The Proposal:
Rosario planned a surprise proposal. After lunch, we took a walk along the water/ New York City Skyline. Rosario got down on one knee in front of so many strangers sitting in the park and we received a round of applause after Gabriella said yes. We took photos around Hoboken, New Jersey, and then to Rosario’s apartment for an engagement party with both of our families to celebrate.
What was the inspiration for the style of your wedding? Did it have a theme?
The inspiration was solely based on romance. We wanted a romantic vibe, string lights, and florals. Just enough of each to blend into the beautiful setting.
Gabriella had always dreamed of getting married in Florence, Italy. She envisioned a stunning church in the heart of Florence and a celebration that was not too grandiose but filled with excellent food, a breathtaking view of Florence, and surrounded by all her closest relatives and friends to share the most beautiful day.
Her dream came true on September 7th, 2023, when she married Rosario in the heart of Florence.
Outfits:
Bride: White lace fitted trumpet-style wedding gown, simple veil, white platform Badgley Mischka shoes with pearl ankle strap.
Groom: White custom-fitted tuxedo jacket/black tuxedo pants, black bow tie, white tuxedo shirt, Italian flag cufflinks (From a previous vacation in Sorrento), Salvatore Ferragamo shoes.
The Ceremony & Music:
The ceremony was performed in English at La Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti with an organist during the church ceremony.
Aperitivo & Dinner:
Aperitivo and Dinner were hosted at La Loggia, at Piazzale Michelangelo, offering guests a breathtaking view of the city of Florence.
Food and drinks were served to the guests while we were in an Antique car driving around Firenze with Punti di Bianco snapping beautiful photos at different locations.
The dinner was served under a beautiful canopy of lights, with the splendid sunset providing an incredible backdrop of Piazzale Michelangelo and the entire Florence skyline. The distant city lights twinkling in the background truly added to the romantic ambience of our dinner.
We curated a Spotify playlist to accompany dinner, setting the mood with enchanting melodies. As the evening unfolded, guests found themselves swept away by the magical ambience, some even rising to dance to the romantic tunes mid-meal.
Dancing & DJ set:
The music for the dance party was performed by TastenSax. The DJ spun the tracks while the saxophonist seamlessly accompanied every beat, creating an unforgettable synergy. They were an incredible duo, and their performance was adored by everyone; the dance floor was packed with enthusiastic guests all night long!
The Wedding Planner:
Roberta, from Al Fresco Wedding, was perfection personified! She addressed every query, alleviated every concern, and provided invaluable assistance with decision-making throughout the entire process. Being based in the USA, we couldn’t have been more grateful for her willingness to conduct site visits, meet potential vendors, and capture photos during times when we couldn’t travel to Italy due to work commitments. She truly went above and beyond every step of the way! From attending all the crucial meetings for those last-minute decisions leading up to the wedding to joining us for our Welcome pizza dinner, and ensuring everything ran seamlessly on the big day alongside her team, she was an indispensable presence.
Photographer
Our photographers, Silvia and Tommaso from Punti di Bianco, were present during our engagement photo shoot, and we absolutely adored them both. We were thrilled to have them capture our wedding as well. Their meticulous attention to detail and the advantage of having two sets of eyes to capture different perspectives were flawless. They effortlessly captured incredible shots, almost as if they were invisible. Throughout the night, they blended seamlessly into the background, allowing us to fully enjoy ourselves without feeling overwhelmed by photographers in our faces. We requested specific photos with our guests and at certain locations, and they fully committed to our vision. They kept a watchful eye on the time, strategically planning for photos at key moments. We cannot praise them enough!
Videographer:
Katia Casprini and her fellow videographer, Marco, were also a great team! We did not have the pleasure of meeting before the wedding, but we spoke prior via email and Katia understood exactly what we had in mind. We pointed out a few moments we were sure we wanted her to capture, and she delivered! She maintained a classic, romantic vibe, while also showing us and our guests having a lot of fun on the dance floor!
The Styling & Décor:
We were looking for a romantic and magical style that could capture the joy of such a beautiful day.
With Roberta’s help, we were able to identify some ideas we wanted to bring to life on our wedding day, working together to create a beautiful space that was tied to the romantic essence of Florence! The semi-permanent furnishings were left in place at La Loggia for dinner and dancing, covered with fabric and string lights to make it seem like we were under a starry night sky.
On the tables, tall candelabras lent an enchanted atmosphere, with compositions of white flowers in the center and small bottles of extra virgin olive oil as gifts for our guests, adding a touch of elegance and Tuscan tradition to our celebration.
Flowers:
We desired a selection of flowers that embodied beauty and elegance. We opted for white flowers paired with greenery for both the church and the reception, as well as for our bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres! For the bouquet, a blend of white roses, lilies, orchids, and ranunculus was created, harmoniously combined in a delicate and flowing arrangement. Roses, hydrangeas, and ranunculus were also used for the centrepieces, complemented with greenery and placed among the candelabras, to add a touch of romantic sophistication to our celebration.
Favourite Moments:
We bid farewell to our guests at our Welcome Dinner, spent the night in separate hotels, and didn’t see each other until the moment Gabriella walked down the aisle to Rosario.
We were chauffeured through the streets of Florence in an old white Citroen, with strangers shouting “Auguri” and chased by Silva and Tommaso, who captured photos at various locations around the city.
Arriving at La Loggia, we found all our guests eagerly awaiting us, and we were welcomed with an outpouring of love.
Dinner at La Loggia was an absolute delight, with every dish tasting delicious.
Our cake, crafted by SugarCups, was simple yet beautiful, and its taste matched its appearance perfectly! We wished we could have taken home the rest of the cake as well – if only we lived in Italy!
Our dances with our mother of the groom, father of the bride, and as bride and groom to our chosen songs, seamlessly transitioned into bringing everyone onto the dance floor, where we danced along with the saxophonist for the remainder of the night. It was an evening filled with so much fun that we didn’t want it to end!
Inspired by this Italian wedding? Follow the link for more Italian wedding inspiration.
CREDITS
Photographer: Punti di Bianco INSTAGRAM: @puntidibianco / Planner: Alfresco Wedding INSTAGRAM: @alfrescowedding + @roby_alfrescowedding / Video: Katia Casprini @katiacasprinifilm / Venue/Catering: La Loggia Firenze @la_loggia_firenze / Florist: Il Fiorista / @ilfiorista_eventsdesigncompany / Cake: Sugar Cups @sugarcups_cake_design / Light: Central House @weddingcentralhouse / DJ: Tasten Sax @tastensax / Hair & Makeup Pamela Leti @pamela_leti / Bride Dress: Castle Couture NJ @castlecouturebridal / Bride Shoes: Badgley Mischka @badgleymischka / Tux: IndoChino @indochinoweddings / Groom Shoes: www.ferragamo.com @ferragamo / Rings: Leonardo Jewelers New Jersey, USA / GETTING READY location Bride: The Westin Excelsior Firenze @westinexcelsiorflorence / Groom: Grand Hotel Baglioni @grandhotelbaglioni
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