Italy possesses a distinct charm and sophistication one just doesn’t see anywhere else. From the rural beauty of Tuscany to the urban cool of Rome, a unique style is to be found in any corner of this ancient country. However, you can still recreate that Mediterranean wonder here in the UK, with a bit of inspiration and a touch of age old style. Here are some ways to give your wedding that injection of La Dolce Vita.
Venue
Country House Weddings’ selection of fairytale locations all have that special something, but for a dreamy Italian style wedding, there is no better place than our lovely Gosfield Hall. It is an opulent manor house built in 1545, with a style that is a curious amalgamation of Tudor and Georgian motifs. Gosfield Hall is also privileged to have seen some illustrious guests grace its ornate reception rooms, including Queen Elizabeth I, King Louis XVIII and his wife Queen Marie Josephine Louise of France.
Colours
Choosing which colour scheme to have for your wedding is one of the most important details to sort out, yet so often it can become a massive headache. For those dreaming of capturing that rustic Tuscan style, Lindsay Goldenberg Jones has sourced a gorgeous Pantone palette to work from. Writing in womangettingmarried.com, she says: “Having a Tuscan wedding palette can help you decide everything from bridesmaid dresses to wedding invitations colours.”
For the majority of Italian themes, the general rule thumb is to go for that mixture of bright sun drenched colours and subtle pastel shades that really tap into that timeless elegance – so think golden yellow, vineyard green and cherry tomato red.
Flowers
Italians love two things at their weddings: over the top romance and understated beauty. So for the flowers, it’s important to get that right balance between sensual and elegant. This is your chance to be as romantic as possible, so have a tiara of sweet flowers in your hair and a bouquet of wild posies. Bridal Guide has produced a sublime infographic on choosing the right bouquet. For the tables, add long winding garlands of rich red roses, peppered with fragrant Mediterranean herbs to invoke the smells of the Italian countryside.
Dress
Your dress should be all about traditional vintage glamour, a veil is essential to bring out a sense of the demure and ladylike. Just imagine something you could see Anita Ekberg sporting in a Federico Fellini film and you are on the right track. To achieve that final touch of the ethereal, couple it with a pair of antique diamond earrings and simple diamond necklace.
Invitations
Aside from wine, fashion and olive oil, Italy is world famous for being a bastion of classical Western art. Take some inspiration from the great works of Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio and make your invitations look like miniature works of art. Alternatively, you could go down the more feminine route and get your inspiration from Old Italian lace designs, as well as classic Italians florals like sunflowers et al. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration for Italian styles.
To create that genuine ode to Italian weddings, remember it’s all about family and friendship (the most integral parts of Italian culture). So along with the glamour, the sensuality and the romance, remember to have intimacy as your foundation for your wedding.
