With guests attending from all over, the couple chose to get married at a hotel on the Tyrrhenian Sea outside of Rome. “It’s a 17th-century villa that was purchased and restored by J. Paul Getty before being converted into a small hotel, so the history and sense of home there is incredible,” says Kylie Gattinella. They were able to take over the property for four days and hosted a glamorous celebration that culminated in a fireworks display and an alfresco dance party.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios1/44We wanted our wedding invitations to be timeless and formal yet unfussy. Wedding planner Jung Lee sourced handmade Italian paper and engraved calligraphy onto each piece. We kept our reply card blank so that guests could write us personal notes, and the envelopes were sealed with wax.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios2/44My family often spent lazy summer evenings playing bocce with a set hand-carved by my great-grandfather. Thursday’s weekend kickoff was a nod to my heritage as well as a relaxed way to let everyone meet, mingle, and catch up as they were arriving in Rome. Since friends and family were traveling to be with us, we invited everyone to all of the events.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios3/44We held the bocce picnic in Palazzo Torlonia’s beautiful gardens, located in a town called Ceri just outside of Rome. The prince who once lived in the Palazzo had built the gardens as a wedding gift for his new bride.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios4/44For Thursday’s event, I chose Tabitha Simmons shoes and a Dolce & Gabbana dress from their Spring 2016 collectsion with the perfect motto for the weekend embroidered on it: “Italia Is Love.” The dress design was inspired by vintage travel advertisements, as was our save the weekend card, so it was the perfect look to kick off our festivities.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios5/44Aperol spritzes and Negronis—the official cocktails of the weekend—kept flowing, and we fed guests with local favorites like Italian meats, cheeses, and panini.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios6/44Our guests took in the stunning sunset followed by a full moon rise from the garden walls overlooking the olive tree-lined hills below. Each of the events took people in and around Rome and let everyone see places they wouldn't usually see when visiting the Eternal City.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios7/44A bit after dark, Alex and I led the way down Ceri’s winding medieval streets back to the transportation waiting for guests at the bottom of the hill.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios8/44On Friday, Alex’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner for us at a Molto Ristorante in Rome. We had a cocktail hour on the restaurant’s outdoor patio before moving inside for a seated dinner.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios9/44Alex took me to a belated birthday dinner for our first date and gave me a first-edition book by one of my favorite authors as a present. I asked Olympia Le-Tan and her team to create a bespoke clutch memorializing the gift. My new initials and our wedding date were stitched on the back of the clutch, and I wore it throughout the weekend.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios10/44Alex’s father and my brother, Chris, gave toasts followed by Alex’s oldest friend, Matt, and my two dear friends, Chloé and Eaddy. The heartfelt toasts had everyone laughing their way through dinner, especially when Eaddy whipped out a letter I had written her in the seventh grade. After dinner, the tables were cleared and a DJ had everyone dancing their way through the night.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios11/44We found our wedding bands at Betteridge, a family jeweler in my hometown. I chose my wedding band to match the Art Deco engagement ring Alex designed for me.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios12/44My gown was from Inbal Dror’s Fall 2016 New York collectsion, so I felt like I had a little piece of where Alex and I call home with me on my wedding day. It appeared on the runway as a high-low dress, but the teams at Inbal Dror and Mark Ingram Atelier were amazing at helping me customize it into a full-length gown.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios13/44Muccino Amatulli, who did my hair and makeup throughout the weekend, was a master at helping me look like my best self. He also very sweetly brought me beautiful sunflowers to brighten up my room while I got ready that morning.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios14/44Before getting ready, I had breakfast on the seaside terrace with my family and friends and took a relaxing bath in the giant marble tub in my bathroom. I was calm and happy throughout the day.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios15/44Two dear friends and bridesmaids, Eaddy and Chloé, helping me into my gown.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios16/44A toast in my room before heading to the church. In a break from European wedding etiquette, I had my bridesmaids choose black gowns that suited them. Eaddy is in Elie Saab and Chloé is in La Petite Robe di Chiara Boni.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios17/44The ballet-inspired cut and hand-stitched detailing are what made me fall in love with my Inbal Dror gown.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios18/44For our wedding, Alex gave me beautiful Art Deco diamond drop earrings that I wore that day.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios19/44Alex scoured New York City to find cuff links that had a personal meaning to each groomsman he gifted them to.