When in Rome: Giselle and Branden's Enchanting Wedding in Villa Aurelia

Love Story

"I met Branden through mutual friends on a trip to LA in 2017," Giselle begins with a wistful smile. Though miles separated her New York City life from his in Pittsburgh, she admits, "I knew we had a special bond right away. We just got each other!"

A few years later, that spark was fated to ignite into an all-consuming flame. "Our friend group decided to co-locate in warmer locations for a few months," Giselle recalls. "Branden and I cozied up really quick. It was this period that confirmed, yes, we should absolutely be together. It didn't matter,where we were."

Solidifying their commitment with an adorable new puppy, Branden soon swept Giselle off her feet with an enchanting proposal in Florence. "With the glow of the setting sun as a backdrop, he got on one knee and asked me to marry him," she recounts breathlessly. "I had just enough wine that day to say yes!"

From that spellbinding proposal moment, the seeds of Giselle's dream took root - a romantic Italian villa wedding awash in lush gardens, striking architecture, and the sensual ambiance of an al fresco evening. "My dream...a wedding set in a gorgeous Italian villa with raw beauty that could stand on its own. Classic, yet cool. Elegant, yet not overdone," she describes.

Giselle crafted a style that was "romantic, sensual, fresh, and airy" for their wedding of 100 guests. The color palette featured "lots of neutral tones, pale pinks, whites, beiges, and a touch of gold" to evoke an ethereal elegance. "The beauty of Rome" served as Giselle's muse throughout the year-long planning process.

Morning details

The big day dawned bright with anticipation, every detail imbued with personalized flair. "My friend Carmen introduced me to a stationery designer in Colombia called Festa Tarjetas. Fanny, of Festa Tarjetas, customized our invitations exactly as I wanted them," beams Giselle. Handmade paper with deckled edges, letterpress printing, a charming map of Rome, and a photo of their venue adorned the envelopes, infusing the day with an artisanal touch. "I loved that I was supporting a women-owned business in Colombia!"

Selecting their deeply symbolic wedding rings proved an emotional journey. "We went to a family-owned jeweler that Branden's family knows well. They helped us a ton and were super patient with us," Giselle reminisces. "They let me try on tons of different stones and supported me through my indecisiveness. I ended up with the ring of my dreams!!" Giselle's bridal look was accented by her mother's cherished diamond studs, rendering her ensemble all the more meaningful.

Their talented wedding planner, Elisa of Eventi Le Reve, seamlessly translated the aesthetic from their invitations across their stationery suite. "Elisa drew inspiration from our invitations for the wedding stationary - the same font was used and she used the same monogram for the menus," Giselle adds. "I let her run with it and everything came out perfect."

Bride getting ready

As Giselle slipped into her breathtaking Galia Lahav gown, a dream years in the making, she positively radiated ethereal elegance. "I've known I wanted to wear a Galia Lahav gown for my wedding for as long as I can remember," she confesses. Giselle had envisioned the perfect mermaid silhouette with sleeves and intricate details like lace or beading. "I went into their flagship store in NYC knowing which gowns I wanted to try on. I ended up trying on 5 different gowns, and with each one, my mind kept drifting back to the first. That's when I knew it was the one."

Even Giselle's mother, whose approval meant everything, couldn't mask her delight. "My mom actually cracked a smile when I tried it on!" The delicate raw-edged veil completed the transcendent bridal look. "Once I put the veil on, it was over. It felt so me."

The bride's transformation unfolded at the gorgeous Hotel Locarno Roma amidst her beaming bridesmaids in chic Bec + Bridge dresses. Giselle's accessories were a study in minimalist chic - "Aquazzura platform heels, and my mom's diamond stud earrings. I kept it simple because my dress had so many beautiful details. I wanted the focus on the dress."

Giselle's ethereal bouquet of playa blanca and quicksand roses by Andrea Patrizi florist added an exquisite flourish. "They absolutely killed it," she gushes. "Every single floral element left me speechless."

Groom getting ready

As Giselle underwent her bridal transformation, Branden steadied his nerves amidst the stunning backdrop of the villa, surrounded by his groomsmen. Outfitted in a dapper Surmesur tuxedo, he eagerly awaited the moment he would lay eyes on his resplendent bride.

First Look

"My brain exploded for several seconds, and I just couldn't believe how beautiful she looked," Branden shakily recalls drinking in the vision of Giselle for the first time that day. "I thought, holy sh*t, this is the woman of my dreams. The dress was worth the hype."

In an intimate chamber ornamented with the villa's timeless elegance, the couple basked in the weight of their love, exchanging private vows that rendered words superfluous. "It was one of the most memorable moments of the day," Giselle whispers, her eyes sparkling with joyful tears. "There was so much anticipation leading up to that moment."

Ceremony

As Giselle floated down the aisle amidst the lush villa gardens to the strains of Elton John's "Your Song," Branden's breath hitched with rapturous wonder. Gathered beneath a stately tree's embrace, surrounded by their dearest loved ones, the couple's souls intertwined in sacred matrimony.

"Looking out into the audience and seeing all of our loved ones smiling at us," Giselle's voice catches with emotion. "Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Photoshoot after the ceremony

With a new title - husband and wife - the newlyweds chased the waning golden light, immortalizing their blissful union amidst the rustic splendor of the villa's gardens and dinner settings. "We were racing against the clock for certain shots," laughs Giselle, joy sparking in her eyes.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Villa Aurelia's historic grandeur and pastoral beauty provided an unparalleled canvas for the couple's romantic revelries. Awash in a palette of "neutral tones, pale pinks, whites, beiges, sage, and a touch of gold," Giselle's impeccably curated decor lent an air of effortless sophistication.

"I wanted a venue that was accessible, felt historic, had lush gardens, and an elegant villa," she muses. "The terrace with a view of Rome was a huge bonus!"

Reception

As dusk descended like a velvet curtain, the celebration unfolded under a canopy of stars. Delectable Italian fare - "cavatelli with 3 tomatoes sauce, pine nuts, basil cream, buffalo mozzarella on top" and "rigatoni al 'cacio e pepe' with crispy artichokes" delighted the senses, complemented by guests' choice of beef filet or sea bass. “We had the best vendors! The day went so smoothly,” the bride shares.

When Giselle and Branden took to the dance floor for their first turn as newlyweds, every soul in attendance held their breath. The emotive strains of Sam Smith's "Writing's on the Wall" enveloped them as they swayed in one another's arms, twin souls eternally entwined.

"So many moments throughout the day, but what sticks out is our first look and the moment we could sit back at dinner, just us two at the sweetheart table," Giselle's voice drops to an intimate hush. "All our loved ones surrounding us, wine flowing, bellies full of pasta, and the gorgeous glow of the night. It was a pinch-me moment."