Nathalie + Marco by Alberto Cosenza

Our vision was an Italian garden wedding with a Mediterranean soul.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We are a couple guided by our faith in God, love, and the belief that true commitment, family, and hope can make the world a better place. God is at the centre of our lives and our relationship, and we believe every new chapter is an opportunity to grow together and live with purpose.

We share a deep curiosity about life and a passion for learning, discovering new things, and challenging ourselves. We love sports, healthy competition, mathematics, and anything that makes us think creatively.

Whether it’s solving a Rubik’s Cube, building LEGO sets, putting together puzzles, or enjoying a good movie, we find joy in little things and big adventures. We also love spending hours talking about absolutely anything, from life’s deepest questions to the most random everyday topics.

Travelling is one of our greatest passions, not only for discovering beautiful places, but also for meeting people, exploring different cultures, and connecting with friends from different backgrounds. We believe there is always something valuable to learn from someone else’s story.

We have a special love for children and animals, and enjoy books, history, art, and wandering through museums. Above all, we are two curious people who love a challenge, never want to stop growing, and approach life with joy, purpose, and gratitude to God. We believe life is an adventure, and the most beautiful part is experiencing it together.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Our story began when Nathalie moved from Brazil to Italy to pursue her master’s degree. During her first weeks, she was invited to a church, where Marco happened to be playing the drums. We met briefly, but our friendship truly began a few days later, when we unexpectedly bumped into each other at university. Nathalie was completely lost, unfamiliar with the campus and unable to speak Italian. Marco helped her find her classroom, showed her around, and eventually became one of her closest friends.

Before becoming a couple, we built a beautiful friendship, sharing everything about our lives. Although little did Nathalie know, Marco had secretly fallen head over heels in love with her long before! Our first official date was at Lake Como, where Marco asked Nathalie to be his girlfriend.

Marco’s first impression of Nathalie was that she was the most beautiful and intelligent woman he had ever met. She could discuss anything, from sports and politics to engineering and theology, all without speaking Italian yet! Nathalie initially thought Marco was a little silly! But she soon discovered a mysterious man full of virtues: intelligent, observant, loyal, devoted to his family, and always ready to listen and offer advice. One of our funniest memories was Marco’s first trip to Brazil to meet Nathalie’s family. Between the loud, welcoming Brazilians, unfamiliar foods, barefoot football, pizza with ketchup, and learning Portuguese, his Italian traditions were challenged in every possible way. It was unforgettable!

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).

Our vision was an Italian garden wedding with a Mediterranean soul. We wanted something elegant and timeless, but also full of personality! There were so many feelings we wanted to capture, but somehow everything came together beautifully, and we couldn’t have been more obsessed with the result.

The flowers and colours were absolutely a dream. Soft pastels, delicate arrangements, and the most beautiful peonies. I have to confess a little secret I’ve never told anyone: the peonies were actually inspired by Blair Waldorf’s wedding bouquet in Gossip Girl! The entire setting felt like a romantic palace garden, delicate, original, and effortlessly classic.

I genuinely loved every little corner of our wedding. The dinner table was magnificent, but the ceremony setting will always have a special place in my heart. The white parasols were perhaps my favourite detail, so charming and romantic! Combined with the lush greenery, historic architecture, and beautiful Sicilian landscape, everything felt like an enchanted garden.

More than anything, we wanted our guests to experience the essence of Italy, or even more deeply, the soul of Sicily: its warmth, vibrant spirit, strong sense of family, delicious food, long conversations, and the unmistakable joy of being together. We wanted everyone to feel at home, surrounded by beauty, love, and a little bit of Sicilian magic.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we loved most about the planning process was the excitement and anticipation that grew with every little decision. At first, the wedding felt so far away, almost like a beautiful dream. But with every detail we planned and every decision we made, it started to feel more real. The closer we got, the more the butterflies in our stomachs grew! There was something so special about counting down the days and imagining everything finally coming together.

One of the most important parts of our experience was having a wedding planner we could truly trust. Knowing that someone was taking care of everything behind the scenes gave us so much peace of mind. It allowed us to focus on other challenges and, most importantly, enjoy the journey without constantly worrying about every little detail.

Our biggest advice to couples starting their wedding planning journey is to enjoy the process! Don’t let small things steal your happiness. Choose your battles wisely, remember what truly matters, and make time to enjoy each other along the way.

We know it’s easier said than done, but one of the biggest secrets is surrounding yourselves with a wonderful team of people who genuinely care and know what they’re doing! Trust us, it makes all the difference!

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

This is probably the hardest question because we genuinely loved every single vendor! Haha! But some deserve a special mention for their extraordinary work. Our wedding planner and designer was simply incredible. He organised everything with such confidence and ease, never once stressing the bride! Instead, he brought peace throughout the entire process. His decoration was breathtaking; he somehow captured our souls and transformed them into living art. And our caterer? I’m convinced they’re among the best in the world! They embraced the challenge of bringing Brazilian flavours into traditional Sicilian and Italian cuisine. Knowing how protective Italians are of their food, this was no small task! Yet they did it with such respect, creativity, and excellence. Every dish felt like a love letter to Italy, with a little piece of Brazil woven in.

Our photographer was another dream. I had already fallen in love with his work, but seeing our own wedding photographs was beyond anything I imagined. They look straight out of a movie! Beyond their talent, the team’s kindness, calmness, and professionalism were priceless.

