WEDDING BLOG

From Monterrey to Florence: A TikTok Makeup Star’s Italian Castle Wedding

June 24, 2025 | justine

When makeup artist and TikTok creator Natalia began dreaming of her wedding, she pictured gelato carts, candlelight, and warm Tuscan air. So after 11 years with her partner Patricio, the couple left their hometown of Monterrey behind and brought that vision to life with an intimate Italian castle wedding at Castello di Bibbione.

“I wanted a typical Italian wedding,” Natalia shared. “Warm colors, Italian music, good food and wine—but also something really simple and authentic.”

With just a small guest list, a trusted planner, and two showstopping bridal dresses, Natalia and Patricio’s celebration blended personal touches with timeless romance. Proof that less can be so much more.

What We Love About This Italian Castle Wedding:

The breathtaking views and rustic charm of Castello di Bibbione
Natalia’s two unique Guardiola Bridal gowns—one for the ceremony, one for the celebration
The emotional moment when the priest honored Natalia’s grandmother during the vows
A cocktail hour filled with regional dishes, Italian drinks, and live music
The calm energy Natalia carried, even when wedding-day traffic caused a late arrival

Choosing Italy for a Small Yet Unforgettable Celebration

From the start, Natalia knew she wanted a destination wedding. “I wanted a small wedding, and I thought about Italy because it’s very romantic,” she said. “The first thing I booked was the wedding planner.”

That decision set the tone for everything. With full trust in her planner’s eye and vendor suggestions, Natalia focused her energy on just three things: the venue, food, and photography. The result? A heartfelt and visually stunning Italian castle wedding that felt as special to their guests as it did to them.

“Our guests told us they’d never attended a wedding that was so beautiful and unique,” Natalia shared.

A Church Ceremony Full of Meaning and Emotion

Held in a nearby church, Natalia and Patricio’s ceremony carried extra emotional weight. The day before their wedding, Natalia’s beloved grandmother passed away. During the ceremony, the priest honored her memory in front of family and friends.

“It was very emotional,” Natalia said. “But also very calming.” Even when unexpected traffic delayed her arrival to the church, she stayed composed. “The priest wasn’t in a rush. That helped a lot.”

Two Dresses, One Confident Bride

As a makeup artist with an eye for detail, Natalia approached her wedding looks with intention. She chose two gowns from Guardiola Bridal, each with a distinct feel for different parts of the day.

For the church ceremony, she wore an off-the-shoulder satin gown with long sleeves and a full skirt. The structure of the dress balanced classic elegance with a bit of drama, and her long veil added to the timeless look as she walked through the streets of Florence.

For the reception, she switched to a second dress: a strapless, form-fitting gown covered in delicate floral appliqué. Paired with a neck scarf and soft ponytail, the look felt lighter, more relaxed, and ready for a night of dancing.

Junebug Tip: Wanting to add a little extra touch to your bridal look? A neck scarf or shawl could be just the right accessory.

An Italian Castle Wedding Reception With Heart and Flavor

After the ceremony, guests returned to Castello di Bibbione for a relaxed and festive reception. The couple organized a cocktail hour featuring local bites, traditional drinks, and Italian music that set the mood.

Dinner was held in the castle’s stone courtyard under a canopy of string lights. Long tables were set with neutral linens, gold-rimmed glassware, and soft-toned florals in peach, blush, and ivory. Tall glass taper candle holders added a warm glow as the evening progressed.

The atmosphere was casual yet refined. No over-the-top styling, just thoughtful details that let the venue’s rustic beauty shine. One of the standout moments was the gelato cart that rolled in after dinner, giving guests a sweet (and very Italian) way to cool down and mingle.

“We loved the venue,” Natalia said. “The view was amazing, and we also chose it because of the accommodations for our guests.”

Lessons Learned From Planning an Italian Castle Wedding

“Be ready earlier—especially in Italy, because of traffic,” Natalia advised. Her calmness and clarity were key to enjoying the day, even when things didn’t go perfectly.

