Anna and Max, with the help of destination wedding planner Roberto Raspollini, celebrated their love enveloped by the timeless allure of Tuscany…
WEDDING PLANNER: RoRas Destination Wedding
Anna had just celebrated her friend’s engagement when Max was busy planning their very own. It happened in Italy, during their trip to Portofino. They usually rent a boat out to sea, and differently from usual, Max has planned a second trip out to sea with a sunset cruise for both of them. “That evening, we spent what felt like ages trying to anchor in one particular bay. I kept asking why we couldn’t just go somewhere else, but Max was determined. Eventually, I sat at the back of the boat, looking into the water, when he said, “Anna, I need to ask you a question.” That’s when it hit me, says Anna.
We unintentionally anchored close to the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue in San Fruttuoso. I had wanted to see this, but had dismissed it due to time constraints. Seeing it clearly from the boat made the moment feel quiet and meaningful. Meanwhile, Max was looking for a calm, private spot to propose without the boat drifting or the ring being lost overboard. He tied us up near a cove, with a few curious sunbathers watching, and I thankfully said yes. My acceptance was conditional on our returning there one day for our wedding.”
Their hearts were set on Italy, and to make sure everyone could make the wedding, they picked half term to celebrate their destination wedding. Anna and Max married on the 27th of October 2024 in a beautiful setting ideal for the intimate feel they wanted for their big day.
“We explored numerous venues and narrowed them down to six. Castello Vicchiomaggio, in Tuscany, was a last-minute discovery, but we added it to our list and visited it in person. The castle had everything we desired: stunning views, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, delicious wine, on-site accommodations, and ample space for a Plan B. It was the perfect venue for our intimate celebration of 30 close friends and family,” the couple shares.
Roberto Raspollini, a Tuscan-based wedding planner known for creating beautiful multi-day weddings in Italy and Spain, helped Anna and Max orchestrate their dream wedding. The couple desired an elegant, classic, and timeless feel that celebrated the natural splendour of Tuscany. The wedding’s colour palette included white, cream, emerald, and olive, with a touch of orange to evoke the autumn season. The lovebirds share: “It turned out perfectly. Roberto was able to work without versatile demands and constraints, which we are really grateful for. The wedding truly turned out to be about us. Devil is in the details, indeed, and the little details of colours, wedding signs designed by the groom, carefully curated stationery and guest favours, meticulously chosen playlist and even the choice of dinner dishes – everything was a reflection of “us”. ”
The morning had a couple of twists and turns as the groom had a missing button on his shirt, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. He truly enjoyed moments with his father and best men over drinks before the ceremony started, and he looked dashing when walking up the aisle in this navy, double-breasted tuxedo, different from a classic black.
The bride’s morning was calm and enjoyable thanks to careful planning and organisation. She enjoyed a photoshoot with her bridal party and even managed to sneak in a cheeky photoshoot with their classic car. Putting on the dress felt a little rushed, but the resulting photos were stunning, making the brief stress worthwhile.
“The story of how I found my wedding dress was quite an adventure! I’m originally from Riga, Latvia, and while living in London, I decided to go back home to find my dresses. A year before the wedding, I flew to Riga to try on a few styles and get an idea of what I liked. Then I returned in March and visited a bridal shop where I found a dress I thought was “the one.” However, it turned out that the second dress I tried was actually the perfect one.
I cancelled my other appointments and went back to London. In May, I realised that I absolutely hated the first dress and couldn’t imagine wearing it on my wedding day. Thankfully, my mom and the shop owner were incredibly understanding and allowed me to keep the second dress and exchange the first one without losing my deposit. They even did a video call with me and showed me different dresses on a mannequin. After a stressful two hours and almost having a breakdown, I finally chose a new dress and placed the order. I didn’t try it on until three months before the wedding, but luckily, I liked it and everything worked out.
In the end, I actually had three dresses for my wedding! The first was a princess-style gown, the second was a more modern dress that was perfect for our first dance, and the third was a mini dress that I hadn’t planned on wearing but ended up being perfect for dancing and partying.”
Music played a big part throughout the entire day, and the couple felt very lucky to be surrounded by great talents in the industry. For their ceremony, they had a string duo. The bride’s entrance song was inspired by Hauser, a Croatian cellist, playing “Now We Are Free,” leading to the selection of a cello and violin duo for the ceremony. The live band Akira Manera was chosen for the aperitif, and their song choices were well-received by the guests. A surprise electric violin performance by Anastasia, the violinist, took place while the bride changed dresses after dinner. The party started with a collaboration between Akira Manera and the DJ to set the mood for the night. VDJ Lele, the DJ, was present from dinner onwards and played a crucial role in coordinating the timing of events, including the first dance, cake cutting with music, and cold fireworks. He also incorporated the couple’s video and karaoke into the party.
The newlyweds agree that the most memorable moment of their day was their first dance performance to Michael Buble’s “Feeling Good”. The groom began the performance with a heartfelt serenade. As the song progressed, the bride made her entrance, captivating everyone with her graceful dance moves. The surprise reveal of her stunning dress change added an extra layer of enchantment to the performance. The couple’s beautiful dance together brought the performance to a close, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
THE DREAM TEAM
WEDDING PLANNER: @roras_destinationwedding VENUE & CATERING: @castellovicchiomaggio STATIONERY: @lyndaathey @max28r, @dontlabel PHOTOGRAPHER: @esme.filmandphotography VIDEOGRAPHER: @tanyaallenbyfilms and @anna.abel.films FLORIST: @fioriedintornituscany DJ, KARAOKE & FIREWORKS: @vdjlele STRING DUO & VIOLIN PERFORMANCE: @violinitaly MUSIC BAND: @akiramanera HMUA: @sots_muah LIGHTS: @weddingcentralhouse CLASSIC CAR: @rentaclassiccareurope CELEBRANT: @w.celebrants
