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Ariel & Nolan eloped outside of Florence, Tuscany with their son Lennox and some of their closest family members. In the midst of sprawling olive groves, a vine-covered villa with terracotta accents, and the sweetest styled tablescape and ceremony scene, they married in the way that felt most like themselves - adventuresome and family-focused.
Justine Broughal of Together Events designed and planned the day from start to finish, recruiting the talents of incredible local and international vendors who helped create a magical experience for Ariel, Nolan, and their guests. Photographer Karen Obrist captured the day in intimate detail, highlighting the warmth of the scene and those that shared space together.
Bride Ariel began the day with a romantic bath scene styled by floral designer La Rosa Canina. The scene overflowed with greenery, roses, and dramatic morning light. Following the luxurious boudoir session, local hair and makeup artist Giulia Cresci made use of her talents and naturally calming presence to create a seemingly effortless and natural hair and makeup look for Ariel.
Despite rain and fog that loomed throughout the day, Ariel and Nolan were able to hold their ceremony in a beautifully styled ceremony scene, serenaded by harpist Giulia Ermirio and featuring locally-focused florals sourced and designed by self-proclaimed “slow floral designers” from La Rosa Canina.
When rain threatened the outdoor reception, vendors moved the dinner table under cover to reveal a cozy, candlelight scene overlooking the surrounding Tuscan hills.
Cornelia Conti, Co-owner of Agriturismo Podere Conti, offered up her family-owned venue for the elopement and worked to create a culinary experience on their wedding day that was invaluable. Ceramicist Silvia from Dodici Sessanta created beautiful ceramics for the tablescape that shone alongside the gorgeous bringing linens from The Bayith, colorful paper goods from Ephemora Co., and of course the stunning floral magic that came from floral designer Tomasso and his team from La Rosa Canina Firenze. The way that the floral designers transformed florals from the bath scene into a secret rose garden tablescape lit by candlelight will continue to make us swoon for years to come. Guitarists Luca Bellotti & Lorerenzo Cavazzini played throughout the dinner as guests enjoyed intimate conversation and laughter and dish after dish of incedible Italian fare from the Podere Conti catering team. With market lights strung overhead between the beautiful stone buildings, Ariel and Nolan shared their first dance as husband and wife with their son, surrounded by family.
It was an overwhelmingly emotional and heartwarming for us vendors to witness the sweet moments between Aiel and Nolan throughout the day. Some of our favorites were walking through the foggy olive trees, seeing the Podere Conti chef assemble layers of mille feuille in front of guests that became Ariel and Nolan’s your wedding cake, watching the family dance to Sweet Caroline at the end of the night, and of course witnessing the joy and love Ariel and Nolan have for one other and their sweet baby boy as he was passed from one person to the next all day.
Ariel shared, "Nolan and I met sophomore year in college in Northern Minnesota at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Initially I was drawn to his, deep voice, dark and defined features and masculine build. It wasn’t until we started chatting about our finance class that I really got to know him. He was a very well-spoken, grounded and ambitious individual. We seemed to have an instant connection and understanding of each other. However, I was miss “independent woman that didn’t need a man”. We stuck together as close friends for the remainder of college. He was my finance tutor, I was his source of laughter during the long college days of intense studying! I was always trying to find ways of stretching his extremely intelligent brain and ending our study session with a good laugh. Fast forward to graduation ... we both went our separate ways for a while but stayed in touch. He was always a huge sense of “home” for me whenever we were together! Fast forward again a few years, after a few dinner dates and reconnecting, I finally got off my high horse and decided, Nolan is my person! This is the man I want to do life with. We began officially dating in 2017 and our lives have been more than fulfilling since. What makes our love unique is our ability to find each other after many years of “doing our own thing”. We both agree, we always knew we’d end up together! It was just a matter of time. We were blessed with a baby boy, Lennox this past March! It is an absolute DREAM of ours to elope in a foreign country!"
Vendors:
Venue, Catering, & Bakery: Podere Conti
Floral Designer: La Rosa Canina
Planning & Design: Together Events
Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Photography: Karen Obrist Photography
Paper Goods: Ephemora Co.
Ceramics: Dodici Sessanta
Rental Linens: Bayith Linens
Hair & Makeup Artist: Giulia Cresci
Musicians: Luca Bellotti & Lorerenzo Cavazzini
Harpist: Giulia Ermirio