The Embroidered Flowers On This Bride’s Wedding Dress Told An International Love Story

A bride from Denmark. A groom from Lebanon. A love story that started in Switzerland. And, now, a gorgeous outdoor wedding in Florence, Italy.

Sarah + Amin’s international “I do’s” were a summery destination wedding dream full of dip-died drapery, gorgeous greenery, fringe lampshades, breezy linens, and the magic that happens when a marriage brings people together from all over the world.  And these stunning photos from Giada Joey Cazzola are the proof.

The celebration took place at Villa Corsini, a historic villa once owned by the Medici, perched in the rolling hills of Chianti just outside of Florence. Design-wise there was a little bit of everywhere in the day’s aesthetic.“The event blended the ‘quiet elegance’ of Nordic minimalism with the ‘lively spirit’ of the Levant,” says event designer + planner Caterina of Caterina Losita .

Soft greens, ivories, and light wood tones conjured images of quiet Danish summers. Lebanese music filled the air. And an inescapably joyful Italian energy prevailed throughout.

“With over 35 nationalities at the wedding, what was important for us was to incorporate both our cultures and traditions throughout the weekend,” Sarah + Amin share. 

Some of our favorite ways they did that? The fact that their first dance was a traditional Danish waltz. The zaffé musicians who exploded into the reception for a traditional Lebanese dabke. And what Caterina calls the “Botanical Map” Dress. “Sarah’s gown featured hand-embroidered Danish daisies and Lebanese cyclamens,” Caterina says,“weaving their two identities into one garment.”

So cheers — or Skål 🇩🇰 or Kassakon 🇱🇧 or Salute 🇮🇹 — to the eternally romantic way that weddings can bring cultures together! Let’s take a look.

Alessandro Mancino gave Sarah this pristine half up bridal hairstyle as well as this dewy wedding makeup look.

“The custom-made dress from Silk Row Bridal hid our story in the corset, where a Lebanese Cyclamen, Danish Daisy, and Italian Lilly were incorporated, symbolizing the Lebanese and Danish love uniting in Italy,” Sarah + Amin say.

We LOVE when a bride invites her besties to join her in wearing white on her big day! In fact, we love it so much we wrote this: 17 Best Ivory Bridesmaid Dresses We’re Swooning Over.

This beautiful ivory bridal (so obsessed with the subtle difference in the shades) brings up a good question: Can You Wear White to a Wedding?

“The groom went for a 1960s James Bond look,” the couple says of Amin’s classically suave white jacket tux.

The Ceremony

This altar! Minimalist, organic, and richly textured all at once!

Our Musical Choices
Processional
GROOM - Lionel Richie || BRIDESMAIDS - "Young Hearts Run Free" - Candy Staton (Blame Jones Acoustic cover) || FLOWER GIRL BRIDE ENTRANCE  - "Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay (String Quartet)
Recessional
"Say A Little Prayer" - Aretha Franklin
First Dance
Danish traditional Waltz

Lately, we’re so smitten with drapery as decor and with this shade of sage green. This Modern Garden Wedding in Cabo is another wedding that incorporates both!

“Instead of traditional applause,” Caterina remembers, “300 golden bells rang out in a ‘vibrant metallic chorus’ after the vows.”

Absolutely spellbound by the simplicity of these chic, minimalist all-green bridesmaid bouquets and the way they each feature a different flower.

“Amidst record-breaking 45°C heat, a sudden whirlwind swept through the villa’s arches exactly as the couple said ‘I do,'” Caterina remembers.

We have Il Giardino della Fate to thank for the day’s vibrant, verdant florals.

So into the way the floral color scheme was all monochromatic green but the blooms themselves were deeply diversified.

How did these two international love birds meet? “At a student party during our undergrad studies in Switzerland in 2018.”

Since Sarah + Amin’s guest list spanned the whole globe, their wedding was going to be a destination wedding no matter where it was. Check out The Expert-Approved Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding Outside of the US if you’re in the same international boat!

The Reception

This guest stunned in a sequin look by La DoubleJ. Check out our shoppable wedding guest dress collections if you want to get your style on her level for the weddings coming up on your calendar!

The sage green fringe lampshades!! 😍

Furniture from Itinera Pro so perfectly captured the vibes of both a summery, Scandinavian dinner party and a rustic, outdoor Italian feast.

“The evening shifted from Danish composure to high-energy Lebanese traditional dances,” Caterina recalls of the way the Lebanese zaffé (or musical Arabic wedding procession) introduced a new vibe at the reception.

Beirut Zaffé supplied the celebration with everything it needed for an unforgettable dabke.

The night’s eclectic, glowy lighting was the work of Pro-One.

Alfonzo Muzzi supplied the celebration with fare for the outdoor feast as well as this GORGEOUS berry-drenched, traditionally Italian millefoglie wedding cake.

Our Favorite Memory
THE FIREWORKS

Our Advice
Plan early. Focus on the food, the music and the running order and get a planner, especially if it is a destination wedding.

And have your best friend at your table. 

Tillykke, alf mabrouk, congratulazioni, and congratulations, Sarah + Amin! Your international “I do’s” brought so much love to this Italian hillside. GWS wishes you both all the best!