When Aubrey and Michael began talking in 2020, it almost didn’t happen. After connecting online, Michael missed the FaceTime call Aubrey insisted on before meeting in person. Fortunately, she decided to make an exception. Within moments of their first coffee date, she felt an overwhelming sense that she had met the person she would spend her life with.
Three years later, Michael planned a proposal as thoughtful as it was romantic. What Aubrey believed was a birthday getaway in Laguna Beach became something far more memorable when she discovered a candlelit pathway lined with rose petals, photographs, and florals leading to an ocean overlook. There, surrounded by memories of their relationship, he asked her to marry him.
Falling for the Umbrian Countryside
Captured beautifully by YANA KORN PHOTOGRAPHY, Aubrey and Michael’s wedding unfolded at the breathtaking CASTELLO DI PETRATA. Working alongside planner VALENTINA DEL LUCCHESE and florist MAGNOLIA FIORI, they created a celebration that felt both sophisticated and deeply personal.
Italy held special significance for the couple. Their first international trip together had taken them there, and they quickly fell in love with the country’s countryside landscapes. When they discovered CASTELLO DI PETRATA, perched among rolling hills with sweeping views across Umbria, they knew they had found the perfect setting.
One of the aspects they loved most was having exclusive use of the property for an entire weekend. Rather than a single day of celebrations, they were able to gather their 90 closest family members and friends for several days of meaningful connection.
On a sunny June afternoon overlooking the Umbrian countryside, Aubrey and Michael exchanged handwritten vows beneath a chuppah, chosen to honour Michael’s family heritage.
A Vision That Brought Two Dreams Together
Like many couples, Aubrey and Michael didn’t initially share the same vision for their wedding day. Aubrey imagined an intimate destination elopement, while Michael pictured a grand local celebration reminiscent of a Gatsby-era affair. Their Italian wedding became the perfect compromise. By bringing their loved ones abroad, they created an experience that felt both intimate and expansive. Guests arrived for a relaxed rehearsal dinner in the castle’s courtyard, where freshly made pizzas emerged from an outdoor oven alongside aperitifs and local drinks. The celebrations continued after the wedding with a laid-back poolside gathering, allowing everyone to savour a little more time together before returning home.
One of the aspects they loved most was having exclusive use of the property for an entire weekend.
Timeless Fashion and Elegant Details
Aubrey’s bridal style perfectly reflected the classic aesthetic she envisioned for the day. She chose a strapless silk mikado gown by PRONOVIAS, featuring a romantic princess silhouette and dramatic train. Pearl drop earrings and elegant Dolce Vita heels completed the refined look. Michael wore a custom-designed black tuxedo paired with polished Magnani shoes, creating a timeless look that complemented the sophisticated setting beautifully. Throughout the wedding, thoughtful details elevated the guest experience. Welcome bags featured favourite Italian treats, while locally sourced olive oil from Montepulciano was gifted as a meaningful keepsake for family and friends.
The celebrations continued after the wedding with a laid-back poolside gathering, allowing everyone to savour a little more time together before returning home.
Vows Among the Hills
On a sunny June afternoon overlooking the Umbrian countryside, Aubrey and Michael exchanged handwritten vows beneath a chuppah, chosen to honour Michael’s family heritage. Although nerves surfaced before the ceremony, Aubrey remembers feeling instantly calm the moment she met Michael at the altar. The ceremony was officiated by Michael’s childhood best friend, adding another deeply personal layer to an already emotional occasion.
YANA KORN’S imagery captures these moments with remarkable sensitivity, preserving both the grandeur of the setting and the intimate emotions shared throughout the day.
An Italian Feast to Remember
Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the gardens with panoramic views stretching towards Assisi. In true Italian style, an endless selection of aperitifs, cheeses, meats, pizzas, caviar, and drinks ensured everyone was thoroughly spoiled before dinner even began. As evening arrived, guests gathered around a striking serpentine reception table. Aubrey loved the organic flow of the design and the way it encouraged connection among guests. Arrangements of white and cream blooms by MAGNOLIA FIORI brought softness and movement to the tablescape, complementing the beauty of the venue without competing with it.
One of the evening’s highlights came as the newlyweds made their grand entrance to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” dancing up the stairs while family and friends cheered from their seats.
A Weekend Worth Savouring
Rather than rushing off on honeymoon immediately after the wedding, Aubrey and Michael chose to spend a few quiet days in Sardinia before returning home. It gave them precious time to reflect on everything they had experienced together and soak in the memories of a celebration that was every bit as meaningful as they had hoped.
Through YANA KORN’S thoughtful lens, every moment of this unforgettable wedding weekend has been preserved with warmth, elegance, and authenticity, creating a beautiful record of a love story that began with one unexpected exception.