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios20/44Alex getting ready with his sweet father, Cornelis Johannes, who is holding the obligatory Aperol spritz.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios21/44My handsome husband. Alex chose a classic, peak-lapel black tuxedo by Ermenegildo Zegna that he found at Bergdorf Goodman for the wedding.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios22/44Rome in September is wonderful, and it was a gorgeous, breezy day for our wedding. Before the ceremony, Brian captured some beautiful images against the striking architecture of St. Peter’s Square.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios23/44My father walked me down the rose-lined aisle to a string quartet and soprano performing Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” I had my eyes fixed on Alex the whole way down except for this last instant when I caught sight of my lovely mother.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios24/44The ceremony at Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo was one of Alex and my favorite parts of the weekend. Our priest, Father Thomas, surprised our guests by reading a marriage blessing bestowed upon us by Pope Francis.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios25/44Recessing to cheers and some perfectly timed lighting.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios26/44Italia is love! As Alex and I walked down the steps from the church, we were overwhelmed by the tourists and well-wishers that had gathered to congratulate us.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios27/44My sister, Taylor (wearing Valentino), leads our wedding party out of the church.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios28/44As guests exited the church, prosecco was served and Alex and I gave our first toast as husband and wife.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios29/44The 1964 Fiat 500 getaway car was Alex’s one must-have for the weekend. It was amazing having the drive to La Posta Vecchia to ourselves, however, I did tell my bridesmaids to keep their phones on in case we broke down somewhere!
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios30/44Everyone loved seeing the little vintage Fiat, with cans hanging off of the back, zipping through the streets of Rome.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios31/44We drove alongside family and friends, making the short trip to La Posta Vecchia feel like one big party on wheels.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios32/44As guests arrived before sunset at La Posta Vecchia, they were led to the back terrace overlooking the sea to take in the view as well as some aperitivi and antipasti.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios33/44Surrounded by my beautiful bridesmaids: my sister and my dearest friends.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios34/44Alex changed into a white dinner jacket, also by Ermenegildo Zegna, for the reception. We’re standing here with our friend Charles, through whom we originally met.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios35/44Jung had the brilliant idea of using painted Italian tiles to help guests find their seat for dinner. She had them sized to one of La Posta Vecchia’s windows where they were temporarily installed behind the bar. The painted-tile motif was then echoed on the bars surrounding our dance floor.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios36/44Lighting the candles before guests are seated. The table was set up outside the entrance to the villa.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios37/44We told Fête that we wanted one long banquet table for all of our guests with flowers that pulled from the surroundings in terra-cotta and aubergine hues. Jung, Allison, and the team brought our ideas to life more beautifully than we thought possible.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios38/44Dahlias and cabbage roses in peach and plum tones sat side-by-side bowls of local grapes and figs. Guests’ menus had a lemon motif painted on them and were made of the same handmade Italian paper that was used for the invitations.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios39/44Throughout the entire weekend, the toasts did not disappoint! Here we are listening to the best man, Schuster, give a toast that we will remember forever.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios40/44A table of toasts.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios41/44After dinner, Alex and I led everyone to the gardens for dancing. This was such a surreal moment, dancing with my new husband under a full moon to a song my dad (behind us on the guitar) and uncle were performing. Despite what it looks like in this photo, Alex and I winged our moves, and Jung had the fantastic idea to make our dance floor look like Italian mosaic tiling.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios42/44Alex gave a very moving toast to me, our families, and friends before we cut the cake.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios43/44Cutting our beyond delicious millefoglie wedding cake, topped with powdered sugar, berries, and roses.
Photo: Brian Dorsey of Brian Dorsey Studios44/44Italia is love!
Vogue.com contributor Alexandra Macon loves a wedding. After helping lead the launch of Vogue.com in 2010 as the site’s managing editor, she started Replica Handbag Store Weddings and Over The Moon—a curated online shopping destination and registry that carries over 400+ brands across the RTW, bridal, accessories, kitchenware, homeware, and children’s categories. ... Read More