When getting to know the British couple, we remember the bride, Georgia, telling us that in no uncertain terms, whatever the groom, Angelo, says, when they first met she DID NOT chase him. While separately, Angelo, had already told us with a cheeky grin that Georgia had chased him, “from the moment Georgia laid eyes on me she wanted to be a Rossi”.

While “who chased who” to this day remains a mystery, nine years later, their closest family and friends gathered right here in the Cinque Terre, to witness Georgia officially becoming a Rossi.

It was full belly laughing from the start of this fun and lively wedding, dad pranks during the wedding rehearsal, photo shoots in the bath (one of our favourite wedding photos ever – see below) and the retelling of their unique wedding proposal:

The original planned proposal was big and romantic in style: in front of a massive gold heart in Times Square, during a holiday to New York. However, the weather was freezing: –16 degrees according to Georgia and even colder still at -19 degrees according to Angelo. So due to the glacial weather, Georgia insisted they return to their hotel room. And what followed in that New York hotel room, was arguably one of the most unexpected and therefore also undeniably romantic proposals we have ever heard. Angelo got down on one knee, while Georgia was brushing her teeth, and proposed. Magic!

As intensive care nurses, it is no surprise that this kind-hearted, witty and beautiful couple put their family and friends front and center of their wedding experience.

For wedding flowers and decor, we took inspiration from the couple’s brilliant sparkle and went bright and bold in a way only our fabulously flawless florist can.

So, in the spirit of the five lands of the Cinque Terre, here are Georgia and Angelo’s top five tips and pics captured by our clever clicker photographer.

Why a destination wedding in Itay?

Angelo’s Nonno is from Liguria, and we have always loved going to Italy. We just knew that is where we wanted to get married.

Why the Cinque Terre in Italy?

The question should be, why not the Cinque Terre? It is the most beautiful, picture perfect place to get married.  We just knew, we wanted to have our special day in Vernazza, there is no  better place to share our day with our closest friends and family.

How was the destination wedding planning process?

Planning a wedding during covid was no easy task, and quite daunting. However, Melina made the planning process so easy.

Best part of your wedding day in the Cinque Terre?

The service written by celebrant, Matteo, and spending the day with our loved ones.

Top Tip for future Cinque Terre Wedding Brides and Grooms?

Put your faith in Melina, and you won’t go far wrong.

For more information on your Cinque Terre Wedding contact us.

The post The making of Mr and Mrs Rossi – real Cinque Terre Wedding special appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Classic Blue Mood Board

So to start with, Sarah turned to her friend Mr Pantone, who always sets the colour palate for the year and for 2020 the Pantone Colour is Classic Blue. Well, if any colour title suits the style of a destination wedding here in the Cinque Terre it is Classic Blue. Classic Italian Riviera style on the Blue Mediterranean Sea. Oooo, doesn’t get much better than this.

Confession: I have a blue crush. A very similar colour palette, Midnight Blue, was the colour palette of our wedding back in 2010, see this article on our wedding published in Cosmopolitan Bride for a peek. What can I say, in 2010 I was ahead of my time, or rather I just love blue so much that whenever Mr Pantone announces a blue colour of the year, I’m instantly on-trend. But enough reminiscing about yesteryear, in the inspiration board below you, can see how Stylist Sarah hoverboards this classic colour into the crisp pretty present. Pairing free-spirited bouquets with classic accents of deep blue, metallics and fresh clean white. The Cinque Terre’s signature rustic look underlining all.

Photo credits (clockwise):   fior_deco bouquet  / Instagram wedding cake / Whimsical Wonderland Weddings table set  / Wedding Wonderland stationery / fior_deco bouquet  /  Grace & Thorn boutonnieres  /Mariage.com place cards / Grace & Thorn bouquet / Wedding Wonderland table set

Tutti i Frutti Mood Board

Well, we are all fruity here in the Cinque Terre, seriously: oranges, grapes, figs, olives, apricots, peaches, cherries, loquats and the most beloved of them all: the lemon. To give you an idea, outdoors you’ll find lemons hanging out on pretty much every corner, over every wall and from every balcony in the village, just lazing around in all their golden yellow glory. Then once indoors, the lemon adoration continues on every table with our Limoncino, Sorbetto Limone, Crema di Limoncino, Lemon Marmalade, Lemon cake and Acciughe Limone… we are unofficially the mecca for all lemon worshipers. Why, just like all the Saints, we even have an annual date to celebrate the Lemon at the Festa di Limone. On most years, aside from this strange one, the Festa di Limone takes place on the last Saturday of May.

