A Multicultural Love Story: Alice & Adi's Romantic Italian Wedding at Borgo San Marco

Love Story

In the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, fate had already woven Alice and Adi's paths together long before they realized their story was meant to be more than friendship. "We were friends for a few years," Alice reminisces, "then unexpectedly got together in 2020." What could have been bittersweet timing with Alice's planned move to Cambodia turned into destiny's perfect orchestration when the move was canceled. Their love blossomed during Hong Kong's isolation from the world, proving that sometimes the most beautiful connections form in the most unexpected circumstances.

Their journey toward forever was sealed in an intimate moment in Ho Chi Minh City, where Adi had orchestrated a proposal that perfectly captured Alice's essence. "I had truly no idea it was coming," Alice shares, her eyes brightening at the memory. "Adi proposed in the hotel room as I am quite shy and he knew I would prefer something more intimate." Understanding his bride-to-be's preference for private moments over grand gestures, Adi created a proposal that was uniquely theirs. After she said yes, they shared their joy with their families – who Adi had thoughtfully consulted beforehand – before celebrating their engagement with champagne at a rooftop bar overlooking the twinkling city lights of Vietnam.

Against the sun-drenched backdrop of Puglia, Alice and Adi crafted a two-day celebration that beautifully wove together their Scottish and Indian heritage. The festivities began at the enchanting Lido Bambu,where the beachfront setting provided the perfect canvas for their Friday night Sangeet – a vibrant Indian dance party that set the tone for the weekend's celebrations.

"Once we landed on Puglia as the wedding destination, the setting inspired a lot of the wedding design," Alice explains, her eyes lighting up as she describes their vision. "We also wanted to bring in elements of our cultures - India and Scotland." This thoughtful fusion culminated in their wedding day at the magnificent Borgo San Marco,where traditional Western elegance met the warmth of Indian celebrations.

The couple spent ten months carefully planning their dream celebration, working closely with their wedding planner, Cristina, whose expertise led them to these two extraordinary venues. "Lido Bambu’s beachfront setting captured the laidback, fun vibes for the first night," Alice shares, "while the stunning setting at Borgo San Marco made for a truly memorable wedding ceremony."

With 90 of their closest friends and family gathering from across the globe for their September 28, 2024 celebration, Alice and Adi's vision was refreshingly clear. "Honestly, I didn't have much expectation of what our wedding would be," Alice admits with characteristic authenticity, "but we both knew we wanted something that felt authentic to us and essentially just a party where we and our loved ones could have a great time." This genuine approach shaped their priorities: "Amazing food, drinks, and music" became the cornerstone of their celebration, creating an atmosphere where joy and connection flourished naturally.

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail shone through in their carefully chosen elements. Their invitations, crafted by Iumi, set the tone for the celebration to come. For their wedding bands, they chose elegantly simple gold bands, made even more special by being designed by Alice's local jeweler friend in Hong Kong. The morning of the wedding saw a beautiful exchange of gifts between the couple. "I gave him a Cartier watch while he gave me a diamond necklace to wear on the day," Alice reveals with a smile.

Bride getting ready

The morning of her wedding day found Alice in the serene sanctuary of Borgo San Marco's spa, surrounded by the warmth of her closest confidantes. Her sister and three dear friends, chosen as her bridesmaids, created an atmosphere of joy and anticipation, while her friend Taylor – who would later officiate the ceremony – added to the intimate gathering.

Alice's journey to finding her perfect dress reads like a story of serendipity. "Actually, I spent only one day in London with my sister visiting dress shops," she shares with a gentle smile. "The Fall was the last store we went to, and as soon as I tried this dress on, I knew it worked for me." The Jessica Bennett creation, with its British design sensibilities, seemed to embody everything Alice had dreamed of without knowing it.

Each carefully chosen detail added layers of elegance to her bridal ensemble. A Harriette Gordon veil, also from The Fall, cascaded gracefully around her shoulders, while white lace Chanel shoes completed her look with timeless sophistication. In her hands, she carried a masterpiece from Il Profumo Dei Fiori – a vibrant bouquet where orange and yellow blooms danced together, punctuated by the exotic grace of orchids.

The bridesmaids added their own touch of personality to the celebration, each selecting their perfect shade of orange, creating a sunset-inspired palette that would later complement the Puglian landscape perfectly. "I let my bridesmaids pick their own dresses within the colour scheme of orange," Alice explains, demonstrating her thoughtful approach to making everyone feel their most confident. The flower girl, their beloved niece, provided a sweet contrast in her white dress adorned with an orange bow – a perfect bridge between the bridal white and the warm tones of the wedding party.

