A Fairytale Florence Wedding

“Craig and I were dancing as the sun was setting, and I remember saying to him after looking around “I cannot believe this is our wedding!” The scenery was so beautiful, and it was everything I ever dreamed of.”

The couple: Sharlene & Craig
Length of engagement: 2 years | Wedding date: 30^th July 2016
Wedding venue: Villa La Vedetta, Florence, Italy
Photographer: Facibeni Fotografia

The Proposal…Craig and I first met studying together in 2004. At only 19 I fell completely in love with his kind heart. Our relationship progressed as we slowly set up our future together, and after 8 years he proposed. It was the most incredibly surreal moment I have ever felt. We were on a holiday travelling through Europe when one beautiful evening in Florence we stood on the Santa Trinita bridge, to the left a view of the Ponte Vecchio and to the right the sun setting over the Arno river.

I have always told Craig, sunset is my favourite part of the day as I love watching the colours of the sky change. It was then he dropped to one knee, told me he loved me and asked me if I want to return to Florence one day as husband and wife. With tears streaming down my face I said yes, never thinking almost exactly two years later we would return to our favourite city to become husband and wife.

My Wedding Gown…I’d always loved Steven Khalil’s designs; it was such an easy decision once I tried that beautiful gown on. The fit, the silk and the lace couldn’t compare to anything else I’d seen! As with my husband, it was love at first sight!

My Wedding Day Vision… Simple and elegant with a beautiful view, something classic that wouldn’t date. From the immaculate gardens where we held the ceremony, to the reception on the terrace under the Tuscan sun, we watched the city light up as we ate under the stars.

Our decorations were simple white flowers with touches of gold to reflect the history of this beautiful city, without detracting from the view.

My favourite moment from the day…Craig and I were dancing as the sun was setting, and I remember saying to him after looking around “I cannot believe this is our wedding!” The scenery was so beautiful, and it was everything I ever dreamed of.

My Venue…Upon first sight of Villa La Vedetta, we knew we had made the right decision, it was the most beautiful property we had ever laid eyes on. It beautifully fit our grand but elegant theme and the view of the city was breathtaking.

If I could do it all over again, I would change…Absolutely nothing! As cliché as that sounds, it was truly the most perfect day from start to finish.

Tips for future brides…Don’t stress over the small things, the day will always turn out the way it is meant to, so enjoy every minute, it goes so fast!

I’d like to add…There could not be a more beautiful day imagined, with 40 of our nearest and dearest travelling from Melbourne, Australia to share the most magical experience of our lives. It was simplicity meets grandeur combining our decoration with the villa and views. After 10 years Craig and I have shared together, with our love for family, friends, travel, and our engagement in Florence, this day encapsulated everything we ever wanted, needed or dreamed possible.

The original plan was to get married in our home town Melbourne, Australia with a guest list of 120 people. With the venue booked, and plans unfolding, my Grandmother sadly lost her battle to cancer 9 months prior to our wedding date. With heavy hearts, we continued with the preparations, never anticipating losing my Grandfather 3 months later.

With a giant void in my life, this great loss was enough for us to reassess what we truly believed our wedding should be. The decision was made to cut our losses and stay true to ourselves, to travel to a beautiful destination with our closest friends and family, and what place would be more meaningful than Florence.

On the day of my wedding, once I was dressed my mother handed me a ring my grandfather had given her, it was a pearl and topaz ring. This was my something old, borrowed and blue, along with a lace and pearl horse-shoe she had made for me for my something new.

Our honeymoon was spent on the Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri, South of France, and the Greek Islands. This entire experience will always be the most vivid memory of our lives.