When Alex and Saskia began planning their wedding, Italy was always the reference point. Their vision centred around long summer dinners, citrus-filled tablescapes and the relaxed atmosphere of a celebration that unfolds well into the evening. Rather than asking guests to travel abroad, they brought that vision back to Bristol, choosing to marry close to home and creating a day that blended the familiarity of an English garden party with the warmth and colour of a Sicilian summer.

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     The morning was split between two places that felt entirely fitting. Saskia got ready at her parents' home, surrounded by her closest friends and family, while Alex spent the morning with his groomsmen at a nearby hotel before walking to the local pub for lunch ahead of the ceremony. There was an understated ease to the start of the day—nothing overly orchestrated, just the anticipation of seeing everyone together a few hours later.

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      Saskia's bridesmaids were each given a simple brief: summer in Italy. Rather than matching dresses, they chose colourful gowns in different silhouettes and shades, creating a palette that felt considered without looking uniform. Against the stone buildings of the village and the late summer light, the effect was effortless.

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     The ceremony took place in the local church where generations of family and friends gathered to watch them exchange vows. Afterwards, guests lined the church path for confetti before Alex and Saskia climbed into a classic Defender, trading the churchyard for the next chapter of the celebration.

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     Their reception was held at Saskia's childhood school, transformed almost beyond recognition. A traditional English marquee sat within the gardens, while inside, the styling leaned unapologetically Mediterranean. Mature olive trees softened the space, bowls of Sicilian lemons spilled along the tables, and every detail struck a balance between relaxed Italian hospitality and classic English summer entertaining. Rather than recreating Italy literally, the design borrowed its best qualities—the colour, generosity and sense of abundance—while remaining rooted in the English countryside.

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     Food, conversation and candlelight carried the celebration into the evening, exactly as Alex and Saskia had imagined from the outset. It was less about recreating a destination wedding than capturing the atmosphere that had inspired it, proving that the feeling of a place often matters more than the place itself.

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     Before dinner gave way to dancing, we slipped away for a few minutes to the cricket pitch. Having met at university through a shared love of sport, it felt like a natural setting for a handful of portraits. As the light softened across the grounds, the cricket field became a quiet contrast to the energy of the marquee—a simple nod to a part of their story, and a reminder that the most personal details are often the ones that don't need explaining.