She also recommends investing in the team. By trusting her planner and working with vendors who understood her vision, she was able to stay present and soak in the beauty of the moment.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Katya Galán Amormio
Event Planning – Federica Crasnich of Wedding Italy
Venue – Castello Di Bibbione
Catering – Guidi Lenci
Videography – No Ordinary Love
Makeup Artist – Natalia Marcos
Wedding Dress – Guardiola Bridal
Bridal Accessories – El Taller

Rain Couldn’t Stop This Chic and Refined Summer Wedding at Middleton Lodge

June 22, 2025 | justine

ivory light pink sage green white

There’s something undeniably magical about summer weddings in the English countryside—especially when they unfold at a venue as charming as Middleton Lodge. For Kate and Matt, this North Yorkshire estate offered the perfect canvas for their chic, floral-forward vision. They planned a day full of softness, style, and meaning, from a ceremony under the sweeping branches of an ancient oak tree to a saxophone-led afterparty in the cellar. And even when the weather threatened to rewrite the script, Kate held onto her dream, and it paid off!

From the outset, Kate had a refined vision: understated elegance, lots of florals, and a calm, cohesive atmosphere. She discovered Junebug vendor Natalie Pluck on Instagram and booked her straight away. No overthinking, just instinct. That same intuitive approach extended to the rest of their vendors, all of whom shared a like-minded aesthetic and energy.

Florals played a central role in bringing the Middleton Lodge spaces to life. Soft pink and neutral-toned arrangements that flowed throughout the day, from the champagne wall to the pastel tablescapes in the marquee. Nothing felt overdone, yet every detail felt intentional.

What We Love About This Middleton Lodge Wedding:

Kate’s airy off-shoulder gown and romantic ruffled veil
The floral-adorned outdoor ceremony beneath the iconic oak tree
Burgundy suit with a cheeky custom lining for the groom
A surprise saxophone-led transition from dancefloor to afterparty
Dreamy pastel tablescapes and a showstopping cake
Lawn games and fire pits that created a joyful, laid-back summer vibe

Featured Vendor:

Natalie Pluck Photography

How Weather Challenges Turned Into Wedding-Day Magic

Just as Kate was finishing her final touches, a downpour hit Middleton Lodge. Guests rushed for cover, and even the registrars began prepping for a ceremony indoors. But Kate wasn’t ready to let go of her dream. She’d envisioned walking down the flower-lined staircase into an open-air ceremony under the estate’s iconic oak tree—and she stood firm. Minutes later, the clouds parted, the sun returned, and the ceremony unfolded exactly as she’d imagined. “It was magic,” their photographer, Natalie Pluck, shared.

And Kate wasn’t the only one making a dramatic entrance. Their young daughter, the flower girl, made an unexpected (and hilarious) debut by crying through the aisle in her flower-decorated car, head slumped on the steering wheel. Matt’s warm hug at the end of the aisle turned it into one of those real, unfiltered moments that had everyone smiling.

Personalized Wedding Looks With Meaningful Details

Kate’s wedding-day look was both timeless and fluid. She wore an off-the-shoulder Bon Bride gown with effortless movement and paired it with a dreamy, ruffled veil and Loeffler Randall heels. For the evening, she changed into a 1920s-inspired gown with floral embroidery and a dropped waist, trading the veil for a chic low ponytail that felt playful and relaxed.

Matt’s look was equally personal. He wore a bold burgundy suit from Michael James, complete with a custom pin-up girl lining that added a fun twist. The deep hue popped beautifully against the rust-and-blush-toned florals and Middleton Lodge’s ivy-covered architecture.

Creating Flow and Fun Throughout Their Middleton Lodge Wedding Day

Instead of a rigid timeline, the day unfolded naturally. Kate had planned to change into her second dress before the first dance, but golden hour and final portraits called for a quick shift in plans. With everyone relaxed and trusting the process, the transition was seamless. And somehow made the evening feel even more magical.

After dinner and dancing in the marquee, a surprise saxophone performance kicked off the afterparty. Guests were led down into the cellar for a whole new vibe. One that felt energetic, unexpected, and totally “them.”

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed classic Yorkshire lawn games and found quiet corners by garden fire pits. “It created such a beautiful rhythm—joyful, relaxed, and full of movement,” Natalie observed. Every moment, from confetti canons to casual mingling, reflected Kate and Matt’s desire for a day that felt elevated but never too formal.

Tips for Letting Go and Enjoying the Moment

If there’s one lesson to take away from Kate and Matt’s wedding at Middleton Lodge, it’s this: trust your team and your vision. From weather curveballs to minor schedule changes, the day flowed beautifully because they surrounded themselves with vendors who “just got it.” And once the team was in place, they let go—allowing themselves to fully enjoy every moment.

