Our colour palette of rich reds and vibrant blues reflected Sicily itself
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re both endlessly curious people who like to find joy in the little things!
I’m a multidisciplinary artist, designer and creative director who also creatively consults with brands and collaborators to turn bold ideas into distinctive objects, visuals, stories and experiences. At heart, I’m an ideas person who believes the world becomes more interesting when you look at it differently. My work uncovers beauty in unexpected places through art, design and visual storytelling. I’ve never liked being confined to one discipline; I simply love making things that spark curiosity, conversation and joy.
Zorast works in tech sales and is one of the calmest, kindest people you’ll ever meet! Where I’m the hummingbird – always fluttering between a hundred and one ideas – he’s the turtle: endlessly patient, thoughtful and wonderfully grounding. He loves film photography, cinema, music, astronomy, trees, great food and tropical fruit (he could happily discuss mango varieties for hours!)
We’ve even given our partnership a name: “YouMe”. It’s how we remind ourselves that, whatever comes our way, we approach it together as a team. We’re happiest cooking for friends, planning adventures, heading to yoga or run club, listening to records, or dreaming up a wedding in a Sicilian cherry orchard. Family and friendship mean everything to us, and we believe life’s richest moments are those shared with the people we love.
Our wedding felt like the truest reflection of who we are: creative, joyful, deeply personal, and shaped by the beautiful blending of our two cultures and our shared sense of community. Every detail carried meaning, every guest had helped shape our story, and every choice celebrated the people, places and traditions that brought us together. It wasn’t about creating a perfect day; it was about creating one that felt unmistakably us!
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met in May 2023 at a Gods and Heroes-themed birthday party in Marrakesh, hosted by one of my late mum’s friends. It was there that her friend introduced me to Zorast. I was dressed as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and somehow managed to persuade Zorast – who I’d only just met – to help draw a Nike swoosh on my arm. He proceeded to do so, and we thought nothing more of it, but little did we know that moment would change our lives forever!
Before my mum passed away in 2021, I’d asked her if somehow, someday, she could help me find my person. A couple of years later, it was her friend who brought us together at that very party in Marrakesh. Whether you believe in fate, coincidence or something in between, I’ve always felt that Mum had a part to play in bringing us together.
My first thought about Zorast was that there was something magical about him. He was kind, calm, confident and very funny. Zorast’s first impression of me was that I was “petite, beautiful and hangry”. We’d met before I’d had anything to eat, so if he liked me before I’d been fed, I figured things could only get better from there!
For the next three months we were “just friends”, and I honestly think that’s exactly why our relationship has such strong foundations. We got to know each other without any expectations and fell in love simply by being ourselves.
Our first kiss happened at Notting Hill Carnival, and I remember running home afterwards to tell my dad I’d met the man I was going to marry. Ever the voice of reason, he wisely told me to slow down and get to know him first. Sensible advice – but, as it turned out, I was right about Zorast!
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
When we first started planning, I asked Zorast what our wedding theme should be. Looking completely puzzled, he replied, “Isn’t the theme just… wedding?” Thankfully, the team at the venue, Casa Lawa, and I had other ideas.
When Lukas, the founder, owner and creative director of Casa Lawa, told us the venue sat in the middle of a cherry orchard, everything suddenly clicked. As two people who genuinely love fruit (perhaps more than most!), it felt like fate. We embraced cherries wholeheartedly and called the whole celebration “The Cherry on Top” because that is exactly what we felt like it was…the sweetest addition to the beautiful life we were already building together: a joyful new chapter, shared with all the people we love. So, cherries became a playful thread woven through every detail, from our stationery to the tablescape (or cherry-scape as we called it!) to the accessories of our bridal party and also with little nods to “More Amore”, “Tutti Frutti” and the joyful, sweet abundance of an Italian summer.
Our colour palette of rich reds and vibrant blues reflected Sicily itself – the fiery lava glow of Mount Etna against the deep blue Mediterranean. It also happened to unite our football-loving families: Zorast’s are devoted Arsenal supporters while mine support Chelsea. It felt like the perfect marriage in more ways than one!
More than anything, we wanted the day to feel intimate, colourful and full of personality. We embraced local Sicilian ingredients, honoured certain traditions while giving them our own personal twist, and worked with incredible creatives who felt more like friends and family rather than simply suppliers. We wanted guests to feel as though they’d stepped into our world – a place full of colour, laughter, nature, joy and love. The guest dress code was: Pick a colour from the rainbow. They all came through. And then, as if on cue, Mount Etna erupted during the celebrations, giving us the most extraordinary natural fireworks!
