Our wedding style and atmosphere were inspired by the refined, bucolic elegance of aristocratic Sicily.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are two young doctors, 32 and 36, living in Italy. I, the bride, was born and raised in Rome, though my studies and work have taken me to Milan and Paris. My husband, Alessio, is originally from Catania, in the stunning island of Sicily, but he completed his studies in Rome and now works in Milan.
We love travelling—whether it’s discovering the beauty of nature or the energy of big cities—enjoying good food, and spending meaningful time with family and friends. Our careers are demanding, but we always make time for each other.
Constantly moving between Rome and Milan, we escape to the peace of the countryside in central Italy or the breathtaking beaches and quaint villages of Sicily whenever we can.
For the past four years, we have managed a long-distance relationship between Rome and Milan. Now, our biggest dream is to be together in one place, building a home that truly reflects our love, our personalities, and the life we want to share.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met a little over seven years ago at the hospital. I was a medical student, and he, already a graduate in medicine, was specialising in hematology. My university gave me the opportunity to do a two-week internship in the department where he was working, and it was during those days, working side by side, that a strong chemistry and mutual curiosity sparked between us.
You could even say fate brought us together, because he was set to transfer to another hospital just two weeks later—those were his last days working there.
I immediately noticed his hazel, curly hair, which gave him a free-spirited, wild look, his warm eyes, and a beautiful smile. I was also struck by how cheerful and kind he was with his patients—especially the elderly ladies… they all adored him!
Alessio often says that what first captivated him was my determination and confidence in the workplace, combined with a radiant, joyful spirit—and, as he likes to add, a gaze he found utterly magnetic.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
The vision we had for our wedding style and atmosphere were inspired by the refined, bucolic elegance of aristocratic Sicily. The venue we chose—the Commenda di San Calogero—perfectly embodied our desire to give the celebration both character and a distinctive identity.
Its sandy-toned walls, the lush green hedges, the vivid pink of bougainvillea, the golden wheat fields, and the turquoise sea shimmering in the distance created a breathtaking natural setting. To complement this, we designed floral and fruit arrangements that harmonised with the surroundings—both in their vibrant hues and in the refined selection of each bloom.
We included green grapes and deep-purple figs, elements that not only enriched the décor but also inspired the colour palette for our graphic design and stationery.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
The most striking styling and visual elements of our wedding were, in our view, the ceremony itself—set in the middle of a wheat field. The circular layout, with our guests seated around us and vibrant floral hedges encircling the space, created a powerful sense of unity. Everything was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun and softened by a gentle sea breeze, giving us an unforgettable emotion that we shared with our dearest family and friends.
Another breathtaking moment was the dinner: a long imperial table set beneath arching olive trees, illuminated by exquisite jute chandeliers and ivory candles that highlighted the floral arrangements. It was truly a spectacular sight.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
The planning of our wedding was, overall, a truly beautiful and inspiring experience. With the support of our irreplaceable wedding planner, Giulia Ferro ‘Maritari’, we carefully curated every detail to reflect our tastes and daily inspirations—from the choice of the colour palette to the floral design, the musical themes for each moment of the celebration, the graphic details, and the delicious traditional dishes reimagined with a modern twist.
The final result exceeded our expectations, and seeing it all come to life on the wedding day was an incredibly moving experience.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
All of our wedding vendors worked with incredible professionalism and attention to detail. The catering by Seby Sorbello Cookingout delighted both our eyes and our palates, offering dishes that were bold in flavour yet refined and elegant. The table settings were equally impressive, featuring a variety of materials and design choices that perfectly reflected our taste.
The lighting by Di Benedetto Light framed the entire scene in a visually stunning way, adding an unforgettable atmosphere to the event. The musical moments were equally memorable: from the Sicilian folk group Calicò, to the band Colorindaco that entertained us during the appetiser in the courtyard, and finally the DJ who kept everyone dancing late into the night.
The evening was made even more special by the delicious cocktails prepared by Cicciococo, which perfectly set the mood and contributed to a truly wonderful celebration.
A special mention must also go to MUA Dalila La Colla and hairstylist Rosario Danna for giving me the wedding look of my dreams. I have never felt as beautiful as I did that day. They perfectly enhanced my features and made me feel completely at ease and radiant.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
My wedding dress was crafted by the Italian atelier VALENTINI Spose, based in Polignano, Puglia. The gown perfectly combines timeless elegance with a modern twist: the fitted bodice features a shell neckline and a central cut-out, giving the dress a unique and recognisable character.
