A Luminous Italian Wedding at a Medieval Convent

Within a destination frequented by royalty,  Valeria and Michel held a serene wedding within a historic convent in Italy’s Medole woods near Lake Garda. The romantic ceremony took place by a tranquil lily pond where dragonflies and butterflies fluttered amongst ethereal cloud-like white floral installations enveloped by greenery.

A dramatic canopy of sparkling string lights illuminated a tunnel of trees for the modern reception dinner, which was designed by Elisa Riccó as a juxtaposition of the ancient Il Convento dell’Annunciata.

Photographer Eleonora Tomelleri captured the decadent Italian wedding.

Our Story

Names / Valeria & Michel

Location / Medole, Italy

Wedding Date / June 23rd, 2022

Guest Numbers / 130

Budget / €90,000

The Setting

Wedding Location

The ceremony and reception were held in the magical setting of Il Convento dell’Annunciata. A place rich in history in a garden of rare care and beauty. For the ceremony, the water lily pond welcomed the guests in amazement. The reception took place in the ancient cloisters of the friars, while dinner was held in the long tree-lined avenue within the woods.

Aesthetic

A metropolitan wedding, modern and elegant. The bride and groom, world travelers, wanted to recreate a style that reflected different cultures and tastes, but had a connection to the bride’s Italian childhood. The colors were in a perfect minimal palette of black, white, gray, taupe and pink in different shades.

Preparation

The bride and groom prepared in the ancient rooms of the convent overlooking the cloister garden, living intensely each preparation.

Photography

Eleonora Tomelleri was the photographer for this event. Her shots are intense, they are love with light and shadow, masterfully drawn in these shots. The special attention to detail and perception of emotions can be felt from every single frame.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

A lily pond was the setting for Valeria and Michel’s symbolic ceremony. Dragonflies and butterflies were reflected in the circles of water. I thought of this setting as being suspended in this space, clouds of white and pink Gipsophila served as a backdrop for the bride and groom, and aerial decorations of flowers were made all along the path and entrance aisle. A bucolic effect with a strong modern impact. Velvet furnishings were selected in the most geometric shapes and gray and pink colors. For the bride and groom, the flower-shaped armchairs. It was a contemporary living room surrounded by greenery.

Reception Décor

The reception was designed in stark contrast to the location, a perfect mix of ancient and modern, emphasized by elegant colors. Velvet chairs and sofas, vintage carpets, white marble coffee tables were used. For the buffets, consoles were modern black iron. For lounge area decorations, small flower gardens were recreated at each lounge.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Elisa Riccò took care of the entire event organization and design project, defining every detail of the floral arrangements, furniture and mise en place, in perfect harmony with the context. She developed a unique design in collaboration with her great team.

Flowers

The floral design represented the perfect glamorous style in flower selection and colors. Gipsophila, peonies, roses, Lathirus, Lisianthus, phalenopsis. Airy, light elements, selected in colors and scents, created suspended clouds playing with the selected furnishings. A modern style contrasted with the environment.

Stationery

The graphic stationery was curated by sister of the bride, The House of Mischief. The inspiration came from her personal creation, two faces intersected in harmony.

Cake

The customary wedding cake moment was shared with a toast together with the guests. The convent patio welcomed the guests, enveloped by many small candles among the flowers and centuries-old walls. A sweet corner created with many small cakes, berries and floral decorations.

Favours

The gifts to each guest was a handcrafted leather jewelry box with the logo of the bride and groom.

Food & Beverages

The evening dessert buffet was a combination of many small delicacies. Each corner of the garden had a special setting, around the lounges, surrounded by greenery. Sweet corners with Italian sugared almonds were selected by the bride and groom as flavors that represented the region. Another gift for their guests, who came from all over the world.

A cigar rum corner, set up with vintage furniture in the loggia entertained the groom and close friends while enjoying fine rum and fine chocolate.

The open bar worthy of the finest party was set up on the dance floor, creating a real cocktail party.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

Valeria chose to shine a light on her enterprising personality, opting for a minimalist style in a tailored dress designed for her by Silvia Valli. The choice of shoes could only be Jimmy Choo, studded with Swarovski crystals.

Hair & Makeup

For makeup and hairstyle, Valeria chose refined simplicity with her hair loose in soft waves and natural makeup sculpting her look.

Groom’s Attire

Michel was in perfect New York style; a black tuxedo and tailored suit.

The Details

Readings

The ceremony, intimate and very emotional, was written by the bride and groom, and narrated by their closest friends, the perfect celebrants of this moment. Tears and many smiles made this moment even more special.

“A long imperial table in the forest avenue, enveloped by a tunnel of micro-lights, a perfect contemporary-style fairytale.”

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

The most touching moment was discovering before the guests, the dinner table. A long imperial table in the forest avenue, enveloped by a tunnel of micro-lights, a perfect contemporary-style fairytale.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Il Convento dell’Annunciata

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Elisa Riccò

Photography / Eleonora Tomelleri

Bride’s Dress / Silvia Valli

riBride’s Shoes / Jimmy Choo

Hair & Makeup / Daniela Zeqo

Stationery / The House Of Mischief

Florist / I Fiori Di San Lorenzo

Lighting Design / CroVal

Catering / Scotti Ricevimenti