So what better way to bring the spirit of the Cinque Terre into your wedding décor than by welcoming the citrusy fruits themselves onto your table. The result: an explosion of fiery colours and playful compositions that don’t just look deliciously sweet, they are deliciously sweet. So feast your eyes on these incredible edible table settings below and if you’re thinking ow, two for one: free fruit salad for dessert included in a table setting, you’re right on our wavelength. Wink wink!

Photo Credits:  Pinterest bouquet / Pinterest table set / Style Me Pretty decor / Pinterest centerpiece / Style Me Pretty table set / Pinterest decor / Pinterest bouquet / Pinterest table set

Freedom Pass Mood Board

Hoo boy, if like us by now you’re tired of being cooped up, locked down and distanced from, we gift you the idea of a Freedom Pass in the mood board of wedding delights below. Think of all the colours in the rainbow, times them by ten, then times them by ten again and your starting to visualise the brilliant colour palette below. Then forget physical restraint and your four walls and stretch out your arms out as far as they’ll go to scoop up every bloom type you can think of. And don’t worry about staying in the lines of the design, no one-metre rule here folks, as you pull together your bouquet of wildflowers let your buds press up close together any way they like. Now, also forget matching tableware, that’s for those who are housebound three meals a day – instead imagine running through your best home-ware stores, not online, but actually in the store, and picking out one favourite tabletop item from each, no one item the same, all exquisitely different – just because you can!

Now if you’ve followed our train of creative thought then you’ve probably styled a wedding similar to the one styled by stylist Sarah below. And if you haven’t, better still, that’s the beauty of the Freedom Pass, go ahead create the wedding of your dreams with no limits.

Photo Credits:  Style Me Pretty table set / Pinterest bouquet / Rock My Wedding cake  / Love and Lavender centerpiece / Pinterest bouquets / Etsy stationery / Pinterest boutonniere / Pinterest chair decor

If you would like a wedding in the Cinque Terre planned and styled by Cinque Terre Wedding contact us here.

Mood board by Cinque Terre Wedding Stylist Sarah Pozzi.

Written by Melina Nicholson.

The post A 2020 summer wedding mood board for all styles appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Adding An Italian Touch to Your Wedding Day

Many choose a destination wedding in Italy for the country’s natural beauty and gorgeous Mediterranean climate. With a wedding somewhere as beautiful as Cinque Terre, it would be a mistake to not include the local beauty into your ceremony. There are many ways to do this, be it in your food, entertainment, or decor.

Designing your wedding decor is a great opportunity to take advantage of all that Italy has to offer. With hundreds of plant and fruit species only found in the Mediterranean, your options are limitless. When working with your wedding planner and florist, consider including some of the local flower and fruit species available in Cinque Terre.

Tips for Using Fruit in Weddings with Floral Arrangements

Using fruit (and vegetables) in bouquets requires some pre-planning and decision-making prior to arranging. Check out some of our Pro Tips for using produce in floral arrangements so you can start off on the right foot!

• If you’re using fruit in a handheld bouquet, like a bridal bouquet, make sure you secure the fruit before you begin to walk around with it.
• Try to pick fruits that still have a stem so you can use floral wire or floral tape to secure it to the stems in your bouquet.
• Larger fruits, like pomegranates, sit better towards the center of your bouquet where they’re less likely to tip over and fall out.
• The best way to keep your arrangement together is to keep your bouquet upright!
• If you are using fruit in a bridal bouquet, we do not recommend using it for your bouquet toss (unless you have full confidence that someone will catch it and it won’t land on the floor)! Use an alternative toss-bouquet instead to save your beautiful fruit bouquet from any potential damage.
• Fruits that grow on vines, like grapes and blackberries, easily add depth to any spot in your arrangement. The vines also make it easier to tie to your bouquet. The abundance of fruit can also add easy height or width to your bouquet depending on your placement.
• Keep in mind that fruits produce ethylene gas. This gas speeds up the ripening process for other produce and can accelerate the blooming process for flowers, so take this into account when incorporating fruit into your arrangements and bouquets.

