Nestled in the heart of Mantua, Italy, Craig and Danielle\u2019s wedding was a celebration of love, family, and the natural beauty that surrounded them. Set in a 12-hectare forest at the historic Convento dell\u2019Annunciata, their summer wedding was nothing short of magical, bringing together 130 adults and 22 children to witness their union in a non-traditional, whimsical ceremony under the trees.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tLocation: <\/strong>Mantua, North Italy Craig, a school teacher passionate about Irish language and history, and Danielle, a business owner and hairstylist, first crossed paths in their hometown of Bray, Ireland. Their love story began in the most unexpected way\u2014Craig bravely approached Danielle out of the blue and asked her out on a date. Although she initially thought he was joking and literally ran away, fate had other plans. After months of communicating and getting to know each other, they finally went on that first date, and their connection has been unbreakable ever since.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Their proposal was equally unforgettable. Three weeks before Christmas, Craig, Danielle, and their three-year-old son took a sunrise swim at their favorite local beach. Wrapped in their dry robes, just as the morning sun kissed the horizon, Craig got down on one knee and asked Danielle to marry him. It was an intimate moment, captured beautifully by a hidden photographer Craig had arranged. They returned home to find their family waiting to celebrate, making it a truly perfect day.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t For their wedding, the couple wanted a day that truly reflected their love for nature and the connections they shared with their loved ones. Initially, they envisioned a colorful, vibrant celebration. However, as they collaborated with Danila Stella Events<\/a><\/span>, the plan evolved into a more ethereal, serene aesthetic that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the Convento dell\u2019Annunciata<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The welcome dinner set the tone for a weekend filled with love and joy, as friends and family gathered under a canopy of greenery and twinkling lights. Guests enjoyed a delicious spread of local delicacies, sharing laughter and stories at the long, rustic table adorned with vibrant citrus fruits and lush greenery. The intimate atmosphere, surrounded by nature\u2019s beauty, was the perfect prelude to the couple\u2019s magical celebration to come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\u201cAt the beginning, the bride asked me to create a colorful wedding, inspired by her vibrant personality, but during the planning process, she changed her mind, and we redesigned everything with ethereal materials, flowers, and clear white colors.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Danielle\u2019s wedding attire was a labor of love, designed by herself and her mother, Martina Garner. Her dress featured a stunning cape that accentuated the train, with personalized embroidery from her son, Harrison, including a sun, star, moon, and their names.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Her accessories, including a handmade wedding ring by Amoc Jewelry<\/a><\/span> incorporating gold from both families, added sentimental value to her look.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Craig looked every bit the classic gentleman in a double-breasted tuxedo by Louis Copeland<\/span><\/a>, inspired by his love for old movies and tailored to perfection. The suit, made from Italian wool and crafted in Dublin, featured personal touches like the wedding date embroidered inside. His goal was to feel confident and comfortable throughout the day, and his attire certainly made that possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\u201cI wanted to have a suit that I didn\u2019t have to take the jacket off at all throughout the entire ceremony and party. The suit made me feel confident and comfortable throughout the entire night.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The ceremony took place under the ancient trees of the convent\u2019s forest, creating a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The couple stood in a circle of their loved ones, a unique setup that allowed them to feel close to everyone present while still sharing an intimate bubble with just each other.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Their celebrant, Lucy Cargill, crafted a deeply personal ceremony, drawing from a three-hour interview with the couple and their closest friends. This approach made every part of the ceremony uniquely theirs. One of the most touching moments was the traditional Celtic handfasting ceremony, where their four-year-old son tied a ribbon around their hands, symbolizing the unbreakable bond they share.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe most important part for them was the ceremony. They wanted it to be a circle, like a pebble in the center of a river, symbolizing their love and how it ripples through the people in their lives. This way, they were surrounded by all of their favorite faces and could experience their special moments with them beside them.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Craig recited a poem he had been writing to Danielle since their engagement, capturing the depth of his feelings and their journey together. \u201cIt was everything and more,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> they both shared afterward. “We felt so close to everyone around us, yet we were in our own little bubble with just us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t During the cocktail hour, guests mingled in the lush garden courtyard, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the convent\u2019s stone arches and vibrant greenery. They sipped on refreshing drinks while enjoying a spread of delicious appetizers, including a rustic bread station filled with pretzels and local specialties.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The lively sounds of an acoustic band added to the relaxed, joyful atmosphere as everyone gathered to celebrate. It was a perfect prelude to the evening ahead, filled with laughter and anticipation for the magical moments to come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t During the reception, as the golden hour approached, Danielle and Craig took a private moment for photos with their photographer, Dos Mas en la Mesa<\/a><\/span>. The soft, natural light filtered through the trees, creating an ethereal backdrop for their intimate portraits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/span>Style: <\/strong>Enchanted, magical, whimsical, rustic<\/span>
Time of planning:<\/strong> 1,5 years
Number of guests:<\/strong> 152
Setting:<\/strong> Ceremony \u2013 forest, reception \u2013 convent
Season:<\/strong> Summer<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wedvibes.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20230805_DOSMASENLAMESA_DC_GARDA_-644.jpg?fit=1000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
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