Cloisters Celebration in Sorrento | Fly Away Bride
Cloisters Celebration in Sorrento | Fly Away Bride
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We didn't have a big budget for our wedding, but I always knew I wanted to get married in Italy. It is one of our favourite countries: I studied art and architecture and Rich has travelled there before so it was the perfect, romantic place to consider. I really had no idea about where to look, so began researching venues and that is when I discovered the venue of my dreams in Sorrento. My grandfather had visited Sorrento many times and always talked about his love of the place, I knew I wanted something romantic and beautiful with historic architecture and found the perfect location. It was through my research that I found the most amazing wedding planner Cheryl Pagano at Bella Sposa.
PLANNING
We wanted a small and intimate celebration with our nearest and dearest: a place with a romantic feel that would make the most of the photography. We picked the Cloisters in the centre of Sorrento for our wedding ceremony: a beautiful medieval chapel with lovely gardens. Cheryl Pagano who owns Bella Sposa was our wedding planner- she really was amazing and looked after me so well on my wedding day. I was due to have a big operation after the wedding and really was quite ill. I was really blessed to have her and cannot recommend her enough!
THE WEDDING DAY
Rich and I both wanted to keep with an Italian theme throughout and to include Italian traditions wherever possible. Our ceremony was a traditional Italian one with Cheryl our wedding planner acting as translator. We had an Italian mandolin and guitar duo playing music throughout the ceremony which was really beautiful. Afterwards we moved to the communal gardens for some shots over the bay of Naples, and then made our way back to Grand Hotel La Favorita (where we were staying) for canapes. It's a tradition for the bride and groom to walk through Sorrento, so as our guests tucked into canapes and were entertained by electric violin we walked through Sorrento to be congratulated by locals and tourists. It was lovely!
Our group then moved to a restaurant called O'Parruchianos for the wedding breakfast. We chose this venue for its location in the lemon groves and we were not disappointed- the owners also made us very welcome. Rather than having a wedding cake, we had a traditional lemon delize tower (light dessert made from local fresh lemons). Finally our wedding party walked down to the Foreigners Club through the local street entertainment- congratulated and cheered all the way- it was magical to see how much people celebrate marriage here. We had live music and Rich and I had our first dance to Etta James' At Last. We chose this venue because Rich is a musician and live music is something he loves.
We left the evening early, unfortunately. I was very ill and awaiting surgery, so was lucky to make it to my wedding. I'd like to make special mention of our wedding planner Cheryl who was a star from start to finish- we still keep in contact now. Anyone who has used her has nothing but positive feedback, she really is one in a million. We had a fairly tight budget, but she worked with what we had and made our dreams come true. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone!"
Photography: The Bros Photography | Wedding Planner: Cheryl Pagano at Bella Sposa | Ceremony: The Cloisters, Sorrento | Reception: Grand Hotel La Favorita | The Wedding Breakfast: O'Parruchiano | Evening Venue & Live Music: The Foreigner's Club | Hair: Elia, Makeup: Maria Rosaria at Coiffeur Forte | Flowers: Giuseppe Terrecuso at Firoi Sorrento | Bride's Dress: Mori Lee 5209 in Blush from Butterfly Brides | Groom & Best Man Suits: Matalan | Tiara: BHS Wedding Department | Jewellery from Limanowa, Poland | Bridesmaid Dresses: Missguided | Veil: Ebay | Diamante Bridal Shoes: Quiz | Flights: Easyjet (Bristol to Naples)