Now that you have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve, you can take a look at different bouquets to get an idea about what you’d like to create!

Floral Fruit Arrangement Inspiration

Photo courtesy of Bowtie & Bell

Kumquats

This autumn-inspired bouquet incorporates warm colors and tiny fruit to create a showstopping arrangement. The orange and red kumquats complement the rich colors of the flowers while adding a cheery feel to the overall display.

• Kumquat – These rounded are the perfect choice if you’re looking for smaller fruit accents instead of a large statement piece. The fruit casually hang down and out of the way of their floral neighbors.
• Rose – The light pink roses help round out the rich color palette for this bouquet and set the mood for this fall-themed arrangement.
• Dahlia – Full-bodied dahlias add texture to this highly contrasting arrangement. These big blooms accompany the roses as beautiful statement flowers.

Photo courtesy of Esther Sun Photography

Brunia Berries

Brunia berries are an easy way to pull a bouquet together without adding too much texture or weight to your arrangement. This bouquet thoughtfully places the smooth berries amongst the posh flowers and other protruding greenery for a delicate contrast. The light orange roses tie the arrangement together with their beautiful petals and soft color.

• Brunia Berries – These decorative berries are popular choices for winter bouquets and arrangements. Silver brunia are especially known for their soft color and effortless beauty.
• Anemone – The anemone flowers gently poke out of this bouquet to complement the beautiful roses and protruding foliage. Their distinguishable dark centers and soft petals make these eye-catching flowers popular choices for wedding bouquets.
• Rose – These light orange roses add the right touch of elegance to this lush bouquet. The big blooms of the roses protrude in the right spots to contrast the wild greenery in the bouquet.

Blueberries

Berries, succulents and voluminous blooms create a gorgeous arrangement with subtle touches of color. The tiny berries contrast the big florals and vibrant greenery in the bouquet to give a balanced and graceful look.

• Blueberry – Tiny blueberries add a whimsical touch to any floral bouquet. Keep these berries on the branch to easily place in any part of the arrangement.
• Succulent – Light-colored succulents are another unique greenery choice that instantly elevates your bouquets look and adds unique texture to the overall arrangement.
• Dahlia – The single white dahlia in this bouquet catches the eye and delicately contrasts the overall blue color palette in this arrangement. This white flower draws the eye and creates a beautiful center point for this bouquet.

Bouquet photo courtesy of Julian Kanz from Wylie and David’s wedding.

Olives

Olive trees are ubiquitous Mediterranean landscape and their branches have long been an global symbol of peace. However, their long, narrow leaves dotted in green or purple fruit can make a great addition to floral arrangements. Olive branches can be used as filler to add a subtle Mediterranean feel to your bouquet, or they can act as star of the show. Their long, willowy branches tend to create dramatic and creative shapes. Consider using flowering branches among other local blooms to add a nuanced texture to the bouquet.

Table photo courtesy of Facibeni from Andrea and Drew’s wedding.

Lemons

Lemons are a staple of Italian culture and cuisine and can be found as the key flavor in shaved ice, limoncello, lemonade, and gelato. They can also make welcome guests in any brightly colored floral arrangement.

Lemons look best among bright green, white, or blue arrangements. Sliced or whole, they serve as an excellent surprise to guests! Many florists also enjoy the look of filling up a clear glass vase with sliced lemons. The best part about using lemons in floral arrangements is that they are very acidic and will not brown leading up to your big day.

Table centerpiece photo courtesy of Ed Peers from Dominique and Rick’s wedding.

Grapes

Another local fruit perfect for wedding bouquets are grapes. Italy’s Mediterranean climate is home to hundreds of sprawling vineyards that you can take advantage of. Grapes are best included in floral arrangement near the bottom, cascading over the edge of the vase.

