Maggie + Eli’s wedding in an Umbrian castle
Photography by Stefano Santucci
As owners of a fine art and collectible furniture gallery, Maggie and Eli have spent much of their time travelling through Europe, sourcing unique pieces and embracing the continent’s rich history. When planning their wedding, Maggie and Eli wanted their closest family and friends to experience the same sense of freedom they’d found in Europe, along with their love of history, which led them to the stunning 12th-century Castello di Solfagnano in Umbria.
For Maggie and Eli, the day was about celebrating love, history, and family, breaking away from the traditional wedding norms and to focus on what mattered most—their connection and sharing that in an intimate setting with the people they love most.
Why Italy
“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 honour our relationship and be the perfect excuse to break our friends out of their moulds. The soul of Italy is one of warmth, family, and romance. I swear the light just shines more golden there.”
The 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.”
Stand Out Moment
“There are a million things that stand out.... really every moment of the ceremony stood out. Something really special that was unexpected was arriving at the castle with the entire party. It's as if everyone reverted to a child, the excitement was so palpable. In the first couple hours everyone was running through the yards, the different rooms jumping with excitement, pointing out beautiful objects, it was like a big game of tag in a castle.”
The Vibe
“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. 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.”
The Budget
“We had 50 guests in total and our budget was $100k. This was not our initial budget. We considered many options like a courthouse wedding and a party on the beach, a compound of Joshua Tree. We tried to hone in on bringing people to places that we felt really strong ties to. Ultimately we were encouraged by our family to go big and they really helped us out. I think we could have gotten away with 40-50k with the same venue if we did not rent it and house everyone for the extended weekend. However, treating the wedding like a family vacation all under 1 roof was our main wish. I think the budget can really be helped by understanding how big or how streamlined the couple's vision is.”
The Style
“My inspiration for the event was the Veiled Virgin, a Carrara marble statue carved in Rome by Italian sculptor Giovanni Strazza (1850’s). I chose an off white pearl coloured slinky number from Daniel Frankel that has a dramatic low back and a sculptural neck. Once the dress was selected I had an accordion pleated veil custom made by Danielle Frankel Studio to mirror the art. Along with that we chose such a beautiful venue and let the natural beauty do a lot of the heavy lifting. ”
Stand Out Supplier
“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.”
Advice For Couples
“It’s easier said than done but don’t forget to honour 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 being authentic is never EVER a bad thing.”
VENDOR TEAM
Venue: Castello Di Solfagnano | Photographer: Stefano Santucci | Entertainment: The Brother Rockers | Planner: Your Wedding In Italy | Dress: Danielle Frankel | Bride Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Suit: Zegna | Tie: YSL | Engagement Ring: Castro Smith
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