A Timeless Wedding in Puglia 

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Puglia, Kaden and Aleah’s wedding at Masseria Pistola was a love letter to Italy’s mesmerizing grandeur and inherent romance. 

The masseria, a newly restored farmhouse within Mediterranean gardens, provided the perfect canvas for a wedding designed to feel both timeless and uncontrived. The ceremony unfolded in a secluded garden space, where wild greenery climbed vintage columns and asymmetrical floral installations framed the Puglian countryside. At sunset, guests moved to the reception, where long tables stretched beneath delicate string lights, draped in soft linens and neutral blooms. 

The bride wore a silk-and-crepe Isolde gown by Cinq with vintage Manolo Blahnik mules.

Our Story

Names / Aleah Sexton & Kaden Hurst

Location / Masseria Pistola, Puglia Italy

Wedding Date / June 28^th, 2024

Guest Numbers / 80

How We Met

Our journey began as a friendship in middle school. Our relationship didn’t become official until a few years later. Both of our parents are “high school sweethearts,” and neither of us imagined we’d meet our future spouse the same way. What began as a simple crush evolved into a profound romance. We’ve now been together for over eleven years.

Our Engagement Story

On a beautiful October weekend, Kaden planned a spontaneous trip to Montauk in the Hamptons. We started at a quaint fish market and purchased fresh oysters — our favorite food. He then took me to a secluded beach for an intimate picnic. As we watched the clouds drift by, Kaden proposed. We were surrounded only by seagulls and crashing waves. My sister later came in from New York City and took photos exclusively on film. The entire proposal was totally “us” — we were wearing flannels and jeans, shucking oysters, and talking about our future. It was peaceful and idyllic.

What we love most about each other…

Aleah: Kaden is the perfect balance — strong yet gentle, confident yet humble. He brings peace, support, and unwavering love into my life, allowing me to grow and be my truest self. He is sunlight personified, and being with him feels like home.

Kaden: Aleah lights up every room with her laughter and energy. She’s bold, kind, effortlessly beautiful, and full of life. She inspires me every day and makes me a better man. Loving her is the greatest privilege of my life.

The Setting

Wedding Location

While studying abroad in Milan, I traveled through Italy with Kaden — and we dreamed of one day eloping there. Years later, inspired by that trip (and some nudging from family), we chose a destination wedding in Puglia.

Puglia felt like the perfect place: stunning coastlines, olive orchards, historic trulli, and a peaceful rhythm of life we wanted to share with our loved ones. We wanted guests to enjoy more than just a wedding — a true European escape.

After a long search, we discovered Masseria Pistola, a hidden gem tucked into the Canale di Pirro. Surrounded by vineyards and Mediterranean gardens, the villa felt like a dream. Designed by James Thurston Waterworth, every detail — from the antiques to the atmosphere — was magical.

We stayed there with close family the week of the wedding, savoring every moment. From lazy mornings and late-night backgammon to homemade wine and heartfelt hospitality, it was everything we’d hoped for — and more.

Aesthetic

We hoped for a wedding that would be timeless for years to come. The location itself was so beautiful, we wanted the masseria’s effortless elegance to be at the helm of the design. We didn’t want wedding décor to overpower the simplicity of the venue, but instead naturally blend into an already gorgeous canvas.

Preparation

The wedding morning was serene. I have three younger sisters, and we initiated the day by taking a dip in the Mediterranean Ocean — symbolic of our girlhood and the embarkment of the first of four to be married. One sister did my hair and the other did my makeup. My mom gifted me a beautiful vintage mirror, and my father gave me a lovely leather journal purchased in Florence.

Photography

It was very important that the wedding be captured on film. We use film cameras in our own travels because of their innate ability to capture nostalgia. Monica Leggio was the perfect choice as a photographer, as her film work is ethereal. Every photo tells a story and evokes an emotion from the viewer. Through her work, she honors the candidness of a fleeting second. Her photos make a frozen moment feel alive again. It was so easy to trust Monica’s creativity, and she was a joy to work with. Monica’s second shooter was the brilliant Barbara Tucci.