Groom getting ready

Adi's preparation took place on the picturesque roof of Borgo San Marco, wearing a bespoke three-piece linen suit from Ascot Chang in Hong Kong. He was surrounded by his four groomsmen, including his brother, as they helped him prepare for one of the most significant moments of his life.

Ceremony

As the golden light of a late September afternoon cast its gentle glow across the Puglian countryside, guests gathered in a scene that seemed plucked from a romantic Renaissance painting. The ceremony unfolded in an ancient stone amphitheater,where weathered steps descended gracefully toward the couple, while endless rows of silver-leafed olive trees stretched toward the horizon, their branches swaying softly in the Mediterranean breeze.

The processional began with a touch of whimsy and grace, as little Saana, Adi's cherished niece, scattered flower petals along the stone path. Her brother Ari followed with equal charm, carrying the rings that would soon symbolize Alice and Adi's eternal commitment. The air filled with the soulful strains of Bob Marley's "Is This Love" – an unexpected yet perfectly fitting choice that captured the couple's genuine, unconventional spirit.

"Everything was special," Alice recalls, her voice soft with emotion. The ceremony itself unfolded like poetry in motion, with their dear friend Taylor officiating with personal touches that spoke directly to their hearts. Two chosen readers stepped forward to share carefully selected passages, their words echoing off the ancient stones and settling into the hearts of all present. But perhaps the most touching moments came when Alice and Adi exchanged their personally written vows, their voices carrying across the hushed amphitheatre, each word a promise, each promise a bridge to their shared future.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

The olive groves and courtyard of Borgo San Marco provided a stunning backdrop for their portraits. “Although really everywhere in the whole of Borgo San Marco is so picturesque so we could have been anywhere,” the couple adds.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Sometimes the most magical places reveal themselves sight unseen, trusting in the whispers of possibility. So it was with Borgo San Marco, discovered through the expert intuition of their wedding planner, Cristina. "We chose it before we were even able to visit," Alice confides, her eyes dancing at the memory. "When we went to see it in March 2024 we realised the photos truly hadn’t done it justice."

The couple painted their celebration in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun itself, choosing a palette that seemed drawn from the Puglian landscape. Vibrant oranges and yellows dominated the scene, their boldness softened by touches of verdant green and whispers of azure blue – as if the sea and sky themselves had contributed their hues to the celebration.

Among the thoughtfully curated details, one personal touch captured the essence of their journey perfectly: bespoke whisky bottles from Alice's hometown, each one adorned with the image of their beloved dog, Elvis.

The team at Borgo San Marco proved to be more than just hosts; they were custodians of dreams, understanding inherently how to transform this historical space into a canvas for Alice and Adi's unique vision.

Reception

As twilight embraced the ancient Masseria, Alice and Adi took to the floor for their first dance – a moment that perfectly encapsulated their partnership. The strains of "Cold Cold Heart" by Elton John and Dua Lipa filled the air, a choice that bridged their musical tastes with characteristic charm. "I love Elton and Adi loves Dua Lipa," Alice shares.

But nature, it seemed, had her own plans for their celebration. Just as the cocktail reception began, the skies opened in a dramatic display. "The rain was so heavy," Alice recalls, painting the scene of guests seeking shelter beneath ancient olive trees while the band rushed to protect their instruments. Yet what could have been a moment of chaos transformed into one of the day's most treasured memories. "The memorable part is not the rain," the couple explains, "but how, after the deluge stopped, the entire wedding party (staff and guests) pulled together to help reset the dinner tables which had been destroyed in the downpour while keeping spirits high and drinks flowing!"

This spirit of joy and resilience set the tone for an evening of sublime celebration. The culinary journey, orchestrated by their talented caterers, reached its crescendo with a magnificent millefoglie cake by Nicola de Bartolo. "We cut the cake as fireworks went off," they remember, the spectacle creating a magical transition to the dancing that followed. The festivities continued with an artfully curated cocktail bar,where tequila and espresso martinis flowed freely, while a midnight pizza station offered delectable sustenance for the dancing that continued well into the night.

Throughout it all, their vendors proved themselves not just professionals but true partners in creating magic. "All our vendors were incredible, kind and professional," Alice and Adi affirm. Even their band, working with half their instruments after the rain's surprise appearance, kept the party's energy at a perfect pitch. The entire team, from Judy and Antonella of Guiditta Bedetti studio, who had started the day by making Alice's preparation a joy, to every last service provider, worked in seamless harmony to ensure that each moment sparkled with possibility.
In the end, it was this beautiful synchronicity of planned elegance and spontaneous joy that made Alice and Adi's celebration uniquely their own – a testament to the truth that sometimes the most perfectly imperfect moments become the ones we treasure most dearly.