Finally, my hairstylist and makeup artist travelled all the way from Brazil, taking care of me not only on our wedding day but throughout the entire week. His patience, warmth, and incredible talent made everything unforgettable.

What truly connected all these wonderful people was how they made us feel: peaceful, confident, and genuinely cared for.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Oh, I absolutely love telling the story of my wedding dress!

I always envisioned lots of lace. To me, it felt quintessentially Italian: timeless, traditional, and romantic. I searched everywhere, from São Paulo to Milan and Turin, until I finally found my dress in Sicily. The lace was unlike anything I had ever seen, and I fell in love.

But as the wedding approached, I started questioning my choice. Something was missing! Just ten days before the wedding, the wonderful team at Atelier Mirella Blanco embraced my bridal crisis with extraordinary patience. Instead of saying something couldn’t be done, they dreamed alongside me and made every single alteration I requested. My Justin Alexander gown became a reinterpretation of the original design, with my personal vision woven into it. Hopefully, the designer won’t mind! Haha! And of course, I chose a lace veil too. I wanted to be completely wrapped in lace!

Another meaningful moment was a photoshoot with Marco, wearing my mother’s wedding gown, designed by renowned Brazilian designer Lourdinha Noyama. My parents were childhood best friends whose love story became a beautiful marriage. My mother was also the ultimate it-girl of her generation!

Marco’s suit, designed by Luigi Bianchi, balanced classic elegance with modern personality. He wanted green without looking like a costume character, so we chose a subtle, sophisticated shade with delicate green undertones. Perfectly him!

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Each ring I chose for Nathalie tells a different chapter of our love story, and every detail has a special meaning to me.

The first ring I gave her was a promise ring. I didn’t want a traditional solitaire, but something with several stones that resembled a delicate crown. I’ve always seen Nathalie as my queen, someone incredibly elegant, intelligent, and special. I wanted something that reflected the way I see her, almost like a princess wearing her crown.

For the engagement ring, I had a different vision. I wanted a solitaire, but nothing too flashy. I eventually chose a beautifully handcrafted Italian ring by Re Carlo, with a carefully selected diamond. I could have chosen something bigger, but preferred a smaller, more delicate design that reflected her elegance and complemented her other rings.

Finally, we chose our wedding rings together. We wanted something classic and timeless, staying true to Italian craftsmanship, so we selected beautiful bands by Salvini. Inside, we engraved our wedding date and each other’s names, with a tiny hidden diamond.

To me, these three rings represent three promises, three chapters, and one lifelong love story. They also remind me of Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Just as those three strands are woven together, I believe our marriage is strongest when Nathalie, God, and I remain united in love and faith.

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?).

Oh, this is such a difficult question! From the very beginning, we had some clear priorities: the venue, the food, the decoration, and, of course, the bride’s dress! Haha!

But ironically, one of the investments that turned out to be the most meaningful was also one of the last decisions we made: our photographer.

By that point, we were already slightly over budget, and I was honestly hesitant to spend more. I had looked at so many photographers, trying to find the perfect one while also being mindful of our finances. But something about his work made me feel that it was worth going a little beyond what we had originally planned.

And looking back, I wouldn’t change that decision for a second.

Because when the wedding is over, the flowers are gone, the music has stopped, and the celebration becomes a beautiful memory, the photographs remain.

They are something we will treasure forever, share with our future children, show our families, and use to bring that day to life for people who couldn’t be there.

More than simply documenting our wedding, our photographer somehow managed to capture the magic, the emotions, and the atmosphere of that day and turn them into something eternal. And to us, that is truly priceless.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

For Nathalie, one of the most unforgettable moments was reaching the altar, holding Marco’s hand, and turning to face the ceremony together. I remember thinking, “Oh my God, we’re really doing this. This is actually happening!” Our families and friends were there, and suddenly we were living a moment we had dreamed about for so long.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I don’t know if Sicily was especially magical that day, but the breeze felt softer, the flowers smelled sweeter, and the trees swayed as if they were part of the celebration. It felt like stepping into a fairytale, almost like a scene from Narnia. Above all, God’s presence felt almost tangible, surrounding us with an overwhelming sense of peace. Despite all the emotions, our hearts were completely at rest, as though heaven itself was sharing that moment with us.

And then came our vows. Looking into Marco’s eyes and promising to love him for the rest of my life was overwhelming. I felt love, gratitude, and the joy of knowing that a new family was beginning. From that moment on, life’s adventures would no longer be mine alone, but ours to share.

For Marco, exchanging vows was equally unforgettable. It felt like closing one beautiful chapter with our families and beginning an entirely new one together, with a shared direction and purpose.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

To us, marriage means family, intimacy, and home. It means making a lifelong commitment before God and the people we love to build a life together, side by side, supporting one another every single day.

Marriage is learning to draw from the most powerful force in the world: love. It is choosing to love each other every day, even when life becomes challenging. It is understanding what it means to be truly loved so that we can learn to love in return. It means forgiving, letting go of pride, allowing someone into the deepest parts of your heart, and bringing down the walls you once built around yourself.

It is sharing every little thing that brings you happiness and discovering that making the other person happy brings you just as much joy. It is accepting that every day will be different and that the future is uncertain, but finding peace in knowing that whatever comes, you will face it together, with the person you love by your side.

As for our little rituals, we love praying for each other, cooking dinner together, and setting aside at least one evening a week for something fun, whether it’s building LEGO, solving puzzles, having a Rubik’s Cube competition, or simply watching a movie. These simple moments remind us that marriage is also about being best friends and finding joy in everyday life.