As Natalie put it, “Kate and Matt were completely at ease on their wedding day, and you could feel it in every moment. That calm, joyful energy really shaped the entire experience.”

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Natalie Pluck
Designer + Stylist – Beaties
Venue – Middleton Lodge
Floral Design – The Little Flower Hut
Food Truck – Copper Rice Box
Cake – Orchid Kitchen
Makeup Artist – Alexandra Macin
Hair Styling – Victoria Toff of VST Hair
Wedding Dress – Bon Bride
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Groom’s Apparel – Michael James

The Yellow Wedding That Makes a Strong Case for Going Bright

June 20, 2025 | justine

ivory yellow

Can a single shade capture the spirit of an entire love story? Andrea and Luisja’s yellow wedding in Mexico answers with a resounding yes. Their big day showed that bold color doesn’t have to feel busy. It can be elevated, timeless, and effortlessly chic when handled with intention.

The day unfolded like a perfectly paced film: a heartfelt church ceremony bathed in soft white florals, followed by a reception that bloomed into a golden forest of foliage. And because every great story has a charming meet-cute, theirs began in a Petco aisle—Luisja buying a hot-dog costume for his pup. “In that moment, I knew it was meant to be,” Andrea shared.

Yellow wasn’t just a design choice. It reflected who they are. Andrea’s love for the color and Luisja’s playful nod to Pikachu made it a fitting theme. From the flowers to the lighting, the bright hue brought a sense of warmth and fun to the entire day.

Guided by renowned planner Javier Bredée and captured with style by Junebug vendor David Lack, the couple poured their priorities into great food, great music, and details that felt unmistakably “them.” The result was a celebration that felt personal, stylish, and full of heart.

What We Love About This Yellow Wedding:

Andrea’s floral gown and sleek half-up hairstyle
The sweet and cinematic first look
A church ceremony framed in soft white florals and candlelight
The whimsical yellow forest of trees at the reception
A final confetti-filled dance that felt straight out of a movie

Featured Vendor:

David Lack Photo

Wedding Fashion That Balanced Romance and Modernity

Andrea wore a breathtaking long-sleeved gown with floral appliqué, sheer detailing, and a plunging neckline. The open back and veil added just the right amount of drama, while a single flower tucked into her sleek half-up ponytail made for the perfect finishing touch. Luisja wore a navy three-piece suit with a sky-blue tie, polished and modern.

“We both wanted to look comfy and natural, no overdressing and makeup. There is no such outfit as the one you choose with authenticity and confidence.”

Junebug Tip: Choosing a veil doesn’t mean you have to skip other hair accessories. Here are some delicate pieces we love:

A Classic Church Ceremony Dressed in Florals

The ceremony took place in a traditional church, where Andrea was escorted down the aisle by her father. Inside, the altar was surrounded by white roses, orchids, and glowing pillar candles that added soft light and romantic texture. Every element—from the floral arrangements to the warm stone walls—complemented the sacredness of the moment. After exchanging vows beneath the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the couple exited the church under a shower of cheers and metallic streamers.

A Yellow Wedding Reception That Felt Like a Dream

At Cova Eventos, guests walked into a surreal space: golden trees stretched from floor to ceiling, casting a soft glow across the room. The tables were dressed in soft ivory linens with wood chargers, delicate glassware, and clusters of yellow and white blooms. The dance floor was surrounded by long tables and warmed by hanging clouds of amber-colored foliage.

Andrea shared, “I didn’t plan the vibe exactly, but I wanted everything in yellow! I love yellow—it reflects my personality! My husband loves Pikachu, so that also helped,” she added playfully. With planner Javier Bredée, she was able to bring her vision to life. “We did everything exactly as we wanted. We offered our favorite food and snacks, drinks, and the songs we’ve played along the years.”

As the couple made their grand entrance, the energy shifted into full-on celebration mode. Guests waved white napkins, laughed, and cheered. Personal touches made the day even more meaningful—from a sprinkle cupcake station (a nod to their favorite treat) to a surprise Pikachu appearance on the dance floor. “It was a surprise for my husband,” Andrea added.

A Magical End to a Radiant Day

As the evening transitioned into night, the yellow wedding magic didn’t fade. It glowed even brighter. The couple’s first dance exploded into a swirl of paper butterflies, and the reception space lit up with candlelight and laughter. With music, movement, and emotional toasts filling the air, Andrea and Luisja’s wedding ended just as it began: full of warmth, love, and unforgettable color.