Videography

We found Marco De Nigris through another video he created for a Puglian wedding and immediately knew he was the right choice. His videography beautifully embodies all the emotions a wedding day emits. Being a local, we felt he genuinely brought the enchanting aspects of the region to life. It’s evident he is passionate about storytelling, and we knew he would successfully capture the adoration Kaden and I have for one another. Marco was incredibly professional and allowed us to move through the day sincerely, gently directing us when needed.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

The ceremony took place in a hidden space off the private garden overlooking the Puglian countryside. The front of the aisle was decorated with a lush floral composition naturally climbing out of a vintage column. A beautiful asymmetric installation of greenery and white wildflowers was the main attraction at the end of the aisle. We included draped fabrics over the chairs to add texture.

Reception Décor

Aperitivo was situated around the pool. Drink and food stalls were scattered around seating arrangements in the garden, with a live band performing classic Italian songs. The goal was to create a welcoming space for guests to relax. We wanted each scene of the evening to transport guests into a different, unique area of the property. The ceremony, aperitivo hour, reception, and dancing all occurred seamlessly at separate locations.

Dinner was set up as two long tables in front of the masseria’s main house. String lights warmly created a romantic ambiance. The tables followed a consistent color palette of white, flowy textiles, and lavish floral arrangements. The dinner was incredibly intimate — we had eight friends and family members deliver speeches between courses, with the band playing enchanting music.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

On our first call with our planner, Alessandra Linoci, we knew it was a perfect match. A Puglian native, she truly understood the essence of the region, which was a top priority. Alessandra was absolutely exceptional, and we know for certain our day could not have been possible without her talent. She impeccably planned our big day and orchestrated a beautiful, memorable experience for everyone. Her executional skills are flawless.

We collectively wanted to showcase the lush gardens and raw, whitewashed nature of the venue. The goal was to create an effortless and timeless atmosphere through draped textiles, asymmetric floral installations, and romantic lighting. We hoped to highlight vintage imperfection instead of contemporary cleanliness throughout each moment of the day.

Flowers

Nunzia Guerino was our florist, and she has a truly innate gift. She has an immaculate ability to complement the natural layout of a venue with her stunning arrangements. We opted for an organic bouquet, mixing wild blooms into a mismatched shape. It looked as if it had just been picked from a garden moments before being arranged. She understands the essence of a location and intuitively designs arrangements that respect the foundation.

Stationery

I opted to design the invitations myself and partnered with Elle Kenwood of Della Terra Goods for printing and details. I messily stamped each save-the-date with Roman busts to add a custom touch. For the invitation suite, we decided on thick, imperfect cardstock of various off-white shapes. Elle beautifully hand-painted calligraphy on all envelopes.

For wedding day stationery, we partnered with Federica of Fine Design Studio to continue the theme of deckled stationery. She created a linen seating chart that flawlessly blended into the natural garden backdrop.

Favors

We collaborated with Giuseppe Guglielmi, Head of Guest Relations at Masseria Pistola, to create gift bags. We provided them at the Welcome Dinner held at a local beach club. We opted for delicious olive oil produced by the sister property, Masseria Petrarolo, local sweets and delicacies, San Carlo chips, taralli, and—most importantly — Liquid I.V. and Acqua Panna for the morning after the wedding!

Cake

We decided on a traditional Italian millefoglie cake. It was absolutely delicious, and we still dream about the decadent lemon cream filling. The cake cutting was illuminated by the live band, Past & Fasul, playing Volare. Guests started dancing as espresso and limoncello shots lined the tables.

