European Weddings | Polly Alexandre Photography

Wedding in Tuscany, Castello Di Meleto {Part 2}

July 20, 2015

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Lauren and Ollie’s fairytale wedding at Castello Di Meleto in Tuscany, Italy, was blessed with perfect weather and beautiful grounds for the cocktail hour after the ceremony and a stunning outdoor evening reception dinner.

Drinks were served after the ceremony. It was a short walk down a spruce lined drive to a refreshing negroni and aperol spritzer, as the signature cocktails. Hors deourves, a charcuterie station and a mozzarella and tomato bar, made for a relaxed afternoon of finger foods and chatting before the wedding reception.

There were many unique touches showing Lauren and Ollie’s style and personality, with creative direction from the Talented Clara at Chic Weddings Italy…..from the tea towel invitations, to the Mad Lib inspired RSVP cards hung on the iron fence, an eclectic selection of frames listing all of the guests was used as a table plan, small peaches with each place card and the Italian almond confetti corner where guests could choose their own flavour of Italian candy as wedding favours.

The wedding cake, a traditional Italian Millefoglie cake, was a show in itself! Millefoglie is literally “a thousand layers” and is made up of fill pastry sheets layered with different fillings. The chefs came out in a long line with all the ingredients and built the cake in front of the guests. Lauren’s most memorable moment from the wedding reception was the creation and cutting of this amazing wedding cake!

Lauren and Ollie opened the dancing to Kings of Leon –Back Down South, which invites everyone in the opening lyrics to “Come on out and dance, if you get the chance” – the perfect end to a perfect day, dancing under the stars in Tuscany with family and friends for around the world.

This dream wedding carried over to a farewell lunch and pool party at the castle the next day with all the guests.

“We were so grateful for the long journey that everyone made that we didn’t want it to end”

Mr & Mrs M: it was such an absolute pleasure to travel to Italy and capture your amazing wedding and I am delighted to see two become three and to see your joy as a new family. Sending you all my love for a long and romantic love story together forever more…. xxx

Gown: Reem Acra Olivia Dress // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Veil: Vera Wang // Earrings: J Crew // Rings: Laura Bezant // Groom tuxedo: Ozwald Boateng // Groom’s shoes: My Churches // Groom’s Bow tie: Lanvin // Bridesmaids dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaids // Vintage MG: Drive In Style // Venue: Castello Di Meleto // Wedding planner: Clara Boatto from Chic Weddings Italy // Catering: Galateo // Florist: La Rosa Canina // Stationer: Wedding Tea Towels // Hair & Makeup: Silvia Gerzeli

Wedding in Tuscany, Castello Di Meleto {Part 1}

July 13, 2015

This fairytale wedding in a Tuscan castle had all the ingredients for a fun and glamorous weekend of celebration at Castello Di Meleto in Italy. Lauren and Ollie’s destination wedding was a perfect part of their cosmopolitan love story which started in London, followed by a proposal in Paris, a wedding in Tuscany and finally a honeymoon in Greece.

To make the most of the long journey their 125 guests had undertaken, a full weekend of events was planned to celebrate and enjoy the time together with family and friends. A welcome dinner on the Friday night at a local family run pizzeria, La Loggia del Chianti, started the weekend on a casual note.

Saturday brought a beautiful sunny day with not a cloud in the sky, showcasing the stunning castle grounds and perfectly complementing the glamour of the black tie attire. Castello Di Meleto has so many beautiful areas that it was easy to flow from the ceremony to cocktails, then dinner and dancing.

One of Ollie’s most memorable moments was watching his bride drive up the tree lined road as she arrived for the ceremony in a 1954 white MG. Lauren’s father walked her down the aisle to a harp accompaniment and their family priest, Father Dow Sanderson officiated, travelling far from home to be a part of this memorable occasion.

The greens, gold, pinks and peaches of the wedding colour palette were chosen to complement the flowers in season and made the castle grounds perfect for a creative couple shoot which took place after the ceremony.

Look out for next week’s blog, showcasing the cocktail hour, dinner reception and the wonderfully intimate detailed decor that made this wedding uniquely Lauren and Ollie.

Gown: Reem Acra Olivia Dress // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Veil: Vera Wang // Earrings: J Crew // Rings: Laura Bezant // Groom tuxedo: Ozwald Boateng // Groom’s shoes: My Churches // Groom’s Bow tie: Lanvin // Bridesmaids dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaids // Vintage MG: Drive In Style // Venue: Castello Di Meleto // Wedding planner: Clara Boatto // Catering: Galateo // Florist: La Rosa Canina // Stationer: Wedding Tea Towels // Hair & Makeup: Silvia Gerzeli

Castelo di Melato, Tuscany

April 20, 2015

This week allow yourself to be transported back to sunkissed Chianti in Tuscany, Italy. I had the privilege of visiting the enchanting Castelo di Meleto for a wedding last summer and captured the estate and surrounding area whilst I was there.

Set on a hill overlooking the Massellone Valley, the historic and elegant Castello Di Meleto is set in Chianti and has incredible views. It offers rooms and apartments with Tuscan-style furnishings, and a traditional semi restored original interior, which is wonderfully atmospheric. I love it when old interiors are not restored to within an inch of their life, and still hold some character and signs of age.

The best part? You can actually stay here without getting married! Yes, it is also a hotel, and has some gorgeous swimming pool areas with beautiful views, perfect for a summer holiday.

It truly is an authentic castle, and a taste of old Italy. As well as the stones and bib urns of flowers, it has those quintessential rows of poplar trees lining the roads and views of rolling hills and vineyards.

The wedding I shot here will soon be published on Martha Stewart Weddings. Keep your eyes open for lots of gorgeousness on their site very soon!

Renata & Johnny’s Day After Brunch at Grand Hotel du Cap, Cap Ferrat

September 28, 2014

For destination weddings I often cover the night before and day after events too. When Renata and Johnny married on the French Riviera, Johnny’s mother hosted a beautiful brunch the day after the wedding at the Grand Hotel du Cap in Cap Ferrat. Family and friends mingled in the sunshine over a beautiful brunch, tables laden with French cheeses, fresh breads, fruit and exquisite desserts, to the sounds of a jazz saxophonist.

You can see the couple’s wedding photographs here on my blog.