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Julie & Alex

“Alessia Santa from White Emotion is a force of nature. She pulled together a dream event in just two months after we let our initial planner go. Alessia knew so much about how to make every minute of the event flow smoothly, as well as how to mix in our multicultural backgrounds.”

Julie via Style Me Pretty

Size: 130
Season: Late summer
Style: Elegant, refined, romantic

When Julie and Alex came to White Emotion for their wedding planning needs, the first words they used were “fun” and “involving.” The international couple, an American bride and Milanese groom, envisioned an event that would celebrate their Jewish and Italian cultures for their friends and family from home and abroad. The day turned out to be all that and more: a gorgeous and unforgettable union of two people in love.

THE VENUE

For their venue, the couple chose the Villa Arconati — the definition of a fairytale setting. Just outside of the city of Milan, the historical structure boasts magnificent gardens and castle-like halls. “We wanted to share an authentic, yet magical, Milanese experience,” Julie told Style Me Pretty. “The style we hoped to reflect was elegant and refined with a bit of fun thrown in. Our venue had all of this and so much more.

“Villa Arconati is a foundation and museum still under restoration. Part of its appeal is that it is not perfect, shiny, and new, but rather takes you back to a different era and is filled with history. Its gardens are immense, and there are countless indoor and outdoor spaces.”

THE CEREMONY

Julie and Alex’s breathtaking ceremony took place al fresco under a beautiful, flower-adorned chuppah — the canopy under which the bride and groom stand during Jewish wedding ceremonies — which belonged to Julie’s grandfather. As an American getting married in Italy, “We considered this important moment an opportunity not just to celebrate our love, but also introduce the most important people in our lives to our cultures,” she explained. And as for Italian traditions, the groomsmen later gathered round to cut off a piece of Alex’s tie for old time’s sake.

The bilingual ceremony was officiated by a close friend of the couple’s, with help from the bride’s family’s Cantor, who flew in from New York for the special event. Immediately following their exchange of vows, the newlyweds were off for their photoshoot while guests were welcomed to explore the stunning grounds with a delectable aperitif of Aperol Spritzes and an incredible display of Italian hams and cheeses.

THE RECEPTION

With wonderful weather, we were able to organize the beautiful wedding dinner outdoors, under the romantic twinkling of garden lights and candles. The swoon-worthy dinner set up featured a hedge-lined clearing which we lined with two rows of round tables. For the soft, romantic centerpieces, we arranged roses, delphiniums, hortensias and lisianthuses around glowing bronze lanterns.

The dinner menu — designed to delight both Italian and American palates — included saffron risotto, tuna and pistachio paccheri pasta, a delicate fish dish for the main course, and a cake with a citrus lemon twist to top it all off.

THE PARTY

Following dinner, and using a special heirloom from the bride’s family — an antique silver cake knife —  the couple cut the cake beside the property’s beautiful fountain. But that wasn’t it for desert! The party moved onto the former, refurbished stables where a decadent table of all kinds of sweets and treats awaited. With some sugar and champagne, everyone made their way to the dance floor to keep having fun. Festivities began with the traditional Jewish wedding dance, the Hora, and continued till the early morning hours before arranged buses took everyone back to their hotels in Milan.

CREDITS

Photography: Peter & Veronika
Venue: Villa Arconati
Caterer: TA Milano
Flowers: Vertuani Fiori

 

All our best wishes to Julie and Alex!

XO Alessia

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