Our Brides – Viola

At one point in her wedding-day story, Italian bride Viola mentions going to her usual hairdresser in Florence to get her wedding hair done. Talk about life goals, people! Just when I thought I couldn’t love Italy anymore… Just look at that proud papa walking her down the aisle!

Despite the classic Italian country setting, Viola’s top-and-skirt separates look is straight out of London, courtesy of the master of effortless cool Charlie Brear. It’s la dolce vita, London style, and life looks pretty sweet on this autumn day in Tuscany.

Congrats Viola and Edoardo! Now can I have the number of that hair salon in Florence? And a plane ticket?

Jess x

THE LOW-DOWN

How would you sum up the style of your wedding?

Country-chic!

Where and when did you tie the knot?

We got married in Chianti in the Tuscan countryside, on 14th September 2019.

And what was your wedding dress?

I was wearing the Canya flower bomb skirt, the Sabella silk cami top and a sash, all by Charlie Brear.

See our Charlie Brear Dresses

THE LEAD-UP

How did you two first meet?

We met in high school 13 years ago and we started dating two years after. We have been together ever since!

What about the proposal? When, where, how?

It was my birthday and we went out for dinner to this pretty fancy Italian restaurant in London.

We ordered the dessert, and while we were waiting one of our songs started playing and the waiter arrived with a bouquet of red roses and a letter.

I started reading this amazing, romantic letter and when I got my eyes up I found Edoardo down on one knee!

THE DRESS

Did you have an idea of what you wanted when you first started looking for your wedding dress? And did you stick to it?

I knew I wanted something that would reflect my style and personality, so I knew I wasn’t up for any big, ‘princessy’ dresses.

I wanted something simple yet unique – something that would have the wow factor while also being something I would feel 100% me in.

How did you find the whole experience of searching for the right dress?

It was very exciting. I felt very relaxed and I had so much fun trying all the different styles on!

What was it about your dress that made it ‘the one’?

When I put my Canya skirt on for the first time, it really had that wow factor I was looking for. I was totally at ease in it and I felt it reflected my style so much.

How did you feel once you’d made the big decision?

It was tough as I was divided between two dresses. But once I decided to go for the Charlie Brear look, I felt all the tension going away, as I could totally see myself in that dress.

Do you have any top tips for other brides out there shopping for their bridal gown?

I think it’s important to be open to ideas and wedding dresses that you wouldn’t have considered at first. But at the end of the day I believe the dress should reflect who you are, your style and personality. It is one day you will remember forever, and feeling comfortable in what you are wearing will contribute to making this day even more special!

THE BIG DAY

Tell us more about your outfit on the day. How did you complete your look?

I wore some (flat!) gold espadrilles from LK Bennett. As for accessories, I wore my grandma’s gold bracelet together with my other grandma’s gold watch, and my mother-in-law’s pearl earrings, so that I could feel them all close to me on this very important day.

And your bridesmaids?

I gave my bridesmaids (almost!) total freedom on their dresses, as long as they would each look good with the others!

What do you remember about the morning?

My two best friends stayed over for the night, which really helped me to relax!

In the morning we had a nice breakfast, we chatted a lot, we chose our jewellery – and, of course, we end up crying all together!

Who did your hair and makeup?

My usual hairdresser in Florence, Italy – Alchimia Hair. They are AMAZING!

Who took your wedding photos?

An old friend from high school, Carlotta Nucci Photography.

We wanted our pictures to reflect the relaxed, funny, full-of-love atmosphere in a simple and natural way. Carlotta specialises in photo reportage, and she managed to capture all the amazing feelings of that day without the guests even noticing she was around!

Did you follow any traditions? Or was there anything unusual about the ceremony?

I wore something blue, something old, something borrowed and something new.

How did your dress feel when you were walking down the aisle?

I felt amazing, so beautiful and completely at ease in it!

THE MEMORIES

What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?

There are many. To begin with, walking down the aisle to the music we chose together. It was magical and I was so happy.

Reading our wedding vows was the most emotional part: I felt my heart so full of emotion and joy that I thought it might explode!

What gave you the biggest laugh?

During the reception, the funniest moment was when our friends gave their speeches: we laughed so much!

A friend of ours even composed a rhyming poem just for Edoardo. It was hilarious!

What got the tears flowing?

Exchanging our wedding vows, listening to my sister-in-law’s reading during the ceremony, and the celebrant reading what we said we loved most about each other.

If there was one piece of advice you could give to a new bride-to-be, what would it be?

Stay calm and relaxed and enjoy the whole process without stress. Everything will fall into place, and it will be the most beautiful day of your life – so embrace it!