We’ve now been together for 13 years, but it doesn’t feel that long because we discover new things about each other every day. We challenge each other and see the world in different ways, which makes life interesting and gets us outside our comfort zones. One of the greatest challenges we’ve faced was the six years we spent long distance. It was important for us to go our separate ways and not hold each other back, but it also created a vicious cycle of getting used to being apart and then getting used to being together, only to then leave again. We discovered the secret to a successful long-distance romance was to see each other no less than every two or three weeks, if possible. Julian took me to the Maldives, where he’d arranged a surprise picnic on a private island. When we arrived, the sun was shining and everything looked perfect, but we soon found ourselves stuck in a tropical rainstorm! It was so bad I thought the island might sink. Julian realised the ocean was warmer than standing in the rain, so we both dived in. He then ducked under the water and came back up holding the ring! It was romantic and epic. The sun came out again and we returned to the hotel at sunset where yet another surprise awaited: a dinner for two under the stars. It was the most romantic day of my life. We were married at Masseria Potenti in Puglia, Italy, a refurbished 13th century farm that had a kind of magic in the air. Three-hundred-year-old cactus gardens line the white stone property and the interiors are decorated by Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri with pieces from her vintage archive. I wore my great-grandmother’s wedding gown made of handmade lace that was passed from generation to generation, and Julian took inspiration from my grandfather’s wedding-day attire by wearing tails. The highlight of our day was when Julian and I went to change outfits following the ceremony, and looked out of our window to see our guests already on the dance floor! It was at that moment that we realised our wish had come true.
Photography—Lilly Red Creative | Bride’s shoes—Stuart Weitzman | Bride’s dress— Vintage family dress, restored by Franziska Burgert Atelier | Groom’s tails—Eduard Dressler from Mientus Berlin | Groom’s tuxedo—Anton Meyer | Videography—2become1 | Bride’s earrings—Tiffany & Co. | Venue, catering & flora—Masseria Potenti, Puglia, Italy | Hair & makeup—Philipp Verheyen | Bride’s hair pin—Family heirloom | Groom’s shoes—Hugo Boss | Rings—Hand made by Kammermeier Goldsmiths, Berlin