Real Weddings
Italian Idyll Rachel had always loved Italy, so when she was planning her big day, there was only one location that would fulfil her dreams…
I’d known of Lee for a few years but it wasn’t until 2003 that we were properly introduced, when I happened to land a job alongside him. Lee has a really kind nature so I instantly warmed to him, we also seemed to get on really well so it felt quite natural for us to take the next step and go on a date. On our first date he took me to a country pub for dinner on a summer’s evening. This was quickly followed by a trip to Brighton for my birthday. Even when we moved in together a year later I had no idea that we would end up getting married. It wasn’t that I didn’t love Lee, I was just never one of those girls who had dreamed of getting married or having children. That all changed when Lee and I went out one night and discussed our future. Lee had always wanted a family and despite what I’d always said, I realised that I really wanted a child with this man. Our beautiful daughter Marcie was conceived almost immediately and born in May 2008. We were such proud parents. The proposal... Motherhood felt really good from the beginning. Lee and I had bought a house two years earlier which we had renovated and I didn’t think my life could be any happier. Then, when Marcie was six months old, Lee took me out for dinner and once again spoke of our future. He didn’t propose that night, but the next morning he got up very early and was mooching about downstairs. I knew something was about to happen and I cried when he came into the bedroom with two glasses of champagne on a tray. Lee’s beloved dog Columbus had recently died and he had kept his tag which he used in lieu of a ring to ask me to be his wife. Of course I said yes and later that week we replaced the tag with a beautifully cut diamond ring in a vintage style which we found in a shop in London.
Full steam ahead… In March 2009 plans were well underway for our wedding, I never wanted a traditional church and big white dress. In fact, I knew from the day of Lee’s proposal that I wanted to marry in Italy. I loved the country because the people were so laid back, the weather was beautiful, it was picturesque and the food was incredible. Lee laughed at the fact that I decided to do most of the planning myself. He knew it was a huge job, but the Italian wedding planners wanted such a lot of money to organise everything. Besides, I wanted to make sure things were perfect and the best way was for me to oversee every little detail! In truth, the hardest part should have been finding the venue but it was actually very easy. We found a beautiful villa in Piedmont and it just so happened that the owners, Chris and Nicola - were British – what a result! Lee and I went over on a fact finding mission and it was just perfect. We booked the villa’s grounds for our ceremony, Lee and I had chosen to have our ceremony outside in the garden at 5pm. I guessed that by the time the service was over the sun would be going down and I could fulfil my dream of having fairy lights lit to create a real Italian idyll for the reception. We booked the whole villa itself for a total of four days, with our wedding service taking place on Saturday 5th June 2010. The legalities After our first fact finding weekend in Italy, Lee and I had two more visits leading up to the big day and one of those trips included going to the local town hall in Mombaruzzo to sort out the documents needed to marry in Italy. All they required were our birth certificates and for us to incorporate some Italian vows in the ceremony which were to take care of our extended family, to share chores
in respect of the home and work and finally to support our children. Luckily for us our venue found us a Pastor willing to perform the ceremony (this can be a tough thing to find if you are not Catholic). Perfect planning
1 el Grover, 3 Bride: Rach ’Meara, 34 eO Groom: Le s ex ntwood, Es re B o, It aly Home: Mombaruzz , la il V a L : Venue 5th 2010 Date: June
Once the legalities were sorted it was time for us to organise all the other wedding necessities. Gosh, our life was taken up with planning! I found my dress in a little Italian boutique in London. It was white and 50s in style, three quarter in length and had a romantic white, short veil. My mum had bought Marcie a pretty dress while on holiday in Dubai, perfect for her flower fairy role (fairy - because Marcie loves to play dress up). I also struck lucky with my shoes – a bargain from Dune – this despite me going to every posh designer in London! Lee chose a grey suit from Reiss as he felt that the full works weren’t ideal for the warm climate and wanted to be in keeping with the location. We decided not to have bridesmaids or a best man as we wanted the ceremony to be very laid back in keeping with the Italian vibe. We also chose to only invite 60 guests as we were keen to keep the wedding intimate. We booked a British photographer to fly to Italy with us as none of the Italian photographers I’d contacted spoke any English and we knew and trusted our snapper Jeremy Enness as he did a great job at a friend’s wedding. I decided to do my own make-up after having lessons with make-up artist Karleigh Marsh and my friend Claire Norton a hairdresser, did my hair on the day. The flowers, we entrusted to a local Italian florist, they were simple white blooms which were perfect as the grounds were so full of colour. In the months leading up to the big day I scoured little shops all over Essex and beyond, picking
up hanging lanterns, picture frames, letters spelling the words ‘love’ and our names; candles, anything cute and shabby chic in fact. I used the picture frames to place the menus in; Venetian masks for use at the reception; names written on coasters for the table settings; heart shaped twigs to put on the back of the chair covers and fans for the ladies during the ceremony as we were keen to put our own personal finishing touch on the day. The day before…. The day before the owners of La Villa laid on traditional stone baked pizzas and salad for our family and close friends. This gave everyone the opportunity to relax and unwind before the big day ahead. The big day finally arrives... On the big day itself I felt a million dollars, especially as I was wearing £12,000 earrings loaned to me by our jeweller. I’m not usually over emotional but I couldn’t help beaming and crying tears of joy as my dad gave me away and Marcie led me to Lee as my beautiful “flower fairy”. The ceremony was conducted by the Pastor who, it turned out, only spoke little English and made us all laugh when he said he was from Nipples instead of Naples! That set the scene for a calm, happy and intimate wedding. The vows took 25 minutes and Lee and I exchanged rings – a plain band for him and two small bands to match my engagement ring for me. We were so lucky with the weather. It remained the perfect temperature right up until the sun went down.
Recreate Lee And Wedding
Rachel’s
Venue o, Italy La Villa, Momberuzz .com/La_Villa ith www.mrandmrssm Photography Jeremy Enness om www.jeremyenness.c Groom’s suit Reiss www.reissonline.com Entertainer Craig Neil www.craigneil.net Trainer Make-up Artist and Karleigh Marsh om kkarleigh@yahoo.c
A wonderful beginning to a new life... After the ceremony Lee, Marcie and I lead the wedding party to our outdoor reception in the beautiful courtyard garden. We had brought Craig Neil from the UK to sing for us and we had our first dance to I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. We chose not to have a cake as Italian cakes are very gooey. Instead we served cheese and breads later in the evening after a wonderful three course meal of salmon ravioli, followed by traditional chicken wrapped in parma ham and lemon syllabub for dessert all prepared by our chef Hayley. Towards the end of the night I threw my bouquet from a balcony overlooking the courtyard and then Lee and I exchanged gifts – Michael Buble tickets for Lee, a lovely antique ring for me – it was all very romantic. We really didn’t want our perfect day to end but at least we had the following day to look forward to, as Lee and I carried on our wedding with a lazy Sunday lunch around the pool for our family and friends. A bright future… A few days after returning home from Italy, Lee, Marcie and I flew off on honeymoon where we spent a blissful three weeks visiting the Hamptons, New York, Toronto and Miami. It was an incredible start to married life and one I will never forget. We do plan on revisiting Italy one day as it holds so many special memories for us but this time we will be returning as a family of four as we are expecting our second child, a brother or sister for Marcie who is due later this year. I don’t really know how I could top the last year but I’m sure with Lee by my side there will be many more incredible experiences to come!