Roman Revelry: A Timelessly Romantic Wedding at Castello di Torre in Pietra

A timeless celebration bathed in golden light, the wedding of Tessa and Silvestro – who met on a joint project, she at Gucci, he at Google – at Castello di Torre in Pietra exudes effortless Italian elegance.

Steeped in history and framed by the golden light of the Roman countryside, Castello di Torre in Pietra became a breathtaking canvas for Tessa and Silvestro’s classically beautiful wedding.

For the ceremony, the couple let the castle’s ancient church take center stage, exchanging vows in front of a verdant bush spilling with delicate, white blooms. At the reception, candlelit tables stretched beneath the evening sky, flanked by dark brown bistro chairs and adorned with soft linens, fruit, florals, organic greenery, and a refined, minimal mise-en-place.

The bride embodied effortless sophistication in a Vivienne Westwood gown and vintage Chanel heels.

Photography by Slow Picture Studio

Our Story

Names / Tessa Heyligers & Majnoni d’Intignano

Location / Castello di Torre in Pietra (Rome, Italy)

Wedding Date / 7th September 2024

Guest Numbers / 210

How We Met

Tessa and Silvestro met 5 years ago, working on a joint project: she works for Gucci, he works for Google and they were about to launch a collaboration when Covid struck. The project never launched, but… in 2021 they started dating each other.

Our Engagement Story

Silvestro proposed to Tessa on the enchanting Greek island of Hydra, on a serene terrace overlooking the sea, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.

What we love most about each other…

Tessa loves Silvestro’s authenticity, curiosity, attentive listening, and keen eye for detail. Silvestro admires Tessa’s independence, determination, refined taste, and deep care for others.

The Setting

Wedding Location

The Castello di Torre in Pietra is a captivating estate nestled in the Roman countryside and owned by Silvestro’s family. More than just an elegant historical landmark, it holds deep personal significance – Silvestro actively contributes to managing the winery housed in the caves beneath the castle. For Tessa and Silvestro, this enchanting countryside is also a place of cherished memories, as it was here that they spent their first week together at the start of their relationship.

Aesthetic

The vision was to let the natural and historical essence of the castle take center stage, complemented by the warm glow of Rome. To achieve this, they chose lush green plants and flowers with subtle touches of white, dark brown chairs, and long convivial tables draped in white tablecloths, adorned with candles and a minimalist mise-en-place.

Tessa spent the day surrounded by her bridesmaids, sipping Champagne and getting ready in the castle’s most exquisite frescoed rooms in the left wing.

Meanwhile, Silvestro enjoyed a leisurely lunch with his best men at the winery’s restaurant before heading to the right wing to get dressed.

Photography

Tessa discovered Slow Picture Studio on Instagram and was immediately captivated by their aesthetic, which resonated deeply with her own style. The couple was particularly drawn to the studio’s unconventional approach to photography, appreciating the way they capture moments with authenticity and artistry.

Videography

Raoul Ven, a close friend of the couple and a talented fashion photographer and videographer, generously lent his expertise to capture what he knew would be a truly special wedding. His artistic eye and deep connection to Tessa and Silvestro added an intimate and stylish touch to their wedding memories.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

Tessa and Silvestro wanted the small church to serve as a stunning backdrop for their ceremony, so they opted for a minimal floral arrangement – just a lush green bush with delicate white flowers to subtly frame the wedding scene.

For seating, they selected dark brown Thonet chairs for their guests, adding a touch of timeless elegance. For themselves, they chose small vintage beige puffs, placed in front of a table draped in a soft beige tablecloth. The entire color palette was thoughtfully curated to harmonize with the natural surroundings, creating an effortlessly romantic and organic atmosphere.

Reception Décor

For the reception, Tessa and Silvestro chose long convivial tables draped in elegant white tablecloths, creating a warm and intimate dining experience. The tables were adorned with an abundance of candles and delicate green flowers, maintaining a minimal yet refined mise-en-place.

Staying true to their vision, they aimed to enhance rather than overpower the already rich and atmospheric setting, allowing the natural beauty of the surroundings to shine through in a timeless and effortless way.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

The couple was deeply involved in planning their wedding, wanting to project-manage every detail themselves, as they had a clear vision of their dream celebration. For the coordination on the big day, they entrusted the EhiDaisy team.

