Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
Patrick is a horticulturist and researcher for a gardening tv program, Rosie is an assistant producer for a childrens’ television show. We are both creative, detail-focused people who enjoy being in nature.
We met on a night out in Melbourne. We had a mutual acquaintance, who Patrick had only met the night before and Rosie had only re-met that night after having not seen her since primary school. After parting ways and not being sure if we would ever see each other again, months later we saw each other across a crowded room at a house party.
Patrick proposed to Rosie when they were on holiday in Kauai, Hawaii. He got down on one knee on the beautiful sands of Turtle beach on the north shore of the island.
We had travelled to Italy before, and decided to marry abroad to keep it intimate. We wanted a special, memorable experience where we would have time to enjoy every moment and the company of every one of our guests. We loved our time in Amalfi, and the stunning coastal location was perfect for us.
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…
We got married in the Amalfi coast in Italy’s south. 15 of our closest family and friends flew all the way from Australia to Italy to join us (no mean feat with a 25 hour flight!). It was a place we visited on our first international trip as a couple, and Rosie’s family is of Italian extraction. For us it was the perfect location.
Natural beauty was the theme. Rosie used to work as an interior designer and stylist so had clear vision of how the day should look and feel. The idea was to use colours and tones from nature, and to really just set the scene to enjoy the staggering natural beauty of the location. We didn’t want any overwhelming colours or styling; when you’re in a location like this less is definitely more.
Our whole wedding day and what would unfold was a surpise to our guests. Everyone stayed in Atrani, a small town with no roads and a lot of very steep stairways, out of the bustle of Amalfi central. Our ceremony venue was a ruined basilica high in the hills on the coast. We had a harp playing during the ceremony as Rosie used to be a string musician.
After the ceremony we took our guests out in a boat for a tour of Amalfi on the water. It was great way to unwind after the ceremony and get everyone in the party mode, and the prosecco was definitely flowing out there on the water as we took in the sights.
The reception venue was at a private balcony of a hotel literally on the waters edge, so the boat pulled up directly to their dock. When we arrived we had organised a folk music duo with a mandolin and guitar to serenade our guests with “volare”, and everyone started dancing immediately!
We had a seemingly endless appertivo hour welcoming before the reception even began, with canapes, cocktails, more prosecco and plenty of dancing.
The sit down dinner was a long, communal table with a full menu focused on fresh local seafood, a no-brainer given the location. The table was draped down the centre with muted, soft flowers and tall taper candles to lend a sense of relaxed elegance.
Our bombieniere for our guests was bottles of locally-made limoncello, prepared for us by an old lady who we met on our first trip.
We had an Italian tradition at the end of our first dance. Our guests unravelled thin streamers as they circled around us, tying us together both literally and with symbolism of the ties that bind our new future.
Our cake was a traditional Italian wedding cake style for the region, called “Millefogie”. It’s prepared with strawberries and fresh custard and was the perfect way to fit a bit more food in when you feel like you’re about to burst. Those Italians know how to eat!
For the night’s conclusion our friends saw us off with an avenue of sparklers, and we retreated up into the hotel above for our first night together as husband and wife.
Tell us about your main outfits:
Patrick was going to get a suit made in Melbourne but left it too late. The tailor suggested Boggi in Rome. He left it to the absolute last minute and picked something up only a few days before the wedding in Rome. He tried to go on the first day when they landed, but was too jetlagged to make a decision, so returned with Rosie the next day and the maid of honour Jess to ably assist.
The groomsmen were left to their own devices to pick suits but coincidentally coordinated! Great minds think alike.
Rosie’s gown was designed by an Israeli designer Rish as part of a limited collection available at the Bridal Atelier. She had to choose a gown that would reflect the ceremony venue but was practical enough to handle the 20 minute walk up to the ruins, as it wasn’t accesible by car. The basilica is in a town in the Amalfi called Scala, which literally means “stairs”!
Her veil was the thinnest available because she didn’t want it to overshadow the dress. The shoes were custom designed by a Melbourne company and made in Italy.
Rosie wore a brass headpiece handmade in the countryside in France, and she worked back and forth with the designer until they came up with the final design. It was adorned with semi-precious stones like white and red moonstones, howlite, amazonite, dragon vein quartz, hematite, jade and rose quartz. These stones were all chosen to bring a calming influence and an overall good vibe.
The only pieces of jewelry Rosie wore were a necklace which was the first piece of jewelry Patrick bought her, and a promise ring. The promise ring is a turn of the century rose gold and water pearl design in a daisy shape, bought from a flea market in Paris the day Patrick told her he loved her.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Walking down the aisle and seeing Patrick cry. Our first kiss, and truly enjoying being with each other on the day.
When Rosie left the house to go to the ceremony an old nonna neighbour broke a plate at her feet covered in rice, apparently it’s an old custom.
The taste of the cake was delicious and something we’re not going to forget in a hurry. The whole food menu was exceptional.
The boat ride was a definite highlight, everyone was really excited. Walking up from the wharf as we got off the boat and hearing the mandolin start.
Our guests breaking into spontaneous tarantella dance when we arrived with the live folk music.
Looking around at how full of happiness everyone was, made it all worth it
Walking around doing the photos with the photographer was a nice, calm intimate moment that we could enjoy being together officially as husband and wife for the first time.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
Just do it. Follow your heart, don’t base your wedding around what everyone else wants you to do. Everyone who cares about you will be happy for you, and if you can dream it you can can make it happen, however difficult it may seem.
Communicate and make sure it’s an equal involvement process. Both partners should have an even stake and want to have themselves reflected in the big event.
A wedding is one of the most personal things a couple can do so make sure it is a real celebration of your love.
Photographer: Free the Bird Weddings Ceremony location: Ruins of the Basilica of Sant’ Eustachio, Scala, Amalfi Coast, Italy Reception location & food/beverages/catering: Hotel Marmorata Ravello, Amalfi Coast Italy at Ristorante L’Antica Cartiera Videographer/ documentarian: Zoe Coldham Entertainment: Florence Art Events Music: Harp – Carmela Cardone (ceremony) Mandolin & Guitar duo – Nino Mandolin (appertivo) – DJ Matthew (dinner and dancing) Flora: Flora Garden Planner: Ilaria Menichetti Glam Events Hire: Wedding solution Cake: Sal De Riso Bomboniere: Lemoncello by Antichi Sapori D’Amalfi Tags for bomboniere /name places/ calligraphy : The Wedding Letters – Laura Mazzetti Transport: Amalfi Car Service Boat ride: Battellieri D’Amalfi Bride’s dress: “Stella Gown” designed by Rish Bridal purchased from The Bridal Atelier Groom’s attire: Suit from Boggi Milano Rings: Diamond Line Jewellery Melbourne Shoes: Rosalie – Habbot Patrick – Meermin Spain Rosalie’s headpiece: Custom designed, hand made by: Mignonne France Patrick’s watch: Instrmnt UK Makeup: Chanel (Makeup artist Gisella) Bridesmaids dresses: Pia Boutique New Zealand Groomsmen attire: Cos & Calvin Klein Hair: Rosalie’s Mother/ Hairdresser: Maria Difelice Celebrant: The Mayor of Scala- Luigi Mansi
