Set at Il Posto in Umbria, Emily and Josh’s wedding was a reflection of everything they value most, good food, wine, meaningful connections, and a sense of ease that felt both personal and elevated. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, the celebration came together with intention, blending timeless Italian charm with thoughtful, modern details. The day was documented by photographer Esther Van Geenen, whose mix of digital and film photos captured the atmosphere in a way that felt honest, warm, and true to the setting.
Location: Umbertide, Italy
Style: Romantic, Chic, Fun
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 37
Setting: Outdoors
Season: End of Italian Summer
Emily and Josh’s story began in their first week of high school in 2010, when they were “immediately drawn to each other,” a connection they now happily call “love at first sight, without sounding cheesy.” They made it official in 2014 at just 16 and 17, and from there, “the rest is history.” Now based in Sydney, Emily works as a fashion stylist and Josh as an occupational therapist, building a life together rooted in support and fun.
In 2023, during a six-week trip through Italy, Josh planned a proposal at a rooftop bar overlooking the Altare della Patria, but Emily didn’t want to leave the view she loved so much. So later that evening, standing right in front of it, he changed plans and proposed there instead. “It was so emotional, beautiful, and perfect,” she shares, a spontaneous moment that became the highlight of their trip and the start of their next chapter.
Inspiration & Photography
They had always imagined getting married abroad, surrounded by the people closest to them. After their trip to Italy, where they “fell completely in love with the country, the food, and the way of life,” it naturally became their dream setting. They spent months searching for the right place, something that could host their family, feel effortlessly chic, and already carry its own character, just waiting for a few thoughtful touches. When they found Il Posto in Umbria, it felt like the perfect fit.
The atmosphere of the celebration was beautifully captured by photographer Esther Van Geenen, whose work, both digital and film, reflected the soul of Italy and the feeling of the day with a natural, timeless quality.
Bride's Fashion
Emily’s bridal look was a dream realized, centered around a Vivienne Westwood gown she had long admired for its iconic corsetry and sculptural approach to the female form. “I truly dreamed of being married in a VW piece,” she shares. The look was designed in three parts: a delicate lace slip dress, layered with a signature Westwood corset, and finished with a lace hood that doubled as a veil. The ability to peel back layers throughout the evening allowed her to create three distinct looks without changing, something she loved.
She wore the gown with Jimmy Choo’s 72318 lilac feather heels, “the perfect shoe,” she says. Her jewelry remained intentionally minimal, with her mother’s pearl studs, blue gemstone earrings gifted by her Maid of Honor as her “something blue,” and a few delicate diamond pieces, keeping the focus on the overall silhouette.
For beauty, Emily worked with her close friend, Katy Parsons, to create a look that felt natural and effortless. Makeup was kept clean and glowing, while her hair was styled in an undone bun, soft and modern, in perfect balance with the dress’s structure. She completed the look with her favorite fragrance, Louis Vuitton’s Afternoon Swim, gifted by Josh on the day, adding a final personal touch to a look she describes as “timeless, but still completely me.”
"Head to toe, I felt like a dream! I was absolutely in LOVE with my Vivienne Westwood creation. It felt like something I haven't seen before, yet still felt so me."
Groom's Fashion
Josh kept his look classic and understated, wearing an MJ Bale Saunders tuxedo with Gucci ties and bow ties, a thoughtful gift he gave his groomsmen. He wore it with patent leather shoes by Julius Marlow, a vintage Seiko watch, and Armani cufflinks from his mother, keeping everything refined without overdoing it. Personal touches added depth, from vintage brooches chosen for each groomsman to a Cartier pen gifted by Emily, which he used to write his vows, and his Cartier Pasha cologne. The boutonnière, finalized last minute, completed the look perfectly.
"Seeing Joshy in his perfect tuxedo, looking like absolute perfection, will always bring tears to my eyes. A moment you dream of your whole life, and for us, a lifetime together. But no words will ever be quite enough to describe the feeling."
