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Colorful Italian Celebration with a Laid-Back Feel in the Hills of Monferrato

Jasmine and Lorenzo pictured a celebration that was warm and easygoing—something that felt like an extension of their everyday energy. Soft lighting, rustic textures, and a colorful mix of florals and guest outfits shaped their vision. In Monferrato’s rolling hills, they found a castle setting that matched it perfectly.

Their story began years earlier during a CrossFit class. Jasmine noticed Lorenzo laughing and looking at her, and something inside her knew he would eventually be part of her life. She made the first move, he made room for a new beginning, and together they committed to building something real. Three years later, Lorenzo proposed during a trip to Cape Verde, her birthplace, and they promised to indefinitely prioritize each other. That intention shaped their entire wedding day.

What We Love About This Monferrato Wedding

  • A colorful celebration with florals in every shade
  • Guests invited to dress in their favorite color
  • A dramatic “shower of flowers” installation designed with their florists
  • A mix of rustic architecture and refined details at Castello di Frassinello
  • DIY touches that made the experience feel handmade and deeply personal

Featured Vendor:
Edoardo Giori Photography

Building a Wedding Vision Around Color and Personality

Jasmine and Lorenzo wanted their guests to feel welcome the moment they arrived, so they built their big day around warmthand a lively palette. They avoided heavy themes and instead let color lead the way. “It had to be a colorful wedding; the flowers were all different colors, and in the ceremony room, besides us, the flowers were the main focus.”

Their planner friend, Mara, helped them begin with the essentials. Once they secured their venue and booked Junebug vendor Edoardo Giorio, everything else fell into place. They imagined how each space would look, which details mattered most, and how the day could feel effortless for their guests.

A Wedding Team They Could Fully Trust

The couple took their time meeting vendors, searching for people who mirrored their personality. “We looked for people who were serious and compassionate, professional, young, and modern. Hard to find with all these qualities, but we succeeded!”

Their priorities were clear: the photographer, catering, and florals. They allocated their budget intentionally to secure teams who could create the experience they envisioned. Edoardo documented the day with calm presence, the catering team executed flawlessly, and the florists transformed each room into something magical. One lesson they learned? If they could do it again, they’d invest more in the venue itself for better support and coordination.

A Meaningful and Emotional Ceremony

The ceremony took place inside one of Castello di Frassinello’s stone-walled rooms, a naturally warm space that didn’t require heavy styling. The couple kept the setup minimal and focused on one major design feature: a full floral canopy suspended from the ceiling. The installation stretched across the room in mixed colors and textures, becoming the primary visual element and setting the tone for their vibrant aesthetic.

Rows of simple chairs faced the fireplace area where their friends officiated and shared memories of the couple’s journey, creating an intimate and heartfelt atmosphere. Candles and small floral pieces lined the aisle, adding light without overwhelming the space. The combination of stone, warm lighting, and the overhead florals created a one-of-a-kind, cozy and colorful ceremony environment 

But the standout moment—the one that stays with them—was seeing each other before walking in. “I was crying with emotion, and I was afraid Lorenzo would faint. I’d never seen him so excited and happy.” It was a moment that grounded the entire day.

Celebratory Moments That Set the Tone for the Reception

After the ceremony, everyone moved outdoors into the courtyard gardens. Guests greeted them with bubbles and confetti, and the shift from the enclosed ceremony room to the open air brought a noticeable change in energy. Aperitivo tables and lounge areas were scattered across the space, and guests instinctively started mixing, talking, and enjoying the bites.

This part of the day was relaxed and social. Groups formed naturally, kids ran around, and the couple moved easily between guests. The setting didn’t need much styling: the greenery, shade, and architecture already created a welcoming environment.

Wedding Fashion That Reflected Ease and Confidence

Jasmine began her dress search early and found a gown that felt right for her long before the wedding. She paired it with a simple, natural beauty look—side-swept curls, light makeup, and a soft smoky eye. She trusted her longtime hairdresser, Flavio Casciano, and chose to do her own makeup to keep her look true to her everyday style.

