A styling approach that felt effortless, warm and entirely focused on community and celebration
Tell us a little about yourself, what you do, what you love…
We are a couple who fundamentally loves life and finding new ways to feel truly alive together. We thrive on going on adventures, taking leaps of faith and embracing spontaneity. More than anything, we act as each other’s biggest cheerleaders, constantly supporting one another to grow as individuals and as partners. Professionally, Addy is an entrepreneur and founder, while Marlene is a yoga teacher and studio owner. Even though our daily work lives look very different on the surface, the undeniable thread that connects us is our shared free spirit. Both of us are deeply driven to think outside the box and to create something that feels greater than ourselves. We love challenging the status quo and finding beauty in the unconventional, which is a philosophy we carry through our relationship, our careers and certainly how we approached our wedding.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Our story began in Berlin seven years ago. We were introduced during a time when we were both navigating the vibrant energy of the city. Addy often says that he knew Marlene was going to be his girlfriend from the very first moment he laid eyes on her; it was a true love-at-first-sight moment for him. For Marlene, it took just a second encounter to truly feel the spark and the deep connection he had sensed right away. That second meeting shifted everything, and suddenly we were inseparable. Looking back, it’s beautiful how our initial impressions perfectly reflect our personalities: Addy with his unwavering, spontaneous certainty and me needing that deeper, grounded moment of connection before diving in.
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).
From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want to follow any traditional rule books or tick off a standard wedding bucket list. While many couples focus heavily on elaborate floral arrangements and strict colour codes, we were much less interested in the hyper-curated aesthetic details. Instead, our ultimate focus was on the feeling and the atmosphere. We wanted to design an unforgettable experience that would bring our closest friends and family together in the most authentic way possible. We let the breathtaking natural beauty of our location do the talking, complementing it with organic, simple elements that felt grounded and real. Rather than transforming the space into something it wasn’t, we embraced its existing charm, allowing the scenic backdrop to serve as our primary visual element. The result was a styling approach that felt effortless, warm and entirely focused on community and celebration rather than rigid perfection.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
The most fulfilling part of the planning process was having an outlet to be wildly creative together. We loved spending our evenings envisioning the sheer joy on our guests’ faces and dreaming up those special, completely unique moments that would define the weekend. It was less about logistics and more about intentionally crafting a feeling of spark and togetherness. For couples just starting their wedding planning journey, our biggest tip is to protect that sense of playfulness. Don’t get so bogged down in the endless checklists and expectations that you forget why you are throwing this party in the first place. Stay true to what actually matters to you as a couple, even if that means breaking traditions. If you focus on how you want the day to feel rather than how it should look on paper, the planning process becomes a beautiful opportunity to connect and dream together.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We were incredibly fortunate to work with vendors who understood our vision, but our venue, Parco dei Sesi, truly deserves a special mention. It is one of the most heartfelt, soulful places we have ever experienced. From the moment we first set foot on the property, we knew it was where we were meant to celebrate our marriage. What makes Parco dei Sesi so exceptional is the profound attention to detail; everything seems to have been thoughtfully considered and handcrafted with immense love. The architecture, the surrounding nature and the warmth of the people behind it created an atmosphere that felt more like a luxurious, welcoming home than a traditional wedding venue. They provided the perfect canvas for our vision, allowing us to host our friends in an environment that felt deeply aligned with our values of authenticity, connection and slow, intentional living.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
My bridal outfit holds an incredibly special place in my heart because of the story behind its creation. I actually designed it alongside one of my best friends, who runs a beautiful bridal boutique close to my hometown, called Meant to Be Bridal. Instead of going from shop to shop searching for something off the rack, we spent hours sketching, discussing fabrics, and bringing my exact vision to life. The entire process felt deeply personal and intimate. Every fitting was an excuse to spend quality time with my friend, filled with laughter and some tears. It meant so much to me to walk down the aisle wearing a piece that wasn’t just beautiful, but was infused with the love and creativity of someone who knows me so well. It allowed my outfit to be a true reflection of my personality, effortless, unique and created with intention.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Much like my dress, our rings are deeply intertwined with our circle of friends and our personal story. Both of our wedding bands were hand-made by dear friends of ours, making the exchange of rings feel even more significant. Knowing that the symbols of our commitment were crafted by people we love adds a layer of magic that we cherish every day. The engagement ring holds an equally beautiful story. Addy custom-designed it entirely on his own. He chose a stunning vintage diamond and paired it with a delicate shell shape. The shell is incredibly meaningful because his affectionate nickname for me is “Muschel” (the German word for shell). It was such a thoughtful, poetic touch that perfectly captured his romantic nature and the intimate language of our relationship. It’s a completely one-of-a-kind piece that tells our story every time I look at it.
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?).
Without a doubt, the most important element for both of us and the one area we were more than happy to invest heavily in was the music. For Addy and me, music is the absolute heartbeat of a celebration; it is what makes a party feel personal, electric and truly alive. We wanted our wedding to feel like an epic, joyful gathering, and we knew the right soundtrack was crucial to achieving that. We spent a lot of time finding the perfect band and an incredible DJ to carry the energy from the ceremony late into the night. They read the room perfectly, brought everyone to the dance floor, and created moments of pure euphoria that we will never forget. Looking back, they were worth every single penny. They didn’t just play songs; they curated the entire emotional arc of our celebration.
Was there a favorite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
If we had to choose one moment that will be etched in our hearts forever, it would be the pre-wedding pizza party we hosted to kick off the weekend. It was the moment when all of our guests arrived and saw the venue for the very first time. After spending over a year planning this celebration, seeing it actually come to life in front of us was deeply overwhelming in the best way possible. Standing there, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Parco dei Sesi, watching all of our closest friends and family mingling, laughing and eating pizza under the stars, it was pure magic. Seeing the people we love most from all different chapters of our lives finally together, buzzing with excitement and genuinely so happy for us, was a feeling of profound gratitude that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
For us, being married means solidifying the strong bond that serves as the foundation for our lives. We view our marriage like the strong, deep roots of a tree: it provides the absolute stability, nourishment and grounding required so that something much greater than ourselves can grow and flourish above the surface. It gives us the freedom to take risks and reach higher, knowing we have that strong support system to return to. As for daily rituals, we don’t have anything complicated just yet; our main practice is simply taking the time to truly see each other amidst the busyness of life and sharing lots of kissing! However, we do have a larger ritual we are dreaming of: we would absolutely love to make it a tradition to return to Pantelleria every ten years to renew our vows and reconnect with the magic of where this new chapter began.
LOCATION Parco dei Sesi, Pantelleria, Italy, @parcodeisesi BRIDE Marlene, @marlalene GROOM Addy, @addy PHOTOGRAPHER Gianmarco Amico, @wedding_photo_gianmarcoamico VIDEOGRAPHER Casa Santa, @casantafilms PLANNER Alessia Di Cara, @alessiadicara_events ENTERTAINMENT The Snugglers, @snugglers.music; DJ – Christoph Koch – Snake SA, @djsnakesa HIRE Parco dei Sesi, @parcodeisesi CATERING Amuni Pantelleria, @amuni_pantelleria RINGS Doux, @doux.joaillier OTHER SIGNIFICANT JEWELLERY Bride’s Necklace & Earrings – Vivienne Westwood, @viviennewestwood BRIDE’S OUTFIT Custom Made – meant to be, @meanttobebride; Anne-Mariée, @anne.mariee.brand
