A Luxurious, Provence-Inspired Italian Garden Wedding

When influencer and model Paola Turani and entrepreneur Ricky Serpella got engaged, it was clear that the wedding was going to be magical. A fairytale event that would leave everyone in awe, filled with small touches and little details that make a wedding so completely unforgettable. And that’s, of course, exactly what happened. Working with wedding planners La Iaia, Paola and Ricky’s Italian garden wedding was romantic and filled with whimsical and lush natural beauty.

The Romantic Story Leading to Paola and Ricky’s Italian Garden Wedding

Paola and Ricky’s story, for some, is a familiar one. Paola is a successful Instagram influencer, and much of her and Ricky’s love story has been discussed over the years. Although the couple began their romantic relationship in 2011, they had met each other before but hadn’t really gotten to know each other. A chance encounter and the excuse of help with renovating his home brought the two together. And they haven’t left each other’s side since!

The Provence, France Proposal That Inspired Their Wedding Day

Their proposal was just as romantic, set amongst the rollicking lavender fields of France, and documented on her Instagram page. After such an amazing proposal, the couple knew they needed to incorporate inspiration from the famous lavender fields in their wedding day design.

Such a memorable day led them to a Provence-inspired, Italian garden wedding day.

The Provence-Inspired Italian Garden Wedding Venue

Held in a small garden, Paghera, in the Italian town of Lonato del Garda, the wedding was elegant and intimate. Paghera is a truly special venue, with a lovely greenhouse and incredibly romantic gardens and it was the perfect choice for this evening event. Inspired by Provence, France, where the couple got engaged, the wedding decor sought to bring that atmosphere to life.

A Color Story Reminiscent of Lavender Fields

The lavender fields served as the anchor for the decor, guiding the color choices, down to the silk ribbons for the bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets from Allegoria Textiles. The result was a blend of the deep green hues of the grass as a complement to the purple of the bridesmaid dresses and the flowers perfectly to create a perfect escape as the couple exchanged their vows.

The Couture Wedding Gown

The bride wore a stunning gown designed by Atelier Emé. The dress adorned with delicate lace and a tulle skirt and embellished with pearls and embroidery to create a gorgeous look. With its long train and a white gold and diamond necklace designed by Pasquale Bruni, Paola’s look was simply stunning.

To complete the look, she chose to stay with her natural makeup and loose and wavy curls. The overall effect was ethereal and dreamy as she walked down the aisle. Coupled with the ambiance of the venue, green botanicals with violet flowers, the whole effect was truly stunning.

The Notable Wedding Guests

And of the more adorable parts of the wedding were the ring bearers of Paola and Ricky’s wedding. Their dogs, Nadine and Gnomo, delivered the rings to the couple. It made for an incredibly special and emotional moment for both bride and groom, as well as the guests.

Along with the ring bearers, Paola and Ricky’s wedding brought their families and familiar attendants together. This included other socialites such as Giulia Valentina, Aurora Ramazzotti, television personalities Michelle Hunziker, and Tomaso Trussardi. Clio Zammatteo of Clio Makeup and many, many others were also in attendance. It was a special and intimate occasion though, using the natural beauty of the venue with antique elements and botanicals to create a cozy, romantic getaway for the couple and their guests.

The Italian Garden Wedding Reception

For the reception, the couple chose to go for round wooden tables, and keep the purple floral theme going. Every table used beautiful lilac-colored table linens and napkins while matching silk ribbons from Allegoria Textiles held individual floral arrangements together for each table setting. Accented by chandeliers dripping in green foliage, the lighting and the flowers created the perfect ambiance for guests as they enjoyed dinner.

Small touches, like the gold-accented dinnerware and the small bunches of florals at each person’s seat, helped create an event that felt personal, where guests felt like they were a part of the wedding rather than just a viewer. The thoughtfulness and details that went into designing and planning each part of the wedding are what really set it apart. And each light had a personal message hanging from it, quotes like “Actually the best gift you can give her is a lifetime of adventures,” and “every adventure requires a first step.” This created a dazzling, yet authentic look.

An Unforgettable, Authentic Meal Among Families and Loved Ones

The food was about celebrating their location and venue. The catering was done by Da Vittorio, an acclaimed 3-star Michelin restaurant famous for its fresh and bold flavors. Famous for their delicious food and friendly and familial approach, they kept that in true form for dinner. Paccheri di Vittorio was made in pans big enough to serve at least 30-40 people. The couple’s choice of fresh pasta was a way to really highlight what makes this region of Italy so special. It was a nod to their heritage and bringing together the unique elements of the region into a beautiful event for their family and friends.

A Second (and Third!) Fashionable Bridal Style

The bride changed into another dress from Atelier Emè for the reception. It was an exquisite mermaid wedding dress with a high back and sweetheart neckline, made with lace and sequin and crystal embellishments. A little tiara topped it all off.

For the afterparty, Paola opted for a 1930s-style mini dress, Charleston-style with a beaded fringe skirt by Atelier Emè, paired with Jimmy Choo sandals.

Paola and Ricky’s wedding was about celebrating their joy as a couple, and what was most important for them – and bringing their loved ones into the fold as the couple embarks on a new adventure together. Throughout the wedding and the reception, it’s clear that there is so much love and laughter in Paola and Ricky’s life and is what shines through in their wedding.

Each part of their wedding, from having their dogs as the ring bearers, to the decorations and the cuisine chosen was a thoughtful decision, celebrating each part of what makes their shared experience so special. For guests, it gave them an intimate peek of what makes Paola and Ricky so special and invited them to celebrate and join their love. With this wedding, Ricky and Paola begin a new journey, a new adventure and it’s clear from their event that they couldn’t be more excited to see where it all takes from.

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Wedding Day Vendors:

Photographer: Lilly Red Photography
Planner: La Iaia
Silk Ribbons and Table Textiles: Allegoria Textiles
Italian Garden Wedding Venue: Paghera
Caterer: Da Vittorio
Bridal Gown: Atelier Emè
Jewelry: Pasquale Bruni
Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo