Nestled in the heart of Mantua, Italy, Craig and Danielle’s wedding was a celebration of love, family, and the natural beauty that surrounded them. Set in a 12-hectare forest at the historic Convento dell’Annunciata, their summer wedding was nothing short of magical, bringing together 130 adults and 22 children to witness their union in a non-traditional, whimsical ceremony under the trees.
Location: Mantua, North Italy
Style: Enchanted, magical, whimsical, rustic
Time of planning: 1,5 years
Number of guests: 152
Setting: Ceremony – forest, reception – convent
Season: Summer
Craig, a school teacher passionate about Irish language and history, and Danielle, a business owner and hairstylist, first crossed paths in their hometown of Bray, Ireland. Their love story began in the most unexpected way—Craig bravely approached Danielle out of the blue and asked her out on a date. Although she initially thought he was joking and literally ran away, fate had other plans. After months of communicating and getting to know each other, they finally went on that first date, and their connection has been unbreakable ever since.
Their proposal was equally unforgettable. Three weeks before Christmas, Craig, Danielle, and their three-year-old son took a sunrise swim at their favorite local beach. Wrapped in their dry robes, just as the morning sun kissed the horizon, Craig got down on one knee and asked Danielle to marry him. It was an intimate moment, captured beautifully by a hidden photographer Craig had arranged. They returned home to find their family waiting to celebrate, making it a truly perfect day.
Welcome Day
For their wedding, the couple wanted a day that truly reflected their love for nature and the connections they shared with their loved ones. Initially, they envisioned a colorful, vibrant celebration. However, as they collaborated with Danila Stella Events, the plan evolved into a more ethereal, serene aesthetic that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the Convento dell’Annunciata.
The welcome dinner set the tone for a weekend filled with love and joy, as friends and family gathered under a canopy of greenery and twinkling lights. Guests enjoyed a delicious spread of local delicacies, sharing laughter and stories at the long, rustic table adorned with vibrant citrus fruits and lush greenery. The intimate atmosphere, surrounded by nature’s beauty, was the perfect prelude to the couple’s magical celebration to come.
“At the beginning, the bride asked me to create a colorful wedding, inspired by her vibrant personality, but during the planning process, she changed her mind, and we redesigned everything with ethereal materials, flowers, and clear white colors.”
Bride & Groom's Fashion
Danielle’s wedding attire was a labor of love, designed by herself and her mother, Martina Garner. Her dress featured a stunning cape that accentuated the train, with personalized embroidery from her son, Harrison, including a sun, star, moon, and their names.
Her accessories, including a handmade wedding ring by Amoc Jewelry incorporating gold from both families, added sentimental value to her look.
Craig looked every bit the classic gentleman in a double-breasted tuxedo by Louis Copeland, inspired by his love for old movies and tailored to perfection. The suit, made from Italian wool and crafted in Dublin, featured personal touches like the wedding date embroidered inside. His goal was to feel confident and comfortable throughout the day, and his attire certainly made that possible.
“I wanted to have a suit that I didn’t have to take the jacket off at all throughout the entire ceremony and party. The suit made me feel confident and comfortable throughout the entire night.”
Ceremony
The ceremony took place under the ancient trees of the convent’s forest, creating a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The couple stood in a circle of their loved ones, a unique setup that allowed them to feel close to everyone present while still sharing an intimate bubble with just each other.
Their celebrant, Lucy Cargill, crafted a deeply personal ceremony, drawing from a three-hour interview with the couple and their closest friends. This approach made every part of the ceremony uniquely theirs. One of the most touching moments was the traditional Celtic handfasting ceremony, where their four-year-old son tied a ribbon around their hands, symbolizing the unbreakable bond they share.
“The most important part for them was the ceremony. They wanted it to be a circle, like a pebble in the center of a river, symbolizing their love and how it ripples through the people in their lives. This way, they were surrounded by all of their favorite faces and could experience their special moments with them beside them.”
