REAL WEDDING Italian Seaside 10478 views

Julia & Nick
7 September 2007
They Met Julia and Nick were introduced by Julia’s flatmate, who played football with Nick. They were friends for a few years before they finally became a couple. Nick proposed seven years later in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand on 14 November 2006 while on the back of an elephant!

Wedding Venue The couple had always talked about getting married abroad. So once they returned from Thailand, they did some research and found a wedding planner in Italy who recommended Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. By Christmas that year, they had chosen the date and booked the Villa Maria – a stunning palace overlooking the dramatic coastline. It was the ideal location as it was also fairly close to a major airport where guests could get to easily.

The Theme The couple decided to use the stunning Italian location as inspiration for their theme. The white and pale blue invitations were handmade by Julia and Nick , while the table decorations consisted of pale blue voltives from Confetti and freeze-dried blue hydrangea petals scattered on the tables. The top table was named after their honeymoon destination. The place names were scrolls with the menu written inside in both English and Italian tied with pale blue ribbon.

What They Wore Julia wore an ivory A-line skirt with a strapless ruched bodice, which had pearl and crystal details, by Augusta Jones from GoBridal in Tunbridge Wells. She also wore a string pearl necklace which was given to her by Nick’s godmother, and a matching simple pearl bracelet. In her hair, Julia wore a hair piece that had been made for her using the Swarovski crystals from her mother’s tiara from her own wedding 35 years ago.

Nick wore a made-to-measure suit, which was brown with gold very tiny pin stripes, an ivory shirt with a brown tie with ivory spots and brown Italian leather shoes. The suit was bought from The Pantiles Groom in Tunbridge Wells and the shirt and tie were from Brooks Brothers on Regent Street in London.

Julia had one flowergirl, Imogen, who was just three years old. She wore an off-white silk dress from the Children’s Salon in Tunbridge Wells.

The Cake The couple chose a traditional Italian wedding cake called Torta Mimosa, which was a sponge cake with a stuffing of chantilly cream and seasonal fruit and wild berries. It was covered with little sponge cake cubes and decorated with marzipan leaves.

The Flowers Julia had a very simple hand-tied bouquet of cala lilies. There was a stunning white and green mixed arrangement at the ceremony venue, which the couple used again for the wedding cake table.

First Dance Julia and Nick didn’t have a first dance in Italy but at their post-wedding reception back in the UK, they danced to Sway by Dean Martin.

A Moment To Remember Julia says, “The most memorable would be my mum standing up and giving the father-of-the-bride speech as my dad was too nervous – it took me completely by surprise. And our guests all followed the Italian tradition of chinking glasses to make us kiss. It was great fun although my lipstick never lasted more than five minutes!”

Honeymoon The couple spent their honeymoon in Villasimius in Sardinia. Julia says, “It was beautiful – a Caribbean white sandy beach and turquoise sea in Europe!”

Any Advice “Relax and enjoy every second as the time just flies by,” says Julia. “Also don’t compromise on the really important things – no one will notice the smaller details.”

Julia & Nick's Contact Book
Venue: Villa Maria
Wedding Planner: Exclusive Italy
Photographer: Massimo Amendola
Dress: GoBridal
Groomswear: The Pantiles Groom

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