Northern Italy Destination Wedding
Rachel, a California girl, fell for Jacopo, her Italian summer fling, while bouncing around Europe backpacking. So, when it came to deciding where they should marry, a northern Italy destination wedding in the countryside was the ideal choice. They planned an intimate wedding in the rolling hills of Canossa Italy where Jacopo’s grandparents were born.
The wedding day started with Rachel and her mother venturing around their small 300 year old village collecting wildflowers. Then her bridal party helped make her Bouquet and flower crown on the terrace of the old farm house they were all staying in while thunderstorms passed over. They then dressed her and sent her on her way to meet Jacopo.
Their first look was in the garden of a tinny two thousand year old Church that they have been adoring for years. Holding a special place in their hearts, they chose to meet here and exchange private vows before the community ceremony. They cried (Jacopo a lot), hugged and kissed.
Italy Destination Wedding
By mid afternoon people were gathered down the road under the trees of an old mill Mulino in Pietra, which is now a charming restaurant run by a young Italian couple. Ribbons hung from the branches and lifted gently in the breeze. The sun poked through the leaves and the sound of the stream made for a magical and light atmosphere. The guests created a circle amongst the ribbons and welcomed Rachel as she crossed over the bridge arm in arm with her father.
Encircled by there loved ones the ceremony included a blessing of the rings, poetry readings and a ribbon ritual in which one-by-one each guest approached the couple with an offering of loving words, tears or a hug and tied a pice of ribbon to theirs creating a long strand that wrapped couple. Ending with vows, a tremendous amount of lavender thrown and a champagne toast.
The guests enjoyed aperitivo (the original cocktail hour) and then moved into the mill’s courtyard for a long candle lit dinner to the jazzy music of a two-person band. The evening flowed with layers of local lambrusco wine, Italian cuisine, emotional speeches and dancing.
The night ended with the cutting of an impressive “fruite of the forest” cake overflowing with local berries, rosemary and peaches, a toast from the brides father and the couple’s official dance to their song “at last” by Etta James. With wine glasses empty and candles burning low guests left into the starry summer night after an evening of old world Italy.
