If you ever find yourself in Italy’s region of Puglia, you’ll likely stumble upon its masserias, which are gorgeous country homes filled with natural gardens and tons of history. This wedding inspiration at Masseria Montenapoleone shows off the timelessly romantic style of Italy’s masserias with a modern, playful twist. Weddings by Sasa Tomic captures this inspiration in the masseria’s gardens, among a historic vineyard, and in an intimate candlelit dinner with a stunning tablescape. We can’t get enough of this shoot’s quirky tulle Laveda Bridal gown and sophisticated orchid-focused floral design by Il Profumo Dei Fiori!
From the Photographer: It was my first time in Southern Italy. I’ve never visited it before but I’ve read about the beauty of the region and I’ve heard a lot about it from other photographers, too. However, words and pictures cannot properly describe what I felt when I first came here. To put it simply: wow! I was astonished by such a beautiful scenery, rich in changing autumn colors taking on golden, red and green hues. Those seven days in Puglia I will never forget. For me, the trip was unforgettable experience. I learned a lot; not just about photography but also about the history of Southern Italy. In the beginning, it was very difficult to decide on which to focus on, the beautiful couple, flowers at every turn, or beautifully designed Masseria Montenapoleone, the place that looks like it has been taken out of fairy tales. The story of Italy, the way I see it through my lens.
Megan and Dan are the definition of jet-setters: the couple planned their wedding while maintaining a long-distance relationship between New York and Boston, and Megan spent the weeks just before her wedding in Uganda and Rwanda. It was important for the couple to find stellar vendors who can also communicate over Skype and email, and we think they totally nailed it! We are so in love with the rustic whimsical floral design from Peartree Flowers, and we think UNIQUE LAPIN Photography‘s documentation of the couple’s day perfectly captures Megan and Dan’s personalities. Megan and Dan’s wedding at Handsome Hollow perfectly combines cool Brooklyn vibes with Catskills-worthy countryside charm!
We were at our wits’ end when it came to choosing a venue. We needed to book a locale before Megan‘s coming travel, and after visiting so many venues in Boston and New York, we were cutting it close. Megan suggested visiting a new place in the Catskills, between the two cities: Handsome Hollow. It was perfect! Bucolic and rustic yet updated with wonderful style.
We met while hiking in Montana, so an outdoor barn wedding was a more natural fit for us compared to the more urban choices in Boston and NYC/Brooklyn. Everything from the charming farmhouse to the ubiquitous cinnamon ferns wooed us with its beauty. We knew Handsome Hollow created a vibe that reflected the both of us and would be a delight for our guests to visit.
Megan was abroad in Uganda and Rwanda at the onset of wedding planning, so we needed to find wedding vendors who could communicate with us via Skype and email. Around that time, we were also long distance between New York and Boston, so a good portion of our phone calls were devoted to wedding talk. We would trade off between making inquiries, follow-ups, and scheduling, so our communication with one another had to be on point.
Sharing our personal vows to one another in front of our dear friends and family was by far one of the most meaningful experiences for both of us. We both tend to be on the more reserved end of the “public affection spectrum” so openly expressing our dedication and love for each other meant so much. Surprisingly, we both vowed to make the other our priority, which serves as a reminder to the dedication we hold to one another when we say “you’re my priority.”
Starters: – Salad of Mixed Local Greens with Roasted Tomatoes, Pistachio-crusted Capra Farms Goat Cheese, and Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette – Artisanal Bread with Vermont Butter
Family Style: – Slow Braised Short Rib with Provençal Tomato Basil Confit, Caramelized Shallot – Herb-rubbed Seared Chicken Breast with Chimichurri Pesto – Pesto Dauphinoise Potatoes – Creamed Corn Succotash with Roasted Summer Squash – Grilled Local Vegetables
Passed Desserts: – Miniature Sticky Toffee Pudding with Warm Caramel Sauce – Baby Dark Chocolate Pot du Crème – Miniature Strawberry Tart with Orange Confit – Miniature Lemon Bar with Sugar Icing Glaze – French Press Coffee, Tea, Herbals
Our advice: For those like us who find making decisions a challenge, give yourself a deadline for all wedding decisions. You’ll save yourself a wee bit of agony and move forward with more ease. Decision fatigue set in for the both of us, made all the more difficult by the weight and cost of all the choices.
We ordered a smaller wedding cake, supplemented with a variety of passed desserts. This worked out quite well, as everyone was able to enjoy cake if they liked, or sample another sweet if they preferred.
When you’re pinning gorgeous bouquet after bouquet, do you ever notice the bouquet shapes you’re drawn to? Beyond the peonies and protea that make a bouquet catch your eye is the silhouette of the arrangement. Like every flower, each bouquet is a unique size and shape with its own personality. You may be familiar with traditional bouquet shapes, but these modern arrangements will take your breath away!
Cascade
There may not be anything more romantic than a cascade-shaped bouquet! For a modern look, choose a color palette that combines soft pastels with bold, darker hues. Our favorite cascade bouquets are dripping with greenery, so focus on unique leaf shapes that make a big impact.
A posy bouquet can be held in one hand (so you can use the other to hold your sweetie). A petite bouquet can still be a total show-stopper, especially if you take a diverse approach to the small space. Play with balance, shape, texture, and color on a small scale, and remember that less is more!
They say your wedding is the most important day of your life; if you’re going to have a Miss America moment, it may as well be now! The pageant bouquet is characterized by its long stems that allow it to lay gracefully in your arms as you float through your wedding day. For a modern look, go a little wild and lean into the overgrown shape.
Perfect for an outdoor or bohemian wedding, a hand-tied bouquet is wildly arranged to achieve that “found in nature” effect. Get the look with lush blooms and unkempt greenery loosely tied with silk ribbon (or a bandana!).
Round bouquets may not be thought of as the most contemporary shape, but these modern takes will show you otherwise! Achieve an updated look with plenty of texture and diversity. We love the look of mostly-closed peonies and ranunculus, rounded succulents, plenty of greenery, and a few untamed pieces.
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