[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
The wedding colors were shades of pink and peach, with a touch of dusty blue.
[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
From the bride & the groom: “From our very first conversation about marriage, our dream wedding consisted of a celebration surrounded by family and friends in a location where we could bring all of the wonderful people in our lives together and enable them to make new friends. We also believe in never procrastinating happiness, in finding a way to make our dreams come true. While the pandemic made this dream wedding impossible during 2020 and 2021, it didn’t prevent us from getting legally married and planning our family. All with the shared promise that we would make the dream wedding happen when it was possible. We decided to have our daughter first, so she could be a part of the special celebration, and there really is no order to things in life! In October of 2021, over the course of two weeks exploring the Tuscan countryside, embracing the beauty of Florence, and dining our way from Rome to Lake Como, we fell in love with Italy. We knew that this was going to be a special place for us. We named our future puppy, Como when we found we would get to bring him home (while in Lake Como). We named our future daughter, Siena (after the medieval province in Italy). And we knew that the rolling hills of Tuscany was where we wanted to bring those most important to us together to celebrate our marriage. We wanted more than just a wedding. We wanted to give our friends an intimate week of quality time together; we wanted a week of exploring Florence and Tuscany, culminating in the wedding and several days staying together on the same property. We planned for several days in Florence with tours of the city, Uffizi and the Accademia, and dinners at our favorite restaurants. At Castello di Meleto we found the perfect venue – castle lodging for our guests, with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside, an onsite winery, and a gorgeous wedding venue. To help us plan our dream wedding, we were so fortunate to discover The Tuscan Wedding. From the moment we met Daniela Tripodi, we knew that her team would be the best in the industry to help plan our dream wedding. Daniela was such an expert when it came to the most experienced caterers, photographers, florists, entertainers and artisan vendors. She truly pushed the boundaries of creativity where modern romance meets Italian renaissance. We had just begun wedding planning after our daughter Siena was born, and The Tuscan Wedding team made the planning abroad so seamless and smooth. We are forever grateful. For the wedding day, we wanted to make the most of Tuscany, holding all events outdoors until the post-dinner celebration. We lucked out with 80 degree weather in October! Each event in turn needed to also include a few special touches to mark it as uniquely ours. Holding our wedding in late 2023 presented the unique opportunity to include our seven month old daughter, Siena, and she was a star of the ceremony, stealing the show as she came down the aisle in a white wagon. The cocktail reception included a guest table with hand-carved wooden hearts, which we found a few weeks earlier in the Dolomites, upon which our guests left individualized notes – creating a special memento which graces our Christmas tree each holiday season. Shirlene’s design eye lies at the heart of the wedding, but no event more than the reception itself. Here she envisioned an outdoor Tuscan reception with a touch of elegance. Color palette included coral, blush, dusty rose, and burnt orange, reflecting fall colors in the countryside. The flowers included dahlias, garden roses, sweet peas and lisianthus flowers and adorned with Pomegranates, grapes and sweet pears. Crystal candelabras boasting tangerine and peach tapered candles graced the center of the reception table. The grand table was brought to life by shimmering outdoor chandeliers, adding a modern touch to the castle walls, also back lit with warm uplighting. Amber glasses and burgundy artisanal plates were highlights of the place settings. We created a single table to bring the entire group together, and left a few empty seats to memorialize some of the special friends and family we’ve lost over the years. No reception is complete without a wedding cake, which is why included two! First, a personalized American style Tiramisu cake and, second, a traditional Mille Foglie Italian wedding cake – the star of the show being made in front of all the guests and a treat that we savored in the castle on the following day. No wedding celebration would be complete without a party and for ours we knew we needed two things: a great band, and a great bar. For the entertainment, we reviewed a long list of local artists before selecting The Puppets, a talented group who set the perfect atmosphere for our party. The bar also required special attention; one outcome of the pandemic is that Mike became an amateur home bartender. For the occasion, he created a special menu of three signature cocktails for the occasion. Each cocktail, The Como, The Siena, and The Kodiak, is named after the family and consists of a different base liquor and different preparation. If the party is any indication, both the bar and the band hit the mark.”
[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]
From the bride & groom: “Sunday night, September 16, 2018, San Francisco Mike is lounging in bed, recovering from a weekend in Sonoma with his sister. He opens his phone to discover a notification on Bumble – it’s from Shirlene, a girl he matched with several days prior. They chat and quickly realize that, between their work and international travel schedules, the only available time to meet in the next month is this week. They pick Thursday. Thursday night, September 20, 2018, San Francisco Shirlene walks into the cocktail joint and spots Mike reserving a pair of bar stools. She takes a seat and conversation takes flight. Amongst the ensuing drinks they discuss family, goals, work adventures, and travel plans. They share dessert. They stop at a second bar. They strike a spark that will change both of their lives. The next week they ventured off to Japan and Germany on separate trips. Their second date wouldn’t be for another six weeks, but the initial connection would bring them back for more. Over the next year and a half, Shirlene and Michael build a life together. They embrace each other’s friends; they embrace each other’s family. They embark on countless adventures, exploring Portugal, Morocco, Japan, and Taiwan. In a stroke of luck, they move into a San Francisco flat together just months before the pandemic shut everything down. And during those months locked in together they realize they’ve found the perfect life partner. Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2020, Monterey Bay Shirlene and Mike are taking a weekend trip to Carmel, their first in months in the pandemic. They’ve built a life together during the last year and a half, discovering a best friend and partner in each other. Mike convinces a local boat captain to take them on a sunset bay cruise. The evening is wonderful and the wildlife is active; dolphins, seals, and sea lions abound. The moment is right. Mike falls to one knee. Shirlene says Yes.”
