Wedding | Juliann & Rayhan

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met five years ago in New York City, combined - mutual friend introduction and Hinge success story. Juliann works in marketing with a love for all things vintage; Rayhan is a creative tech founder drawn to intentional design. We're dreamers and builders, collaborators in life and work, with a shared love of nature, architecture, vintage treasures, family, and exploring new things and places.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We got engaged in Arizona, a place where we’ve spent meaningful time with family and developed a deep appreciation for the desert-like landscapes. So when it came to the wedding, we knew we wanted a setting where nature and architecture could speak for themselves.

We spent a lot of time searching for a space that felt aligned with us, somewhere that felt less like a venue and more like a home. The moment we saw Villa Rocca 1914, everything fell into place. It felt personal and natural—a place where we could bring Juliann’s dream of a long-table dinner to life, dance under the stars, and share a getaway celebration with our closest friends and family. Our invitation said it best: Party in Puglia.

How many guests did you have?

We had 54 guests, 50 adults and 4 children (three of them our nephews). It was the perfect size: intimate enough to feel personal, yet full of energy. We felt incredibly lucky to have so many loved ones make the trip, including long time friends of Rayhan’s who travelled from across the globe, even as far as Singapore. The entire weekend felt like a dream.

What was your budget? 

We wanted to create an experience, something thoughtful and grounded in the place itself. We leaned into seasonal florals, Puglian cuisine, and the natural beauty of the setting, while also being mindful of additional spending and travel costs.

Tell us about your outfits.

Juliann went through various stages in the process of finding her dress. She visited a few ateliers and pop-ups but ultimately set her sights on something vintage. She chose a beaded Italian gown from Happy Isles, a fitting coincidence, given the setting. For jewellery, she borrowed a stunning necklace and earrings from Shahla Karimi, a brand founded by a friend. She ended the night on the dance floor in a yellow, beaded, and sequined mini from Asta Resort.

Rayhan chose a double-breasted floral jacquard suit, paired with a silk cravat and loafers from Thursday Boots. He had originally planned to wear a linen look with hand embroidery, but ultimately loved the fit and floral style of the double-breasted suit.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

The most important part of wedding planning was weaving in pieces of our life together. We wanted to create our own format, drawing inspiration from weddings and events we’ve loved, design we’ve admired, and places that hold meaning for us. More than anything, we wanted it to feel like us. We also wanted the time and space to truly celebrate with our friends and family, share a meal, gather without rush, and take the pressure off the day itself.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Music and the dance party were really important to us. Rayhan loves Indian, Afro beats, and Reggaeton, so we curated a playlist that reflected that energy. Our first dance was a mash-up of Indian and American pop, a moment that set the tone for the night. The DJ was incredible, and everyone went all out on the dance floor. We also built in a clear break between dinner and dancing to give the night a natural rhythm.

Visually, we wanted the florals, draping, and overall aesthetic to feel intentional and artful. Rayhan’s best friend officiated the ceremony and doubled as our event host, adding a personal touch (and plenty of comic relief) that made the entire evening feel relaxed and true to us.

We wanted our guests, who travelled internationally for the event, to have an unforgettable experience with us. We’re already talking about a reunion trip.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Have fun with it. The day is about your love and partnership, so it should feel like you. Even with a smaller wedding, there’s a lot of planning, so don’t forget to celebrate the little wins along the way. On the day itself, take moments to pause, look around, and stay close to your partner so you can really take it all in, together.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

The real question is: which vendor don’t we want to talk about?

First off, Villa Rocca 1914 was incredible, not just as a venue, but as a place to call home while we were there. Our event coordinator, Elena, truly understood the assignment. She was a steady partner and thoughtful guide throughout the entire process.

Donatella Corriero Photo, our photographer, was a dream, thoughtful, warm, and so easy to be around. We felt completely at ease with her.

Stella Mazzone, our content creator, captured the most magical moments; the video she made holds all the right feels and energy of the day.

Chez Toi Catering had an impeccable eye for detail, making sure we had water, drinks, and even the chance to try everything on the menu (which is no small feat).

Garden Flowers Ostuni brought our vision to life in a way that surpassed what we could have imagined. Joe Bar handled the late-night drinks and made the dance party service feel seamless.

Site Arts Events, our entertainment team, completely set the tone for the night.

And last but definitely not least—Juliann’s glam. She typically wears minimal makeup, so finding the right fit was important. Valeria Trevisi makeup and Elle Hair Studio really took the time to understand her vision and made the experience feel personal, calm, and effortless.

Photographer: Donatella Corriero Photo @donatellacorrierophoto | Planning: Elena Gargano from Villa Rocca 1914 @@villarocca1914 | Flora: Garden Flowers @gardenflowers_ostuni | Videographer: Stella Mazzone @stella.mazz | Ceremony & Reception Location: Villa Rocca 1914 @villarocca1914 | Celebrant: friend Derek Lee | Makeup: Valeria Trevisi @valeriatrevisi_makeup | Hair: Elle Hair Studio @ellehairstudiostuni | Cake, Catering & Beverages: Chez Toi Catering @cateringcheztoi | Entertainment:

Site Art Events @siteartevents | Ceremony Dress: Happy Isles @happyisles_salon | Reception Mini Dress: Asta Resort @astaresort | Suit: Banana Republic @bananarepublic | Shoes: Roberto Festa @farfetch | Jewellery: Shahla Karimi @shahlakarimi_jewelry