Wedding | Kate & Oliver

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’re Kate and Oli - two souls who share a love of travel, music, good food, laughter and making the most out of life together. We met Christmas 2022, introduced by Oli’s sister and Kate’s best friend, Meg. At the time, Oli was living in the Cayman Islands so the first year of our relationship was long distance. Then we decided to build a life together somewhere that inspired us culturally and offered plenty of sunshine and outdoor living.

Chasing the dream, we moved to Northern Italy in April 2025 and with our two beloved pups. We love to explore Europe, hiking, swimming, cycling, discovering hidden gems, staying active and creating memorable experiences together.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Puglia holds a very special place in our hearts as we spent three months exploring the region back in 2024 and completely fell in love with its crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, dramatic coastlines and slower way of life.

A few years later, during the early stages of wedding planning, our planner Monica (Dandelion Celebrations) introduced us to the Masseria Salamina and encouraged us to visit it in person. From the moment we arrived, we were completely blown away and instantly knew it was where we wanted to get married. The masseria is a captivating venue where the interior holds exquisite antique furnishings framing stone walls and archways. Outside, the masseria resembles a grand castle-like structure, surrounded by ancient olive groves and vibrant flowers, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Right in the centre of the building lies the courtyard which feels special. There’s no other way to describe it. As you step inside, there is a presence to it, something you can’t quite put your finger on. I like to think the courtyard walls have soaked in all of the joyous, loving energy from the years of celebrations, which is what hits you as soon as you step inside.

How many guests did you have?

We had an intimate wedding with around 30 guests.

What was your budget?

75,000 euros.

Tell us about your outfits.

Our theme was centred around the ‘red rose’ - elegant, refined, bold, and timeless. In keeping with the theme, I chose a gown called ‘European Affaire’ from ‘The Enchantment Collection’ by Australian designer Corston Couture via Timeless Elegance Bridal. The dress featured a figure-hugging silhouette that balanced timeless elegance with couture drama, adorned with intricate sequins and finished with an off-the-shoulder neckline that added softness, romance and ethereal femininity. Wearing it, I truly felt like a decadent princess for the day.

The groom wore a timeless and sophisticated navy tuxedo by Come in una Favola, elevated with a richly textured paisley waistcoat and subtle satin detailing for an elegant, refined finish. Deep red accents in the tie brought a warm romantic contrast to the look, beautifully complementing the wedding’s red rose theme while adding a touch of classic old-world charm.

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

Above all else, the most important aspect of our wedding was the guest experience. We wanted our friends and family to feel as though they had stepped into an unforgettable moment. A celebration that was full of surprises and beautifully indulgent from beginning to end. Our intention was to surprise and delight our guests at every turn, basically treating them like royalty for the day.

Our wedding planner, Monica from Dandelion Celebrations, brought that vision to life flawlessly. From the moment guests arrived at Masseria Salamina, they were immersed in the venue’s beauty and thoughtfully guided through the spaces in a way that allowed them to experience the venue entirely. Every detail felt intentional. From the dramatic entrance installation of flowing fabric adorned with deep red roses, to the seamless progression of each part of the celebration throughout the venue. Monica orchestrated the day with such elegance and creativity that every moment felt magical, intimate and beautifully considered.

Guests were continuously surprised throughout the day, from the florals and signature cocktails to the live cheese station and live band that brought such warmth and atmosphere to the celebration. The most breathtaking moment of all was the dinner reveal which consisted of a unique serpentine shaped dining table nestled within the masseria’s stunning courtyard. The table was embellished by deep brown rouged linen, illuminated by candlelight and framed by mirrored installations that reflected the warm tones of the courtyard stone walls. Think ‘Beauty & The Beast’ but in real life. Watching our guests walk into the courtyard in complete awe is one of our favourite memories. Literally jaws were to the floor in the best way imaginable.

Personal touches were incredibly important to us. We designed a bespoke cocktail menu inspired by our friends’ and family’s favourite drinks, as well as cocktails tied to meaningful memories we shared together. Each cocktail was named after loved ones, while the menus themselves were designed in the shape of red roses to beautifully complement the overall theme and aesthetic of the wedding.

We also deeply appreciated Monica’s commitment to sustainability throughout the planning process. She approached every decision with thoughtful consideration, prioritising locally sourced materials, suppliers and sustainable choices wherever possible. This was something that felt very aligned with our values and vision for the celebration.

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

Music was incredibly important to us and we wanted the soundtrack of the day to feel energetic, immersive and enjoyable for every guest. Site Art Events, our music and entertainment team, were absolutely exceptional throughout the celebration. They hosted all of the live music on the day, including the evening DJ set which brought an amazing energy to the party - especially with live percussion and sax performances immersed into the dancefloor. The combination of the DJ, live instruments and interactive atmosphere made the evening feel so vibrant and memorable. The dance floor was vibing all night long, the energy was genuinely incredible. It was one of the most fun and memorable parts of the celebration for us.

Live music also played an important role throughout the day itself. For the ceremony, we chose a guitarist and violinist who played their version of songs that were deep and meaningful to us, while also paying homage to Kate’s family’s love of guitar music. During the aperitif, guests were welcomed by a live jazz trio with guitarist and singer, creating an atmosphere that felt warm, refined and effortlessly Italian.

We also wanted the food and dining experience to feel authentically Italian and reflective of the region. Details such as the live cheese station and the traditional Millefoglie dessert, served in place of a classic wedding cake, gave guests a more traditional and elevated Italian wedding experience while celebrating the local culture and cuisine in a thoughtful way.

