Location: Puglia,Italy
Setting: Farmhouse
Season: Spring
How long did the couple plan the event: 2 years
Number of guests: 80
Wedding theme/style: Modern, classic, minimalistic.
Naomi and Graeme, both residing in London, met five years ago while working at the same newspaper. Their love story began with shared interests and late-night deadlines, evolving into a deep connection. After three years together, Graeme proposed in a unique and personal way during a surprise trip to Venice, presenting the ring in a pizza box at Naomi’s favorite trattoria. Their dream was to have a wedding that reflected their minimalist style and love for the Italian coast, leading them to choose the beautiful region of Puglia.
Giovanni Paolone captured Naomi and Graeme’s wedding day beautifully. His keen eye for detail and ability to blend into the background allowed him to capture candid moments that truly reflected the joy and elegance of the event. From the intimate pre-ceremony moments to the vibrant reception, Giovanni’s photographs show his talent and style.
THE VENUE
Il Trappetello, a rustic Masseria in Monopoli, Puglia, provided the perfect backdrop for their celebration. With its charming architecture and lush gardens, the venue exuded a laid-back yet elegant vibe that Naomi and Graeme desired. The couple fell in love with this location at first sight, and its coastal proximity made it an ideal choice for their three-day celebration.
Our vision for the wedding was to have all our loved ones together for three days. We also held a welcome cocktail party at Masseria Torre Maizza and a recovery pool party at Il Trappetello to eat good food, laugh, dance and celebrate our love in our favourite place in the world.
BRIDE & GROOM'S FASHION
Naomi began her day surrounded by her bridesmaids, who were dressed in beautiful light mint green gowns. Her wedding look was meticulously planned: a custom-made minimalist asymmetric silk slip dress with a low back, paired with La Dolce Vita block heels and a cathedral-length Grace Loves Lace veil. Her accessories included Chanel No5 perfume, and her hair and makeup were done by Vera Sots, who gave her a bronzed, natural look with a sleek low bun. Naomi’s bouquet consisted of elegant white roses, while her bridesmaids carried simple yet stunning bouquets of white baby’s breath.
The whole look came together exactly as I had imagined, it was perfect.
Graeme had a spontaneous approach to his wedding attire. Although he initially bought a suit from Suit Supply in London, he found another suit by Musani during a trip to Monopoli two days before the wedding. After a quick overnight alteration, he decided to wear this new suit on the wedding day. He paired it with shoes by Paul Smith and elegant watches, showcasing his style.
Graeme was still deciding which suit to wear 30 minutes before the ceremony started.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was held in the gardens of masseria. Guests were serenaded by a guitar singer as they arrived, adding a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The decor was simple and elegant, featuring white roses and greenery adorning the aisle chairs, complemented by a beautiful white fabric.
Naomi walked down the aisle to “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison, a song that resonates with their relationship. Graeme’s best friend officiated, adding a modern vibe and a touch of intimacy to the event. Despite the looming threat of rain, the weather held up just long enough for the ceremony to proceed as planned.
Saying our vows was one the most memorable moment from our wedding day.
THE MOMENT ALONE
Post-ceremony, Naomi and Graeme spent a few quiet moments together, with Giovanni Paolone capturing these intimate shots against the picturesque backdrop of masseria. These photographs reflect their joy and the serene beauty of the setting, making them some of the most cherished memories of the day.
All morning the apps were saying it was going to rain which we were quite upset about, because one of the reasons we picked Italy was because we wanted the sunshine! Luckily the rain held off until 20 minutes after the ceremony.
THE RECEPTION
Due to the rain, the dinner was moved indoors, but the charm and elegance of the farmhouse indoor space ensured the celebration continued seamlessly. Naomi, who is an ex-fashion editor, has quite a minimalist style and a love of clean-cut fashion, and she wanted to mirror this in her wedding. The decor featured white roses and greenery, with lemons adding a pop of color.
Guests enjoyed signature cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martini, and Negroni, while speeches from their closest people added a heartfelt touch to the evening.
I knew I wanted a white color scheme with florals to keep a classic feel and opted for lemons and greenery on the tables to add some color while also nodding to Italy.
The couple’s first dance was to Elton John’s “Your Song,” followed by lively music from a DJ and saxophonist that kept the dance floor busy all night. Naomi changed into a dress by Rixo for the evening, blending comfort and style.
The cake-cutting ceremony featured sparkler fountains and was set to Coldplay’s “Sky Full of Stars,” marking the transition from dinner to dancing. The three-tier cake was elegantly decorated with white flowers and greenery, matching the overall decor theme. A photobooth provided entertainment and acted as a guestbook, capturing fun moments with friends and family.
Additionally, a nearby rave saw many guests continuing the party into the early hours, adding a unique twist to the wedding day.
Our guests were definitely in the mood to party and were dancing from aperitivo until the end of the night. We ended up having an impromptu party before the dinner with everyone dancing to our guitar player and singer which all our guests said they loved too.
Advice from the couple:
• Have a good plan B option! Even though we were disappointed that we were not able to hold the dinner outside, we were lucky that our venue’s dining room was beautiful. If we hadn’t had that option, it would have been a big problem as the rain was very heavy.
PHOTOGRAPHER Giovanni Paolone | VENUE Il Trappetello | PLANNER Danila at Dama Wedding | FLOWERS Romy Flower Designer | MUAH Vera Sots | STATIONERY Pluma Creativa | MUSICIAN Alfjo Greco | DJ Danny Howen | PHOTOBOOTH Oddshot | CEREMONY DRESS Bespoke | EVENING DRESS Rixo | HEELS La Dolce Vita | VEIL Grace Loves Lace | PERFUME Chanel | SUIT Musani | SHOES Paul Smith | WELCOME DRINKS VENUE Masseria Torre Maizza | BRIDE AND GROOM Naomi, Graeme
