A Journey in Time and Love: Marlis-Madeleine & Giancarlo’s Seaside Wedding at Tenuta Dalia

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 07/26/2024
City: Tropea

Love Story

It all began in the hallways of high school, with a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who had just returned from his football venture in Northern Italy. Casual meetings between Marlis-Madeleine and Giancarlo quickly blossomed into something deeper. Despite their careers eventually leading them in different directions, their connection only grew stronger over time. "Even though work took us in different directions for a few years, we always found our way back to one another. We've now been together for nearly twenty years, and every day we share feels like a true gift."

When Marlis-Madeleine saw the ring box being carried by their adorably dressed pets, she knew this moment would be unforgettable. "With tears of joy in my eyes, I said yes."

About Your Wedding

After their Christmas Eve engagement, the couple wasted no time planning their summer celebration. With the help of their wedding planner Giusy, founder of Salt&AIRE, they created an intimate gathering that perfectly reflected their vision. "We both envisioned an intimate wedding, something heartfelt and personal, surrounded by our closest family and friends," Giancarlo explains.

Their guest list included just 70 of their nearest and dearest, creating an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity throughout every moment of their July celebration. "We chose to celebrate our ceremony outdoors, in a beautiful seaside setting, surrounded by nature," shares Marlis-Madeleine. "It was important to us to host both the ceremony and the celebration in the same venue, to create a seamless and relaxed experience for us and our guests."

Their guest list included just 70 of their nearest and dearest, creating an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity throughout every moment of their July celebration. When asked about the style concept for their wedding, Marlis-Madeleine's eyes light up: "We envisioned a modern style for our wedding, something that felt effortlessly elegant, refined, and timeless."
"We drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the venue itself," adds Giancarlo. "The stunning olive trees became a central element of the setting. It was among those very trees that we chose to host our dinner, creating a magical and intimate atmosphere under the open sky."

Morning Details

The couple paid attention to every detail, infusing personal touches throughout their celebration. Marlis-Madeleine designed the invitations herself, adding a special element to the correspondence. "It was important to me that the names of our guests were written by my mother, whose beautiful handwriting added an extra layer of love and care to each invitation," she explains.

Their wedding rings carried profound meaning. "We paid special attention to the concept of color harmony," Marlis-Madeleine shares. "I selected a white gold ring, while Giancarlo chose a champagne-colored one. We decided to have a line from one of our favorite songs engraved inside: "All of me loves all of you." When we place our rings together, the phrase is completed."

Bride Getting Ready

The morning of the wedding found Marlis-Madeleine at Tenuta Dalia, surrounded by the natural beauty of the venue as she prepared for her walk down the aisle. With her mother and sister by her side, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and emotion.

"I wore a Pronovias gown, paired with a long veil covered in pearls," she describes. "Surprisingly, the decision was quicker than I expected! Once I found the gown, everything fell into place beautifully." She discovered her dream dress at a charming atelier called Temptation, “with the help of the most kind and professional experts, who made the experience so special.” To complete her bridal look, Marlis-Madeleine selected Betsey Johnson shoes and dangling pearl earrings, carrying a bouquet of pure white roses.

Groom Getting Ready

While Marlis-Madeleine prepared with her closest family members, Giancarlo readied himself at the venue alongside his friends. His choice of attire reflected the elegant yet personal nature of their celebration.
"It was a made-in-Italy tuxedo, designed and handcrafted in a tailor shop in Puglia," Giancarlo explains with obvious pride.

Ceremony

The ceremony took place on the lush lawn of Tenuta Dalia, with the Mediterranean Sea providing a breathtaking backdrop and the venue's olive grove creating a natural altar. As Pachelbel's Canon played, Marlis-Madeleine made her entrance, creating a moment neither would ever forget.

When asked about his first thought upon seeing his bride walking down the aisle, Giancarlo's face softens with the memory. “In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of infinite well-being, feeling love, gratitude, excitement, happiness, serenity, pride, and beauty," he shares, the emotion still evident in his voice.

One of the couple's closest friends served as their celebrant, adding a deeply personal touch to the proceedings. “The moments of laughter, especially during the introduction made by our dear friend, who officiated—those were special," Giancarlo remembers fondly. "He shared some fun memories from our bachelor and bachelorette parties, which had us and our guests laughing with joy."

But the most profound moment came during their vows. "The exchange of our vows that was deeply emotional and not easy to get through without tears," Marlis-Madeleine admits. "Standing there, speaking words we had written from the heart, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, was something we will never forget."

"As we looked around, we saw the moved expressions on the faces of our guests," Giancarlo adds. "It was a moment of deep connection, not just between the two of us, but with everyone there." The ceremony concluded with a kiss that sealed their promises to one another, while the string trio created a magical atmosphere that elevated the moment beyond words.

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

Following their vows, the newlyweds ventured to the section of the venue that overlooked the sea for their wedding portraits. "The stunning view provided the perfect backdrop for our pictures," Marlis-Madeleine explains. "Our photographer guided us in selecting the best spots, and we instantly loved all her suggestions."

Lisa Leone, their photographer, captured the essence of their love with an artist's eye. The resulting images showcase not only the beauty of the setting but the genuine connection between Marlis-Madeleine and Giancarlo—a love nearly two decades in the making.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The couple's color palette of white, beige, grey, green, and black created an elegant, timeless aesthetic that complemented the natural beauty of Tenuta Dalia. "When we arrived at Tenuta Dalia, we were immediately captivated by the calm and sense of well-being that surrounds the property," Giancarlo recalls. "Walking around the venue, we could feel the peaceful energy and beauty of the place."

The venue wasn't just beautiful—it felt right. "As we traveled and reflected on all the locations we had seen, it became clear to us that Tenuta Dalia was the perfect place for our wedding," Marlis-Madeleine adds.

The couple drew inspiration from the natural elements of the venue itself. "The stunning olive trees became a central element of the setting," Giancarlo explains. "It was among those very trees that we chose to host our dinner, creating a magical and intimate atmosphere under the open sky."

Reception

The reception was a celebration that perfectly embodied the couple's vision of modern elegance infused with personal touches. For their first dance, Marlis-Madeleine and Giancarlo swayed to "Minefields" by Faouzia and John Legend, a song that resonated deeply with their journey together.

A highlight of the cocktail reception was a surprise musical performance. "A dear friend of ours, a tenor, performed Franz Schubert's Ave Maria, accompanied by the string trio," Marlis-Madeleine shares, her voice filled with emotion. "The beautiful sound filled the air, creating a moment of pure emotion and vibrancy."

"We built a connection with every vendor, and we are grateful to have entrusted them with our special day," Giancarlo reflects. "Their contributions played a key role in creating the unforgettable experience we had envisioned."

For Marlis-Madeleine and Giancarlo, their wedding day was the perfect culmination of their nearly twenty-year journey together—and the beautiful beginning of their next chapter.