The Italian Riviera provided an enchanting backdrop for this elegant summer celebration, and three days of festivities brought historic glamour to Santa Margherita. Sunset boat cruise, candlelit dinners overlooking Portofino Bay, and an intimate pool party created an unforgettable destination wedding experience. Through their artistic lens, The Tailors Photography captured every thoughtful detail, from quiet morning moments to dancing beneath the stars.
Location: Santa Margherita, Italy
Style: Classic, elegant, timeless
Time of planning: 1.5 years
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Hotel
Season: Summer
Jessica and Joseph’s love story began years before their romance when Joe played semi-professional football for Jessica’s father’s team. Years later, a simple Instagram DM revived their connection, leading to a first date in September that would inspire their wedding song. After moving in together during lockdown, Joe proposed on Jessica’s birthday morning, filling their living room with rose petals for an intimate moment that perfectly reflected their relationship.
Location & Planning
Being half Italian, Jessica knew the Riviera would provide the perfect backdrop for their celebration. Working with Anna Chiantella, they chose the Imperiale Palace Hotel and created a weekend of events showcasing the area’s beauty—from a sunset boat trip to a poolside recovery day.
"The hotel has hosted royals and celebrities since the 1900s. We knew we had to honor that with elegance and class."
Welcome Day
The festivities began with a sunset cruise, where guests got their first taste of Italian hospitality. The evening unexpectedly transformed into a joyful party, setting the tone for the weekend ahead. Jessica wore her mother’s reconstructed 1980s wedding dress paired with green Aje heels—a nod to Italian wedding traditions.
Wedding Day
Bridal Look
The bride chose a figure-hugging Pronovias gown with added sparkle straps, complemented by a lace-detailed veil that “made the dress.” Linda Lynn created a natural glam look with Hollywood waves. The couple used Myrrh & Tonka by Jo Malone London as their joint base scent, which the bride also sprayed on all the florals.
Groom's Fashion
Ceremony
Inside the grand ballroom, floor-to-ceiling windows framed the breathtaking views of mountains meeting the sea. Their celebrant wove the couple’s unique love story into the ceremony, delighting guests with playful football references that brought laughter and warmth to the moment.
The ceremony combined contemporary elegance with cherished Italian traditions, creating a modern yet meaningful celebration. One unforgettable moment was the champagne ritual, where the couple shared sips from a single cup. This heartfelt gesture symbolized their commitment to building a future united by love and shared experiences. As a nod to Italian culture, it highlighted the strength and harmony they would nurture together.
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour set the stage for a vibrant celebration. Guests sipped on signature cocktails, each thoughtfully selected to mirror the couple’s unique personalities and favorite tastes. Here, capturing the warmth of the evening sun on the terrace, glasses were raised in toasts, and laughter echoed through the air, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and festive energy.
Private Moment
After the ceremony, Joe and Jessica stole a quiet moment away from the celebration, savoring the intimacy of their first moments as newlyweds. They drove off in the iconic Porsche Speedster 360, feeling like celebrities while cruising along the stunning coastline. With the wind in their hair and the sun setting behind them, the newlyweds shared laughter and quiet reflections on the love that had brought them to this day.
The Tailors Photography documented the moment with their signature artistry, capturing the beauty and emotion of the ride through intimate, candid shots. Especially beautiful were the photos taken on the white balcony overlooking the mountains, where a soft wind gently played with the bride’s veil, adding an ethereal touch to the stunning scenery. Each image reflected the couple’s joy, perfectly framed against this breathtaking backdrop.
Decor & Setting
Vibrant florals by Sara Cattaneo reflected the bold colors of the Italian coast’s buildings, creating a beautiful harmony with the timeless architecture. Long tables draped in smooth, natural linens allowed guests to gather beneath the soft glow of twinkling lights. Each place setting was thoughtfully arranged with elegant details, from crystal glassware to hand-calligraphed place cards, honoring the spirit of connection and ceremony in every touch.
Reception
The evening unfolded on a terrace with what the couple described as “a dream backdrop”—the sparkling sea stretching out before them, framed by the stunning view of Portofino Bay, which felt like something straight out of a movie.
At each place setting, guests found personalized tambourines, which they shook in unison as the newlyweds made their grand entrance to the lively sounds of “Bella Ciao,” creating a joyful, rhythmic symphony that resonated across the bay and set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
As evening painted the trees in warm orange hues, the couple gathered around their elegant three-tiered cake adorned with fresh flowers in shades of pink and purple. The Tailors Photography captured their genuine laughter during this traditional moment while candles glowed softly across the dessert table.
The newlyweds created their champagne tower under the starlit sky. The warm glow of garden lights illuminated the scene, beautifully contrasting with the dark Italian night and perfectly reflecting their celebration’s sophisticated yet easygoing vibe.
This playful ritual highlighted their natural chemistry and set the tone for the evening ahead. The soft orange light filtering through the foliage added a romantic touch, enhancing the timeless elegance of the moment.
Dances soon followed, with family and friends coming together to form a circle of joy. The celebration was as much about community as it was about love. As the music continued to fill the air, the evening unfolded as a heartfelt reflection of the unity, happiness, and lasting memories the couple had built.
Relaxing Farewell
The final day of festivities unfolded at a nearby villa, where the sun shone brightly, and guests relaxed around the pool. As England played in the Euros on a specially arranged screen, everyone took a moment to reflect on the weekend’s magic; their bonds strengthened in the quiet comfort of shared stories and laughter. The casual, laid-back atmosphere marked a perfect close to three days of celebration, allowing deep connections to form before the final goodbyes.
Advice from the couple:
• Choose vendors that you connect with and align with your vision—especially your photographer! Our photography team was amazing, and we were so fortunate to have their work and meet them as individuals; we have made friends for life.
PHOTOGRAPHY The Tailors Photography | PLANNER Anna Chiantella | VENUE Imperiale Palace Hotel | FLORALS Sara Cattaneo | MUAH Linda Lynn | DRESS Pronovias | SUIT Anthony Formal Wear | MUSIC ADK, Musica Evento | STATIONERY By Chloe Louise Art