Craig recited a poem he had been writing to Danielle since their engagement, capturing the depth of his feelings and their journey together. “It was everything and more,” they both shared afterward. “We felt so close to everyone around us, yet we were in our own little bubble with just us.”
Cocktail Hour
During the cocktail hour, guests mingled in the lush garden courtyard, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the convent’s stone arches and vibrant greenery. They sipped on refreshing drinks while enjoying a spread of delicious appetizers, including a rustic bread station filled with pretzels and local specialties.
The lively sounds of an acoustic band added to the relaxed, joyful atmosphere as everyone gathered to celebrate. It was a perfect prelude to the evening ahead, filled with laughter and anticipation for the magical moments to come.
Private Moment
During the reception, as the golden hour approached, Danielle and Craig took a private moment for photos with their photographer, Dos Mas en la Mesa. The soft, natural light filtered through the trees, creating an ethereal backdrop for their intimate portraits.
"Immense Gratitude and Luck to be in Italy with everyone we love marrying the love of my life with our baby beside us. Overwhelmed with excitement and joy."
Reception Decor
The celebration continued at the convent, where guests were treated to a feast catered by Da Petti.
Danila’s dedication to understanding the couple’s vision and translating it into reality was evident in every aspect of the day. The whimsical theme carried from the ceremony to the reception through the decor, with daisies and greenery adding a fresh, natural feel to the space. The carefully curated floral arrangements by Fluida Design and the personalized elements made the day so special, Danila’s meticulous planning ensured that every detail was perfect.
Evening & Celebration
Music played a central role in the evening, with a Mumford and Sons tribute band, ‘The Hopeless Wanderers,’ providing lively entertainment that had everyone on their feet.
Instead of a traditional first dance, Craig and Danielle chose to share a private last dance to Tom Odell’s “Constellations,” under the starry sky. What made the moment even more magical was the appearance of a shooting star as they danced, a serendipitous touch that added to the enchantment of the evening.
"We decided against a first dance; instead, we did a private last dance, which didn’t end up being private, but we didn’t mind. We saw a shooting star as we were dancing."
One of the standout features was the outdoor cinema, complete with headphones for guests, reflecting Craig’s love for movies. “We had an outdoor cinema with headphones because Craig is such a movie fanatic, and this was also used for a film to be played for the kids while having dinner,” Danielle shared. It was a thoughtful addition that made the evening even more special for their guests.
"We created a form for our guests to fill in with their Rsvp, asking more information on the type of food they like and their favourite drinks and also their favourite song to get them on to the dance floor. This helped us to create a more personalized experience for each of our guests even though it was a lot of work."
Pool Party
The last day of celebrations was marked by a lively pool party under the warm Italian sun, where guests gathered to relax and enjoy each other’s company one last time. The poolside was filled with laughter, sun-kissed smiles, and colorful floaties, creating a fun and carefree atmosphere.
Families and friends lounged by the water, cooling off with refreshing drinks and splashing in the pool as the kids played. It was the perfect way to wind down the weekend, filled with joy and shared memories, leaving everyone with hearts full and spirits high.
Advice from the couple:
• Accommodate your guests as much as possible; think about how they will get to your wedding and what their favorite drinks and food are. Things like this make it such a memorable experience for them, and they will have nothing but fond memories.
• Give yourself events scheduled before your wedding day and after, so you don’t add on last-minute jobs so close to your big day. We had a family dinner and drinks the night before and had organized yoga and kayaking for the girls and golfing for the men in the morning, so this filled up our day for us to just enjoy ourselves.
PLANNING & DESIGN Danila Stella Events, Danila Stella Academy | VENUE Convento dell’Annunciata | PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Dos Mas en la Mesa | FLORALS Fluida Design | STATIONERY Steven Fa Design | MAKEUP Wildflower Dublin | CATERING Da Petti | RENTALS Tableset Rentals | LIGHTING Croval Service
