The Mediterranean sunshine, Italian antipasti, flowing Aperols and dancing into the early hours under the Italian moonlight and romantic fairy-lights was the way Ally and Mitch's love was celebrated on the 23rd August 2019. The three day celebration welcomed friends and family from across all four corners of the earth. From Peru, America, Belgium and from the UK, guests partied with the couples the only way Italians would deem accept - with passion, love and pure joy.
Ally, how and when did you and Mitch meet? We met at our college Freshers Ball in October 2008. We were 16 and 17
Tell us about the engagement? We got engaged in March 2018. Mitch took me on a surprise trip to Lapland in Finland to Kakslautten Artic Resort to stay in the glass igloos. He proposed on a husky ride in the snowy forest. It was magical
What kind of wedding ceremony did you choose to have? Symbolic ceremony
What was one of the most important parts of the wedding? We are huge foodies so this was important to us, especially as Italian food is the best. We had a 5 course meal. Starting with antipasti platters by the pool. We then moved onto the tables. We had champagne and oyster risotto, truffle and mushroom tagliatelle, followed by a beef wellington, a melon sorbet palette cleanser and finished with tiramisu – the best dessert on earth! Oh and a lot of limoncello’s to end the meal. – All of this was chosen on our tasting trip to Puglia 5 months prior.
Any signature drinks? None but a lot of Aperols…
What was your vision for the wedding? We always knew we wanted to get married in Italy, preferably in a castle, and we wanted it to be a three day celebration! We’d hoped for 100 guests to make the trip. Essentials were; quality Italian food, plenty of drink (Aperols!!) and partying until late under fairy lights.
What was the hardest part of the planning process? The fact it was abroad was the hardest part of the planning process because we couldn’t meet with the suppliers when we wanted to, only over the phone. We even booked the third day venue just off seeing the Beach Club website. Luckily it was perfect!
What was the most fun to organise? Definitely the food and drink tasting – We took a separate trip to Puglia just for this and it was an amazing day! They sure know how to put on a perfect tasting. So much food and wine!
How did you choose your wedding photographer? I found him on Instagram and loved his style straight away
What was the wedding programme? We had a three day celebration. We had family coming from Peru, America, Belgium and the UK so wanted to make sure it was worth the trip.
On the first night we held a pizza party in the main piazza in Ostuni Old Town. All of our guests arrived from 7pm for aperols and pizza until late. It was the perfect way to kick of the wedding weekend – Unsurprisingly we had a bit too much fun.
Day 2 was the wedding day. Guests arrived at 3pm for a 4pm ceremony, followed by a 2 hour pool party with antipasti and drinks, then the wedding breakfast in the gardens, a firework display over the vineyards and finally a party in front of the castle which finished at around 4am.
Day 3 was a party at beach club. The guests arrived a 2pm (surprisingly on time after the last night before) for drinks and more pizza & pasta in the sun. It was an amazing day by the sea that turned into a bit of a party until the early hours.
How did you personalise your wedding to reflect who you are as a couple? We think we got the balance right on this one. I always wanted it to be elegant and classy but day to day we’re a super fun and social couple who love to party, so we made sure the wedding day was loads of fun for the guests with plenty of surprises. I think guests will say it was a great reflection of us as a couple.
Why did you pick this venues? We chose this castle because we fell in love with it the second we saw it. There were so many beautiful areas to the castle which meant we could take the guests on a bit of a journey throughout the day. We had our reception under fairy lights and dangling chandeliers in front of the castle.
Where there any specifics you really wanted? We choose one of Mitch’s best friends (& groomsman) to marry us, because we knew he’d hold a perfect, emotional and entertaining service, as he knows us both so well. In terms of speeches we stuck to the traditional format, and we had another close friend (who is hilarious) be the master of ceremony to help us guide the guests around the castle to each new element.
Which wedding dress designer did you go with? Caroline Castigliano. When I went to try on dresses, I fell in love with two completely different designs. In the end they were kind enough to make an exclusive bespoke gown featuring a beautiful lace bodice.
What was your experience in searching for your dress? Harder than I expected. I always had a vision of what type of dress I wanted and then when you go and try dresses on this completely changes.
How did you know it was THE dress? I had to go with my gut on this one as didn’t’ see THE dress until it was made for me. Luckily it was perfect!
Thoughts from your husband when he first say you in the dress? “She looked more beautiful than I could have imagined – I cried a lot”
What did the bridesmaids wear? The bridesmaids wore a very pale grey floaty dress – They looked gorgeous! They ended up matching the groomsmen by accident!
What are your most memorable memories of the day? The ceremony was absolutely incredible. It was the first time seeing the finished set up with all the flowers and people sat down and it truly blew me away.
The wedding breakfast was our favourite memory. Sitting back looking at all our guests having the best time, surrounded by trees and fairy lights under the castle was simply magic. The saxophone in the band made it feel like we were in a film
The moment we’d cut the cake and the fireworks and music began was surreal and so amazing! All guests then released their own LED balloon sending 100 lights into the sky. This was a very emotional moment.
Wedding dress: https://www.carolinecastigliano.com/
Wedding planner: http://www.impressionvillas.com/
Make-up: https://vevivi85.wixsite.com/vivianaveglia
Ceremony location: https://www.castellomonaci.com/
Reception venue: https://www.castellomonaci.com/
Catering: https://www.castellomonaci.com/
Wedding cake: https://www.castellomonaci.com/
Favours: https://www.castellomonaci.com/
Photographer: https://marcoschifa.pixieset.com/
Videographer: https://marcoschifa.pixieset.com/
