Gem and Marty first got in contact in the darkest depths of January, 2022 with some venue concerns. They had thought they’d found their perfect villa venue in France, but after reading through some dubious Covid-19 policies on the contract, decided the venue was too risky, and they needed to start again. They’re real foodies, and so felt that a wedding in Italy would give them the best in terms of villas, food and weather.

The result of the search was a beautiful villa in Puglia called Tenuta dell’Alto - a house that was once the country residence of a noble family from Lecce. It was built in the early 1800s, and has been thoughtfully restored, leaving the character of the building in tact, but with some drop-dead gorgeous interiors. The gardens are like something from a sub-tropical paradise, and thus we had the perfect combination of history, modernity and space for Gem and Marty’s outdoor garden party.

Once we’d chosen the venue, getting the food right was next on the priority list. We went straight to the best caterer in Puglia - Rotondo - and they didn’t disappoint. They provided an endless supply of food for aperitivo, a charming wedding cake, and an impressive three-course meal that included Gem and her family’s favourite dish - aubergine parmigiana.

When it came to design, Gem and Marty wanted striking minimalism. Decor wasn’t high on their priority list - a beautiful backdrop and irresistible atmosphere is what they cared about the most. But as they both work in the fashion industry, they weren’t afraid to be bold, and so we had some spectacular details that makes this wedding stand out. We flew the wonderful Ellie from Florae out to Puglia to create the work of art that was our ceremony backdrop. Ellie makes graphic flowers that are designed to be hired and re-used. With some clever experimentation, she was able to make our flowers very tall, so that they truly embodied that graphic element that Gem and Marty loved, while still being able to sway gently in the breeze. It was absolutely stunning to look at.

The colour palette we chose had a white base, with pops of purple, orange and warm mint green. With neutral tables, the colour came through in the stationery and apricot accents. We also set the cutlery on an angle, adding to that feeling of sleek originality. But the crowning glory was the custom-made neon lighting that channelled through the middle of the tables. The tubes created such a modern vibe, but also with a hint of 80s nostalgia that paired beautifully with some choice power ballads played by our DJ after dinner. By removing fairy lights and festoon lights from the scheme and using neons, we created a very specific effect. The emanating glow was warm and inviting, the lack of florals or any height in the tables allowed for conversation to flow better - something that can be tricky on long banquet tables. It allowed the moon and stars to shine through more clearly, and generated a feeling of intimacy. To deepen the effect further, we changed the colour of the lights for each course, adding an element of surprise to the meal.

After the cutting of the cake, we moved right on to dancing, with music and lighting expertly provided by DAEvent. Danny and his team created the best party atmosphere - I’m not sure a single person ever left the dance floor!

We rounded the weekend off with a pool and pizza party the next day, because a destination wedding is never just a day! Our wood-fired pizza oven from Luppolo e Farina was lit 3 days before the event, ensuring it was the perfect temperature for making the most outstanding pizzas.

I must give HUGE thanks to this wonderful team of international suppliers. It’s so important to pull together the right team for a wedding - not only those that fit the aesthetic, but those who really care and give their all. And hand on heart, every single person in this group gave 110%, and made the day an immeasurable success.

Photos now up on my website!