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).
What we loved most was that every visual detail had meaning. Nothing was there simply for decoration; each element told part of our story!
Casa Lawa sits within a cherry orchard on the slopes of Mount Etna, so nature became our greatest stylist! We filled the tables with vibrant red flowers, cherries, cherry tomatoes and other seasonal fruit and vegetables, celebrating the abundance of Sicily while playfully nodding to our “Cherry on Top” theme. We even used red peppers as place cards, writing each guest’s name directly onto one. They added another brilliant burst of colour – and proved so popular that several guests slipped theirs into their handbags and took them home as rather unexpected wedding favours!
Above dinner, the Casa Lawa team suspended an intricate lace canopy that softened the Sicilian sunshine and echoed the antique lace of my dress. Zorast and I also designed a wall hanging inspired by The Lovers tarot card, featuring us beneath Mount Etna, with lava flowing behind us and cherries perched on the volcano. It first appeared as our save-the-date artwork, then became a backdrop for photographs. We had no idea Etna would erupt during the celebrations, so when she did, it felt as though life had imitated art!
Even the pavlova had a story. I found two vintage 1990s troll dolls dressed as a bride and groom to use as cake toppers. I’ve always loved trolls; my mum had a huge collection, and I even make jewellery inspired by them. They made everyone smile – although their tiny outfits required a thorough handwash afterwards, having enjoyed rather too much pavlova!
Perhaps the most meaningful installation was the “family tree” we created beside the aisle in the orchard. We hung framed photographs of loved ones who are no longer with us from its trunk and branches, alongside beautiful pieces of hand embroidery made by Zorast’s late grandmother, Arnie. It became a deeply personal way of weaving our family histories into the celebration.
My late mum, Carole, our grandparents, our ancestors, my family dog, Zoe, and all the other angels we carry with us felt very much part of the day.
A few days before the wedding, after we’d made the difficult decision to move the date, a storm swept through the venue, and one photograph mysteriously fell from the family tree: my grandparents’ wedding portrait. We then realised that our original wedding date had been their anniversary. By moving the celebration to the following day, we ended up marrying on the very same weekend they had, all those years before. Whether it was coincidence or something more, it felt as though they were gently guiding us and giving us their blessing – while also making sure we didn’t steal their anniversary!
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Getting to be creative together! We loved dreaming up ideas, solving problems as a team and watching the celebration take shape.
Just as special was collaborating with people who genuinely understood us. None of our suppliers ever felt like suppliers; they became creative partners, cheerleaders and, by the end, friends! They listened carefully, encouraged our ideas and elevated them in ways we could never have imagined.
Our advice to newly engaged couples would be to enjoy the engagement bubble before rushing into logistics! Give yourselves a little time to celebrate, dream and simply enjoy being engaged before the planning process takes over.
Once we began, we set aside one dedicated “wedmin” day each week – ours was on Sundays. That meant we weren’t discussing seating plans over breakfast or replying to wedding emails every evening. It helped protect our relationship and reminded us that the wedding was something joyful we were creating together – not something that should consume our day-to-day lives!
Planning a wedding can be really intense and quite stressful, but it is also an enormous privilege. We tried to keep returning to gratitude and enjoy the process as much as possible, because it passes far more quickly than you expect.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Without question, the extraordinary team at Casa Lawa!
I had followed Casa Lawa on Instagram since lockdown, when its joyful colours and creativity felt like a burst of hope during a difficult time. I never imagined we would actually get married there – I hadn’t even visited Sicily – but something about it spoke to us. It felt vibrant, full of life and unlike anywhere else we had seen. Casa Lawa also had the warmth and intimacy of a private guesthouse, which was perfect for our celebration of just 60 guests. We wanted everyone to feel relaxed, connected and completely at home, rather than as though they were attending a large formal event.
We first visited Casa Lawa and the team at Christmas. We met Lukas, the founder and creative director, alongside Elisabetta and Luca. It felt like spending time with old friends. They were warm, funny, generous and immediately understood what mattered to us: creating a celebration that felt personal, joyful and rooted in nature, family and community. We even decorated the Casa Lawa Christmas tree together. I was naturally put on ribbon and decoration duty – very much my forte – and Zorast joked that Lukas and I were the guy and girl versions of each other because our tastes were so alike.