Food & Beverages

We partnered with the absolutely phenomenal team at Rotondo Catering. They executed every course with precision, professionalism, and culinary excellence. The food was fantastic. We were unable to try the courses before the wedding day, but the Rotondo team delivered beyond expectations. The live pasta and cheese stalls were incredibly popular with guests during aperitivo, especially the orecchiette and burrata! They loved watching the preparation in real time. Dinner was traditional al fresco dining.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My dress was the Isolde from Cinq’s first collection. I fell in love with it instantly after trying it on during their visit to NYC. Macey and the team were incredibly kind and a breeze to work with. The fabric is comfortable silk and crepe satin. Cinq creates the most romantic, precious silhouettes that preserve femininity. My shoes were vintage-sourced Carolyne mules from Manolo Blahnik.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

For our wedding rings, I wore a classic Cartier gold band paired with an emerald wedding band from Starling Jewelry. As a deeply meaningful accessory, Kaden’s mother gifted me a “something blue” sapphire ring that has been passed down through generations of brides in their family. It was an honor to wear it on our wedding day. To add a personal touch, both my wedding dress and Kaden’s tuxedo featured embroidered tags with our wedding date and initials, which made everything feel even more special and intentional.

Hair & Makeup

My sister is a hairstylist and swept my hair into a classic, elegant low bridal bun. My other sister is very talented at makeup and did an illuminated, bronzed look. It was special to have them both add their creativity to my overall bridal look.

Groom’s Attire

Kaden’s tuxedo was a custom suit from Indochino. His shoes were vintage Dolce & Gabbana.

“The goal was to create an effortless and timeless atmosphere through draped textiles, asymmetric floral installations, and romantic lighting.”

The Details

Transport

We arrived at our reception in a vintage red 1974 Alfa Romeo. The guests were waiting for us at the end of the long entrance to the masseria. Paper Planes by M.I.A. was our entrance song.

Honeymoon

We decided to stay in Puglia and honeymooned at Borgo Gallana for a few days, followed by Masseria Calderisi. We were grateful to immediately have time after the wedding to soak in all the memories. We explored quaint coastal villages and more unseen areas of the region.

Wedding Songs

I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Michicant by Bon Iver, and we exited the ceremony to Gyöngyhajú Lány by Omega. For our reception entrance, we chose Paper Planes by M.I.A., which brought a playful energy to the evening. Our first dance was to Moon River by Frank Ocean — modern, understated, and fitting for the moment.

Entertainment

Past & Fasul band played classic Italian songs throughout aperitivo and dinner. They were immensely skilled and the guests adored their music. We created our own playlist once everyone hit the dance floor, comprised of our favorite songs.

Celebrant

We asked my uncle to be our celebrant. He is a history teacher, and we knew he would be able to speak on the philosophy of love. He beautifully described the notions of eros, agape, and philia, and how each type of love collectively combines to create a powerful union.

Readings

We wrote our own vows and each described the journey of our relationship.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

At the end of the wedding night, Kaden and I climbed to the top of a trulli and danced together with the guests cheering below. It was magical and the perfect summary to the evening.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but a wedding is fundamentally a ritual of two people officially coming together as one. We grounded ourselves in the importance of the vows. We prioritized the ceremony and knew everything else would fall into place.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

With a destination wedding, definitely hire a planner. Our wedding would not have been possible without Alessandra, and we were able to be fully present, focusing on the big picture instead of minute aspects. We filtered every major decision through a lens of “what will we think about this in twenty years?” If it had any significant bearing, we’d consider it. If we knew it’d be forgotten, we moved on.

Sources of inspiration…

Vintage poems and love letters, antique lace and silk textiles, classic feminine Italian aesthetics, intimate weddings from pre-2000s.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Masseria Pistola

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Alessandra Linoci Events

Photography / Monica Leggio and Barbara Tucci

Videography / Marco De Nigris Weddings

Bride’s Dress / Cinq

Bride’s Shoes / Vintage Manolo Blahnik

Wedding Rings / Cartier & Starling

Hair / Jayli Sexton

Makeup / Kiera Sexton

Stationery / Della Terra and Fine Design Studio

Florist / Nunzia Guerino

Cake / Rotondo Catering

Catering / Rotondo Catering and Joe Bar Catering

Entertainment / Past & Fasul

Transport / Puglia Auto Classica

Couture Tailoring / Sokayri Atelier