The wedding of Francesca and Gian Luca

The story

How it went, moment by moment

Getting ready

Gian Luca got dressed in a room with stone walls and old wood, with bow tie, cufflinks and the blue double-breasted jacket, then a toast on the terrace before leaving. Francesca in a bright room with a painted frieze and a view of the hills: make-up, the dress hanging in the window, the silver shoes with the bouquet and a little page boy to get ready.

The civil ceremony in the garden

The lawn at Carlo Magno was set with white chairs and an aisle between columns of roses, hydrangeas and eucalyptus, in front of the stone wall with its arched gateway. Francesca was walked down the aisle, then came the readings, the exchange of rings and the signing, and finally the walk out to applause and a kiss beneath the flowers.

Drinks and portraits

Guests found the seating plan among the roses and drinks in the shade of the parasols, with live saxophone. In the late afternoon light we went out with the couple along country lanes, beside a dry-stone wall and between the vine rows, until sunset over the hills.

Dinner

In the evening, the entrance along the covered walkway and down into the stone hall with its wooden beams, fairy lights and white giraffes. Toasts, live music and napkins waved to welcome the newlyweds.

Cake and party

The cake cutting moved back to the garden, in front of the arched gateway, amid fountains of sparks and smoke. Then the bouquet toss, the first dance and the party in the hall into the night.