Tucked into the heart of Rome, Villa Aurelia became the backdrop for a wedding filled with understated elegance and creative intention. With eighty guests gathered in May, Lauren and Richard exchanged vows in a secret garden and celebrated with a romantic dinner where every detail — from florals to graphics — reflected a refined and deeply personal vision.
Location: Rome, Italy
Style: Elegant, sophisticated, bucolic
Number of guests: 80
Setting: Villa
Season: Spring
Lauren and Richard’s story is one of thoughtful creativity and shared vision. Lauren, a graphic designer based in New York, brought her artistic sensibility into every part of the wedding. With Richard’s support and a clear sense of what felt authentic to them, they partnered with planner Anna Chiatto to shape a wedding that felt personal, intimate, and quietly beautiful — a celebration surrounded by loved ones in one of the most timeless cities in the world.
Bridal Morning
Everything began with the dress. Lauren chose a floral Anne Barge design that would guide the entire aesthetic of the day. Soft ivory tulle, scattered with delicate blue and blush blossoms, gave the gown a dreamy, almost hand-painted quality. Its fluid silhouette and structured bodice felt refined but expressive — and from this, the full wedding vision took shape. The print became a reference point for the floral direction, the bridesmaids’ palette, and even the custom stationery suite. As a graphic designer, she treated the day like a canvas, and the dress became the first brushstroke.
For her morning preparations, Lauren kept everything polished but natural. A softly waved ponytail and glowing, minimal makeup gave her a clean, modern look that didn’t distract from the romance of the dress. She wore pearl drop earrings and satin Bella Belle heels with sculptural bows — subtle details that added texture without overwhelming the softness of her silhouette. Her bouquet brought together blush garden roses, pale yellow peonies, and clematis in soft lavender — loose, airy, and organic.
Lauren’s bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses in soft shades of blue, each in a different style and texture that complemented the floral tones of the day. Some wore structured satin, others chose romantic tulle or printed fabrics that echoed the watercolor feel of Lauren’s own dress. Their looks felt cohesive but individual — light, graceful, and perfectly suited to the bucolic garden setting. Each carried a bouquet in the same palette as the bride’s, with blush and pale yellow blooms tied together in loose, garden-style arrangements.
Groom's Fashion
Richard wore a classic black tuxedo with a satin lapel, a white shirt, and a black bow tie — formal, elegant, and timeless. His boutonniere echoed the day’s floral palette with a pale yellow bloom and a hint of lilac. He and his groomsmen got ready in one of the villa’s grand rooms before stepping into the golden Roman light. The entire group wore matching black tuxedos, creating a polished look that balanced the softness of the bridal party. Together, they added a sense of timeless formality to the day’s otherwise romantic, garden-inspired aesthetic.
First Look
Lauren and Richard shared their first look in one of Villa Aurelia’s grandest rooms, beneath soaring windows and an ornate chandelier. As she approached him with her bouquet in hand, her floral dress flowed across the parquet floor like a painting in motion. When he turned around, they smiled, embraced, and stood quietly for a moment — just the two of them, before the ceremony began. It was tender, emotional, and exactly the kind of pause they needed before stepping into the rest of the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the secret garden of the villa, tucked beneath a towering tree and framed by sculpted hedges. Guests found their seats on a mix of wrought iron chairs, each one slightly different, giving the setup a relaxed, romantic charm. At the altar, a garden-style installation spilled from the tree trunk and stretched outward, filled with climbing roses, larkspur, delphinium, and clematis in soft pastels — blush, lavender, pale yellow, and ivory. The florals echoed the gentle palette of Lauren’s dress and bouquet, creating a setting that felt more like a blooming landscape than a structured altar. Every direction you looked offered a view of green, flowers, and late afternoon light.
"At the Villa Aurelia’s secret garden, it was set up for the occasion with elegant wrought iron chairs and arrangements in a bucolic and natural style."
