This Medieval Castle Wedding Had an Unexpected Colorful Eclectic Vibe

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Luna and Cesar’s love story began in Beirut, and after a journey across the world, the couple settled in New York City. Through the years, their relationship spanned continents and oceans, especially since the bride’s family lives in Los Angeles and Cesar’s family is in Lebanon. Both their names (Cesar + Luna) have Italian roots and Lombardy holds a special place for them with Milan being their first solo trip as a couple. It only seemed fitting for them to celebrate their wedding by bringing their families and loved ones from all over the world to an “in-between East & West” meeting point in one of the historical and artistic centers of the world!!

Their wedding took place over two days around UNESCO-recognized Lago Maggiore. The intention behind their celebration was to bring out the natural and historical beauty of Northern Italy while layering in an eclectic and electric young energy that would revive these imposing but dormant spaces with the colorful energy of the 21st century’s unconventional style.

To make this wedding truly come to life, the couple hired the wedding planners and event designers at Parade Wedding, and photographer Matteo Lomonte. With the addition of beautiful floral arrangements by Flowers Living, L + C were able to have the wedding day of their dreams.

The Pre-Wedding

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The couple’s pre-wedding was the day before the ceremony on Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands of Lago Maggiore in North Italy. The imposing Baroque age castle & museum and its Italian gardens got fully privatized for the couple’s event. Their intent was to have a meet and greet merged with a unique experience…and it was exactly that! The wedding party sailed across Lago Maggiore to reach the island, before enjoying an exclusive tour of its museum and gardens. The guests were broken down into different groups and had private tours with the guides before enjoying an aperitivo in the gardens, following the steps of major historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte! WOW!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Stepping Into the Future

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Shoes fit for a queen! This Jimmy Choo moment is giving us life!!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The bride shares that she always imagined herself in a high-low corset dress and was hoping to find the right one.

Carolina Herrera was a top designer on my list. When I went into the fittings they didn’t have any high lows available but I fell in love with the corset and lace of this dress and its appliqués. The original design was a big ball gown that I ended up fully customizing into a 3 movement dress. First part, have a transparency through the skirt to achieve a more Goth/Victorian feel for the church. The transparent skirt was detachable to create the second modern high low look for the apperitivo and the dinner. For the cake cutting and first dance, the 2m dress train got hooked to the back for even more flexibility making it more cocktail sized.

A Show Stopping Ceremony

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Our Musical Choices

Processional: Wagner, Wedding March - Live Organ Player

Recessional: Mendelssohn, Wedding March -Live Organ Player

First Dance: You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Cheers to the bride and groom! These two are married!! 🎉

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The ceremony took place at the 900-year-old Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio overseeing Lago Maggiore. The vision of the wedding was to have a colorful eclectic medieval vibe, with some tarot elements influencing the menu, guest list, and decor!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Tarot and Medieval Inspiration

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Luna has a passion for design and fashion and she and her husband Cesar wanted to make sure these elements were embedded in every small detail. They love bold statements, colors, and graphics, particularly tarot elements which fit very well with their eclectic medieval theme and were heavily inspired by Christian LaCroix’s deck of cards!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in ItalyEclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Table for One Hundred and Ten!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The reception was held at Rocca di Angera, a medieval castle dominating Lago Maggiore, the historical home of the Borromeo family.

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The dinner took place on a panoramic terrace overseeing the entire Borromean gulf under the 30+ meter high walls of the castles and next to the historical medieval gardens.

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The timing and orchestration of the day was meticulously planned to bring out the best of the natural elements; for example, the transition to the dinner terrace was planned at the golden hour preceding sunset to bring out the electric red, blue and orange colors of the flowers and highlight the sparkle of the crystal chandeliers flanking the imperial 110 person table where their guests were seated.

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

These beautiful hues brought a breath of fresh air to this tablescape design!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Definitely our entrance into the dinner reception. All our loved ones were cheering on the terrace under a gorgeous sunset as we walked in on “Begging You” by Maneskin.

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

Dancing the Night Away

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The Sala di Giustizia, an arched hall of medieval frescoes dating from the 13th century, witnessed the couple’s first dance and most importantly became the stage of a new personal, eclectic and interactive way for the bouquet toss! Every female guest was offered a silk ribbon tied to the bride’s bouquet and circled around her as “Praise You” played. Luna randomly cut ribbons until only one remained, the lucky bouquet catcher!

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy
Our Advice To Those Planning Now

It is your day, make it look like you! Guests love to see the couple in the design

Eclectic Medieval Wedding in Italy

The evening took a dancing turn from 11 PM onwards in the internal castle courtyard with red lights guiding the way, electronic music setting the beat, and Prosecco and espresso martinis keeping the energy up late into the night!

Congratulations to the happy couple from the whole team at GWS! What an amazing day!

photography: Matteo Lomonte // venue name: Rocca Angera, Lago Maggiore, Lombardi, Italy // event design: Parade Wedding // planning: Parade Wedding // florals: Flowers Living // wedding dress: Carolina Herrera // hairpiece: Alexis Bittar // bride's shoes: Jimmy Choo // hair stylist: The Studio Como // makeup artist: The Studio Como // groom attire: Emporio Armani // groom's ring: David Yurman // paper goods: Tuscan labs // catering: Love Banqueting

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