Carla and Mike said I do in Sorrento, Italy overlooking the ocean and the island of Capri at their intimate destination wedding with oodles of fashion and fun travel details too!
We asked the couple to share their love of travel and love story with us. “We fell in love with Sorrento, Italy the moment we visited…Watching the world go by in an open air-cafe we were completely captivated by the relaxing Italian flare, vibe and the seductive mythical town of Sorrento, so therefore we couldn’t resist getting married there.”
“For our colour palette we decided to have champagne and navy blue. We actually got Carla’s dress, which is champagne, before we decided on going to Italy for our wedding. When we chose Sorrento We knew the dress would be perfect for the Italian style and with the old traditional golds they use for their décor. We used these colours and other items such as rustic string ties and champagne card invitations, labels etc. to fit in with our Italian/travel theme. We chose navy blue as we felt this complimented the champagne elegantly and perfectly. Also, with the blue sea and sky surrounding Sorrento and with Relais Blu having blue as their main colour, we felt navy blue went well and matched perfectly.”
“Our ceremony was held in the Chiostro di San Francesco, known to anyone visiting as the ‘Cloisters’. This is an old Franciscan Chiostro in the centre of Sorrento, it is a beautiful little courtyard surrounded by elegant arches. Next to the cloisters is the church of St.Francis which dates back to the 16th Century.”
“We absolutely loved the quiet tranquil nature of the garden we thought it was the ideal place to hold the ceremony. We added lots of rose flowers and had a beautiful harp to play throughout the ceremony, which completed the setting perfectly. Monks still use this place today and can often be seen, quietly walking through the grounds, or inviting in their latest guests.”
“Our favourite moments of the day are very hard to select but, as cliché as it may sound, nothing compared to the moment we laid eyes on one another as Carla entered the Cloisters. Mike was blown away by how stunning Carla looked in her dress and couldn’t help but shed a tear.”
“Make sure you have photographers who have the capability to capture the day perfectly. We picked creative and unique photographers who ticked every box for us. At the end of the day this is what you look back on and we just love our photographs as they captured some amazing shots of us that we’d never dream of having. They captured everything from the funniest moment to the most emotional, they were so passionate that they captured everything! Being able to relive the day through those heart felt in-the-moment shots is amazing and something we like to do almost daily.”
“Mike surprised Carla by hiring a wedding car to drive them to the reception in, an original 1960s Fiat 500 !! Trying to get into the car was hysterical, because of Carla’s very large dress, Carla had to sit in the backseat because there would be no room in the front for Mike to drive us to the reception. Then, because the car was so old, it was difficult to drive and it was amazing that Mike even got us there in one piece!! Especially with the renowned Italian drivers around us. We were giggling so much and as we hadn’t been alone together since the ceremony it was the first time we both felt we could relax and soak it all in”
Then it was off to the reception! “We enjoyed drinks and canapés upon arrival on our own private terrace, then indulged in a gorgeous traditional Italian meal as we watched the sun set. After the meal and speeches we then all made our way up to the pool area to enjoy some music, dancing and drinks, whiling away the evening until our chariot arrived to return our guests to Sorrento.”
For the dinner seating design? “Bespoke table plan, table names with Romeo and Juliet scripts in the background, the table names were the places we were visiting on our honeymoon.”
We often ask couples what advise they would give having gone through the destination process. “Our advise to future couples is to enjoy.every.moment!!! Take some alone time to really grasp that you both have just got married so you can enjoy being excited and happy together, then you’ll feel relaxed and can really enjoy the rest of the day. This was our favourite memory just being able to be with the one you love on the most important day of your life for a few minutes so you can really savour that you’ve both just got married and you’re having the time of your lives.”
Even the wedding favors were a nod to the location! “’Grazie’ on little luggage tags for the lemoncello bottles given to guests as wedding favours at reception.” Clearly a good time was had by all and even left some of the smaller guests exhausted from so much fun!
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Caroline + Ben Photography
Wedding Vendors: Reception Venue: Relais Blu, Ceremony: Chiostro di San Francesco, Wedding Organizer: Sylvia Schiappa, Flowers: Flowers and Confetti, Invitations: Artcadia Stationery, Calligraphy: Castadrift, Paper Goods: Nerissa Eve Weddings, Guestbook: Etsy, Fingerprint Tree: Vespa Guestbook, Wedding Dress: Ian Stuart – Antoinette, London Bride Couture, Shoes: Harriet Wilde Shoes, Groom Suit: Chester Barrie Savile Row Hopsack Suit, Bridesmaids Dresses: Ted Baker – Saphira, Personalised ‘Mr and Mrs Gray’ Wedding Cake Topper + Heart Bracelet + Cufflinks: Noton The High Street, Lace Parasols + Luggage Tags: Confetti, Honeymoon: Mr and Mrs Smith Hotels, Flower Girls: Monsoon, Car: Sergio Spider Life Style
