Gaia + Federico by Veronica Onofri

Everything reflected the sky and the sea.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re a very close and sociable couple who love spending quality time with family and friends. Our days are a mix of sports and fun: we enjoy staying active, but also hosting dinners for the people we love.

Another big passion of ours is animals. Our lively little dog, Brutus, is truly part of the family—we adore him! Together we love exploring, travelling, and never sitting still. We’re dynamic, curious, and always ready for new adventures. Our greatest joy is living each moment to the fullest and sharing everything that makes us happy.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We first met around 2015–2016 through mutual friends. There was an instant attraction, but life had different plans at the time, and the moment wasn’t quite right for us.

A few years later, we met again—and the spark reignited with surprising intensity. We instantly knew our time had come. From that day onwards, we’ve been inseparable. Ours is a love that waited patiently, only to blossom stronger than ever.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding.

We wanted our wedding to feel simple, young, and fun—above all, full of music! Since we were marrying by the sea, light blue became the main colour, appearing in every detail: from the flowers to the bridesmaids’ dresses, the groomsmen’s ties, and the decorative lights. Everything reflected the sky and the sea.

We also wanted to make sure our guests were never bored, so we created interactive entertainment: a photobooth and a slow-motion video booth for fun keepsakes, plus a themed table contest during dinner with customised prizes for the winners. It turned the whole celebration into something unique, carefree, and joy-filled.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you?

The photo and video corner was a huge success! Guests loved it so much that queues quickly formed—everyone wanted their own fun video and memory of the day.

Music also played a huge part. During the cocktail hour, the brilliant saxophonist Sara Kari, together with the DJ, mixed modern songs with lively melodies. For the party after dinner, we chose a throwback playlist from the 2000s and 2010s, which got everyone dancing and reliving their teenage years. The result? An incredible atmosphere full of joy, nostalgia, and energy.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting out?

Hiring a wedding planner was one of the best decisions we made. She guided us in choosing the right suppliers and managed every detail of the day flawlessly, allowing us to enjoy the celebration stress-free.

Our tip? Trust professionals who know the venue and vendors well—it really makes a difference. Their advice on even the smallest details can turn your day into something truly unforgettable.

Tell us about your vendors. Any standout suppliers you’d like to highlight?

We were thrilled with all of our suppliers. Each one was professional and made our day unforgettable.

Noirè – Event Solutions and saxophonist Sara Kari created the most magical soundtrack. Nicole from Sogno Floreale made every space perfect with her flowers, while Veronica Onofri and Matteo Di Maria captured the day beautifully in photos and video. Makeup artist Simona Delfino and hairstylist Stefano De Barbieri made us feel truly special.

Every detail was exactly as we had imagined, thanks to these wonderful professionals who brought our vision to life.

Tell us about your main outfits.

I had always dreamed of a mermaid-style dress that followed the body’s silhouette, with lace for that touch of romance and elegance. When I saw the Marika gown by Atelier Emé, I instantly knew it was the one.

It was love at first sight: the perfect mix of mermaid cut and delicate lace, exactly what I had always imagined. The romantic elegance of the dress captured me immediately, and I knew it would be perfect for my big day.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

We entrusted the design of our rings to a dear friend and talented jeweller, Alessandra Camilla Milano. She guided us through every stage with incredible attention to detail.

The engagement ring was especially meaningful: Alessandra and Federico designed it together as a one-of-a-kind piece, perfectly blending modern style and refinement, and representing me in every way.

What were the most important elements for you both?

For us, catering and the venue were non-negotiable. We were happy to invest more in those areas because food and wine were fundamental—we wanted our guests to remember the banquet as flawless, an unforgettable culinary experience.

The venue also had to be perfect: elegant, charming, and in harmony with the wedding theme. Creating a unique atmosphere where our guests could feel pampered and enjoy every moment was essential to us.

Was there a favourite moment that you’ll treasure forever?

If I had to choose just one, it would be the look in my husband’s eyes as I walked down the aisle. Seeing him so emotional as I approached was incredibly moving.

Walking with my lifelong friends—my bridesmaids—and finally reaching him felt as though time had stopped. In that moment, it was just the two of us: happy, emotional, and ready to begin our journey together. That look, full of joy and love, will forever remain one of my most precious memories.

BRIDE Gaia, @gaia.storti GROOM Federico, @fedepremi LOCATION Villa Durazzo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italia, @villadurazzoweddings PHOTOGRAPHER Veronica Onofri, @veronicaonofriwedding SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER Francesca Alberico, @francesca_alberico_photography VIDEOGRAPHER MDM Wedding, @mdmwedding_videography PLANNER Ilaria Marelli, @ilaria_marelli_weddingplanner FLORIST Sogno Floreale, @sogno.floreale CATERING Capurro Ricevimenti, @capurro_ricevimenti_1901 HIRE Lights – Daniel Noir of Noirè Event Solutions ENTERTAINMENT Sara Kari, @sarakarimusic RINGS Alessandra Camilla Milano, @alessandracamilla.milano
BRIDE’S DRESS Atelier Emé, @ateliereme BRIDE’S SHOES Rene Caovilla, @renecoavilla MAKEUP Simona Delfino, @simonadelfinobrides HAIR Ferrari Hair Studio, @fhs_wedding SUIT Sartoria Rossi, @sartoriarossi.official BRIDESMAIDS DRESS Atelier Emé, @ateliereme GROOMSMEN SUIT Sartoria Rossi, @sartoriarossi.official GIFT REGISTRY The Prestinis