The most popular type of grape planted in Italy are sangiovese grapes, used to make red wines. If you catch them before being sent to fermentation, their dusky violet berries will provide a brilliant burst of color in your wedding bouquets. For weddings with a muted color scheme, white grapes are an excellent addition. Place some Cinque Terre grapes: the bosco, alberola or vermentino grapes, among white hydrangeas and soft green foliage for an elegant, traditional arrangement. Or contrast with some colour pop to add some rustic fun into your day.

Fruit and flowers also add a warm and elegant aspect to any gift. In addition to the examples here, you can also take ideas from old still life paintings that feature fruit and floral centerpieces. You can easily turn a regular bouquet at your dinner table into a living work of art with the right ingredients! Take your newfound fruit and floral inspiration to the next level by gifting perfectly paired berries and flowers to the favorite people in your life!

Written by guest Maddy for Cinque Terre Wedding. Maddy is nature lover who also enjoys discovering new music, exploring local restaurants, and petting every cat she sees.

The post How to use Italian Fruit in Weddings appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Cause let’s face it, it was a bit of destination wedding for American Meghan Markle who we watched do what a lot of destination wedding brides do: fly in their family and friends from a country far, far, away, fuse together the bride and groom’s cultural heritage and traditions and embrace the local culture.

So our top 5 destination wedding ideas from Harry and Meghan’s Royal Wedding are:

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 1: Simple Wedding Dress.

Or should we say dresses. 5 meter veil aside, (although we loved the symbolism of the embroidered flora from the 53 commonwealth countries) both of Meghan’s dresses were simple, fresh and classic. Meghan’s ceremony dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller of Parisian label Givenchy and her reception dress, by British designer Stella McCartney, were both pared down and relaxed – just perfect for a destination wedding. Think more luggage space, less time in front of the steamer and freedom of movement to explore the exotic location for your photos and most importantly to kick off your shoes to partay.

Photo credit: Glamour Magazine 

Photo credit: Hello Magazine

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 2: Incognito Cake Stands.

Allow us to drool at the cake for a moment please. Thanks. We just love, love, love the clean, fresh, semplicità of this cake. According to our Italian bakers it’s an easy cake to make and there’s even this nifty behind the scenes video on how it was put together but we’ll leave the baking to the experts.

Instead, what about the presentation? Of course, genius! Why should tiers sit squishy on top of one another when they can all have their own little perch of space to breathe and swing their arms around in joy and say: “look at me, ain’t I sweet!” We love this deconstructed approach to the traditional tiered cake, which is in fact a British design from the late 1700s inspired by the spire of St Bride’s church in London.

But enough of our geeky wedding history facts, what we love best about the cake is not the clean exterior, the deconstructed tiers or the glorious ruffled peonies (but how heavenly are they?) it is the wizardry of re-purposing the pedestal vases as cake stands that makes us gawk in holy moliness. Just when we thought we couldn’t get enough of metallic pedestal vases out they come masquerading as cake stands – you cheeky little vases, we see what you’re doing and we love it!

Photo credit: Hello Magazine

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 3: Going Han Solo.

It takes a bucket load of courage with a very big straw for a bride to walk down the aisle by herself. And Meghan did it with the eyes of the world watching. Thanks to this gutsy young lass, now brides around the world will find it easier to do the same.

Today, with nuclear families being less common, we often see brides and grooms juggle the emotions and expectations of split family dynamics when planning their big day. As a result, the tradition of the bride’s father walking her down the aisle and giving her away is becoming more and more outdated. Going solo is a diplomatic solution for many brides who would prefer to forego this tradition, a tradition that derives from, fact alert: ancient times of arranged marriages. Going solo instead brings the focus back to the bride and groom. So thank you Meghan for gifting us with a get out of jail free card for all couples who want to break away from tradition.

Photo credit: Andrew Matthews in the Times

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 4: Posey got back.

