Set at the dreamy Masseria Moroseta in Puglia, Ines and Michael’s wedding unfolded like an intimate escape. At the heart of their celebration was a shared love for Italy, an appreciation for beauty in simplicity, and a deep desire to create something personal. From the olive-scented breeze to the echo of live music drifting through candlelit courtyards, the weekend blurred the line between a wedding and a living, breathing love letter to place and people.
Location: Ostuni, Puglia, Italy
Style: Romantic, Organic, Elegant
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 70
Setting: Modern Farmhouse
Season: Fall
Ines and Michael met twice. The first time was brief, at a party in Venice Beach. She doesn’t remember it; he never forgot. Fate intervened a few months later at a Polo & Pan concert in Los Angeles. This time, they danced, laughed, and never looked back.
Two years later, Michael proposed on a quiet Roman street strewn with rose petals and live music—right near the Spanish Steps. Even sweeter—it happened on the same street where Roman Holiday, Ines’s favorite film, had been shot. “Of course, I said yes and we celebrated with cappuccinos,” shared the bride. It was cinematic, yet completely their own—no crowds, no pressure, just a quiet corner of the city, wrapped in early morning light. That morning, they both knew—this was the place they’d return to for their wedding.
Puglia's First Glimpse
Ines and Michael spent the evening before the wedding in Ostuni. Ines wore an off-shoulder gown, striking against the pale stone of the city, while Michael paired a chocolate double-breasted jacket with light trousers—relaxed but sharp.
Captured by Julia & Gil, the evening unfolded like a modern-day travelogue, equal parts cinematic and unscripted. As the sun set behind the rooftops, the photos told a quiet story of anticipation—of two people on the edge of something unforgettable.
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
Ines wore a strapless gown by KYHA that blended timeless grace with contemporary lines. Amina Muaddi heels and bold earrings from Christie Nicolaides elevated the look, while her sleek bun by Massimo Moro and soft smoky eye by Vania Tommasi kept everything grounded in modern minimalism. She carried a loose bouquet by Flower Addicted, filled with local wildflowers and greenery—imperfect in the most beautiful way.
"I felt completely like myself—confident, radiant, and sexy.”
Groom's Fashion
Michael’s look paid homage to Italian 1960s elegance, with a custom white suit, and suede Ferragamo loafers. He skipped the tie and added a delicate boutonniere to mirror Ines’ bouquet. Completing the look, Michael wore a vintage 1960s Vacheron Constantin on his wrist. Their scents, a layered mix from Jo Malone, lingered in the air.
Ceremony
They exchanged vows beneath the oldest olive tree on the property, with linen-draped loosely through its branches. The aisle curved gently and was lined with natural flowers, creating the feeling of walking through a wild garden. One of their best friends officiated, and a Celtic hand-fasting ritual added heartfelt symbolism. Instead of a floral arch, there was sky and sun and tree. It felt sacred.
"As we explored different ceremony traditions, we fell in love with the Celtic hand-fasting ritual, where the couple's hands are tied together with a ribbon or cord.”
The most unforgettable moment came right after they said their vows. A vintage-style swing band walked toward them while singing “Volare” by Domenico Modugno. It was pure magic.
Their guests loved it just as much as they did—it turned the ceremony into a celebration right then and there, with a spontaneous dance before heading to the aperitivo.
Cocktail Hour
Guests moved from ceremony to cocktail hour with joyful ease. The air buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the soft rhythms of live music from Orecchiette Swing. Signature cocktails by QB Lecce told their own story: Ines’ zesty Paloma and Michael’s Old Fashioned—fresh and classic, just like them. Local bites were passed around as the sun dipped low.
Private Moment
Julia & Gil captured a quiet pause between the sweet chaos. Just the two of them walking through the orchard as the light turned to honey. These portraits are some of the most moving—not posed, just present. Ines with her bouquet, Michael with his gaze fixed only on her. The world fell away. Some of the portraits were also captured on film, lending a lush yet delicate texture to the already sun-kissed images.
The video was just as soulful — beautifully paced, emotionally tuned, and paired with music that carried the mood effortlessly. It captured not only what the weekend looked like, but how it truly felt.
Decor & Setting
Dinner unfolded in the whitewashed courtyard of Masseria Moroseta. “Michael and I fell in love with our venue the moment we saw it, and it naturally became a major source of inspiration for our wedding,” shared the bride.
Long tables stretched beneath citrus trees, styled by planner Giusy D’Ambrosio and dressed with wild greenery by Flower Addicted. Instead of bold florals, herbs, and local plants filled the space—myrtle, pistacia, cosmos, gypsophila. Each place was set with a hand-painted ceramic plate, a playful touch that nodded to tradition. The atmosphere was intimate and relaxed, just as Ines and Michael had imagined.
Reception
As night fell, their guests welcomed them to the courtyard by waving napkins in the air, cheering. That burst of energy set the perfect tone. Then came their first dance to Frank Ocean’s “Moon River”—timeless and tender. It marked the beginning of a night filled with rhythm, laughter, and unfiltered happiness.
After dinner, the party moved poolside. Ines changed into a playful second look—a structured mini dress with a voluminous skirt that brought a touch of retro glamour. The millefeuille cake was sliced to The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar,” lit by sparklers that came too close for comfort. “I had a brief moment of panic, convinced the sparklers were about to set my hair on fire!” — recalled the bride. But nothing could dull the joy.
The dance floor was absolutely electric. The playlist, curated by Ines herself, kept guests dancing until 2AM. A rotation of live bands and DJs, including Giuma & Giulio and Zaffet Mabrouk, brought layers of energy. “I didn’t leave the dance floor once, not even to use the restroom!” — shared the bride with a smile. The dance floor was a blur of candlelight, linen, and pure joy.
"I poured so much love into curating that playlist, and seeing everyone dancing non-stop to it made all the effort so worth it. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.".”
Salt Air and Slow Goodbyes
The morning after, the couple headed to the coast. They walked barefoot on the sand, still smiling from the night before. No shoes, no schedules—just sea, salt, and stories. It was the gentlest of landings after the joy-soaked celebration.
"Our wedding day felt truly one-of-a-kind in every way.”
Advice from the couple:
• Let go of control when the big day arrives, trust your vendors, and do your best to stay close as a couple.
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Julia & Gil | PLANNER Giusy D’Ambrosio | VENUE Masseria Moroseta | FLORALS Flower Addicted | MUA Vania Tommasi | HAIR Massimo Moro | COCKTAIL BAR QB Lecce | MUSIC Orecchiette Swing, Rinaldi Production – Jazz Trio, Giuma & Giulio, Zaffet Mabrouk | SOUND & LIGHTS Sona Service