Any tips for couples getting married?

If you can, I’d highly recommend working with a wedding planner, especially for a destination wedding. Having someone from the country you’re getting married in makes such a difference too as they understand finer details around suppliers, logistics, local customs, fees and regulations, while also having long-standing relationships with trusted vendors.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give is that if you choose a planner you truly believe in… trust them. Give them creative freedom and don’t be afraid to step outside of what feels safe or traditional. Our wedding theme was bold and glamorous, but there were moments where I was tempted to revert back to classic white linens and a more understated aesthetic. Instead I chose to trust our wedding planner Monica and fully lean into the vision we had created together. I wanted the day to feel cinematic, stylish and glamorous. Monica (Dandelion Celebrations), alongside our floral designer Caterina The Florist, brought that vision to life completely. Letting go of control at times did feel a bit scary, but I’m so glad I did because it all came together more perfectly than we could have imagined. The photographs by Jackie Chick truly speak for themselves!

For destination weddings specifically, I’d also say it’s important to accept that not everyone will be able to attend. Naturally, guest lists tend to become smaller and more intimate, but honestly that can be incredibly special in itself. We had around 30 guests, and looking back, I wouldn’t change that for anything. The atmosphere felt so personal and intimate, because we were able to spend genuine quality time with everyone there.

Finally, wedding planning involves far more detail than people often expect. You spend a lot of time organising guest lists, creating websites, writing copy and coordinating countless moving parts. At times it can feel overwhelming but my biggest advice is to try and enjoy the process as much as you can. The months go by incredibly quickly, and before you know it, the wedding day has arrived and become one of your favourite memories.

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

Working with our photographer, Jackie Chick, was such an absolute pleasure. Jackie brought such a fun, positive and creative energy to the entire day, genuinely feeling like our cheerleader from start to finish. She had us smiling and laughing all day long, giving us the confidence to pose naturally and fully lean into “the shot.” She listened so carefully to everything we wanted, from specific images and moods to the overall atmosphere we hoped to capture.

The final photography completely exceeded our expectations. The images are absolutely stunning: full of couture drama, spicy fun, emotion and elegance. We honestly want to fill our entire home with them; I’m still trying to convince Oli that we need wedding photos in every room, on every wall.

The Travel Film, led by Pau, was equally incredible to have by our side throughout the celebration. Together, Pau and Jackie made the entire experience feel effortless and exciting. The final video and trailer are something we still watch over and over again. The music, colours, transitions and storytelling were all so beautifully done that it genuinely feels surreal watching ourselves in it.

Massimo and MariaGrazia Santoro are incredibly talented hair and make-up artists based in Ostuni, Puglia. I wanted a look inspired by classic glamour with soft, voluminous waves with a timeless, cinematic feel. Wow, Massimo brought that vision to life perfectly. Paired with the bold red lip created by the wonderful and talented MariaGrazia, the final look felt elegant and unforgettable. MariaGrazia was gorgeous to work with and really listened to exactly what I wanted, as well as the bridesmaids. I was keen to avoid heavy make-up and instead wanted something classic, lightweight and refined, with the red lip acting as the statement feature and in keeping with the red-rose theme. Together, MariaGrazia and Massimo created a look that felt completely true to the brief and perfectly in keeping with the style of the wedding.

The Notes Studio also deserves a special mention for the incredible stationery they designed and produced for the wedding. As far as wedding stationery goes, ours felt so creative, unique and memorable. One of our favourite details was the rose-shaped bar menus which was such a fun and beautiful touch that tied perfectly into the overall theme. I was recently chatting with a close friend about the wedding and one of the first things they mentioned was the rose-themed menus, which says so much about how memorable those details were for our guests too.

As for all of our suppliers and vendors, we truly cannot recommend them enough. Being surrounded by such talented, passionate and creative professionals was a real privilege, and seeing everyone’s work come together so seamlessly on the day was incredibly special. We’ll always be grateful to them for helping create memories we’ll treasure for the rest of our lives.

Lead Photographer: Jackie Chick Photography @jchickphotography | Second Shooter: Elsie Goodman Photography @elsiegoodmanphoto | Planning, Design & Styling: Dandelion Celebrations @dandelioncelebrations | Flora: Caterina The Florist @caterina_florist | Videographer: The Travel Film @thetravelfilm | Ceremony & Reception Location: Masseria Salamina @masseriasalamina | Celebrant: Francy Says @francysays | Hire: Studio GMC (Tables) @studio_gmc; Itinera (Linen) @itinera_events | MUA: MariaGrazia Santoro @marigraces | Hair Styling: Massimo @massimo_il_moro | Catering, Cake & Beverages: Masseria Salamina @masseriasalamina | Stationery: Notes Studio @notes.studio | Entertainment: Site Art Events @siteartevents | Transport: Lady Taxi @ladytaxi2021 | Newspapers: I Do Editions by Notes Studio @ido_editions | Dress: Corston Couture via Timeless Elegance Bridal @corston_couture via @timelesselegancebridal | Suit: Come in una Favola @comeinunafavola_official | Engagement Ring: Melanie Casey Fine Jewelry @melaniecaseyjewelry | Wedding Rings: Melanie Casey Fine Jewelry @melaniecaseyjewelry | Pearl Earrings & Necklace: Lace & Favour @laceandfavour