No offence to every other wedding destination, but if romance, seclusion, incredible, breath-taking vistas and a sense of intimacy is what your dream wedding is all about, there is no destination that can trump the Italian Riviera. The Cinque Terre, the five lands enveloped by vineyards and woods – what more could two love birds looking for a small and supremely romantic wedding setting want?
The general idea
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Since this is a small and intimate affair, and it takes place at a destination known for (among other things) a breezy, yet effortlessly chic style made iconic by Hollywood stars and jet-setters who prefer this place above all others, the style in terms of venue and decoration is pretty straightforward. If an outdoor wedding is number one on your Italian Riviera vision board, you want to go with simple wooden chairs, white flowers and plenty of subtle twinkling lights. You don’t want to go overboard with the color palette – keep it neutral, semi-rustic (no burlap anywhere, that’s passé). The tablecloths should be a beige or champagne color graced with nothing but elegant and simple dinnerware. Hints of gold on the rims of the plates make for a nice touch and so do small centerpieces in gold vases that don’t overwhelm the table.
The bridal beauty
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As said, this is an elegant, but still breezy and summery event, so the bride, you want to be in sync with the carefree and almost nonchalant setting of your big day. Most brides who decide to tie the knot in a place like this go for non-constricting and light wedding dresses. There is the bohemian-with-a-twist option, something along the lines of Alberta Ferretti. This dress is virtually the embodiment of effortless chic, but one that will make any bride look like a floating angel. There is, of course, the evergreen, luxurious but down-to-earth lace, and one of the most perfect dresses comes from no other but the incredible Johanna Ortiz . The crochet florals, the asymmetrical hemline, the loose sleeves and just a hint of beach waves make for a perfect Italian style bridal look. Finally, there is tulle, the most delicate and romantic of all fabrics, and no one does it better than Oscar de la Renta. The key is to look absolutely breathtaking, but still ooze those carefree angelic vibes, and dresses such as these are up to the task. Keep the makeup natural – simply accentuate your features and look like your most radiant self. Don’t take the formal bun route – let your hair down. The most effort should be in the form of a low bun or side-swept hair in the style of Blake Lively. Flower embellishments are always welcome.
The dress code
Yes, this is a semi-formal occasion, which means that you have the freedom to wear almost whatever – except shorts, that would just be bad wedding etiquette. However, you want to blend in with the nonchalance of the setting and the chic casual look of the bride, so this kind of event calls for something along the lines of bohemian festival clothing. Pastel or white playsuits dressed up with an amazing pair of heels will seal the deal, and so will neutral-colored wrap dresses, or tea length dresses. Another amazing way to go is with the oh, so trendy and chic tuxedo dress, which has all the elegance and doesn’t make you look like you’re trying too hard. Finally, there is the most delicate and probably most convenient option of all – the sultry slip dress. Slip dresses have taken the runways by a storm, and aside from the more traditional ones, there are now embellished and ruffled ones, so it’s just a matter of preference.
Don’t forget the groom
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As this will most likely be a Italian Riviera summer wedding, the groom should definitely stay away from dark suits, as well as vests. Three-piece suits are overly formal, not to mention that they add to the body temperature, and that’s the last thing you want. If you’re comfortable, go with something in a light pastel blue, with a white shirt and pants. If this, however, seems a bit too casual for you, a beige suit would look incredible – you would be synchronized with your Italian Riviera bride’s style, and you would look plain stunning, yet chill and festive at the same time.
