Wedding | Elizabeth & Matthew
Tell us a little about yourselves!
Elizabeth, 33 at the time of the wedding is originally from NY and moved to Texas at the ripe age of 18 to switch things up a bit. Matthew, 36 - a lifelong Texan is the reason that Texas became her home.
We met in college and bonded over our shared love of music, had a love child and another one shortly after, and have been together for nearly 14 years.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We talked about someday getting married in Italy very early on in our relationship, and after entertaining the idea of having a larger, more traditional wedding in NY, Texas, and even California - we ultimately came back to what felt right for us - an intimate celebration of our love and the family that we created together in the place we always dreamed of.
The 14th century Villa overlooking the hills of Chianti Classico felt like the perfect place from the moment we laid eyes on it. Layered with history, art, gardens, and vineyards, there was something about the imperfection and romance of it all that felt like our wedding was truly going to be our wildest dreams come true.
How many guests did you have?
Including the 4 of us, we had a total of 28 guests.
Tell us about your outfits.
The morning of our wedding I got ready in a vintage Christian Dior eeddy and mismatching vintage Dior robe.
I still wake up and think about my wedding dress most mornings. The Moe gown felt like something from another time. Intricate lace tracing the body from the high neckline to the fingertips, romantic and almost restrained from the front, then unexpectedly bare at the back. It felt equal parts old-world and modern, with a softness and sensuality that seemed made for the faded grandeur of an eighteenth-century Tuscan villa. I paired it with a simple satin Jimmy Choo heel, Gucci earrings, and my nanas pearls tucked underneath that she received from my papa for a wedding anniversary in the 90s. My nana has always been my north star and wasn’t able to travel with us, so it felt really special to have something of hers with me.
My party dress was so fun with the feather and beading details that swung around my body as I danced.
Matthew wore a beautiful tuxedo from Todd Snyder New York paired with Christian Dior cufflinks and the most gorgeous Christian Louboutin loafers. The way he looked as he matched our son in his Ralph Lauren Tuxedo brought tears to my eyes.
Our daughter wore a custom white gown she fell in love with from an Etsy designer, and it was perfect on her. She looked and felt so beautiful.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We wanted our kids to be a big part of it as we knew that all four of us would remember this day for the rest of our lives. We wanted it to feel extremely intimate and kept our guest list to those that are part of our everyday world - Matthews family and people that are close to us, with children that are extremely close to ours. We wanted it to feel timeless and effortless. We wanted it to feel like our wedding day and not like a big photoshoot we had to constantly pose for, so choosing the right photographers was extremely important to us - and they blew us away.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
We wanted the day documented just as it unfolded, without too much posing and heavy direction. We also knew we wanted it captured on film, and ended up with an incredible combination of digital and film.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Stay true to yourself and plan an event that feels right for you as a couple. If that’s an intimate wedding in a place you’ve never been before, choose that fully and don’t look back.
Also, for those of you who have estranged parents or difficult family relationships - don’t get too hung up on who isn’t there for you, and put your focus on those that are. I thought I was going to be so sad not having any family portraits in the gallery alongside Matthews or getting ready without a mother there, but having all of my girlfriends buzzing around the property steaming things and taking care of us, as my daughter and I got each other into our gowns healed something in my soul. I also walked myself down the aisle and met my father-in-law halfway, and it was such a beautiful representation of my life. I wouldn’t take any of that back for a second.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
We genuinely loved everyone who was a part of our wedding. Our head chef at Apollinare was so wonderful to us and created the most incredible grazing table and dinner menu. Andrea and the staff at Villa Di Geggiano made us feel so taken care of and at home during our stay on the property and we truly miss them!
Our photographer team, Raissa and Simon are the most precious and talented people on earth and our planner, Simonetta was always finding ways to bring my vision to life while sticking to our budget. Our vendor team was phenomenal and we have said so many times how we wish we could do it all over together again, slower.
Photographer & Videographer: Raissa and Simon @raissa_simon_fotografie | Planning: Intimate Italian Weddings @intimate_italian_weddings | Styling: by Elizabeth | Flora: MonFleur | Ceremony & Reception Location: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano | Celebrant: Matthew's sister, Christina | HMUA: Olga Gaidasheva @goncharova_muah | Catering, Cake & Beverages: Apollinare Catering; Drink Mood @drink_mood_ | Menus & Namecards: by Elizabet and her friend, Lisa | Embroidered Invitation: Luna Craft Studio/Etsy | Embroidered Wine Bottle Aprons: Gohar World @gohar.world | Entertainment: Dance Party @danceparty.it | Saxophone: Marcello Sax @marcello_sax | Ceremony Dress: Dana Herel @danahareldesign | Reception Dress: Custom Kyha Studios @kyhabride | Suit: Todd Snyder New York @toddsnyder | Veil: Lihi Hod @lihihod | Getting Ready Outfit: Vintage Christian Dior teddy & vintage Dior robe @dior | Elizabeth's Engagement & Wedding Rings: Andria Barbone
@andriabarbonejewelry | Matthew's Wedding Ring: Cartier @cartier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmy
choo & Mui Mui @miumiu (Elizabeth) Christian Louboutin @louboutinworld (Matthew) | Earrings: Gucci @gucci | Necklace: Vintage from Elizabeth's Grandmother | Cufflinks: Christian Dior @dior | Children's Attire: Custom Esy Colibri Fashion Studio@colibri_fashion_studio Gown & Ralph Lauren @ralphlauren tuxedo
