A Wedding at Tabiano Castle in Northern Italy

Evocative and rich with nostalgia, the wedding day of Valerio and Amanda unfurled with notes of drama and elegance inside Tabiano Castle.

Amidst ancient stone and soaring frescoed ceilings, the reception encompassed Italian glamor. Individual dripping chandeliers, pendant lamps, and long tapered candles dotted the grandiose tablescapes, while the entrance to the castle was flanked by light-as-air arrangements of pastel roses perched in bronze Medici vases.

Each detail displayed itself opulently within a Renaissance palette of gold and pinks, rendering every angle a palatial dream.

This wedding in Northern Italy was masterfully captured by Francesco Brunello.

Our Story

Names / Amanda & Valerio

Location / Tabiano Castle, Parma

Wedding Date / September 16th, 2023

Guest Numbers / 110

Budget / $75,000

Our Engagement Story

Amanda and Valerio were born and raised in the same town but they never met until in 2019 thanks to a mutual friends’ party: they started talking and began to discover character sides of each other that made them understand that they were made for each other. Valerio asked Amanda to marry him at the end of 2019.

The Setting

Wedding Location

Getting ready in the frescoed room with suggestive environments, the ceremony in the picturesque church a few steps from the Castle, the aperitif in the garden while the sun set over the Apennines, dinner on the panoramic terrace, the party in the ancient cellars… the atmosphere, the details, the landscapes, made the Tabiano castle the ideal setting for a perfect wedding day. Here, “everything is silence and pace” one could say, paraphrasing Giacomo Leopardi. In Tabiano the magic happens: unveiled why Amanda and Valerio choose this location for their wedding.

Aesthetic

Amanda and Valerio dreamed of their wedding being beautiful and by beautiful they meant the concept expressed by Leon Gianbattista Alberti during the Italian Renaissance.

Leon Battista Alberti defines beauty as “that reasoned harmony of all the parts within a body, so that nothing may be added, taken away, or altered”. The team that worked for this wedding designed everything in every part so that everything was in the right place at the right place, and beautiful.

Preparation

Both spouses decided to get ready inside the prestigious rooms of Tabiano Castle.

Amanda, together with her bridesmaids, got ready in one of the sumptuous rooms on the upper floor and Valerio ggot ready under the attentive and emotional gaze of his parents in the magnificent hall of mirrors frescoed with stuccos.

Photography

Francesco Brunello was the photographer of Amanda and Valerio’s wedding: a reporter of weddings in Italy and abroad, he tells what happens without any interference: everything would have happened even if he hadn’t been there. Unconventionality, originality and freedom are the values he represents – the way he transmits each unique love story.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

Metal risers and gold Medici vases to frame the entrance to the stone church: broken-down compositions to make the setup more dynamic and cutting-edge.

Reception Décor

The imposing imperial table embellished with torchons of white English roses, long tapered candles and gold-colored chandeliers impressed every one: the displays become airy with pendant lamps and chandeliers that were impossible not to see (and admire).

“The frescoed room exuded suggestive elegance, setting the tone for a dreamy ceremony in the picturesque church just steps from the Castle.”

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Amanda and Valerio entrusted themselves to Giorgia and the very expert hands of Federica who, together with a team of carefully chosen professionals, made the magic possible.

Flowers

To organize an elegant wedding, Amanda and Valerio chose the layout focusing everything on balance, choosing soft colors and a riot of roses, English roses, white O’Hara roses, Sweet Diamond roses, Quicksand roses, Chiffon roses, Royal Wedding roses and Shades of Beige roses.

Stationery

Letterpress, calligraphed fonts, dusty pink silk chiffon ribbons, gold wax seal and fine cotton paper with a ruffled border were the fundamental characters for the stationery chosen by Amanda and Valerio.

Favors & Bonbonniere

Amanda and Valerio chose solidarity favors from IEO, the European Institute of Oncology to celebrate this milestone: a small, large gesture of hope and trust in the future. A concrete sign that testified to the desire to support the work of many researchers involved in the fight against cancer.

Cake

The minimalist wedding cake with clean and simple square lines was a chic alternative choice to the classic round cake. A bed of fruit and fresh whipped cream to entice everyone.

Food & Beverages

Luciano and Massimo Spigaroli, took up the baton of their ancestors, transforming the family traditions and those of the lower Parma area into a small world dedicated to hospitality, catering, the production of cured meats and the rural history of the extraordinary territory.

A team of drink mixology experts created a list of drinks with unmistakable flavors for the occasion.

“As the sun dipped below the Apennines, guests enjoyed an aperitif in the garden, basking in the golden hour glow.”

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

embroider. She choose a ‘church veil’ to demonstrate her elegance and class.

Décolleté are particularly suitable for long, tight-fitting dresses, such as mermaid dresses, just like Amanda’s; the ankle strap gives it a vintage flavor while always winking at elegance.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

Amanda and Valerio chose yellow gold wedding rings with diamonds. Amanda wore an old Cartier bracelet and Valerio wore a Rolex watch with Cartier cufflinks for a nod to elegance.

Hair & Makeup

Low chignon with a center parting for an elegant and sophisticated look while still feeling natural.

Amanda chose natural bridal makeup in shades of bronze, gold and peach, with a soft touch of black to give the look a magnetic effect. The same went for her lips – a peach shade and a touch of gloss were used.

Groom’s Attire

Sophisticated Armani suit for Valerio that combined the details of the sartorial tradition with refined and precious fabrics. Single-breasted jacket with notch lapels and welt pockets, combined with slim-fit flat front trousers.

The Details

Honeymoon

Valerio had a dream and Amanda wanted it to come true: for their honeymoon they went to Dubai and the Maldives.

“The imposing imperial table embellished with torchons of white English roses, long tapered candles and gold-colored chandeliers impressed every one.”

Wedding Songs

Their heartfelt song is Circle of Life, The Lion King soundtrack. It was the first song they listened to during their first car trip together.

Entertainment

Amanda and Valerio preferred a simple playlist of soft lounge music as a background for dinner on the terrace and decided to set up a DJ in the ancient canteens to entertain all the guests to the rhythm of disco music.

Celebrant

Don Luca thought of everything and began his sermon starting from the etymology of the names of Amanda and Valerio, whom he has known for some time now because they live in the same country.

Readings

One of the most exciting moments of the ceremony was when Giorgia, one of Amanda’s best friends went up the altar to thank Valerio in front of everyone for taking care of her best friend.