Location: Verona, Italy
Setting: Villa
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 120
How long did the couple plan the event: 1.5 years
Wedding theme/style: Classic, Vintage, Romantic, Garden, Historic, Majestic, Timeless, Enchanting.
Thao and Matteo met in San Francisco. Their encounter in a bar was remarkable, given that they hail from different parts of the world, yet fate decreed their meeting in this beautiful city. It was true love at first sight that blossomed into a genuine relationship. Matteo and Thao were a couple for three years until Matteo made a romantic proposal in the stunning Caribbean. Given Matteo’s Italian heritage, there was no doubt that Italy was the chosen locale for their wedding. The couple prioritized gathering all their family and friends to spend time together exploring Italy and enjoying the wedding festivities.
Inspired by their trip to the United Kingdom, the classic gardens enchanted the couple, so when choosing wedding venues, they focused on those with gardens. They remotely selected several locations, which Matteo’s family visited on their behalf, and then they booked one unseen. When Thao and Matteo saw the place a few months later, they realized it was magical and exceeded all their expectations.
The bride opted for an elegant updo to help with the summer heat and ensure her hair stayed put. Thao chose a soft, natural makeup look with a radiant glow, which matched the wedding palette and color theme. “I recommend all brides to do a trial with your makeup and hair person! That way if you have any changes or requests it’s ready for the big day.”
Thao wanted something exquisite to match the venue. Surprisingly, she chose a style quite different from what she initially had in mind. She had imagined herself in a ball gown or boho dress, but she fell in love once she tried on this particular piece from Ines di Santo! The intricate lace and different layers, with meticulous details, showcased the exceptional craftsmanship behind it.
Matteo wanted to wear a timeless suit and settled on a tuxedo with a cummerbund and suspenders. His suit was custom-made by Atelier Marko Sposi in Mantova, a fantastic designer from Matteo’s hometown. A distinctive feature of his attire were the cufflinks with initials, gifted by Thao. Matteo’s haircut was done by his go-to barber in his hometown, who has been his favorite person for a trim ever since he was young.
A touching moment occurred when Matteo first saw Thao in her wedding dress. He was waiting in the ancient orangery, and as Tao approached, Matteo turned around and, seeing his beautiful bride, was struck with admiration. It was a lovely moment full of love.
The ceremony took place in front of an elegant baroque chapel, its majestic staircases adorned with floral arrangements of white hydrangeas, lending an atmosphere of elegance to the event. Thao descended the stairs to the admiring glances of the enchanted guests, with her beloved groom waiting at the bottom. The couple exchanged vows, and the guests showered the newlyweds with petals, wholeheartedly congratulating the lovebirds.
For their wedding photographer, the couple chose Paola Lattarini, who had photographed their engagement. They specifically selected Verona, not without reason, as it is the city of love and the home of Romeo and Juliet. Thao had always dreamed of having a vintage car at her wedding. Since the ceremony and the reception were held in the same place, they rented a vintage car for the photo shoot. There was a humorous incident because Matteo couldn’t fit into the vehicle due to his tall stature. Nonetheless, their photo session went wonderfully, capturing the beauty of the rural setting and their love.
The reception took place in the grand dining hall of the venue, adorned with frescoes from the 1700s. The hall boasted a large balcony, offering views over the panoramic garden and the nearby chapel. The event’s floral and design elements, orchestrated by Danila Stella Events and Il Profumo dei Fiori, were meticulously aligned with the colors of the villa and its frescoes, resulting in a mesmerizing ambiance that deeply moved the bride and groom.
To the Thao and Matteo’s delight, the wedding flowers were repurposed into small bouquets as farewell gifts, accompanied by traditional Italian confetti. In a thoughtful gesture for their destination wedding, they provided their guests with welcome gifts in their hotel rooms, including bespoke newspaper-style programs detailing the weekend’s events and personalized crossword puzzles. Additionally, they designed custom mini prosecco bottles as a nod to the Prosecco region, which was well-received and added a sparkling start to the festivities.
Photographer Paola Lattarini, with the skill of a true artist, captured the beauty of the day, the grandeur of the villa, theм charm of the gardens, and most importantly, the beauty and love of the couple. Her photographs, imbued with classic beauty and reflecting emotions, became a precious treasure, preserving the memories of this magical day. She captured every detail and every moment.
Antoniazzi, the caterer from Matteo’s hometown, surpassed all expectations with their renowned culinary skills. Each course, from the delightful happy hour to the exquisite dinner, was a testament to their prowess, culminating in their signature gourmet pastries that were savored to the last crumb. The bride advises, “For those attending weddings in Italy, moderate your indulgence during the aperitivo, as the dinner and desserts that follow are experiences you’ll want to relish fully.”
Two traditional moments highlighted the reception: cutting the wedding cake and a champagne glass pyramid. The white three-tiered classic cake, adorned with roses, became the evening’s centerpiece, significantly when the couple cut it with sparklers lighting up behind them, adding even more magic to the beautiful moment. Before this, Thao changed into a lighter dress, which allowed her to feel more comfortable throughout the evening.
The newlyweds’ first dance was a beautiful and enchanting moment that left none of the attendees indifferent as the couple swirled to a lovely melody in a dance filled with love.
The band chosen for the wedding, Assya Live Music, was extraordinary and became one of the event’s highlights, receiving numerous compliments from guests. Some attendees mistakenly believed the band had been flown in from abroad, not knowing they were based in Milan. Their performance was so engaging that the dance floor felt like an intimate concert, setting them apart from the typical wedding band experience.
Advice from couple:
• Avoid saving any tasks for the big day. Not everything will go as planned, but that’s perfectly fine! Most guests will notice if you bring it up. So let go of any hiccups and enjoy the day. Time will fly, so cherish every moment!
PHOTOGRAPHER Paola Lattarini | PLANNING & DESIGN Danila Stella Events | STAFF Danila Stella Academy | VENUE Villa Arvedi | VIDEO Wedding Emotional Stories | FLORAL Il Profumo dei Fiori | CATERING Antoniazzi | BAND & MUSIC Assya Live Music | MUAH Alexis Zoca | RENTALS Luxury Noleggio | DRESS Ines Di Santo| BRIDAL SHOP Bridal Galleria San Francisco | SUIT La Sartoria di Marco Canali | SHOES Stuart Weitzman | JEWELRY Yadav Jewelry
