O L I V I A & S T E F A N O
Olivia and Stefano live to celebrate the subtle wonders of the everyday, and their magnificent Italian wedding brought all of these details to life.
T H E I R S T O R Y …
Spread over three days in the south of Italy, each day of the wedding had its own theme. To kick off the festivities, guests were treated to wood-fired pizzas as they relaxed around small bonfires while being serenaded by musicians, and entertained by local mime and shadow artists in an evening themed ‘Travellers and Troubadours’.
Olivia and Stefano knew they wanted to embrace the rural, rustic, and romantic flavours of southern Italy as the abundance of nature – in crimson sunsets, bittersweet smells and homely honesty – perpetually reverberates through the enchanted region of Puglia. By enlisting the help of Eva and Martina at Chic Weddings in Italy, Olivia’s vision was transformed into an awe-inspiring reality. The special moments over the three-day event were captured by photographer, Cinzia Bruschini, who created images full of movement and emotion.
“Puglia is an enchanted region of insane natural beauty, an ancient land where religion still holds sway over reason and tradition over modernity. Time almost stands still”.
The ceremony itself took place on the second day in the hilltop Basilica Cathedral overlooking the rolling landscape. Inspired by the southern Italian marketplaces, the cathedral was styled to overflow with fertile fruits and vegetables, citrus trees, fresh flowers and foliage, and was detailed with twinkling candles. A special aspect of the ceremony was the priest that married the couple – a childhood friend of Stefano. He travelled from northern Italy to perform the ceremony, which made it all the more sentimental. Afterwards, the party moved into the courtyard, which was thematically styled as a marketplace. After grazing on canapés at food stalls, guests dotted the long banquet tables and enjoyed a village-style feast.
To wind down the celebrations, the last day was a laid back 1950s Beach Party complete with barbequed seafood, homemade popsicles, inflatable decorations and granita cocktails. Hair artists treated guests to rockabilly makeovers and everyone relaxed in the sun as the extravagant weekend came to a close.
Photography Cinzia Bruschini Event Styling, Design, and Planning Chic Weddings in Italy Ceremony Venue Basilica Cattedrale Oria Reception Venue Masseria Potenti Bride’s Gown Reem Acra Hair & Makeup Alice Oliver Groom’s Attire Hardy Amies Bridesmaids’ Gowns J Crew Flowers La rosa Canina Location Masseria Potenti Stationery and Website Emerance Potesta Band Kalascima
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