On an attractive Italian summer’s day earlier this 12 months, nine members of Team Elegante sit at a small, rustic restaurant within the quiet town of Fiesole. They tuck into heaped plates of homemade pasta and the road echoes with their laughter and shared stories. Walking by, you could possibly be forgiven for considering they were a tourist group venturing out of Florence for the day, perhaps visiting the fifteenth century Villa di Maiano with its blooming gardens and panoramic view of the town. In point of fact, they were us and we had just come from the Villa where the grounds were being transformed for an unforgettable wedding celebration; it was a hive of activity on an enormous scale, and we were all electrified with the anticipation of delivering the marriage the next day. That is the story of a Jewish wedding in Florence, featuring 4 stunning venues, two incredible bridal looks and a few thousand lemons. We’re so excited to be sharing this one with you, so without further ado…
Every great destination wedding starts with a welcome party, particularly when the guests have flown in all the way in which from the US and Israel to be there. It helps set the tone for the entire wedding and settle them into their surroundings, and provides them a fantastic reason to increase their trip by just a few days to see some sights. The day before their Jewish wedding in Florence, A&A threw a spectacular welcome party at Palazzo Ximenes in the town. Earlier within the day their guests had been invited on a walking tour of the incredible Renaissance history of Florence, and welcomed to Italy with bespoke welcome bags. The party within the evening was the primary time they’d all come together in a single place and see how fabulous an Italian celebration could be!
Entering the welcome party through the magnificent arched hallway at Palazzo Ximenes is impressive enough, but guests were then totally immersed of their surroundings by abundant decor, lighting and cosy seating areas provided by Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design and Alma Project. A chinoiserie-and-citrus theme gave a flavour of the vintage charm of Florence, and we doubt there was a lemon left in the entire city after we’d finished! Beyond the seating area was the predominant event space; a unbelievable hidden gem in the town, a grassy courtyard that unfolds before your eyes and was stuffed with warm fairy lighting, tables set with blue, white and yellow, and an array of wonderful Italian foods and drinks. We featured a vintage Fiat 500 Spritz bar which doubled as a type of photobooth opportunity, and guests were treated to live cooking stations dressed like market stalls and scattered around the world. They may have fresh pasta, woodfired pizza and the very best local Florentine feast foods made right before their eyes by Galateo Ricevimenti, set against a backdrop of charming Italian and popular music by the extremely talented Muzika.
It was an attractive sight to see, and because the sun set on their very own cosy little corner of Florence we knew A&A’s wedding day was going to be something special.
The next day the bride and groom got ready at their hotel, The 4 Seasons, accompanied by Consuelo and her army of hair and make up artists, Your Wedding Beauty Team. Aviva’s ceremony look was a classy, pared back updo to permit her stunning lace long-sleeved Elie Saab gown to shine, and her easy yet striking red rose bouquet was the right bunch of blooms. After a touching first look with Alan and a few family photos, it was time for his or her private transport service by 01 Group to take all of them to the Florence Synagogue. Alan travelled first so as to enjoy his Tisch, and Aviva followed sometime later. Upon arrival she took her place on a purpose-built throne-like seating area for the bedeken, and we were then ready for the chuppah to start.
For a Jewish wedding in Florence the Synagogue is unbeatable; its interior beauty is staggering, and the decadent white floral chuppah by Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design perfectly framed the couple as they’d their traditional ceremony.
Meanwhile, high on the hill overlooking the town at Villa di Maiano, the remainder of Team Elegante was preparing proceedings for the marriage party to follow. Guests would arrive through the gardens, the natural fantastic thing about which had been enhanced with extra florals in wealthy red and pink jewel toned florals to set the theme of the evening. They were then to be served drinks and canapes while ending touches were made to the space reserved for dinner and dancing.
Let’s fastforward to the arrival of A&A at Villa di Maiano, when Aviva turned into one other princess-esque Elie Saab dress and had her hair and makeup turned into a relaxed style for the evening. When it was time for the large reveal, guests made their way up from the gardens and were greeted with the nice and cozy honey-yellow facade of the Villa and a spectacular clearspan marquee, filled to the brim with stunning florals and delicate details. The entire design was sumptuous and flowing, filling the space with lavish life and surprising the guests at every turn. Beautiful bespoke stationery by Ceci Latest York announced the menu for the evening, and custom monogrammed napkins from Laurel House Design made for a stunning personalised touch.
Because the evening got underway it did so in typical Jewish fashion, with loads of Israeli dancing (Muzika entertained fabulously all night long!), a lot of wonderful food from Galateo Ricevimenti and a handful of meaningful speeches. One in every of the highlights of the evening was the millefoglie show; guests were brought outside onto the brow of the hill overlooking the town just after sunset (which, by the way in which, was breathtaking!) to witness the catering chefs construct the marriage cake, layer after layer of pastry, cream, sugar and fruit. On the very moment of cutting the cake, fireworks erupted into the sky…and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t shed a tear!
That is where we leave A&A, dancing the night away of their custom-built, air conditioned marquee and surrounded by their family members from near and much. Before we leave you too, it will be remiss not to say a few of the extra little details that were included to assist transform this from ‘just a marriage’ to an experience. The entire vision was meticulously planned, from the styled lounge areas outside the marquee built for guests to benefit from the views of Florence, to the bespoke benching books provided for guests. Almost every element of the marriage was personalised (the napkins, the welcome bags, the reusable water bottles) and elevated (linen-feel napkins within the toilets, a special air conditioned changing area for guests, and a few of the very best suppliers the UK and Florence Jewish wedding communities should offer).
A&A’s Jewish wedding in Florence was a very spectacular event and one which the Elegante by Michelle J team feel very proud to share with you. Each city in Italy has its own special charm, but secretly Florence is one among our favourites – and for good reason! In case you’re dreaming of your individual Elegante extravaganza within the Renaissance capital of Europe, we’d love to listen to from you.
With huge because of the inimitable David Bastianoni for all of the imagery utilized in this blog, and to Waterfall Visuals for this stunning film of A&A’s celebrations.
Listed below are another links chances are you’ll find useful;
Our guide to kosher catering at destination weddings.
Learn how to create wedding welcome bags your guests will love.
Jewish wedding traditions.