The entire team poured an extraordinary amount of love into our wedding weekend. Every detail was approached with care, creativity and generosity, and they made the impossible feel intimate and effortless.
We also feel incredibly lucky that so many talented friends and loved ones contributed to the day. My dress was created by Jane Bourvis, a dear friend of my late mum, while my bridesmaid and close friend Fei Yen Waller stepped in to do my make-up and Karl, Zorast’s brother’s partner, came to the rescue with my hair when our original plans unexpectedly fell through. Looking around on the day, we realised that our wedding hadn’t simply been created by vendors – it had been brought to life by people who genuinely loved and cared for us. That made every detail feel even more personal and meaningful.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
My wedding dress was designed by Jane Bourvis, one of my late mum Carole’s dear friends, which made the experience incredibly personal from the beginning. Jane created it using exquisite antique lace that is more than 100 years old, giving new life to a fabric that had already lived through generations of stories.
The most treasured part of my outfit was my veil. It belonged to Mum, who wore it when she married my dad. Wearing it on my own wedding day was incredibly special and emotional; it felt as though she was walking beside me every step of the way.
For the party, I changed into a white top and trousers by Super Yaya, wrapped in colourful bows and ribbons. Everyone had advised me to remember to be fully present during the wedding. I may have taken that advice a little too literally, because I arrived at the party looking like a present myself! Having graduated from Central Saint Martins, I love supporting independent designers, especially fellow alumni with a distinctive point of view. The outfit felt playful, unexpected and perfect for dancing.
Zorast also chose to wear white because of its symbolism: white light contains every colour of the rainbow. It felt like the perfect reflection of our wedding, bringing together families, friends, cultures and generations in one joyful celebration. I also helped Zorast and my dad choose their suits, and can safely say I have never learnt so much about menswear!
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Having studied jewellery design at Central Saint Martins, I think Zorast’s friends were slightly worried on his behalf. They often wondered what on earth he could choose for someone who made jewellery themselves! But I had always told him that what mattered most to me wasn’t the size or style of a ring – it was the story it carried.
When Zorast asked my dad if he could propose with one of my late mum Carole’s rings, it meant more to me than anything he could have bought. It was a vintage Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso design set with an amethyst gemstone. Wearing it makes me feel connected to her as we begin this new chapter, and it brings together so many important parts of my life: family, jewellery, creativity and my own connection to Tiffany & Co., where I once worked as a Designer in Residence. Amethyst is also a very healing stone.
The day Zorast collected the ring from my dad, a double rainbow appeared in the sky. I’ve always seen my mum in rainbows, so they have become a meaningful symbol for both of us – of hope, light and the beauty that can emerge after life’s storms. The timing felt unmistakably like a little sign from her.
Choosing Zorast’s wedding band created another treasured memory. I bought it for him in Paris, a city my French mum and I loved exploring together. In different ways, both rings carry something of her, as well as the love and history that came before our own.
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?).
Photography was the one area we never questioned investing in. Zorast is a huge film-photography nerd, so it mattered to us that we worked with someone who understood both us and the feeling we wanted to preserve. We didn’t only want the obvious moments documented. We wanted the glances, gestures and tiny details too, little things we might otherwise have missed. Having lost my mum, I know how precious photographs become over time. Sometimes they are all we have to hold a moment, memories of a person or a piece of family history. Hopefully, one day, we’ll be able to show these images to our future children and let them experience a little of what surrounded us that weekend.
Our photographer, Silvia, did the most extraordinary job. She photographed all 60 guests single-handedly, moving through the celebration like Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, armed with an impressive collection of cameras and ready to shoot and capture everything. She was so warm, so flexible, so instinctive and completely tireless. She didn’t miss a thing! Couldn’t recommend her more.
When we returned home, we had a serious case of the post-wedding blues, so receiving her photographs felt like the greatest gift. We could relive it all, but also see the day from perspectives we hadn’t experienced ourselves. Everyone has been obsessed with the images because they feel completely truthful: colourful, intimate, joyful and full of life! Grazie, Silvia!
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
There are so many moments we’ll treasure forever, but for me, seeing Zorast waiting at the end of the aisle was everything! The second our eyes met, all the months of planning – and any nerves I’d been carrying on the day – just disappeared. Nothing else mattered except that we were about to become husband and wife! It was emotional, surreal and unbelievably exciting all at once.
