Weddings

Romantic Italian Wedding Editorial

This romantic Italian wedding editorial at CJ’s Off The Square perfectly captured the collective vision of a wedding day that encapsulated the charm and romance of Lake Garda in Italy right here in Franklin, TN. Each and every detail was carefully curated to reflect the unique love story that inspired this editorial. From al fresco dining with Italian wines, to a custom art gallery escort wall, every element was designed to transport guests to the picturesque town square of Lake Garda.

An Italian Love Story Inspiration

This stunning wedding was inspired by this love story, which began in the summer of 2022 when William embarked on a solo journey to Lake Garda for a well-deserved break after earning his master’s degree in business at Vanderbilt University. During his time there, he immersed himself in the local culture. He spent days in Italian cafes and on the beaches, where he observed the locals sailing on the crystal blue waters of the lake.

On one particular day, he sat on the beach with a book and a bottle of Chiaretto Rosato, a blush wine favored by the locals. It was on this beach that he met Jessica, a local Italian girl from Florence who vacationed in Lake Garda every summer. She happened to be enjoying the same wine. It didn’t take long for William to put his book down and introduce himself. Their shared taste in wine sparked an instant connection. They spent the rest of his time in Italy dining at cafes, exploring art galleries, and ending their evenings at beachside bistros sipping local wines. Lake Garda is where they fell in love thanks to the blush wine, Chiaretto Rosato.

Romantic Italian Wedding Details

Every moment and detail captured in this editorial was intentional – a nod to the charming characteristics of Lake Garda and the blush wine William and Jessica were drinking when they fell in love. Joanna Lewis from Siena & Co. Events weaved blush colors throughout the design. Velvet linens from Southern Events, stunning florals by the talented Fiorella Nashville, and custom art pieces on the escort wall all featured the soft blush tones. The addition of deep purples in the florals could easily take this summer wedding right into Fall.

The Floral centerpieces also incorporated clusters of grapes. This was a nod to the vineyards and wineries of Lake Garda. The stunning floral installation with off-set chandeliers was a tribute to the rich history and opulent mansions of the region – as many of the mansions of the time were decorated with rich furniture and large chandeliers. Then, there was the cake which was a work of art designed by Katelin Hayes Desserts. It featured a base iced in a stone-like fashion to mimic the stone architecture of Italy, while cascading icing and florals adorned the lemon flavored cake.

CJ’s off the Square

This dreamy wedding day took place at CJ’s off the Square, a quaint outdoor venue in Franklin, TN. The charming garden attached to the historical home provided the perfect setting for this romantic Italian inspired wedding editorial. Mature, Italian cypress trees and white blossoms framed the front porch, pulling guests in. The blossoming flowers created an aromatic breeze reminiscent of the beaches of Lake Garda.

The beautiful bride, Jessica, wore a simple, but very classic gown. The Farrow wedding dress by Jenny Yoo, cut in a beautifully textured crinkle habotai, featured a notched sweetheart neckline, a flattering angled cummerbund waist, and dramatic off-the-shoulder sleeves. Then, the gathered ball skirt allowed for beautiful movement, enabling the bride to dance freely the entire day. The groom wore a classic suit and bowtie with a blush jacket, perfectly tying in with the rest of the design.

Favorite Design Elements

The “never been done before” art gallery escort wall, featuring sensory art pieces with blooming florals, was one of the standout design elements. Coming from their inspirational love story, this innovative element was crafted to wow and entertain guests and serve as a reminder of the modern art galleries that couple visited in Italy. The hand-painted name and table cards on canvas added a personalized touch. This custom design extended to the the invitation suites, each of which was meticulously hand-painted.

This gorgeous, Italian wedding editorial was a beautiful celebration of a whirlwind romance that began in Lake Garda and came to life in Franklin, TN. The amazing vendors and industry talent worked together wonderfully, creating a visual masterpiece to impress guests and whisk them away to the Italian coast.