Flowers

Still grass, hydrangeas, and caladiums were among the flowers used in the stunning arrangements by Ammano Fiori, who oversaw all the floral designs for the wedding, staying true to a green palette with white accents.

For the bouquet, a striking mix of white calla lilies and black cosmos was chosen, creating a bold contrast against the white wedding dress.

Beyond the floral decor, Maria Sole became an invaluable partner for Tessa. The two quickly connected over their shared aesthetic, collaborating closely to ensure the flowers became the perfect unifying element of the celebration.

Stationery

For their invitations, Tessa and Silvestro asked a photographer friend, who was also one of Tessa’s witnesses, to capture an image of an object dear to their hearts: the small glass vase that Silvestro had used in the simple setting of his marriage proposal. This meaningful photograph became the central element of all their wedding communication materials, including the tableau de mariage, adding a deeply personal and symbolic touch to the celebration.

Favors

As wedding favors, Tessa and Silvestro chose beautiful little bottles of artisanal, organic rose petal syrup, produced by one of Silvestro’s cousins in Tuscany. Around the neck of each bottle, they tied a thank-you message along with a small bag of confetti from Cremona, Tessa’s hometown, adding a personal and regional touch to their gifts.

Cake

To introduce a lighthearted twist to the classic setting of the castle, Tessa and Silvestro, together with Magnolia’s head chef, decided on a large tiramisù as their wedding cake. Tessa championed this unconventional choice of a Roman dessert, knowing it is Silvestro’s favorite, making the moment even more meaningful.

Food & Beverages

For catering, the couple chose Magnolia Eventi, drawn to their modern approach to wedding cuisine. The menu placed special emphasis on the aperitif buffet, featuring local specialties and live pizza stations, followed by a short sit-down dinner with a refined fish menu.

All wines served were produced by Silvestro’s family, highlighting local indigenous grapes – Vermentino, Fiano, and Cesanese – bringing a deeply personal and regional element to their wedding celebration.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

Dress and veil by Vivienne Westwood.
Vintage Chanel shoes.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

One of Tessa’s bridesmaid decided to gift the wedding rings manufactured by a historic jewelry boutique from Cremona.

Tessa was wearing a pair of earrings paired with the necklace that her mother was wearing on her wedding day.

Makeup

Alessandra Poiesi, the makeup artist, created a very natural and luminous look with a focus on the eyes to make those stand out.

Groom’s Attire

Classic three-piece suit, taylor-made in Rome by Sartoria Cappetta.
Black brogues shoes from an artisanal workshop in Milan.
A sand-colored tie from the Cruciani & Bella boutique in Rome.
A pair of beautiful gold cufflinks, a gift from Tessa for the occasion.

The Details

Transport

Tessa and Silvestro got prepared on the wedding venue and spent their first night at the same place.

Honeymoon

Cruise on the Nile in Egypt.
Beach resort in Praslin, Seychelles.

Wedding Songs & Entertainment

The wedding’s soundtrack was a vibrant mix of styles, blending tradition with a modern twist. Classic Italian pop songswere performed by an Apulian band, bringing an energetic and engaging touch to the celebration.

During the wedding cake moment, a close friend of Silvestro delivered a heartfelt acoustic performance of “Stand by Me” and “I’m on Fire,” adding an intimate and emotional touch.

To end the night on a high note, Tessa’s friends took over with an electronic DJ set, ensuring a dynamic and unforgettable party atmosphere.

Celebrant

Having a dear friend officiate the ceremony made the whole affair more intimate, heartfelt, and special for the couple.

Readings

Silvestro and Tessa exchanged their vows, also allowing time for parents and friends to say a few words. Many were eager to participate in this invitation, reading and reciting wonderful speeches and well-wishes throughout the ceremony and dinner.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

During the planning stages: champagne tastings with both families at Roscioli in the city center.

During the wedding: the heartfelt speeches from friends, the magical and energetic atmosphere, and the joy of everyone singing along with Silvestro’s guitarist friend during the wedding cake moment, creating an emotional and celebratory highlight of the night.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice

The night before the wedding, Tessa and Silvestro hosted a simple yet unforgettable aperitif on the beach, which soon transformed into a lively beach party. It was the perfect opportunity for guests to mingle, break the ice, and set the tone for the celebrations. This relaxed and joyful gathering helped create an incredible atmosphere and energy that carried through the entire wedding weekend.