Tradition, beautifully interrupted.
There is an enduring romance to the idea of an Italian wedding, but this editorial invites us to imagine it a little differently. Set within the intimacy of a beautiful Italian villa, the story steps away from the familiar destination wedding formula in favour of something smaller, more personal and distinctly fashion-led.
At its heart are real-life couple Jessica and Charlie, together with their young son, bringing an authenticity and natural intimacy to the imagery that would be difficult to manufacture. Jessica is originally from the US, while Charlie is French, and the family now lives together in France.
Created to showcase both the villa and the possibilities of a modern micro wedding in Italy, the editorial explores what can happen when scale is reduced, but creativity is not. Fashion takes a stronger role, the setting becomes part of the experience, and the celebration feels less prescribed and more reflective of the people at its centre. It is a beautiful reminder that choosing Italy does not mean choosing a template.

This editorial feels like a departure from the classic idea of an Italian wedding, with a much more intimate, fashion-led and lived-in atmosphere. What was the original creative vision behind the shoot, and what did you hope it would make couples feel when they saw it?
This entire shoot was the creative vision of Lilly Red. She and her husband stumbled across Villa Lais one night while making the long drive home from a wedding, and once they saw the space, Lilly knew she needed to create something special. The entire space is really something amazing, a mix of old world glamour and a more eclectic, artists sanctuary, once I stepped foot on the property I understood why it was the only possible location we could have chosen.
What I think was really unique about the design is that it pushed everyone out of their comfort zones when it came to thinking about what a celebration could be. While the space has so much personality and charm, it really was fun watching it transform into something different, while still honouring so much of the history. I think when couples are planning an intimate celebration, sometimes the desire is to stay true to the location and to keep it simple. This editorial challenges that and encourages couples to go all out, inject your own style into the vision; just because your wedding is intimate doesn’t mean it has to be the same as everyone else’s.
Rather than creating a grand celebration, you chose to centre the story around a real couple and their young child. How did that decision shape the emotion and authenticity of the imagery, and why did it feel important for this concept?
One of the biggest challenges when planning editorials is finding models. Plain and simple. Oftentimes there’s a disconnect when the models aren’t a real couple, and the images show it. Bringing on Jessica, Charlie, and their son allowed for a connection that was real and honest. Those moments are what make a wedding day, or vow renewal, special, especially as you look back at the gallery.
Yes, this is a very fashion-forward editorial, but we all still wanted it to feel real. Without a real couple, it wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.
Jessica and Charlie are a real couple, which brings an effortless intimacy to the story that is difficult to manufacture. How did their existing relationship and natural chemistry shape the mood of the editorial, and did working with a real family allow you to capture moments that felt more instinctive and authentic?
One of my biggest inspirations is always going to be my couples themselves, so working with a real family felt like home to me in a creative sense.
Jessica is a pro; she models a lot, but Charlie doesn’t. Watching him embrace his inner model alongside his wife was such a fun experience and allowed for the two of them to relax into their roles with ease since their connection is so organic. They really invited all of us into their world as a family unit, and it was such an honour to document.
The styling has a distinctly fashion-forward sensibility, proving that bridal dressing can feel expressive and directional without losing its sense of occasion. How did you approach the wardrobe and overall aesthetic to create something that felt modern rather than traditionally bridal?
I have to give all credit to Lilly for this. Her creative direction truly was something else. She went into her design process with the goal of creating something that was so unlike what we were used to seeing from Italian wedding editorials and really wanted to push to experiment. What if we added colour? What if the groom wore white?
One of the most compelling ideas within this shoot is that an Italian wedding does not need to follow a recognisable template. Which details or moments were intentionally designed to challenge those expectations and offer couples an alternative vision of celebrating in Italy?
I think if we had stuck to a location that was more recognisable to what we’re used to seeing on instagram, in magazines, etc, it wouldn’t have produced imagery as bold as what we were able to.
It was quiet. It was a small country village; the people had me in stitches laughing and were so welcoming. The landscape of the surrounding area made me emotional with its beauty, and all other pasta has been ruined for me for life. This was my first time in Italy, and being able to explore places that aren’t typically on the go-to places was really special. So I wanted to push myself to document that feeling as much as possible too.
The villa becomes much more than a backdrop throughout the story. How did you use its architecture, interiors and surrounding spaces to inspire different moments within the celebration, and what do you think makes a private villa so special for a micro wedding?
The owners were so incredibly welcoming, and you can really feel all the blood, sweat, tears and love that has gone into restoring the space and really embracing its existing personality but adding their own twist to it.
The whole space is so unique that it’s hard not to see a corner or a moment of light and get inspired by it. Watching each vendor bring their own flair was amazing, and seeing the whole space come to life with something new while still being this beautiful 18th-century villa was very special.
For couples planning a micro wedding, find a place that makes you feel something. Like the way that Lilly felt when she first stepped foot into Villa Lais late one night with her family, just looking for a place to stay on a long drive home. They didn’t know they were stepping foot into a place that would spark so much creativity, but it was the beginning of a journey that everyone involved will never forget.
For couples dreaming of a smaller destination celebration, what do you hope they take away from this editorial?
There are literally no rules to how you plan your celebration. I say this to every single couple I meet with and work with; my philosophy is Romance Without Rules. You don’t have to follow any template; you can just create something entirely of your own world in a place that inspires you. Bring your favourite people to that place, show them how it inspired you and let them enjoy it and take their own inspiration from it.
Perhaps that is what feels most compelling about this story. It presents Italy not as a wedding aesthetic to recreate, but as a setting in which to create something entirely your own. A smaller guest list can make space for greater intimacy, stronger fashion choices and details that feel genuinely personal rather than dictated by tradition.
For couples considering a destination celebration, it is an invitation to look beyond what an Italian wedding is expected to be. The villa, the landscape and the romance of the location can remain, while everything around them is reimagined. Ultimately, the most memorable celebrations are not those that follow a formula, but those that feel unmistakably connected to the people at their centre.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lilly Red, @elisabettalillyred PLANNER & COORDINATOR Alma Concept, @almaconcept.editorial PHOTOGRAPHER Jemima Richards, @jemrichards MODEL Jessica Relinda, @jessica.relinda FLORIST Le Franchesche, @lefrancescheflowers HAIR & MAKEUP Marika Montesano, @muarika_ BTS CONTENT CREATOR Socially Michelle and Co., @sociallymichelleandco VENUE Villa Lais di Sipicciano, @villa.lais STATIONERY Eppi Laboratorio, @eppi.laboratorio GROOM’S SUIT Maison Borracci, @maisonborracci ACCESSORIES Bridal Kimono – Veronica Milano, @_veronica_milano
