When Erika and Maciej met, they became best friends for several years before they got together. Erika always had a bit of a secret crush on Maciej, but so did every girl she knew - so she thought it was to be expected she did too! "We don’t believe in perfect people or perfect relationships, but ending up with someone you connect with so deeply, makes us feel lucky as hell."
The couple got engaged on a rocky Sicilian coast near Erice (which means 'for Erika') and loved how that island and its people made them feel relaxed, welcome and ever so in love. They knew that a traditional Polish wedding was not an experience they'd be excited for and they realised that in order to be true to themselves, they would get married in Sicily - in the presence of 10 of their closest friends." Their day was captured by Pawel Andrzewjewski of Love Needs. Erika and Maciej had had a second wedding reception/dinner party for their families after returning to Warsaw, to also include them in their celebrations.
The couple's outfits were both custom made and chosen to suit their beautiful Sicilian celebration. "Maciej is a lawyer, so he’s no stranger to a tailored suit. However, for the wedding we asked his brilliant tailor D'Senis to help us create a look corresponding with Italian sense of style. It’s called „Sprezzatura”; considered effortlessness. We went for a pinstripe navy double-breasted suit, ivory shirt (same shade as the dress) and black loafers. Maciej comes from a family of lawyers so as a nod to tradition he wore a lapel pin of the Warsaw Bar Association."
Erika, on the other hand, had already gotten married several times at work - as she is an actress. "I have worn wedding ball gowns, laces, high heels, princess up-dos with tiaras - in short, I had my share of bridal fun and knew it was not how I wanted to get married in real life. I designed the dress with my friends Kama Bojarczuk and Ewelina Wydra, who are a brilliant designer duo. I knew I wanted the dress to be feminine, comfortable and very „me”. We worked on it quite a lot- especially the draping around the neckline, but it was totally worth it! Ewelina has also designed my asymmetrical pearl earrings and wrap bracelet."
Erika and Maciej wanted to get as far away from tradition as possible. "We felt that too much planning and raising expectations would distract us from what was really important- the fact that we were marrying each other and starting a family. We didn’t want a wedding cake (Chef Peppe Agliano couldn’t bare it and surprised us with a symbolic chocolate cake!) and didn't plan a first dance. However, we did decide to separate the evening before and didn’t see each other until I walked down the aisle to our favorite song from the „Young Pope” - Logan’s Loop by Andrew Bird."
The most important aspect in planning their wedding? "The food! Lot’s of Italian food and wine. But actually I was a really chilled bride. I knew we would be around friends who love us and there would be no one to „impress”. My sister is a wedding planner at ZaZaZu Wedding (lucky me!) and my Maid of Honor, so she was on top of her game in Sicily and brilliantly patient with my chill wedding attitude. She was the one designing the decor, buying fabrics and candle holders, creating a wedding day schedule where my only job was to eat croissants, relax and put some makeup on, while she and my girlfriends prepared everything. Kama, who has also designed my dress, picked up some flowers in the garden and put together my wedding bouquet while other girls prepared a beautiful breakfast in an olive garden."
Erika and Maciej advice to couples getting married? "Don’t pay too much attention to details, appearance, photos. In the end it’s not about that at all. It’s about what you, and this person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with, have together."
Photographer : Pawel Andrzejewski | Love Needs @andrzejewskipawel
Ceremony Location : XIIth century Venus Castle in Erice, Sicily
Reception location : XIXth century villa in Marsala, Sicily
Celebrant : Francesca Rimpici a city of Erice official Planner : ZaZaZu Wedding @zazazu_wedding_planning Flowers : Picked from the Villa’s garden Catering + Beverages : Chef Peppe Agliano @peppeagliano
Cake : A surprise from Chef Peppe Agliano @peppeagliano Stationery : Aga Pisze @agapisze Grooms Suit : Custom-made D'Senis @atelier_dsenis
Bride's Dress : Custom-made dress by Kama Bojarczuk + Ewelina Wydra @ewelinawydra
Rings : Made and engraved by Bride's best friend’s uncle, who is a goldsmith.
Shoes : Conhpol Elite (Groom's) | Bride's : H&M
Veil : Custom-made
Other jewellery / accessories : Custom-made