Photography by: Studio Cromatica
When we got engaged in 2022, I immediately began dreaming of our wedding day. What it would look like, what it would feel like, who would be there, etc. Imagine that I am the girl who had a Pinterest wedding board before there even was a love interest in her life. The Pinterest board featured inspiration photos of al fresco dining, twinkling lights, and all the candles. I always pictured a destination wedding, and ironically enough, many of my pinned photos were of celebrations in Italy. If that's not manifestation, I don't know what is.
Being that I am a Filipino-American girl from California and Mario a proud Italian boy from Puglia, it was obvious that we would want to consider both of our hometowns. And that is what we did! The civil ceremony happened in August 2023 back home in San Diego, leaving the church ceremony + party for Puglia. I think it was the perfect outcome - and an excuse for us to have two celebrations. A win-win in my book!
Puglia, Italy
Our wedding events took place in Salento, which is the most south-eastern sub-region of Puglia. Puglia, the heel of Italy's "boot", has become a hotspot over the years due to its picturesque towns, hundreds of kilometers of coastline, and delicious cuisine. It is also where Mario grew up and all his family resides - making it the perfect destination to say our second "I Do"'s and celebrate with our dearest family and friends.
I've mentioned before, but for a majority of my relatives, this would be their first time traveling to Europe. So it was even more exciting to be able to plan a wedding that would bring so much exposure to Brindisi, Ostuni, and the other small towns of Puglia; which would not be on a typical tourist's itinerary. My passion for international travel runs deep if you couldn't already tell. And to be able to showcase my husband's country, which has since become another home to me, is absolutely priceless.
Our Wedding Day
The days leading up to our wedding were filled with excitement, anticipation, and enthusiasm. All of which we can attest to our loved ones showering us with so much love - not only that week, but through our entire lives. As much as a wedding is a celebration of the couple's love, it is also the culmination of everything and everyone that came before them. We really kept that notion close to our hearts the entire time, allowing us to truly savor the moment while we were in it.
I don't think I have ever been so happy and it is all thanks to my husband, our families, our guests, and all our amazing vendors. Grazie mille for making it the best day of our lives yet!
Getting Ready
In respect of tradition (aka superstition), Mario and I spent the night before the wedding separate.
My family, friends, and I stayed at the wedding venue - and I am so happy to have had the full Castello Monaci experience with my nearest and dearest. We had the sweetest breakfast before the storm rolled in, but spirits were high and everyone kept assuring me that rain on a wedding day is good luck. As the Italians say, sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata. And above all, a wet knot is hard to untie.
As I was getting my hair and makeup done, I watched the rain and wind from the safety of the bridal suite. My amazing god-mothers steamed my dress and veil earlier that morning. I can still picture the scene: my 'getting ready' playlist in the background, my cutie friends doing their makeup from the couch, and my family all dressed up keeping me company. It was exactly how I dreamed my wedding day morning to be.
Meanwhile, back in Brindisi, Mario was getting ready with his family. It is so special to have all this documented and to see each other's mornings, as obviously we were apart. We were in touch the whole time over text messages, and I love that we would be meeting each other at the cathedral.
Then the next thing I knew, I was all set to hop into my dress.
The Dress
I was obsessed with my dress the second I put it on in the bridal shop back in London, and the feeling remained throughout the months since.
I felt like such a princess and was extremely satisfied with my decision. It was an all satin gown with an off-the-shoulder, sweetheart neckline and a sexy slit. I paired it with Jimmy Choos and a blusher cathedral length veil I bought on Etsy. The veil featured a lace rose (my favorite flower) border, which of course tied in with my all-white rose bouquet.
For jewelry, I kept it minimal with pearl drop earrings and a diamond necklace that was gifted to me by my mother-in-law for our civil wedding. It features the same diamond as my engagement ring.
The Ceremony
Our wedding ceremony took place at the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista in Brindisi. An absolutely stunning cathedral in the middle of Brindisi's Centro Storico, it was the obvious choice for us to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
The mass was performed mainly in Italian, but we wanted to have English included especially so that our non-Catholic guests could still follow along. Mario did his vows in Italian, and I did mine in English. We also incorporated the traditional Filipino Veil and Cord ritual - the veil representing unity and protection, while the cord symbolizes eternity and fidelity. All in all, we felt it was the perfect mix of us and our cultural backgrounds.