[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
Shirlene emerged like a vision from a dream, captivating all with her presence. Her dress was a pure marvel—a creme white masterpiece adorned with pure white broderie, molding into an elegant mermaid silhouette with a magnificent trailing skirt. The elegance of her attire was an understatement; it was a living fantasy, and Shirlene herself was the central bloom in the garden of love. Her hair, crafted into a beautiful styled bun by the talented hands of Cherie Spisso, exuded a timeless elegance, while her makeup, done with a natural touch, accentuated her beauty. Her long, luscious lashes framed eyes filled with love and anticipation.
[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]
Shirlene’s bridesmaids, an embodiment of grace, donned dresses in various shades of pink, reminiscent of the hues of a Tuscan sunset. Each carried a bouquet mirroring the bride’s, but in a smaller, more delicate fashion. Their smiles were a symphony of joy, an expression of the love that bound them together. The briesmaids wore different dress brands: Anthropology, BCBG, BHLDN, Birdie Grey, Michael Costello, Ramy Brook, and Shona Joy.
[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]
Michael, the groom, he was the embodiment of quiet sophistication in his dark gray suit, elegantly tied together with a soft pink tie. His attire was a harmonious complement to the scene, a piece of the grand mosaic that made the day perfect. Custom suit by Divij Hemrajani, a Los Angeles area based tailor
[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]The menu was not just a meal; it was a culinary voyage through the flavors of Tuscany. Stuffed pasta delighted the senses with tortelli cacio e pepe, accompanied by crispy Tuscan bacon. The next course featured fresh pasta, mezzi paccheri adorned with duck ragout, fried sage, and juicy raspberries. For the main course, a sea bass crusted in Bronte pistachios reigned supreme, served with fresh cherry tomatoes, capers, and the treasured olives of Tuscany. A vegetarian delight was in store as well, featuring an exquisite Eggplant Parmigiana by the renowned vendor, Galateo. The meal was a celebration of Tuscany’s rich culinary heritage, presented with elegance and finesse.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
The ceremony unfolded beneath a half-style arch adorned with organic greenery and blossoms, creating an ambiance that bridged the natural and the dreamlike. Grounded florals lined the sides of the aisle, symbolically guiding the couple towards their shared future. It was a moment where love blossomed, where the beauty of nature interwove with their love story. Warm-toned flowers in shades of pink, creme, orange, and white, including ranunculus, garden roses, sweet peas, lisianthus, dahlias, seasonal berries, and eucalyptus, adorned this natural altar. Their vintage, old Italian romantic look was nothing short of enchanting, as if nature itself had whispered its secrets into the bouquet, creating an ethereal masterpiece. Crafted by Flowers Living, this bouquet featured an assortment of warm-toned flowers in shades of pink, creme, orange, and white, including ranunculus, garden roses, sweet peas, lisianthus, dahlias, seasonal berries, and eucalyptus.
[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
In front of the grand doors of the castle, the wedding cake awaited its moment of glory. Comprising three layers, transitioning from a deeper pink hue to a lighter one, it was adorned with an array of flowers. The cake was not just a dessert; it was a representation of the sweet moments that Shirlene and Michael would share on their lifelong journey together.
[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
[/board_carousel]
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/888777612 600 338]
Photography: Aberrazioni Cromatiche Studio | Cinematography: Aberrazioni Cromatiche Studio | Event Planning: The Tuscan Wedding | Floral Design: Flowers Living | Cake: Sugarcups | Ceremony Venue: Castello Di Meleto | Reception Venue: Castello Di Meleto | Catering: Galateo Ricevimenti | Beauty: Cherie Spisso | Bridal dress: Winnie Couture | Bridal dress 2: Bronx and Banco | Bridal shoes: Loeffler Randall | Engagement Ring Designer: K Kane Jewelry | Jewelery: Cartier | Music: Ponte Vecchio Jazz Band | Music: The Chain Du
© Style Me Pretty, %%08pm31UTC[2024]%%. |
Permalink |
Comments |
Add to
del.icio.us
Post tags:
Post categories: Destination, Fall, Real Weddings, Romantic, Seasonal Wedding Trend, The Blog
Powered by WPeMatico
