Chiara & Damian
For many, a backdrop of turquoise water in sun-drenched Bermuda would be the perfect wedding setting, but locals Chiara and Damian had something quite different in mind! A million miles from the shores of Bermuda, set high on a hill with breathtaking views over the Massellone Valley sits Castello di Meleto. This impressive castle nestled in the heart of the Italian countryside was the idyllic setting the couple chose for their destination wedding in Chianti.
From: Bermuda
Nearest Airport: Peretola Airport, Florence
The Planning
Ludovica Stefanini from the Exclusive wedding planning agency WEDinItaly, helped create Chiara and Damian’s gorgeous wedding in Chianti. Each wedding is organised to their client’s style and tastes so they are completely unique, customised and bespoke. International award-wining photojournalist Carlo Carletti beautifully captured the day, and below Ludovica shares the couple’s wedding vision and how they bought this to life.
The Venue
Bringing it all back to her roots, Chiara who is half Bermudian and half Italian decided her dream wedding had to be back on her father’s soil.
Their dream and vision was to have an elegant and rustic wedding, somewhere close to Siena – and Castello di Meleto provided just that. It was the perfect venue for their destination wedding in Chianti.
With the grandeur of the castello, outdoor terraces and the Italian garden perfect for a Tuscan feast, accommodation for all their guests to be in one place, characteristic views of the rolling hills in Chianti, there was no better place to begin their adventure as husband and wife.
The Design
We always love it when our clients go for a style that suits the surroundings of the venue, it’s always something we would recommend, so when the couple asked for their wedding to be styled as elegant and rustic we were already on the same page. Together with Nadia of Stiatti Fiori, we designed along with their chosen colour of royal blue, blush pinks, creams and peaches for the elegant floral arrangements.
The Bride
Chiara chose a gown that was different to the usual ivory or white wedding dress, and chose a sparkling silver number and finished off the look in style with a pair of Manolo Blahniks…
The Ceremony
Chiara and Damian chose to have a Civil Ceremony in Castello di Meleto’s front garden, facing the rolling hills of Giaole in Chianti. A picture perfect spot that gave the guests a wonderful view to look out onto as the couple said I do.
The Reception
One of the biggest USP’s of Castello di Meleto as a wedding venue, is the Italian garden that sits in front of the wonderfully characteristic Castello itself. Lined with trees and decorated with festoon lighting, it’s big enough for up to 200 guests, but you can create an intimate atmosphere with just a few clever tweaks. Chiara and Damian’s wedding hosted 155 guests in total, perfectly seated on long Tuscan tables, bringing together the two sides of the family in one big feast!
The Menu
Designed by the wonderful Guidi Lenci Catering, the menu was typically Tuscan, starting with two ‘primi’ courses of Maltagliata pasta with courgette and courgette flowers and saffron scent, followed by Risotto with seasonal vegetables. The main course, or ‘secondo’ as they call it in Italy, as a fillet of beef with porcini mushrooms and carrot and broccoli souffle.
The Cake
Beautifully prepared in front of the guests by Guidi Lenci’s head chef, everyone gathered round for the cutting of the cake. Chiara and Damian chose to have a traditional Italian wedding cake with of Millefoglie (a thousand leaves), a very light and delicious dessert with creme patissiere in the centre, decorated with fresh fruit on top.
Entertainment
The evening of entertainment was put on together with Alma Project. The couple were very lucky to have had a guest of theirs to be the DJ in the evening. A traditional Bermudian dance even made an appearance on the dance floor, bringing both the couple’s culture over to Italy adding that personal touch their wedding in Chianti…it was the end to a memorable day.
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The Perfect Partners
Wedding Planner: Ludovica Stefanini of WEDinItaly // Photographer: Carlo Carletti // Civil Ceremony: Castello di Meleto // Reception Venue: Castello di Meleto // Accommodation: Castello di Meleto // Catering: Guidi Lenci // Floral Arrangements: Stiatti Fiori // Music & Entertainment: Alma Project
