We wanted our wedding to feel modern and minimal, yet intimate and playful all at the same time.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We live in Baltimore, Maryland with our sweet little pup, Carlos. Marissa works in behavioral psychology at a local special education program and Cole works in financial consulting. Together we love slow mornings with good coffee, all things outdoors, long road trips, and discovering new places.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met at an electric dance music festival called Moonrise. Marissa spotted Cole in the crowd and knew instantly that she wanted to dance with him. While he and his friends were posing for a photo, she jumped in and photobombed the shot – an impulsive moment that changed everything. We ended up striking up a conversation and spending the entire festival together. Cole had been traveling around the country at the time, but continued to return to Baltimore to see Marissa. Just a few months later, he moved there to be with her.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We wanted our wedding to feel modern and minimal, yet intimate and playful all at the same time – like a dinner party with all the people we love.
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).
One of our absolute favourite design elements was the shape of our dinner tables: two long, interlocking crescents set against a backdrop of olive groves meeting the Adriatic Sea. It was truly a dream come true. The ikebana-style florals brought a sculptural, modern energy to the tablescape, while the wishbone chairs made the space feel like an extension of our own dining room at home.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
It was honestly all so fun. If we could give one piece of advice, it would be to find a wedding planner who not only aligns with your aesthetic but also feels like a true friend.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We are overflowing with gratitude for our incredible team that brought our dreams to life.
Sara (Babel Bloom) created literal magic with floral design. I’m still so in awe at how perfectly she captured my aesthetic in every detail – I’ve never seen a bouquet more beautiful. No notes.
Our photo and video team were phenomenal. Both Cole and I are pretty camera shy, but Marilisa (Amarilis Photography) made us feel completely at ease with her warmth and upbeat energy.
Our planners Mara and Valeria made wedding planning seamless, even from across an ocean, six time zones, and in an entirely different language. They went above and beyond to make our wedding special; even surprising us with a festival-style light show projected onto the Masseria – a beautiful nod to the night Cole and I met.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I can be incredibly particular about style and knew that I didn’t want a traditional wedding gown, so Kamperett was an easy choice. I had gifted my mom a trip to San Francisco for her birthday and the two of us flew out there to search for the perfect dress. The moment I tried her on, I knew she was the one – a simple silk bias-cut slip beneath a structured sheer silk organza overlay. A perfect marriage of texture and geometry, romance and minimalism.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Both Cole and I are drawn to simplicity, and our wedding jewelry reflects that. My engagement ring is a solitaire marquise diamond, and we both chose classic gold wedding bands—timeless and understated.
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?).
Aside from the setting (Marissa had a very specific vision of getting married in a geometric structure surrounded by a grove of sorts), the elements we prioritized most were florals, photography, and food. We felt certain that our friends and family would have a great time regardless of the vendors we chose, but wanted to curate an environment that felt authentic to us (and of course, wanted to make sure we found the right person to capture our story).
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
It feels almost impossible to pinpoint a favourite, but one of the most surreal moments was sitting at dinner together and looking around at all of our family and friends experiencing the very thing we had dreamed of creating for the past year – the most magical dinner party with all the people we love, in one of the most beautiful places we’d ever been. I remember turning to Cole, laughing and holding back tears, in total disbelief that we had somehow convinced nearly a hundred people to travel to a tiny town in Italy to celebrate our love.
Another unforgettable moment was our first dance. We had chosen “Anywhere with You” by Maggie Rogers, which starts out slow and soft before transitioning into something you want to scream in your car with all the windows down – something we’ve done too many times to count. Cole and I slow danced for the first portion of the song and had all our guests join us when the music picked up. I’ll never forget the feeling of twirling around singing to each other at the top of our lungs while all our friends and family danced around us. Pure joy.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
Being married, for us, is about showing up for each other in the everyday moments. We try to slow down and find joy in the small things—morning coffee together, walks through the woods, sharing a meal. While not exactly a ritual, we both make a point to be intentional about expressing love and checking in with each other. Life can get pretty busy, but we always make time to connect.
CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE Masseria Angiulli Piccolo, @masseriaangiulli BRIDE Marissa @marissaandthesun GROOM Cole @webwebweber PHOTOGRAPHER Amarilis Photography, @amarilis_photography VIDEOGRAPHER Federico Cardone, @federico_cardone BRIDE’S GOWN, VEIL & HEADBAND Kamperett, @kamperett BRIDE’S SHOES St. Agni, @stagnistudio GROOM’S SUIT Indochino, @indochino GROOM’S SUNGLASSES Monokel Sunglasses, @monokeleyewear PLANNER M Wedding and Events @m_weddingandevents FLORIST Babel Bloom, @babelbloom HIRE Itinera Events, @itinera_events; Saponari Events @saponarieventi CATERING Nicoladebartolo Group, @nicoladebartologroup BAR Joe Bar, @joebarcatering HAIR & MAKEUP Anna Kalytyak @annakalytyak at BLBS Management, @blbsmanagement BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Aesop, @aesop GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Le Labo, @lelabofragrances ENTERTAINMENT Bravo Wedding Music, @bravo_wedding_music