The mood was emotional but intimate. Bridesmaids walked in one by one, carrying matching arrangements and smiling through tears. Guests wiped their eyes and beamed throughout the vows. There was no overproduction — only the natural rhythm of the moment. The couple stood facing each other, with the ceremony quietly unfolding around them. Their kiss under the tree felt like a moment suspended in time — joyful, soft, and filled with meaning. It was everything they had hoped for: surrounded by their people, held by beauty, and deeply present.
Aperitivo
After the ceremony, guests made their way through the villa gardens for cocktail hour — a relaxed, sunlit gathering framed by soft hedges, rattan furniture, and linen-covered tables. Signature drinks were served from a garden bar by Fashion Wild Mixologist, including vibrant spritzes and floral-topped cocktails. Trays of fresh cheeses, seafood, and Italian antipasti made their way through the crowd, all beautifully arranged and glowing in the golden hour light.
Laughter filled the air as guests mingled across the lawn, lounged in cozy seating areas, and posed for spontaneous group photos. Some kicked off their shoes and danced early, others wandered through the property, cocktail in hand, soaking in the atmosphere. The mood was light and joyful, with everyone fully in the moment.
Private Moment
Just before dinner, Lauren and Richard took a quiet walk through the gardens, away from the energy of the cocktail hour. The soft light of the Roman evening filtered through the pine trees, casting golden shadows as they wandered hand in hand. There was no rush — only laughter, easy conversation, and a chance to take in the beauty around them. Her dress floated behind her with every step, brushing against the gravel paths lined with sculpted hedges and ancient stone walls.
Photographer Paola Colleoni captured these moments with a delicate sensitivity — not staged, but deeply felt. The images held movement, intimacy, and softness, framing the couple not just in scenery, but in feeling. Whether through a gentle blur of fabric in motion or a glance exchanged between two people who knew exactly where they stood, her lens told their story quietly and powerfully.
Decor & Setting
Dinner was set in the villa’s citrus garden, where round tables were dressed in floral linens that echoed the bride’s dress and the day’s romantic palette. Arrangements of garden roses, carnations, clematis, and delphinium filled the centers with soft color, surrounded by tall taper candles in glass cylinders.
Each detail, from hand-illustrated menus to crystal glassware and rattan chairs, was thoughtfully chosen. Planner Anna Chiatto brought it all together with a sense of artistry and restraint — nothing overdone, everything intentional. It felt exactly as Lauren had imagined: refined, personal, and quietly magical.
"The dinner turned into a true fairy tale, where every little detail was carefully crafted to complement Lauren's stunning dress."
Reception
The newlyweds’ table, placed at the entrance of the villa, became a true focal point — completely surrounded by flowers spilling over the ground like a living garden. “The true centerpiece was the bridal table, which reflected the concept of the ceremony: around Lauren and Richard, a romantic garden was created, with roses taking center stage,” said the planner.
"The wedding day was unique because the couple was surrounded by friends and family."
As the evening continued indoors, Lauren and Richard stood beside a showstopping wedding cake — a giant millefoglie covered in fresh berries, served atop the same floral linens seen throughout the day. Surrounded by candlelight, they toasted, laughed, and cut into the dessert together as guests gathered around. It was informal, joyful, and felt like an extension of the couple’s personality — simple, colorful, and full of warmth.
Soon after, the lights dimmed and the party began. Their first dance took place under moody lighting and soft blue beams, with Assya and her live band setting the tone for the rest of the night. Friends quickly filled the dance floor, and the energy never dropped. The villa glowed against the night sky as music echoed through the rooms. Joyful dancing, second rounds of dessert, and champagne in hand — the night ended exactly how it should: with everyone celebrating and smiling.
PLANNING & DESIGN Anna Chiatto | PHOTOGRAPHER Paola Colleoni | VIDEOGRAPHER Filmfactory Films | VENUE Villa Aurelia | FLORALS Evelina Florence Flowers | CATERING Relais Le Jardin | BAR Fashion Wild Mixologist | LIGHTING Nico Celano | RENTALS Luca Ferretti Show Designer | MUSIC Assya
