This Couple Tied the Knot in a Tiny Church in Italy—and Then Celebrated at a Castle

Romantic Invitations

Wildflowers Calligraphy created the couple's invitation suite, using blush-hued script printed on soft ivory paper.

A Venue with History

Because the couple lives in Hong Kong—this was a destination event for them and their guests—Paul's parents were instrumental in helping them find their location: Schloss-Freudenstein in South Tyrol, where Paul was raised. "I had initially wanted the classic Tuscan destination wedding," Natalie says, "but quickly came around to having the wedding in South Tyrol." The reason? She loved the symbolism behind tying the knot in Paul's home region—"and because it is an unique, undiscovered part of Italy and would make transport easier for his family."

On the couple's first site visit to Schloss-Freudenstein, they fell in love, the bride adds. "From the beautiful little chapel to the gorgeous lawn and grounds overlooking the mountains and valley, to the cobblestoned courtyard, blue dining room, and adjoining terrace—everything was perfect," she says.

A Bespoke Wedding Dress

Natalie tried to find a wedding dress she loved in bridal shops, but was unsuccessful. So, she turned to a trusted tailor in Singapore to design her dream gown—and didn't see it until about a month before the wedding. The dress was just as she had imagined: It had an off-the-shoulder lace top with a deep V-back and an A-line silk chiffon skirt. "It was a little challenging communicating exactly what I envisioned, given that it was an amalgamation of various dresses I had seen," Natalie admits, "but we got there in the end!"

A Meaningful Bouquet

To her organic bouquet—which featured blush roses—Natalie tied a picture of her paternal grandmother, she says, who had passed away many years before.

Three-Piece Suit

Paul's three-piece dark-blue suit was also tailor-made. "As a personal touch, he had our wedding date embroidered in the lining of his suit jacket," Natalie adds.

The Dynamic Wedding Party

The groom gifted his groomsmen their ties, which they used to dress up their navy suits; Natalie asked her bridesmaids to select their own sea-green dresses. "I didn't want them to be in identical outfits," Natalie explains.

A Medieval Chapel

The couple held their ceremony at "the beautiful little medieval chapel located on the grounds of the castle," Natalie says. Inside the chapel, florist Nina e i Fiori draped greenery on the Old-World altar and down the aisle.

A Personal Sermon and Vow Exchange

Natalie and Paul's ceremony was extremely personal. Their friend and officiant wove the couple's love story into his sermon; they exchanged vows they had written for one another. "We were clearly on the same wavelength despite not sharing our vows with each other prior to the ceremony," says Natalie. "There were parts of our vows that were so similar I blurted out during the ceremony that he must have sneaked a peak in advance!"

Finally Married

The couple recessed to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder. As they left the chapel, they were showered in ivory rose petals.

Scooter Photo Op

A baby blue scooter decorated in a floral garland doubled as décor during the couple's reception. (Polaroid cameras were placed nearby for guests, who posed on the bike all night long.)

Vintage Lounge

At the entrance to the reception, Laura Bravi Events and Viviana Tarantino created a lounge area made with antique furniture such as sofas and trunks, which were decorated with large floral arrangements.

Lounge and Sit

Guests found their escort cards, presented on silver platters, in the lounge area.

It's a Sign

Just outside the reception space, the couple strung a banner with words from John 15:12: "Love one another just as I have loved you." As Natalie explains, "We felt this was fitting, given that it was right by the seating chart for our guests."

The Blue Room

The couple held their reception inside a blue-walled dining room, which they filled with round tables covered in ivory linens and Chiavari chairs. "The blue dining room has full stain-glass French doors that open out onto a terrace with a beautiful view of the valley. Our guests would get up between courses to mingle and take photos," Natalie recalls.

Urn Centerpieces

Loose, garden-style floral centerpieces were held in urns. On each table, a table number and taper candles flanked the arrangements.

A Tiny First Course

Smaller centerpieces also dotted the tabletops: Cups filled with beautiful, edible fruit.

Dessert Bar

"I have a massive sweet tooth," Natalie admits, "so dessert was a highlight." The couple offered guests a candlelit dessert buffet filled with seven types of sweets, including dark chocolate torte and raspberry tiramisu.

Higher Love

Natalie and Paul shared their first dance as husband and wife to a cover of "Higher Love" by Crazy Horses. "We wanted something upbeat and fun instead of anything too sappy," Natalie says. To prepare for their moment in the spotlight, they took a few lessons: "We're both not dancers by any means and [wanted] to avoid the awkward prom shuffle."

Sources

Photography and Videography, Melli and Shayne

Location, Schloss-Freudenstein

Event planning, Laura Bravi Events; Viviana Tarantino

Flowers, Nina e i Fiori

Stationery and calligraphy, Wildflowers Calligraphy

Cake, Patisserie Bologna

Music, Martin Perkmann and Tracy Merano

Bride's accessories, Acute Designs, Bella Belle

Groom's suit, Loro Piana