Tell us a little about yourselves!
Matthew is in the fashion industry, and Stefania is in health and wellness. We complement each other and push each other to be the coolest and healthiest versions of ourselves. We were together 7 years before getting married.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We were initially looking into venues in Canada, but weren’t loving any of the options here. We took a break and started planning a trip to Italy, and Stefania stumbled on Matera and fell in love. Once Matthew saw it, he thought it would be a beautiful place for a wedding and proposed the idea of eloping there. At first we were just going to elope the two of us, but later decided it would feel more special with our immediate family there to celebrate with us.
How many guests did you have?
12 people total! Only our immediate family. We did a pre-wedding party to celebrate with our extended family and friends before we left to elope.
What was your budget?
Since it was a small event, we didn’t really have a budget.
Tell us about your outfits.
Matthew is in the fashion industry, so he had a very particular vision for the suit he wanted to wear on the big day. He custom designed his own suit with Brizo to have an exaggerated satin peak lapel on a traditional dinner jacket.
Stefania is very simple, and wanted to go for a timeless vintage/ modern style satin dress. I found my dress at Reformation but had a different vision for it, so I worked with a local seamstress to create a one-shoulder draped gown that I loved.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We wanted to feel relaxed and present on the day of the wedding. Planning a destination wedding can be scary, so it is important to do your work and find vendors that you completely trust to help make your day as stress-free as possible.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
The morning of the wedding we shared private vows over coffee in our room. We wanted this moment completely to ourselves to laugh, cry, and fully express our love to each other before starting the day.
Matthew has many tattoos, and wanted to add a special one on the day of the wedding. Right after the ceremony, we walked to a tattoo shop where Matthew got the wedding date tattooed on his wrist.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Do what makes you happy for your wedding day. Don’t be limited by traditions and the expectations of others.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
We loved all of our vendors so much, and really feel like they made our day so special.
Martina Boggian, our photographer, was a dream to work with. She made us feel so comfortable, and has an incredible eye for capturing all of the moments and details of the day. We didn’t give her any direction and completely trusted in her guidance and talent, and we were so impressed by everything she did.
Antonio DeMasi, our videographer, has such amazing talent at creating unique films that feel like movies. We got so many comments from people that they felt moved by his video and it made them feel like they were there celebrating with us.
Nancy Flowers and Flowers Factory, our florist, was also an absolute dream to work with. Her design went above and beyond my expectations. I feel like she read my mind and put together the most perfect tablescape I have ever seen. She has such incredible talent.
At the end of the day we left feeling like we made great friends with our vendors and we hope to work with them again!
Photographer: Martina Boggian @martinaboggianph | Flora: Nancy Flowers and Flowers Factory @flowers_andflowers_factory | Videographer: Antonio DeMasi @antoniodemasi.film | Ceremony Location: Chiesa Di San Giovanni Battista, Matera Italy | Reception Location: Regiacorte Matera
@regiacorte_matera | Makeup: Bride did her own | Hair: Charme Beauty Salon Matera
@_charme_beauty_salon_ | Cake: Regiacorte Matera @regiacorte_matera & Nancy Flowers and Flowers Factory @flowers_andflowers_factory | Dress: Reformation @reformation | Suit: Brizo @brizoofficial | Veil: Etsy @etsycanada | Shoes: Aime Leon Dore (Matthew) @aimeleondore & Dolce Vita (Stefania) @dolcevita | Tattoo Artist: Matera Ink @materainktattoo | Groomsmen Suits: Blue Industry @blueindustryna