Lorenzo was equally decisive, selecting a tuxedo on his first visit. Their wedding party brought in vibrant color through a fuchsia bridesmaid gown, a custom bodice, and a forest-green suit for the best man. The overall effect was perfectly aligned with the colorful atmosphere of their celebration.

An Easy Courtyard Reception 

While the ceremony showcased the castle’s interiors, the reception made full use of the courtyard. The open-air layout created a natural gathering space where guests could talk, move around, and settle in comfortably as the evening unfolded. The long banquet tables encouraged conversation, and the string lights overhead provided the main visual anchor as daylight faded.

Instead of aiming for a heavily styled look, the couple leaned into the courtyard’s built-in atmosphere—stone walls, greenery, warm light, and the feeling of being outdoors in the Monferrato hills. This kept the reception relaxed and inviting, exactly in line with their laid-back vision.

As dinner transitioned into dancing, guests stayed in the same space, which helped maintain an easy flow throughout the night. The courtyard gradually shifted from dinner to party without needing a major reset, and the sparkler moment and cake cutting fit naturally into the open layout. It was a reception designed around connection and movement, letting the location do most of the work.

What The Couple Learned Along the Way

Jasmine and Lorenzo approached their wedding with a hands-on mindset, creating many of the details themselves. They designed the invitations, prepared the children’s games, assembled the favors, planned the menus, and even helped tidy the venue’s garden in the days leading up to the event. All of these small contributions added personality and warmth to the celebration, and they credit this involvement for making the day feel unmistakably theirs.

Looking back, they encourage couples to choose a venue with clear communication and active management, which can make the planning process much smoother. Their biggest takeaway is simple: trust your instincts. Explore ideas, stay open to suggestions, and then follow what feels right for you. That approach allowed them to build a wedding that reflected who they are—something they now carry with them long after their Monferrato celebration.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Edoardo Giorio
Venue – Castello dicFrassinello Monferrato
Floral Design – FiorFiore Sartoria Floreale
Catering + Cake – Cà Nadin
DJ – Yves Lefunk
Hair Styling – Hair Studio di Flavio Casciano
Wedding Dress – Come In Una Favola
Bridal Accessories – Angela Calzature
Wedding Apparel Seamstress – Claudia Seghesio
Groom’s Apparel + Accessories – Marcos
Favor Vases – HEEDO

 

Sponsors
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The Pre-Wedding Experience Improving How You Plan a Destination Wedding

December 20, 2025 | marissa

Destination weddings have always started with an idea. A place. A feeling. But more couples are realizing that planning a celebration from afar, through screens, emails, and virtual tours, often leaves too much to guesswork.

Luxury Wedding Escapes was created to change that. The concept offers an immersive pre-wedding experience that allows couples to experience their destination before planning begins. Instead of mood boards and Zoom calls, couples walk the spaces, meet the people, and understand what their wedding will truly feel like.

The first escape launches in Switzerland, where alpine scenery and refined lakefront settings set the stage for a new way to begin destination wedding planning. It’s also the first stop in a growing global series designed to help couples plan with clarity, confidence, and connection.

A New Concept in Destination Wedding Planning

Luxury Wedding Escapes blends intentional travel with thoughtful wedding planning, creating a new category of pre-wedding experience. Each escape is designed for couples who have already chosen their destination and want to move forward with certainty.

Wedding ceremony at Hotel Villa Honegg. Image provided by Swiss Tourism Board.

During the experience, couples explore ceremony and reception locations in person, meet trusted local wedding professionals face-to-face, and begin shaping the direction of their celebration with real context. The goal is simple: replace guesswork with lived experience. Each journey is carefully paced. There’s time to explore, to ask questions, and to absorb the setting. The process feels informed and grounded; what better way to begin wedding planning than that?

The Vision Behind Luxury Wedding Escapes

Luxury Wedding Escapes was founded by Michele Fox Gott, owner of Center of Attention Events and a longtime leader in high-end weddings and events. Her work has included celebrations for clients such as Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Snoop Dogg, Kat Von D, and Niecy Nash.

