Location: Tuscany, Italy
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Number of guests: 100
Wedding theme/style: Enchanting, culturally rich, elegant.
From the bustling streets of New York to the serene hills of Tuscany, Cynthia, a vibrant spirit from Lebanon, and Marco, a charming Italian, crafted a wedding celebration that mirrored their journey together. Their story began over a glass of wine in the West Village, where a chance encounter with Marco’s friends turned their first date into an unexpected group event. This blend of serendipity and romance guided them to a unique proposal amidst the scenic vistas of Greenpoint, and eventually to their dream wedding set in the picturesque Italian landscapes.
Villa Petriolo, nestled in the heart of Tuscany, offered a panoramic view of the Tuscan hills, setting a breathtaking backdrop for the wedding. The summer celebration kicked off with a vibrant welcome dinner that paid homage to Cynthia’s Lebanese heritage, filled with traditional dances and lively music: “The energy was extremely high and really set the tone for our wedding weekend!” shared Cynthia.
Elleffe Events played a key role in orchestrating Cynthia and Marco’s wedding, ensuring that each moment of the weekend reflected the couple’s unique backgrounds and shared experiences. Their meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the couple’s vision allowed them to seamlessly blend Lebanese and Italian cultural elements throughout the festivities. From the vibrant welcome dinner to the elegantly designed ceremony space, Elleffe Events crafted an enchanting, intimate, celebratory atmosphere.
On her wedding day, while guest were enjoying warm weather and a open pool, the bride started her preparations for the day.
Cynthia chose a timeless yet unique champagne gown that wasn’t a traditional pure white. Designed by Lebanese designer Sarah Mrad, the dress was a one-of-a-kind piece, distinguished by its exquisite embroidery and sequins. Complementing her stunning gown was a distinctive veil, adorned with sequins and embellishments, and inscribed with “Herisson getting married, July 1, 2023″—a playful nod to Marco’s nickname due to his hair color.
Her look was accentuated with a matching headpiece that doubled as a hair accessory after the veil was removed. She wore elegant Fendi golden Colibri pumps and enhanced her aura with the fresh scent of Jo Malone’s “Sage & Sea Salt” perfume. The jewelry ensemble included dangling diamond earrings, a diamond tennis bracelet, and a blue sapphire tennis bracelet, adding a sparkle that matched the brilliance of her outfit.
Since Marco is Italian, he aimed to blend a traditional suit with a modern cut, guided by an Italian tailor. The result was a blue suit featuring a two-button jacket paired with a pearl vest and a white shirt with cufflinks and a cutaway collar. Additionally, he wore a pearl/silver tie, matching the vest tone. He chose his tailor in Rome, Antichi Telai, who used to make his custom shirts during his teenage years. His shoes came from an artisanal shop in Milan, Cardinale – black, smooth semi-brogue, and double-stitched to complement the traditional suit and a black Ferragamo belt. For accessories, he wore Santos de Cartier cufflinks, a gift from me, and a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony self-winding watch in white gold, fitting the traditional ceremony style.
Their ceremony, held on a hill overlooking the Tuscan landscape, was a fusion of simplicity and floral beauty. The setting was perfect, with a gentle breeze complementing the warm speeches and emotional exchanges. “We wanted our ceremony to be simple and filled with flowers and emotions,” Cynthia said.
Led by Marco’s best friend as the officiant, the ceremony included heartfelt vows and humorous anecdotes, creating a memorable experience for all. “I loved our ceremony because it was so special with everyone’s speeches, and it gave us such a nice view from which to watch our guests and remember it perfectly,” the bride recalled.
While guests enjoyed refreshing cocktails, Cynthia and Marco stole a moment for themselves, reflecting on their journey and soaking in the joyous atmosphere. This private moment underscored the intimacy of their celebration, away from the bustling activities. Nastiavesna Photography‘s pictures are a breathtaking showcase of the couple’s joy and the scenic Tuscan backdrop, beautifully capturing the vibrant emotions and picturesque setting of the wedding.
The reception unfolded in the villa’s piazza Aja, against the traditional Tuscan architecture. The decor featured vivid wild florals, reflecting Cynthia’s vision: her floral choices were vibrant, featuring a palette of bright summer colors, reflecting her desire for a celebration that was lively and colorful, a contrast to a conventional all-white wedding.
The dinner echoed the vibrant energy of a Lebanese feast, with guests dancing to the rhythms of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love.” The integration of energetic dance breaks between courses kept the spirits high and seamlessly transitioned into a night of dancing. Cynthia said, “One great surprise is we got a saxophonist in our band, and he was jumping down from the stage and doing a solo, which really got everyone excited and pumped up.”
The cake cutting was a live show cooking where guests and the couple worked on it together, it was a nice entertaining show that guests appreciated a lot. “The great moment was our entrance into dinner because we got everyone to get up and dance during sunset, which looked amazing!” the bride shared.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t overthink the little things; everything will work itself out. Also, try to push anything negative or bad away – you don’t want to spend energy on it and don’t want it to define your day. For example, all my bridesmaids were at some point at the pool hanging out with their hair and makeup done, haha. That was actually funny, and why not let them enjoy it?
• It is important to stay together! Spend every moment of that day as much as possible and dance with your partner!
PLANNER Elleffe Events | VENUE Villa Petriolo | PHOTOGRAPHER Nastiavesna Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Sergioeblo Wedding Films | FLORALS Lada Fiori | MUAH Makeup Milano | DRESS Sarah Mrad | SHOES Fendi | SUIT Antichi Telai | RENTALS Nolo Party, Integra Rent, Oltre il Giardino Biz | MUSIC Music and Co Italy
