love My Dress.
Readers, you can explore more destination and Italian weddings and see more beautiful brides wearing Temperley gowns too.
Love Annabel xx
Photographer – Cinzia Bruschini
Planner/Stylist – Monina Bucci of Italian Wedding Dream
Venue – Borgo di Bastia Creti in Umbria, Italy
Wedding Dress – Temperley London via Leonie Claire Bridal
Veil – Antique via Susannah in Bath
Headpiece – 1930’s wax flower headpiece via Susannah in Bath
Bride’s Shoes – Sandals from Dune
Accessories – Borrowed from mum
Bridesmaids – Asos, Whistles, Coast & Adrianna Papell.
Flowergirls – I Love Gorgeous
Florist – Styled by family and friends
Cake – Wild Cherry Bakery
Rings – Berganza. + antique family heirloom
Stationery – the bride’s sister
Hair Stylist – one of the bridesmaids
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
The bride and bridesmaids look absolutely spectacular, fab dresses!
Lovely photos 🙂