The dancing was unforgettable too. I’m Jewish, and Zorast is Zoroastrian, so we wanted to bring elements of both our cultures into the celebration in a way that felt joyful and personal to us. Zorast especially loved experiencing the Jewish tradition of being lifted into the air on chairs. Looking around at all our favourite people singing, dancing and quite literally holding us up was completely exhilarating. It felt like the purest expression of community: starting married life surrounded, supported and celebrated by the people we love most.
And then there was Mount Etna. My dad ended his speech by saying that, if my mum was happy, perhaps she would send us a sign through the volcano. Shortly afterwards, Etna erupted, lighting up the night sky with glowing lava. Nobody had known it was going to happen, and for a moment everyone was completely speechless. We all left the dinner table to watch her display. Then we carried on dancing to the sound of her rumbles, with nature’s own fireworks unfolding behind us. It was pure magic and beyond our wildest dreams!
We also later learnt that Mount Etna is affectionately known as “Mamma Etna” by Sicilians, which made the timing feel even more poignant.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
For us, marriage is the decision to be on the same team, every single day. One of the biggest shifts has been the way we think about time. We no longer think in terms of weeks or months – we think about years, decades and the lifetime we’re building together. It changes the way you approach everything. Small disagreements become less important, and shared dreams become even more exciting because you’re creating them side by side.
Throughout our relationship, we’ve affectionately called ourselves “YouMe”, and that’s become something of a guiding principle. Whatever life throws at us, we want to remember that it’s never me versus you – it’s YouMe versus the problem. We remind each other that it’s not about being right; it’s about getting it right together!
We also have a simple ritual that means a great deal to us. Every night before we go to sleep, we each share three things we’re grateful for from the day. Some days they’re big, life-changing moments; other days they’re as simple as a good meal, a beautiful sunset or making each other laugh. It’s a small habit, but it keeps us present and reminds us just how lucky we are to be building this life together.
LOCATION Casa Lawa, Sant’Alfio, Catania, Sicily, Italy, @casa.lawa BRIDE Lucie, @luciedavis GROOM Zorast, @zorast PHOTOGRAPHER Silvia Poropat, @silviaporopatweddings PLANNING Team from Casa Lawa, @casa.lawa; Lukas, @lukasfrompoland; Elisabetta, @elisabettacarrubba_; Francesca, @local_raisin_; Luca, @luca.cous FLORIST Alfio Flowers, @alfioflowers CELEBRANT Behmann Gustavsp, @bgoodstuff ENTERTAINMENT DJ – Germano Centorbi, @germano.centorbi CATERING Chefs – Connie Grossman, @conniekateg; Posie Hall, @posiehallfood; Pam Duivenvoorden, @pam_s_pan CAKE Chefs of our Cherry Pavlova – Connie Grossman, @conniekateg; Posie Hall, @posiehallfood; Pam Duivenvoorden, @pam_s_pan STATIONERY & SIGNAGE By the couple BRIDE’S ENGAGEMENT One of bride’s late mum’s rings – Vintage & Paloma Picasso design set with an Amethyst gemstone – Tiffany & Co., @tiffanyandco BRIDE’S WEDDING BAND 1895 Wedding Band – Cartier, @cartier GROOM’S WEDDING BAND – Vendome Louis – Cartier, @cartier OTHER SIGNIFICANT JEWELLERY Bride’s Bracelets – Bride’s Mum’s Love Bracelet – Cartier, @cartier; Duplici Chain Bracelet – Rosie King Jewels, @rosie.king.jewels; Bride’s Earrings – Amalita Earrings Pearl – Christie Nicolaides, @christienicolaides; Groom’s Cherry Brooch – Etsy, @etsy BRIDE’S DRESS Jane Bourvis, @janebourvis BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Super Yaya, @superyaya100 BRIDE’S SHOES Ralph Lauren, @ralphlauren BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Veil – Bride’s Late Mum’s, Carole MAKEUP Fei Yen Waller, @feiyenwaller HAIR Karl Brown, @karlgbrown BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Rozu Eau de Parfum – Aesop, @aesop GROOM’S SUIT Moss, @mossbros BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Bleu De Chanel, @chanelofficial GROOMSMEN’S CHERRY BROOCH Etsy, @etsy BRIDESMAIDS CHERRY EARRINGS Etsy, @etsy