The luxurious silk brocade fabric, adorned with exquisite floral patterns, creates beautiful plays of light, especially as the train moves. The long, double American-style veil adds a bold, contemporary touch to the outfit, complemented by the bouquet—carefully chosen as a single-flower anthurium, with a straight-cut stem and a ribbon made from the same fabric as the dress.
For the party, I chose a sleek and minimal yet sensual gown, featuring a crisscross lace-up detail over the bare back and a bateau neckline, paired with glittering silver slingback heels that gave the look a bold finishing touch.
The groom’s suit was a bespoke creation by Ermenegildo Zegna, crafted at their atelier on Via Montenapoleone in Milan.
An MTM Ambassador guided him through every step of the process, from selecting the fabric—a luxurious blend of cashmere and silk—to choosing the model, lining, buttons, and overseeing all the fittings until the final pick-up of the completed suit.
A rust-brown silk shirt added the finishing touch, while the unconventional brick-colored suit perfectly complemented the style of the event and the venue. Mont Blanc cufflinks with rose and yellow gold details, gifted by the groom’s brother and brother-in-law, completed the ensemble, making for a truly distinguished and memorable look.
The two looks, perfectly coordinated, did not go unnoticed and received full admiration from our guests.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
The wedding rings are a comfort-fit model by Unoaerre in yellow gold. We chose classic rings that symbolise the traditional union, designed to be visually pleasing in their simple elegance.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
For us, some of the most essential elements of the wedding were undoubtedly the unique location, which conveyed a profound sense of well-being. It is a harmonious place, rich in details, respected in its tradition, with touches worn by time that make it truly one-of-a-kind. The owners have carefully preserved the estate over the years, maintaining its character without forcing modernisation, attending instead to its details with refined care.
The cuisine was a memorable sensory journey, from the passed appetisers to the rich and diverse buffet starters, to the seated dinner whose courses delighted every palate. The celebration culminated in a spectacular array of desserts, including the wedding cake we chose: a four-meter-long handcrafted cassata reale, enchanting both us and our guests.
Equally important, we placed great value on photography and videography. Nunzio Bruno and his team guided us to create unique shots without ever being intrusive, allowing us to fully enjoy our day. Thanks to them, we will have indelible memories of this extraordinary day—the emotions they captured will bring us lasting joy for years to come.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
We experienced countless unforgettable moments, but without a doubt, the ceremony was the most emotional—filled with unique feelings from the bride’s entrance to the exchange of rings, enriched by the priest’s profound and meaningful words, all within a truly dreamlike setting.
The evening continued with the antipasti buffet, served in the estate’s inner courtyard, beautifully styled by Ge.ni Maison with wicker and wrought-iron lounges that echoed the warm tones of the earth. Guests enjoyed a rich tasting accompanied by live music, with timeless Italian classics and more, creating a heartfelt and joyful atmosphere.
The seated dinner became a cherished time of intimacy and conviviality, where friends shared impressions of the day and exchanged stories.
And then came the party—a wild celebration to the sound of 90s and 2000s hits, complete with glitter, glowing glasses, and plenty of energy fueled by our amazing bartender and his team.
Many of our friends stayed overnight at the venue with us, and it was truly special to gather again the next morning for breakfast by the pool—still ecstatic, still happy, still reliving the magic of the day.
LOCATION Commenda di San Calogero, Brucoli (CT), Sicily, @commendadisancalogero BRIDE Maria, @mariagiovannaponzani GROOM Alessio PHOTOGRAPHER Nunzio Bruno, @nunziobruno_wedding VIDEOGRAPHER Angelo Bruno, @angelobruno_vdo PLANNER Maritari, @maritariwedding FLORIST Scenografiamoci Gruppo Sonia Partecipazioni, @scenografiamoci_grupposonia CELEBRANT Father Benedetto ENTERTAINMENT Band – Colorindaco, @colorindaco; DJ – Alessandro Castagna, @alessandrocastagna_ph; Sicilian Folk Band – Calicò, @calico_folk HIRE Ge.Ni. Maison, @genimaisonevents CATERING & CAKE SebySorbello Cookingout, @sebysorbellocookingout STATIONERY Chiara Eventi, @chiara_eventi RINGS UNOAERRE, @unoaerre BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS VALENTINI Spose, @valentinispose BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Mark Loren – Loren Bridal Wear, @loren.bridal BRIDE’S CEREMONY SHOES Francesco Calzature, @francescocalzature BRIDE’S PARTY SHOES Ninalilou, @ninaliloushoes MAKEUP Dalila La Colla MUA, @dalilalacolla HAIR Rosario Danna, @rosario_danna__ GROOM’S OUTFIT Ermenegildo – Zegna, @zegna GROOM’S SHOES Santoni, @santoniofficial GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Cufflinks – Montblanc, @montblanc