After watching couples make major planning decisions without ever experiencing their destination firsthand, she saw a disconnect.

“Couples were planning their weddings remotely, often without ever feeling the destination they had chosen,” Michele explains. “It pulled the emotion out of the process. I wanted to create something immersive—where every moment brings the wedding to life in a way a screen never can.”

Inside the Switzerland Escape

The launch trip to Switzerland sets the tone for this new concept. Created in partnership with the Switzerland Tourism Board, the experience highlights the country’s dramatic landscapes, refined hospitality, and thriving creative community.

Throughout their Luxury Wedding Escapes journey, couples will experience:

  • Visits to ceremony and reception locations chosen for their design potential and natural beauty
  • Face-to-face conversations with trusted Swiss wedding planners, florists, designers, and photographers
  • Curated culinary moments celebrating regional flavors
  • Hands-on design sessions to begin shaping the wedding aesthetic
  • Cultural and scenic experiences that help define the emotional tone of the celebration

This is not a venue hop or a sales tour. Instead, it’s a thoughtfully produced pre-wedding experience designed to help couples plan with intention and perspective.

A Global Series Takes Shape

Switzerland marks the beginning of a broader rollout. Luxury Wedding Escapes will expand to additional destinations throughout the year, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and The Bahamas, with more locations to be announced. Each escape will be tailored to reflect the culture, design aesthetic, and atmosphere of the destination itself.

Want to Learn More?

The first Switzerland pre-wedding escape is now open for booking, with limited availability to maintain an intimate and curated experience. For couples ready to truly understand the place they have chosen, Luxury Wedding Escapes offers a new way to begin the journey.

Luxury Wedding Escapes isn’t simply refining destination wedding planning. It’s changing where–and how–the journey starts. Visit their website to book your trip now

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Effortless Luxury and English Elegance Meet at The Manor House Castle Combe

December 19, 2025 | justine

Daniella and Dean wanted a wedding experience that was immersive and effortless, where every element worked together: timeless English charm, refined design, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They found exactly that at The Manor House Castle Combe, where the historic setting and lush grounds became the backdrop for a weekend that felt both luxurious and relaxed.

Their story, though, didn’t begin with grand plans. It began at home, in the most natural way possible. Dean was a friend of Daniella’s brother, and after nights out, the two of them would be laughing in the kitchen long after everyone else had gone to sleep. She would come downstairs to tell them to be quiet, not knowing that those late-night moments were the start of something more. The teasing and laughter slowly turned into dating, moving in together, building a life, and eventually raising two children. Each step strengthened their bond.

By the time they planned their wedding, they weren’t just in love—they were a family. Hosting their celebration at The Manor House Castle Combe felt like the perfect way to honor their journey, blending beauty, heart, and effortless English elegance.

What We Love About This Manor House Castle Combe Wedding

  • Lace Berta gown with couture-inspired elegance
  • Ceremony on the steps of The Manor framed by florals
  • Children were invited and entertained all day
  • A Michelin-star dining room turned into a floral wonderland
  • A surprise staircase arrival from the band

Featured Vendor:

Planned for Perfection

An Immersive Celebration in the Cotswolds

The couple’s vision was clear: an elegant celebration that felt effortless, elevated, and unforgettable. They wanted guests to feel like they were stepping into an experience rather than simply attending a wedding.

“Our dream was to create an elegant, immersive celebration—timeless and effortlessly luxurious,” Daniella shared. “We wanted it to feel elevated, but never overly formal.”

Set against the charm of the Cotswolds, The Manor House Castle Combe became the perfect backdrop. Soft tones, lush florals, romantic lighting, and thoughtful details created a mood that was sophisticated yet full of warmth and joy.

Magical Moments From the Ceremony

The couple decided against a first look. Instead, the moment they saw each other was when Daniella walked down the stairs at The Manor House Castle Combe. “It was incredibly special. We were also the first couple to ever marry there.”