A pocket full of posies… or a bouquet full… whatever your poison, Harry and Meghan have bought posies back! Meghan’s discrete posey embraced the current wildflower bouquet trend and included white forget-me-nots, sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine astrantia and a sprig of myrtle to symbolise love.

Posies, most easily described as a small bouquet of scented flowers or herbs, are an English invention, yes, fact alert on its way: popular in Harry’s great, great, Grandmother Victoria’s era. The posey, also known as a nosegay or tussie mussie was popular in the early 1800s, when bathing opportunities were limited, so were carried to mask odours.

However, according to Hello Magazine, Buckingham Palace has 74 bathrooms, so we imagine Meghan’s bouquet choice was less to do with fragrance and more to do with taste. Or Harry’s taste to be more exact, cause here’s the real humdinger of the bouquet, Harry apparently picked the flowers himself!

This is a first! We are yet to have a groom pick the bouquet for his bride and we are hedging our bets on this becoming a top bridal trend. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s a clever way of multi-purposing the bouquet: “tadaa! Here’s your bouquet, but not just any old bouquet, it’s a bouquet with benefits: a wonderful gift, a super special gesture of love from your husband-to-be.”

So challenge to you all you up and coming grooms: Have you got what it takes to pick the bouquet of your bride’s dreams?

Photo credit: Jane Barlow – WPA Pool Getty Images in Glamour Magazine

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 5: Marry a Redhead.

(no, just kidding, though according to National Geographic redheads are said to be an endangered breed that could be extinct in the next 100 years, so not such a bad idea, after all). Anyway, let’s try that again…

Destination Wedding Ideas Number 5: Electric Wedding Car.

Our final O moment from Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding was when the couple left Windsor Castle in a Jaguar E Type Concept Zero. Yes, it was an iconic English automobile and yes, it was a little strange that the steering wheel was on the left hand side, more strange for Harry than Meghan of course, so perhaps it was a symbolic fusion of England and America, but the most trend forecasting joy was that the car was zero-emissions and battery-electric powered.

So for your destination wedding in Italy how about arriving in an electric Vespa, Ape or mini Fiat 500, or if you want to get to the chapel on time you may like to consider a Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo or our nonno’s favourite, the Ferrari? If there’s one thing Italians do well it’s cars, well, that is, aside from destination weddings, food, wine, fashion… ow, the list of what Italian do well is actually endless, so we’ll stop now and leave you to dream about the destination wedding ideas from the Royal Wedding. Sweet dreams!

Photo credit: Getty Images from Town and Country Magazine

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post Top 5 Destination Wedding Ideas from Harry and Meghan’s Royal Wedding appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Smashing the Glass has been rated one of the UK’s top 50 wedding bloggers and its owner, Karen Cinnamon, was recently voted one of the top forty most influential people under 40 by Jewish News, so needless to say the team at Smashing the Glass know a knock out destination wedding in Italy when they see it.

Maggie and Ben first contacted us to be their wedding planners in Italy back in the beginning of 2016 and their vision was clear: they loved the natural spirit of the Cinque Terre in Italy for their Jewish destination wedding and at the top of their wish list was peonies for Maggie and scampi crudo (raw langoustine) for Ben. And all three were in abundance for this beautiful warm-hearted couple who also celebrated their day with special Jewish interfaith traditions and features, like the Chuppah (pronounced hoopah – took us a while to get that one right :)) and the Challah bread, made right here in Italy.

You can enjoy Maggie and Ben’s Jewish destination wedding in Smashing the Glass here, which features their trending coral and gold colour palette and stunning peonies that we’d quite like to surround ourselves with forever.

And look our for our signature Cinque Terre rustic-chic wedding design features of lemons and olive branches featuring throughout.

Hats off to photographer Facibene Fotografia and videographer SBros. And thanks again to the Smash the Glass team for featuring Maggie and Ben’s Jewish destination wedding in the Cinque Terre – jaw-dropping… absolutely!

For more information on a Jewish wedding in the Cinque Terre in Italy contact us here.

And watch out for our Real Wedding feature: 5 lands, 5 tips and 5 and a bit tips, on Maggie and Ben’s Jewish destination wedding coming soon.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post How to get your Jewish destination wedding in Smashing the Glass appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

We know that from the 1300s to the start of the 1900s there was 500 years of trend setting fabulousness influencing flower design around the globe.

