Defying All Odds: The Timeless MontHill Golf & Country Club Vows of Alexandra & Joshua

Love Story

Joshua and Alexandra's love story is one that overcame immense challenges from the very beginning. "Josh and I met at my cousin's wedding in 2017," Alexandra shared. Little did they know that just a week later, Alexandra's life would be turned upside down when she was hospitalized with a 21 cm tumor. Despite the difficulties, Joshua remained by her side. "For the first six months of seeing each other, Josh would come directly from work to the hospital to hold my hand while I slept. When I eventually was well he took me out for our first date and he hasn't left my side since." Their resilience and Josh's unwavering support created a profound bond that blossomed into an unbreakable love.

Fast forward 3 years later and he proposed in their home. "There were 3 gifts, the first two included some of my favorite items and the last box was the ring," Alexandra recounted. "I was very surprised because he told me it was a graduation gift as I recently finished nursing school." That night, they celebrated the joyous engagement with an intimate gathering alongside both their families, reveling in the love they had fought so hard for.

The couple's intimate nuptials hosted 140 of their nearest and dearest. Planning such a meaningful affair could have been overwhelming, but their wedding planner, Dana Mancini of Saluti Designs, made the process a dream. "Dana's kindness, love, and ongoing support made the entire process manageable during a very stressful time. Her expertise in the industry, exquisite taste, knowledge, and creativity truly brought my vision to life," Alexandra gushed.

Originally, they had envisioned tying the knot amidst the breathtaking scenery of Tuscany, Italy, drawn to the region's simplicity, food, and culture that reminded them of their Italian roots. However, ensuring their beloved grandparents could attend took precedence. "Family is the most important to us and due to health concerns we could not fly all of the grandparents there," the bride explained. "We knew we wanted our wedding to centre around our family, love, and with a European vibe."

They ultimately settled on an intimate celebration close to Alexandra's parents' horse farm, selecting the MontHill Golf and Country Club as their venue. "We knew we wanted our reception space to give our guests the feeling of being transported to the beautiful countryside of Tuscany," she reminisced.

The inspiration behind this stunning vision? A trip to Italy in August 2019 that left Alexandra and Joshua utterly enamored with the region's beauty. "We admired the lush green landscapes scattered with olive groves, vineyards, and cypress trees," the bride reminisced. "We were captivated by the raw beauty because the scenery was so incredibly picturesque. Essentially, it was everything we wanted to emulate on our wedding day."

Tasked with bringing this dream to life, Dana exceeded all expectations. "Our most special moment was the room reveal...She worked closely and tirelessly with Josh and I to understand our wishes. The vision board she curated truly reflected the rustic, European style we envisioned," Alexandra marveled. "Her meticulous attention to detail and unmatched creativity left us in awe when we opened our eyes to the room that day. Ironically, when we did the room reveal it was the first time that I cried. Everything was beautiful and exceeded our expectations."

Morning details

The couple's elevated taste was evident from the start, with exquisite invitations and stationery designed by All That's Lovely. "All That's Lovely designed our beautiful invitation suite, menu cards, welcome signs, and all signage for our wedding reception," Alexandra shared. Their refined aesthetic extended to their wedding bands as well. "Joshua and I both appreciate simplicity. We wanted our wedding bands to reflect that," the bride explained. "Joshua chose a white gold band and I chose a white gold eternity band."

Bride getting ready

The selection of Alexandra's dream wedding gown was a labor of love in itself. "The wedding industry has many talented designers each with unique styles, shapes, and silhouettes. I knew I was seeking a dress that would be classic and timeless," she explained. After trying on approximately 30 gowns, the exquisite Martina Liana design emerged as the one, offering "a timeless blend of daring sexiness and old-world romance."

"When I arrived at Superior Bridal boutique, I fell in love with the different textures specifically silk," the bride reminisced. "I found the one that embodied the parts of other dresses I had loved. I admired the structure, the rouleau loop buttonholes at the back, and how the fabric shined in the natural light. It was simple and elegant. The off-the-shoulder straps made it feel romantic yet sexy and sophisticated."

To complement her ethereal gown, Alexandra accessorized with Jimmy Choo shoes, a cathedral veil, sparkling earrings, and a bracelet. Karen Marie & Co. provided the finishing touch - a lush bouquet of white blooms bringing the bride's floral vision to life.

As Alexandra prepared for her big day surrounded by her bridesmaids and parents at the couple's home, an air of excitement filled the room. Her bridesmaids donned chic olive satin slips from the Park & Fifth collection, perfectly embodying the European flair Alexandra envisioned. "With the wedding being in June, I was not interested in long dresses. I preferred a versatile dress the girls could wear again such as a slip," she explained.

Groom getting ready

Meanwhile, Joshua spent the morning with his groomsmen and parents, undoubtedly filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. His dashing appearance in the custom Italian suit set the tone for the elegant affair that was about to unfold.

First Look

In a heartwarming twist, Joshua and Alexandra decided to forgo a traditional first look and instead opted for an emotional first glimpse as Alexandra walked down the aisle. "My husband told me the first thing that came to his mind when he saw me walk down the aisle was 'everything we've been through up until this point,'" she shared, their resilient journey leading them to this tender moment.

Ceremony

In a touching tribute, both Alexandra and Joshua walked down the aisle with their parents, a heartfelt way to include and honor those who had supported them through thick and thin. “I was incredibly fortunate to have both parents present on my special day. My mother and father have each played an instrumental role in my life and I love them unconditionally,” the bride added.

The ceremony was made even more magical by the soaring vocals of Andrea Bocelli's "Con Te Partiro" as Alexandra made her grand entrance.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After exchanging vows, the newlyweds escaped to the scenic golf course grounds, where the lush greenery and golden-hour light created a romantic ambiance for their post-ceremony portraits.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The reception at MontHill Golf and Country Club was a stunning embodiment of Alexandra and Joshua's Tuscan-inspired vision. “The couple was in love with the idea of dressing the tables with herbs, figs, olive branches, and pretty white wildflowers in vintage stone vessels," their planner, Dana Mancini of Saluti Designs, shared.

The whitewashed harvest tables, natural wood tones, and oatmeal-hued gauze linens lent an organic, relaxed elegance to the space. “We fell in with the forestry and rolling hill-like setting of the golf course. We loved how the glass doors from the room opened up to a patio which overlooked the golf course,where guests were able to enjoy a limoncello spritz and arancini during cocktail hour during sunset,” Alexandra commented.

Reception

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the room was bathed in a warm, romantic glow, making the sparkling chandeliers twinkle overhead as the newlyweds shared their first dance to the swoon-worthy tune of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Shawn Mendes. It was a fairytale moment in front of the gorgeously adorned fireplace.

The indulgences continued with a delectable three-course dinner catered by MontHill, while guests sipped on signature cocktails that paid homage to the couple's roots - His Negroni and Her Limoncello Spritz. The Dessert Room provided an exquisite wedding cake inspired by the rustic charm of the Italian countryside with its simplistic, imperfect design adorned with wildflowers and olive accents.

Throughout the joyous celebration, Alexandra and Joshua felt immensely grateful for the talented team of vendors who brought their dreams to life. "Dana has extensive experience and connections in the industry so she coordinated all of our vendors," the bride praised. Their photographer Alina Elvins of Aperture Lane left a particularly lasting impression. "Alina created a space where we felt comfortable expressing our ideas and expectations. She took time to listen attentively to our must-haves ensuring that every detail was incorporated. She and Aperture Lane documented memories that will last a lifetime."