The outdoor ceremony took place on the steps of the manor, framed by flowers and music from Niche String Quartet. The weather was unpredictable, but the rain stopped just in time. “The weather may not have been on our side, but the ceremony was perfect to us.”

Afterward, they slipped away for private photos in the Italian garden before rejoining guests to walk down the steps through confetti and surprise fireworks. “We took time alone, just the two of us. It felt intimate and cinematic.”

Children were invited, and they were entertained all day with pedal cars, facepainting, Build-A-Bear, bubbles, and even an ice cream van—thanks to Elfsitters.

Blending Personal Style With a Refined Dress Code

Fashion was one of the most intentional parts of planning. “My Berta dress was a lace, body-skimming gown with a subtle, sexy edge. It photographed beautifully from every angle,” Daniella said. Hair and makeup were just as important, with the team staying all day for touch-ups.

Dean looked equally refined in a bespoke Clements and Church suit—white, minimal, and understated, offering a modern twist on black tie. Bridesmaids, groomsmen, and guests followed the dress code, which helped create a unified, stylish atmosphere. “Everything came together to create a look that was sophisticated, stylish, and uniquely us.”

A Dining Room Transformed Into a Floral Wonderland

Dinner was hosted inside the Michelin-star restaurant at The Manor House Castle Combe, and the transformation was breathtaking. “It felt like stepping into a magical indoor forest,” Daniella shared.

Florals cascaded from windows. Greenery wrapped around the room. Candles flickered across the tables. Chairs from Options Greathire and pieces from The Luxe Collection added refinement. A sweetheart table sat beneath a floral arch, facing guests across two long tables, and their cake by Cake Daydreams was displayed on a custom stand featuring their monogram.

“It was beyond anything I had imagined. Pure magic.”

Working With Experts to Bring the Vision to Life

Planning a wedding weekend was a major undertaking, so Daniella and Dean enlisted Junebug vendor Jane Riddell from Planned For Perfection. “We even moved our date to ensure she could be part of it!” they said. “She made the planning journey seamless and enjoyable.”

Jane brought not only expertise but a trusted network. Through her, the couple found a dream team of suppliers, including florist Love Flowers, who worked with Jane to create unforgettable floral designs. “We wanted suppliers who shared our excitement and creativity. Every supplier felt like a natural extension of our day.”

Their advice for couples?

Invest in the elements that make the biggest impact:

Their planner helped them prioritize, ensuring the wedding felt luxurious, intentional, and cohesive from start to finish.

Why Trusting Their Team Helped Them Enjoy Every Moment

When asked what they would do again, Daniella didn’t hesitate:
“Hire Planned for Perfection!”

Their biggest takeaway was to focus on what truly matters. “Prioritise what brings you joy. The wedding is just the beginning of a marriage, so make the day yours.” They also encourage couples to enjoy the process. “Have fun. Enjoy the planning and the day. Jane made sure I didn’t worry about anything—I got to be a guest at my own wedding.”

Looking back, their celebration at The Manor House Castle Combe was everything they hoped for: elegant, immersive, and full of warmth. Guests were welcomed, children were included, and every detail felt intentional. From the cozy night at the village pub to dancing under mirrorballs, it was a day filled with joy, magic, and moments they will treasure forever.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Barker Evans
Event Planning – Planned for Perfection
Production – LiT Event Group
Content Creator – Wedding Luxe Socials
Venue – The Manor House
Floral Design – Love Flowers
Pizza – Wedding Pizza Co
Cake – Cake Daydreams
Live Music – The Sensation Band + Niche London Quartet + The Juke Joints
Videography – Ray McShane
Invitation Design – DeWinton Paper Company
Save the Dates – Cherry Press
Makeup + Hair Styling – Bridesmade Artistry
Wedding Dress – Berta + Mila Nova
Shoes – Prada
Groom’s Apparel – Clements and Church + Tailor Jerrys
Rentals – The Luxe Collection + Options Great Hire

 

Sponsors
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