Allison and Andrew found their wedding venue in the most unexpected way. The bride struck up a conversation with a stranger, who casually recommended the place. Since they got engaged in Italy, it just felt right. Call it fate, but it turned out to be the perfect choice. Set in an 11th-century garden estate with soft blue and red tones and the stunning Italian countryside as their backdrop—their Chiesa del Carmine destination wedding was truly a dream come true.

Their vibrant garden ceremony, officiated by Junebug vendor Tuscan Pledges, was a beautiful start to the day. The celebration continued with a garden reception that stayed perfectly on theme, featuring blue linens, blue florals, and blue table settings, creating a stunning and cohesive look throughout.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers, you’ll love these breathtaking photos by Kristine Grinvalde. This celebration is packed with inspiration, making it a must-see for anyone planning the perfect garden wedding.

The Couple:

Allison and Andrew

The Wedding:

Chiesa del Carmine, Perugia, Italy

How Blue Became the Heart of Their Chiesa Del Carmine Destination Wedding Theme

The hardest part of wedding planning was decision fatigue, and picking an overall design was challenging because the options and possibilities were endless. I have always loved the color blue and knew I wanted to incorporate it into the design; I just had no idea how exactly. I did an initial mood board on Pinterest, sent it to my excellent wedding planners, and then let them take the lead on the design. They sent me two beautiful design options, and I went with the blue and red color scheme. This was a significant risk for me because I was nervous it wouldn’t be traditional enough, but the more we planned, the more I fell in love with it.

The Bride’s Journey to a Timeless Wedding Look

I really wanted a timeless wedding wardrobe. The wedding dress was a true labor of love. Picking out my wedding dress was my number one priority when planning: the hardest thing I did but the most fun part of the wedding planning process. After seeing their embroidered lace, I fell in love with the designer Reem Acra. Their fabrics are unique yet timeless, and I knew I wanted to be a Reem Acra bride! Having a June wedding in the Italian countryside complicated things because I knew I would be dealing with warm temperatures, but I still wanted the timeless look of long sleeves and a high neck. I also wanted the versatility of removable sleeves, and being comfortable on my wedding day was another huge priority. So we customized it. I chose the Mexico dress by Reem Acra. It had a low illusion, so I changed it to a corset. We also lined the bodice and added fabric to the cups. But the most stunning customization is the removable bolero that Dimitra’s Bridal Couture made custom for me. We bought the matching fabric from the designer, and the Dimitras team handled the rest to give me my dream two dresses. I can’t thank the teams I worked with enough, and I couldn’t love this dress anymore. I also love that I can keep the bolero forever and wear it on anniversaries to come.

A Heartfelt Tribute: How a Vintage Alfa Romeo Honored Their Fathers

We will always cherish many moments, but we loved the vintage Alfa Romeo we rented. Both of our fathers were really big into cars and worked in the automotive industry in Michigan. Cars have always been a big part of our lives, as we would go on drives in sports cars with our dads or help them work on the cars in the garage. This was a fun way to incorporate both of our dads who couldn’t attend, have a great photo opportunity after the ceremony, and enjoy part of the day with just us as a couple.

Why Trusting Your Vendor Team Makes All the Difference

Our advice to couples: take some deep breaths! Wedding planning truly can be so stressful because of the commitment involved. A motto I always say is to trust the experts. Hire great wedding planners, select trustworthy vendors, and let them do what they do best. Especially your photographer and makeup artist, book the vendors where you love their work and let them take it from there. Trusting vendors and giving them freedom to do what they do best is so essential to making everything run smoothly. If you are trying to change or direct what a vendor typically does, you aren’t selecting the right one for your special day.

How a Random Conversation Led to the Wedding Venue of Their Dreams

In March of 2023, we had been engaged for nine months already and had no idea what we were going to do for a wedding and where. We were skiing in Breckenridge and decided to go to Vail for the day. Andrew is a much better skier than I am so I decided to take the day off and head to a spa while he skied. There was a woman in the locker room that I talked with, asking her about what services she had done. We were talking, and she asked if I had just gotten engaged. I told her that we had been engaged since June 2022, and we had gotten engaged in Italy. We were considering a wedding back in Italy. She immediately recommended Chiesa del Carmine, where she stayed for a family vacation. We looked into the venue/villa that night and booked our wedding date a week later.

Congratulations to Allison and Andrew on their colorful blue and red Chiesa del Carmine destination wedding. Huge thanks to Kristine Grinvalde for capturing every enchanting detail and unforgettable moment. And a special thank you to Tuscan Pledges for officiating and sharing this beautiful wedding with us. To see more weddings they’ve officiated, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding vendors.

This wedding is a perfect example of how much a venue can shape your entire celebration. As you plan your big day, keep in mind that the venue plays a significant role. Check out our complete venue guide for helpful tips on finding the perfect spot. Your path to a dream wedding starts with picking the perfect backdrop!