Manuela (a travel influencer) and Francesco (an Italian entrepreneur) transformed their love for travel and good food into an unforgettable wedding experience that incorporated a nod to Puglia and wasn’t too far from the sea. Pettolecchia la Fortezza in Puglia, Italy, was the perfect stage for this unique event, with the civil ceremony among the centuries-old olive trees and the dinner at the foot of the steps of the Fortress, which had never been done before!
Keep scrolling to see how this intimate travel-centric wedding came together with the help of Francesco and Sveva of Ottone Wedding, all captured on camera by Le Vélo Fotografia.
Custom veil embroidery
For the wedding the bride chose two Atelier Eme dresses. The first was a more traditional lace dress with a beautifully embroidered custom monogrammed veil with a floral lace trim. The second was a more fitted lace dress, inspired by the elegant party that awaited at the reception.
Statement-making bridesmaids in blue
The bridesmaids wore beautiful Italian silk bridesmaid dresses, with the maid of honor donning statement-making blue chandelier earrings and a sparkly blue floor-length dress.
Suits for day and night
The groom chose two Bottega Dalmut suits. The first was a perfectly beachy tan suit with the perfect suede shoes. The second was an evening inspired blue and black tuxedo-inspired outfit complete with bow tie.
A private oceanfront first look
The couple and their witnesses spent the moments before the ceremony at the La Peschiera Hotel. Manuela and Francesco shared a private moment overlooking the sea prior to exchanging their vows in front of family and friends.
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Custom labels and custom icons
For their favors, the bride and groom provided special bottles with custom labels that included their sun and moon icon that appeared throughout the remainder of the wedding day.
Michelin-star wedding catering
A distinctive note of this wedding was the incorporation of Michelin star cuisine. Top-notch chefs from Enoteca La Torre (a 2 Michelin star experience) delighted the 230 guests with extraordinary dishes, creating an exquisite culinary experience. The appetizers, a true journey around the world, fully represented the overall theme of the wedding. Stalls scattered amongst the centuries-old olive trees each represented the places visited by travel blogger Manuela and ranged from Morocco to America, without ever neglecting Apulian dishes such as focaccia, bread, and panzerotti.
Perfect for 2024: Peach, pink, and blue
Tablecloths, cushions, menus, fans, performers’ clothes, and other impeccable details were customized and created specifically for the event. Every touch, from setting the tables to choosing the decorations, was personalized. Each element followed a color palette grounded in the colors of pink and peach (a hot 2024 trend!) with touches of red, which was perfectly implemented by florist Nunzia Guerino. The unique menu was crafted in a trendy round shape with the sun and moon in a complementary design.
Dinner and a show
The entertainment was masterfully managed by Mho Events with a dinner show in which dancers and singers alternated throughout the dinner with dresses made to match the colors and designs created for the wedding.
