This Italian wedding weekend was a sun-soaked celebration filled with love, laughter, and vibrant moments. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, bringing the couple’s dream to life under the Italian sun, from the breathtaking ceremony to the lively after-party. The talented Natalie from The Auburn Hour Films perfectly captured their romance, the bright colors of the Italian landscape, and the joyful festivities, turning the entire weekend into a cinematic masterpiece that felt like a scene from a romantic movie.
Location: Puglia, Italy
Style: Glam, contemporary and fun
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 72
Setting: Puglian Farmhouse & Villa
Season: Summer
Sarah and Tim, an adventurous Australian couple now living in New York with their beloved Border Collie, Riley, first met through work in Australia. Their journey took a new turn in 2021 when they moved to New York, seeking both adventure and career opportunities. Tim popped the question at the stunning Smiths Beach in Yallingup in October 2022, and after getting married at the City Hall in NYC in 2023, they set their sights on a vibrant wedding celebration in Puglia. Surrounded by family and friends, their wedding in Italy was all about joy, laughter, and creating unforgettable memories in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Day 1 - Welcome Dinner
Since Sarah and Tim live overseas, they wanted to make their wedding celebration more than just a few hours spent with their guests. With friends and family traveling from Australia, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, Italy became the perfect middle ground—where everyone could enjoy incredible food, wine, sunshine, and a three-day wedding celebration. The festivities started with an elegant welcome event. Sarah stunned in a chic Magda Butrym dress with Bottega Veneta shoes, a matching bag, and Saint Laurent sunglasses. Tim kept it stylish with a P. Johnson suit, knitted tee, Nike shoes, and Persol sunglasses. It was the perfect start to what would be an unforgettable wedding weekend.
Day 2 - Wedding Day
Couple's Morning
The wedding morning began with an intimate atmosphere as Sarah and Tim prepared for their special day surrounded by close family and friends. Sarah, glowing in a stunning Vera Wang gown with elegant ALAÏA shoes and radiant earrings from Rohan Jewellers, was the picture of timeless beauty. Her soft, natural makeup, created by Brittany Mason, complemented her look, while the team at The Pretty Parlour styled her hair into effortless waves.
One of Sarah’s most cherished moments on her wedding morning was spending tender time with her parents. The presence of her family added a layer of warmth and love to the morning that Sarah would remember forever.
Tim opted for a look with a P. Johnson double-breasted tuxedo and sleek Bally shoes. His vintage mother-of-pearl cufflinks added a timeless elegance, while sunglasses completed the ensemble with a modern touch. The groom’s Tag Heuer watch was a subtle nod to his style, a perfect balance of sophistication and charm.
Ceremony
The ceremony setting was magical. Bold floral designs by Fluida Design, arranged in vibrant blue pottery, created a striking contrast against the white chapel backdrop. Having already taken care of the formalities at City Hall in NYC, the couple embraced a more relaxed and informal approach to their wedding celebration. They chose to step away from traditional conventions, focusing on what felt right for them. Walking down the aisle with both of their parents by their sides, they were filled with joy and gratitude to share such a meaningful moment with their closest loved ones.
Cocktail Hour
Following the ceremony, the celebration eased into a relaxed cocktail hour, where the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed each other’s company. It was a perfect opportunity for everyone to unwind and set the tone for the celebration.
About The Vendors
The wedding was an unforgettable experience for the newlyweds, who knew they had made the perfect choice in selecting their vendors. Reflecting on the day, they shared, “The organization by our wedding planner, Alessandra, from Exclusive Italy Weddings, meant the day was stress-free and allowed us to enjoy it. We also loved how our photographers, Natasja Kremers and Melissa Mills and videographer Natalie Hind at The Auburn Hour Films, made us feel so comfortable and at ease, with all the attention we were getting. The time we got to spend with that photography crew after the ceremony, before the reception, was such a nice period to take a breath and reflect on how special it was to be living in this significant moment in our lives.”
One of the most memorable things about our wedding day was actually how seamlessly it ran.
Reception Décor
The reception at Masseria San Giovanni was held in a beautiful limestone quadrangle, where the timeless architecture provided a stunning setting for the celebration. Fluida Designs worked magic with the floral arrangements, adding vibrant pops of color with red, blush, and orange blooms, contrasting the venue’s soft tones. The table settings, adorned with delicate black-and-white patterned plates, elegant glassware, and menus tied with red ribbons, embodied a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
The colorful flowers, arranged in soft blue vases, added an artistic touch to each table, making the reception feel both sophisticated and warm. The entire setting radiated elegance, with the soft candlelight flickering across the table, setting the tone for a night filled with joy and celebration.
Reception
The reception began with the newlyweds expressing their heartfelt gratitude to their loved ones as they received warm wishes and blessings on officially beginning their journey as a family. It was a touching moment, filled with love and appreciation, setting the perfect tone for the evening’s celebration.
The reception afterparty kicked off, and guests were led to the dance floor by the vibrant sounds of saxophonist Andre Brown. His energetic performance set the perfect tone for the next phase of the celebration. The newlyweds shared their first dance to ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ by INXS, a meaningful choice that honored their Australian roots and featured a powerful saxophone solo that made the moment even more special.
Later, Sarah and Tim cut their beautifully layered cake, topped with fresh berries. The cake was a sweet and elegant symbol of their new journey together, perfectly complementing the joy and vibrancy of the evening.
Day 3 - Recovery Day
The celebration continued with a vibrant recovery day, during which the newlyweds and their guests took time to unwind and bask in the Italian sun after the wedding formalities. The poolside was the perfect setting for relaxation, with everyone enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, sipping drinks, and soaking in the joyful company of loved ones.
For the recovery day, the bride looked effortlessly chic in a Jacquemus red dress with a Jacquemus mini bag and stylish Bottega Veneta shoes and earrings. The groom complemented her in a Perte d’Ego shirt and Ralph Lauren shorts, adding a fun and relaxed vibe to the post-wedding festivities. The couple’s love radiated through the carefree moments as they and their guests enjoyed the warm sun, refreshing dips in the pool, and laughter-filled conversations, marking a perfect conclusion to their unforgettable wedding weekend.
The celebration ended on a high note with a fun and relaxed pizza party. The pizza was served, and the newlyweds shared their final moments of the day with their closest family and friends. As guests gathered around, enjoying the warm Italian sun and each other’s company, this simple yet heartwarming conclusion to the festivities felt just right.
The fact that we stayed at the wedding venue for the week leading up to the wedding - with our immediate families - was something we will cherish forever.
Advice from the couple:
• Be organized but flexible. It was really helpful to feel as though we had planned everything we needed to in advance of our special day. But inevitably, there are always little things where you need to be comfortable to adjust and just enjoy the occasion.
VIDEO The Auburn Hour Films | PLANNING & VENDOR MANAGEMENT Exclusive Italy Weddings | PHOTO Natasja Kremers | WELCOME EVENT VENUE Lido Bambu | WELCOME EVENT BAND BOYS4ROAD | WEDDING VENUE Masseria San Giovanni | FLOWERS Fluida Design | BEAUTY Pretty Parlour, Brittany Mason Makeup | F&B Il Fagiano | COCKTAIL & AFTER DINNER BAR JOEBAR | DRESSES Vera Wang, Jacquemus | WEDDING JAZZ BAND Jazz Around Italy | DJ Dan Healy | SAX Andre Brown