At the end of the ceremony, we walked out and were showered with rice and rose petals. I have always loved this tradition and was so happy to see the joy on everyone's faces. I felt like it called for the best photos!! For me, this was also such a special moment as it was the first time I would properly see all our loved ones. We requested formal attire for our wedding, so it was so special to see our family and friends dressed up.
After greeting everyone, we jumped into our getaway car (a vintage buggie) and made our way to our reception venue. As we pulled out of the piazza, we felt like royalty as we received tons of auguris and waving hands of all the onlookers who stopped to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom.
Castello Monaci
About a 40 minute drive from Brindisi, we arrived to Castello Monaci right as the sun was setting. We wanted to squeeze in our portraits before most guests arrived for the cocktail hour, so our amazing photographers were quick and efficient with this portion of the night. I definitely encourage other couples to consider this when choosing a photographer. We knew that we didn't want to be away from our guests for too long, so it was much appreciated.
After makeup touch-ups and a hair change with the lovely Alla, we were ready to make our grand entrance and enjoy the evening.
Welcome Drinks & Antipasti Buffet
Two things that I absolutely love about Italy are the food and the people. After our tasting earlier in the year, I knew that we would be treated so well at Castello Monaci. And having attended three other wedding this summer, I was in complete shock at just how much food and wine I can consume - when the environment calls for it and in general (LOL). It is exactly for this reason that I knew our family and friends would appreciate this experience.
We joined our guests briefly at the Welcome Drinks in the Wine Museum before we were all escorted to the outdoor gazebo area where part one of the feast would begin. I still dream about the Antipasti buffet and am hopeful that we'll be able to attend another Castello Monaci wedding in the near future. Selfishly just so I can eat more of that delicious food!
Mario and I had the pleasure of being served full plates of everything there was to offer at our sweetheart table. I was the biggest fan of the sushi. I know... sushi in Italy? Sì sì sì! It was all so perfect and we can't thank the team enough for treating us like a king and queen.
A Pugliese Wedding Reception
I immediately fell in love with Castello Monaci when we entered the hall during the first venue tour. I couldn't believe this place was real, yet was already imagining our wedding reception there. It's also why we decided to take full advantage of the whole venue - moving our guests from one area to another, but spending the main portion of the evening here. I really loved that we didn't really have to do anything to the castle, everything was already perfect as it was.
Our goal of the night was to simply enjoy it. I still remember the moment that our singer and band began performing "All Night Long." I looked at Mario with amazement that this was happening! All the months of planning led us to that exact moment - and I get goosebumps just thinking about it. The atmosphere was electric and we still watch video clips to transport us back in time.
In between courses, we had dancing and speeches (or in between dancing and speeches, we had our first and second courses... whichever you prefer). It was the best way to ensure all the food was getting digested and the wine didn't take its full effect too quickly.
Cake-Cutting & After Party
I am not exaggerating when I say that this was the night of our dreams. We hear "Remember This" by the Jonas Brothers and it brings us back to this moment. I actually listen to our wedding playlist every now and then, and I'm brought back to this day. It's amazing how music can do that - the closest thing we have to magic. That and fireworks.
As we descended down the double staircase in the courtyard, we couldn't help but feel true contentment. All the time and effort that we poured into the wedding planning was absolutely worth it. I am still so proud of us for doing it all ourselves, it made it that much more rewarding.
To wrap up a night that we never wanted to end, we moved everyone to the back garden for the dessert buffet, open bar and DJ dance party.
Thank you to all our amazing guests and vendors for the best party we could have asked for! We'll never forget this day.
Venue: Castello Monaci
Photo/Video: Studio Cromatica
Music: Atmosfera Blu (Singer - Brian Lucas)
HMUA: Alla Nevzorova
Dress: Adore by Justin Alexander
Florals: Lazzarro Flowers
Transportation: Rialbus
Fireworks: Sweet & Love
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