Three beautiful days lasted the destination wedding of Clare and Ross in Italy, with their guests traveling from all over the world to celebrate their love, so we knew immediately we were in store for some beautiful scenery and heartfelt moments in these pictures captured by Gianluca & Mary Adovasio! The beautiful gardens of the noble residence Villa Le Fontanelle created the perfect canva for Bianco Bouquet to decorate the setting with the prettiest flowers and romantic details creating for Clare and Ross the dreamiest of days!
Captured by Gianluca & Mary Adovasio.
«We met while studying at USC in business class. The class focused on communication (public speaking, delivering bad news, teamwork, and remote projects). We quickly became best friends and have been together for 10 years now! Initially, Ross planned on proposing during our trip to Lake Como in May 2020 (hence why we chose Italy for our wedding location) – but that was cancelled due to the pandemic. Ross later proposed September 2020 as a day filled with surprises. We started our day at USC at our favorite bench where we used to spend time between classes. He had planned a little scavenger hunt/puzzle that mimicked The Amazing Race (one of our favorite shows to watch together). Afterwards, we had brunch at a restaurant close by. Then, we drove down south to a park in Newport Beach and that’s where Ross proposed! He had planned surprise photographer to capture the moment. To keep the celebration going – Ross chartered a private sailboat where we went out to see the sunset (for our very first date together, we had sailed on a little dinghy and saw dolphins). Overall, Ross’ proposal was incredibly thoughtful – he wanted to make sure each surprise was an ode to our relationship and special moments we’ve had together. », the bride shared with us.
«Flowers were one of our top priorities and we felt it helped set a certain mood throughout our whole wedding. We are fortunate enough to live near a flower market, so we were very precise in what type of flowers we utilized: roses, proteas, wax flowers, bells of Ireland, peonies, larkspur, sweet peas, allium, artichoke flowers, agapanthus, and Amaranthus, astilbes, scabiosa, and lilies of the valley.»
We specifically chose pastel color palettes with a focus on mauves, lavender, white, and pinks, while having pops of color with pale yellow and stronger shades of pink and purple. Our overall theme was a modern garden party – we wanted our ceremony to feel very organic and romantic. When I first walked down the aisle, the flowers were so beautiful it literally took my breath away. It was the most complimented piece by our guests!…
clare, bride
«While for our dinner we had modern touches on the table but cascading flowers hanging down the pergola… Modern touches were represented through our use of neon signs and disco party room for dancing! The dance room was incredible and the work our vendors did was beyond our dreams. All our guests danced nonstop, and we really felt the disco ball and covering the room in tinsel (floor to ceiling) set the mood. We also added in some unique touches like custom napkins (crests from our wedding invitation and a portrait of our dog, Otis). Overall, we let the flowers shine through and feel they adorned the venue nicely, while decorating our wedding! »
My favorite moment was spending time with all our loved ones. Given the nature of our international wedding, we were fortunate enough to have a 3-day wedding event (welcome dinner, rehearsal dinner, wedding day). We had guests who traveled across the world and some we hadn’t seen in 5+ years. The amount of time and events we had allowed us to have a more relaxed pace.
clare, bride
«A very close second favorite moment would be assembling our wedding cake after dinner in true Italian tradition! Ross’ favorite moment was the dance party! The vibes were on point and the DJ was great. Truly, Wedding Music & Lights did a phenomenal job. »
The brides advice: «Overall, a few key tips: Work with a planner/coordinator (if you’re able) – this helped guide us through the process and our wedding planner (Marta from Bianco Bouquet) was amazing! Set a budget and prioritize the most important things. Also, allow for some leeway as it’s likely you’ll go over budget. Get a videographer. This was a last-minute decision we made and I’m so glad we did. When doing research, I saw not getting a videographer was one of the biggest regrets from weddings! Ensure deliverables are met from your vendors…»
« We did a first look (which helped ease the nerves a lot) and set aside time for just us 2 right after the ceremony. We were able to really soak up the experience together and have some alone time before all the guests crowd you. Don’t invite someone out of obligation – only extend invites to those you would want there. Planning in advance is key (it’s really never too early). This helps you ensure you are securing your first choices, as well as understanding what’s going on! We took planning as a time to bond together and actually really enjoyed the whole process. With all that said, be sure to focus on yourselves. You are the ones getting married – not your family or friends. Do anticipate some people making foolish comments or assumptions (this is bound to happen). The day is about you and your love, so do what you want! Soak it all up! Despite weddings typically being stereotypically stressful, we genuinely feel our wedding day was stress free and we were both so present! »
«My beautiful wedding dress is called Chai from an Israeli designer, Netta BenShabu. I was lucky to customize the dress, and have it tailor made for myself. It was important to me to have tulle and an off the shoulder dress. I felt gorgeous and still have my dress to this day! »
Bianco Bouquet shared with us: «Clare and Ross envisioned more than just a wedding—they dreamt of a Renaissance escape, a haven where their families and closest friends could revel for days. Nestled in the exclusive embrace of a villa, their retreat was a mere stone’s throw from Florence, promising not just matrimonial bliss but a chance to explore the enchantment of the city. In a ceremony that wove traditions seamlessly, the couple paid homage to the groom’s heritage with touches of Jewish customs, serenaded by the delicate melodies of a harp. Picture this: an ambiance that transcends the ordinary, a “modern garden party” where vibrant blooms and lush foliage dance in harmony with nature, creating an immersive, organic wonderland. To this tapestry, we added contemporary flair—neon signs, acrylic decorations, and transparent whimsy—blending the timeless with the trendy.»
«The festivities unfurled with a cocktail hour on a terrace kissed by the setting sun behind the church, offering a panoramic view of Florence. As twilight turned to night, we migrated beneath a gazebo in front of the villa, transforming the space into a magical haven for the continuing celebration. An elegant tableau greeted guests: white tablecloths, Ginori underplates adorned with emerald green motifs, golden cutlery, and faceted glasses. Yet, as the night deepened, the atmosphere underwent a metamorphosis. Neon signs flickered to life, and silver tinsel adorned the Renaissance villa, turning it into a charismatic disco room. Tradition met modernity in a spectacular dance, creating an unforgettable experience that transcended the expected—a wedding that wasn’t just a union but a symphony of time, tradition, and boundless celebration.» Bianco Bouquet shared with us.
