Gaia and Davide’s quaint Italian seaside wedding
Q&A with Gaia
The Hedy gown, worn by Gaia
What was your initial vision or inspiration when you started looking for your wedding outfit, and did it evolve throughout the process?
I've always been drawn to the idea of a wedding dress that truly reflects who I am—both in my personality and my minimalist yet elegant style. However, finding such dresses was challenging, as many wedding gowns lean towards a more princess-like aesthetic, one in which I couldn't recognize myself. But when I discovered the designs by Vanessa Cocchiaro, especially the Hedy Gown, I knew I had found the perfect match for my vision. As a close friend whispered during the ceremony, 'This dress is so you: minimalist, chic, and with just the right wedding feel.
Did you have a specific theme or style in mind for your wedding and or outfit, and how did you incorporate it into your final choice?
My partner, now husband, and I always envisioned celebrating our wedding in an intimate way, with a ceremony that truly represented who we are both as individuals and as a couple. Being Italians, originally from a small seaside town, we decided to embrace the aesthetic of a quaint Borgo, with checkered tablecloths, vibrant flowers, delicious food, and plenty of laughter. Choosing the Hedy gown was the perfect fit for the atmosphere we wanted to create, especially as my husband opted for a beige suit with a waistcoat and suede loafers.
Were there any unexpected challenges or surprises you encountered while searching for your dream wedding outfit?
Not really, I was lucky enough to find the perfect dress within a few weeks of searching.
Did you have any sentimental or personal elements incorporated into your wedding outfit, and what made them special to you?
As tradition goes, I wore a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to my grandmother and then my mother, along with a delicate tennis bracelet borrowed from my mom, adding just the right touch of sparkle. As a sweet surprise, I also received a tiny blue suede anklet, which was such a lovely detail.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected part of planning your wedding so far?
The love, care and attention received by our families but also the community of our town.
If you could describe your wedding theme in three words, what would they be?
Quaint Italian Borgo by the sea.
Are there any particular wedding trends or traditions that you intentionally decided to skip or do differently?
We chose to have only a civil wedding, which is quite unusual in Italian tradition. However, this gave us a lot of freedom in planning the ceremony. We selected an entrance song that held special meaning for us (Champagne Supernova by Oasis) and invited a few friends to share their heartfelt words and quotes they had written for the occasion. This made the ceremony incredibly touching, original, and emotional, adding a personal twist to what is often a brief and impersonal civil service.
How would you describe the overall feeling or atmosphere of your wedding day?
It was intimate, personal, fun, and relaxed all at once. One of the nicest things we arranged was having the entire Borgo to ourselves. The ceremony took place under the loggia, followed by an aperitivo and dinner in the small central square, which was exclusively ours. Our little Fiat 500, adorned with flowers, was parked right in the middle. After dinner, we moved to a local winery just around the corner for music and more festivities. The whole event felt cozy, special, and truly unique.
What was the most memorable part of your wedding ceremony for you and your partner?
There was a moment when we were sitting at our table, right beneath the main clock of the square, surrounded by our closest friends and family. In that small Borgo, people had come from all over Italy and Europe, gathered together, relaxed, and happy for us.
The Hedy Gown
Credits
Photographer : Edoardo Sandulli and Cristina Morgese
Makeup: Valorize Yourself-Visoh
Florist: Novia sugar and flowers
Shoes: Aquazzura
Venue: Osteria dell’Arancio, Grottammare, Italy