The Baroque period is the second era we explore as part of our five part series on the Five European Influences on Modern Day Flora Design. And in part 1 here we explored the first major historical era of this period: the Renaissance and also revealed our modern day take on this magnificant bygone age.

So now let’s dive back into the Baroque period, and be equally blown away by all the inspiration we can use today to create a Baroque wedding in the Cinque Terre, Italy.

Blending into the end of the Renaissance, the period of Baroque ran from around 1600 to 1750. It built onto the Renaissance period, exagerating it with more ornamental decorations. So for flower design, think about adding details like shells, birds nests and lots of swirling leaf details. Flower design was big, tall and deep and bold in colour with oval and symetrical arrangements ruling the time. Greenery was more plentiful too as was metallics for vases. Think dark, moody opulence and drama, lots of drama.

So for a step back into the past think of the Dutch, Flemish and Belgian greats that dominated this period: the Dutch, Ast and his Flowers in a Vase with Shells and Insect, Rebrandt’s Saskia van Uylenburgh as Flora, goddess of spring and flowers, and Mignon for his Vase of Flowers, along with the Veerendael and his Flowers in a Glass Vase, Butterfly and Beetle on a Stone Ledge.

For the who’s who of the Baroque world think English Queen Anne and Belgian Anthony van Dyck.

So if you are thinking of having a destination wedding in Europe, and in particular Italy, here are 7 inspirational images from that time to inspire a Baroque wedding:

Photo credits (clockwise):Balthasar /  Veerendael   / Luca Giordano / Queen Anne / Mignon / Rembrant / Antony Van Dyck

For our modern twist on the Baroque period we take the deep reds, our big buds and all that drama for a destination wedding here in the Cinque Terre. So here are 8 more reasons to  love a Baroque wedding:

Photo credits (clockwise): Tulle and Chantilly Centerpiece / Strictly Weddings Bouquet, Pinterest Centerpiece / Tulle and Chantilly Centerpiece / Style Me Pretty Floral Crown / Style Me Pretty Bouquet   / House of Felliot Centerpiece /Magnolia Rouge Bouquet /  Elegant Wedding Invites Bouquet

To explore the next European Influence on Mondern Day Flora Design enjoy part 3: the pretty Rococo era here. 

To celebrate your Baroque Wedding here on the Cinque Terre of Italy contact us here.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post 15 reasons to love a baroque wedding: flower design to inspire appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

And we’re doing this by shouting arms stretched from the coloured rooftops: “Ging Gang Goolee – wedding planner winners two years in a row!”

We’re filling every piazza encounter with a subtle “did you know we’re in the top five percent of wedding professionals in Italy?” In Italian of course: “Sai che noi siamo nel primo 5 per cento dei professionisti di nozze in Italia?”

And we’re running up the cobbled roads into the local florist, hairdresser, makeup artist, caterer, vineyard, hermitage, castle ruins, restaurant, bar, video operator, photographer, stylist, musician, bnb and then down to the harbour to the boat skipper, taxi, fisherman and miniscule truck driver (the truck, not the driver) to let them all know – “we’ve received a five star rating from all of our couples!”

And “we” is right – at Cinque Terre Wedding it takes a village to raise a wedding.

But we aren’t just running around the quiet village, saluting too many glasses of limoncino, we are serious wedding planners after all, so we’ve also been dreaming about what an event celebrating this award would look like.

Taking our inspiration from the award winning greats of the region: the romantic poets Byron and Shelly who wrote their best masterpeices while living here and Nobel Prize Poet, Montale, who wrote about the Monterosso lemons, we’ve fused together the greats of the old world writers with the current trends of the wedding planner world: Rose Quartz, Serenity Blue and metallics to create this loveliness.

Enjoy dreaming with us.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post Wedding Wire Award – wedding planner winners in Italy! appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.

Written by Melina Nicholson

The post Wedding Style and Design – the Italian way appeared first on Cinque Terre Wedding.