Ceremony
The ceremony was one of their favorite parts of the day and was kept modern, simple, and deeply personal. Guests arrived to drinks and light bites, spending time with Josh and the groomsmen beforehand, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere. Emily’s stepfather officiated, bringing a meaningful, intimate touch to the moment. Both mothers walked down the aisle together before taking their seats, followed by the bridesmaids joining the groomsmen at the front, setting the tone for a ceremony that felt thoughtful, warm, and entirely their own.
"My dad unfortunately passed away when I was very young. So having both of my brothers walk me down the aisle still makes me feel emotional to this day. It was beyond special."
Once prompted by the celebrant, the bridal party took their seats, leaving the focus solely on Emily and Josh at the front. They kindly asked guests to keep their phones away, a request that naturally carried through the entire day and created a truly present, connected atmosphere that everyone loved. Thoughtful details like custom fans for each guest and “happy tears” tissues on every chair added a personal, considered touch to the moment.
Cocktail Hour & Special Touches
After the ceremony, guests were welcomed with Aperol Spritz to toast the newlyweds, as the moment softened into hugs, happy tears, and a sense of shared joy. The couple also made sure every guest felt personally appreciated, adding thoughtful touches throughout the celebration. Each person received a handwritten thank-you note, prepared in advance by Emily and Josh. “Everyone there has known us for 5–10 years,” they share, “so it felt really special to reflect and express our love to each of them.”
As a final detail, guests were gifted Il Posto’s own olive oil, harvested directly from the property, a meaningful and beautifully local keepsake of the celebration.
They encouraged their guests to wear color, a thoughtful choice that complemented the lush green surroundings of the property. It also created a striking contrast, especially as Josh, the bridesmaids, and the groomsmen were all dressed in black.
Planning & Design
They worked closely with their planner, Rachel, the owner of Il Posto, meeting over Zoom and exchanging ideas throughout the process, often sharing references and inspiration from Pinterest. “I put a lot of trust in her,” Emily shares, and she more than delivered. Together with her partner Delfo, a Michelin-starred chef, they created an experience that felt both personal and exceptional, with some of the best food the couple had during their entire time in Italy.
Dinner was set around one long table, dressed in soft white fabric with vintage brass and silver candleholders, and single-stem florals carried through from the ceremony. Deep red name cards and handwritten notes added a personal layer, while the overall styling remained minimal and chic, allowing the food and wine to take center stage. Rachel added delicate lace trimmings to each place setting, subtly echoing Emily’s dress.
Reception
Good food, wine, great people, and the right energy were at the heart of the day, and Il Posto delivered on every level. The couple curated three playlists for the pre-ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, with a special twist for dinner: each guest submitted their favorite love song, which was woven into the evening’s soundtrack. Speeches were thoughtfully spaced throughout the celebration, from Josh’s dad during cocktail hour to Emily’s brother before dinner, followed by the Maid of Honor and Best Man during the courses, creating a natural rhythm without interrupting the flow.
One of the highlights was the traditional Italian Millefoglie cake, which Emily and Josh assembled together, adding the toppings while laughing the whole time. “It was so much fun,” they share, a moment that quickly turned into a core memory. From there, the energy shifted as the DJ invited guests to the dance floor, where the night unfolded into a celebration that carried on long after dinner ended.
"As we were coming from Australia without seeing the venue in person, it was extremely surreal being there and being present in the moment, seeing all of the property set up for OUR wedding was unbelievable to be there. I felt amazing seeing all of our loved ones on the other side of the world and how incredible Em looked that day."
Advice from the couple:
• Trust the process. Don’t get caught up with the tiny details! It all works out.
• Have an amazing wedding planner that you TRUST and is there on the day.
• And a photographer that you align with to capture the day to reflect exactly how you experienced it.
• Do everything you can for yourselves and your guests to be so present. It truly is the best day of your life.
