Tell us a little about yourselves!
Eli and I own a fine art and collectable furniture gallery in Austin, TX called, Rath. When we’re not shopping for art and furniture in Europe, we are usually obsessing over our fawn doberman, Eve. We are both creative souls, Eli is a photographer and I, Maggie, am a painter and a ceramicist.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We spend a lot of our time working and traveling in Europe. There we feel free, challenged, and the most present. A fair amount of our friends had not been overseas so we thought this location would honor our relationship and be the perfect excuse to break our friends out of their molds.
How many guests did you have?
50.
What was your budget?
USD 100,000.
Tell us about your outfits.
First and foremost our outfits had to be easily transported overseas. I chose an off white pearl colored slinky number from Danielle Frankel that has a dramatic low back and a sculptural neck. My inspiration for the event was the Veiled Virgin, a Carrara marble statue carved in Rome by Italian sculptor Giovanni Strazza (1850’s). Once the dress was selected I had an accordion pleated veil custom made by Danielle Frankel to mirror the art. This was paired with black mesh Jimmy Choo pumps with a pearl detail, Jil Sander baroque pearl drop earrings, and my grandmothers gold and diamond tennis bracelet.
For Eli, I chose a sleek black slim cut Zegna suit in a light weight material. We have baroque pearl details in both of our outfits to tie them together. His shirt is by Eton and has pearl buttons. His skinny cut silk tie is by Yves Saint Laurent and his shoes are the Derby style by Giorgio Armani. For Eli’s final detail, I had a 14k gold and platinum ID bracelet made that says “My Forever.”
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
I think the most important and pivotal choice we made was the historical venue. Love and appreciation of history is something Eli and I passionately share. Often times we are importing medieval tables and cabinets that are significantly older than anything in our city, let alone our country. Castello di Solfagnano’s history dates back to the 12th century and has undergone so much life and change during its centuries. This is something we long to be a part of - something bigger.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
We desperately did not want this to feel like a typical wedding. Instead it was supposed to feel like an extended holiday that just so happened to celebrate the love, commitment, and life between Eli and I. Everyone staying together and using the castle at their disposal was perfect. It created an intimate setting where you could peel off or be in the group. We had multiple parties, inside, outside, by the pool, we ran around barefoot and let people change into whatever they wanted for the afterparty. My brother wore an all red tracksuit on the dance floor - and he was the moment.
I think the distance of our location allowed us to really cut the guest list down to just our main circle. We didn’t have to spend time dividing and conquering. Eli and I got to sit back and watch our loved ones fall in love with each other.
Any tips for couples getting married?
It’s easier said than done but don’t forget to honor your relationship and be authentic to your love. It’s so easy to get lost in the idea of planning a wedding and catering to family opinions. At the end of the day you and your partner are marrying - and authenticity is never ever a bad thing.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Yes, two vendors specifically:
Our photographer Stefano Santucci. We had an issue with our previous photographer last minute. That sent us into a spiral. Never did I think on a short notice I would get the right person for Eli and I. His style and immediate understanding of us was unparalleled. His photos speak honestly, just have a look yourself.
The Brother Rockers. Without them our food comatose guests would never have brought the energy they brought. I don’t have a single bad thing to say. They were interactive, learned songs for me, spoke multiple languages, which is important for our bilingual family and my love for the French song, La Vie en Rose - and most importantly they were incredibly talented musicians.
Photographer: Stefano Santucci @photosantucci | Planning: Your Wedding @yourwedding_initaly |
Styling: by the Bride @maggieorth | Ceremony & Reception Location: Castello di Solfagnano @castellodisolfagnano | Celebrant: George Wakefield (friend) | Entertainment: The Brother Rockers @thebrotherrockers | Dress: Danielle Frankel @daniellefrankelstudio | Suit: Zegna @zegnaofficial | Veil: Custom Danielle Frankel @daniellefrankelstudio | Tie: Saint Laurent @ysl | Engagement Ring: Custom Castro Smith @castrosmith | Shoes: Jimmy Choo Amita 45 @jimmychoo (Hers) & Armani Derby (His) @giorgioarmani | Earrings: Jil Sander @jilsander | Tennis Bracelet: Antique from Maggies Grandmother | Levi's Watch: Tag Heuer @tagheuer