The Journey to ‘I do’
Sometimes, two soulmates are meant to be. And Chiara and Andrea’s love story proves it! A modern-day fairytale love story, the pair met through online dating (aka Tinder) when it was a big thing. Looking back, Chiara jokingly recounts how the romantic tale almost did not happen. When Andrea first messaged her to go on a date, she was actually at a mate’s birthday party – and almost missed out on the fun! But as fate would have it, she decided, ‘Why not’?
Chiara left the party, and made her way to the wheel of Brisbane to meet Andrea, before heading to the Emporium rooftop bar together for some drinks and nibbles. Although it was their first time meeting face-to-face, the rest was history.
Like the first date, the proposal was just as spontaneous and fun. Andrea proposed in a way that was so typical of him, nerdy and unique, which makes Chiara love it even more. And we ADORE it as well – it’s like a movie playing right in front of our faces! While they were dating, Andrea was smashing out his PhD thesis, and when he finally completed it, he asked Chiara to read it over. It was the most unassuming scenario (the kitchen to be exact), which probably made it the best time for Andrea to pop the question. Within the acknowledgements section, the words “wanted to thank my beautiful wife*” popped out. Riddled with confusion, Chiara asked:
“Why would you write wife, I’m not your wife?”
“Yeah, you need to read the footnote.”
Chiara scanned down to the bottom of the page…“*Will you marry me.” She turned around and there he was with the ring box. A few tears were shed, and of course, she said YES. An endearing and thoughtful act, the couple’s proposal is now documented forever in writing (in his thesis).
A Big Fat Italian Wedding
The lovebirds were set on getting married in Italy with a traditional countryside wedding, as Andrea and Chiara both have roots in La Madre Patria (the motherland). Deciding to celebrate in Chiara’s father’s hometown, the perfect wedding was well on its way. The pair settled on a Tuscan venue that had ticked all the boxes. It had a simple, quaint aesthetic, a luxurious villa to house all their nearest and dearest, and was a fuss-free walk away to the medieval Renaissance church where they were to be wed. And of course, the really, really, REALLY good food.
“ To me, marriage is more than just the big wedding or the dress (although that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about celebrating love, creating a new family, and showing the people you care about that this is the person you’ve chosen for life.”
Particularly, Chiara envisioned a fun-filled day surrounded by her loved ones, where everyone could share an amazing time. The bride’s entire family and extended family from both sides flew over to witness the beautiful union between Chiara and Andrea. Talk about a “big fat Italian wedding”!
Chiara’s Dream Gown
With a solid idea of her bridal attire brewing in her mind, Chiara was excited to go around different bridal boutiques to try on amazing dresses with her entourage of two – her mum and sister. And we get it, when else can you feel like a princess the whole day?
Saving her inspiration from online (as we all do), she fell head over heels for a famous Italian influencer’s wedding gown. Going for a lace long-sleeved top with a tulle skirt, she wanted her gown to showcase her beautiful elegance while matching the Tuscan countryside. And like many of our brides who were looking at lace gowns, nailing the exact lace proved to be a challenge.
But when she arrived at When Freddie Met Lilly, her concerns slowly disappeared as she was guided through the process by our lovely founder and bridal designer, Vanessa.
“ I loved my experience at When Freddie met Lilly. Vanessa was so personal and it felt really heartfelt and meaningful when designing the dress. It literally felt like shopping with a best friend! She was so warm, creative, and accommodating — I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Together, Chiara and Vanessa created a gorgeous gown that suited her perfectly and highlighted her sophistication… and Andrea thought so too! At the wedding altar, he complimented her – saying she looked incredible and IS the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. This special moment was also Chiara’s first look at Andrea, where she shared her own fair share of happy tears. Although she had known that he would be dressed in a classic timeless suit designed by one of their good friends (Leif Lyons), she was still taken by surprise.
The Wedding Planning
When she finally had time to take a breather, Chiara basked in their wedding planning efforts, enjoying the fruits of their labor. She had intentionally let the venue speak for itself as it already has so much character and history. Instead of fussing over the decor, the couple kept it simple with long tables and olive leaves running down the middle to align with the country Tuscan theme. Festoon lighting also adorned the outdoor space, and soft, rustic mix of white and pale pink blooms created small accent points on the chairs, dining table and cake cutting table. A perfect nod to the Tuscan countryside.
Even though the decor was kept simple, the entire ceremony was filled with thought and significance – just like the couple. During the signing of registry documents, Chaira and Andrea each chose 2 of their loved ones to sit directly behind them as they forged their partnership in writing. Behind Andrea were his 2 best mates dressed suavely in black, and behind Chiara was her sister and sister-in-law, dressed in coordinating orange and yellow.
An Unforgettable Moment
A highlight for Chiara was definitely getting to leave the church as newlyweds in the retro Fiat500 car. A lovestuck wife-y, she got to stick her head out of the roof and enjoy a fun joyride. Even though she left with a small cut, it was all worth it.
Advice for Future Brides
Sharing some words of wisdom that she herself has received, she divulges in her planning process. Have a wet weather plan.
“My tips for future brides is to just relax and enjoy the process! It can get overwhelming and stressful when trying to plan everything but it goes so quick and before you know its all over. I know that a wet weather plan can be a no brainer but it took the pressure off of thinking “what if its pouring rain?!”
Vendor Tag:
Dress: When Freddie Met Lilly
Suit: Leif Lyons
Photographer: Alessio Laz Photography
Venue: Borgo Il Castagno
Florals: Simone at Grazie Dei Fiori
Bar: Salotto Negroni 1919
Catering: RM Glamour Ricevimenti
Cake: A local pastry shop (Pasticceria Miele)
Hair and Makeup: Chiara and Mum!
