The couple made time for a sneak peek—and a little kiss—of the amazing tablescape and view from their dinner location on top of the Hassler Hotel in the center of Rome.
October 26, 2019
Ceremony & Reception: Rome, Italy
I always knew we’d have a destination wedding. The big question was, where? I met my husband at Phillips Exeter Academy, but it was our semester abroad together in Rome where we caught the travel bug. We went back and forth on destinations for months. However, we continually found ourselves enamored with Rome, wanting to choose a place filled with memories that we’d be able to share with those closest to us.
Noosheens Floral Event Design Studio decorated the entrance of the Chiesa Santa Maria in Portico with free-standing floral installation.
The hardest part of planning a destination wedding is getting started. After considering the endless location option and finally deciding on Rome, the vision started to come together. Our wedding planner, Cristen Faherty, was extremely helpful in creating an extraordinary experience for our guests. “What feeling do you want the weekend to emote?” she asked. Love, laughter and happiness immediately came to mind. I had a vision of our family and friends enjoying an open-air dinner party overlooking the breathtaking city. With that, Cristen designed an incredible mood and design board, and we explored every rooftop venue that could accommodate our luxe dinner party aesthetic.
The bride enjoying the view outside her suite at the Hotel de Russie before heading to church.
The festivities began on Friday night at the newly renovated Sofitel Roma for a rooftop cocktail party overlooking the Borghese Gardens. Over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, our guests mingled while enjoying the golden sunset gleaming through the ancient gardens. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our wedding weekend.
The bridal party after the ceremony.
Saturday began with getting ready at the Hotel de Russie. After a morning getting glammed up, it was time to put on my handmade coat and gown from Firas Yousif. I had been dreaming about this pretty much every night leading up to the wedding. We had a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony at the Chiesa Santa Maria in Portico in Campitelli in the center of Rome. Noosheens Floral Even Design Studio made the breathtaking setting even more magical with her flowing and organic installations of local flowers and greenery. After the ceremony, we walked the streets of Rome to shoot our portraits. The 70-degree sunny afternoon did justice to Firas’ amazing work.
The bride and groom making the rounds during dinner
Finally, it was time for the big party at our main venue—the Hassler Hotel at the top of the Spanish Steps. Starting with cocktail hour in the courtyard, our guests enjoyed more of Noosheens’ beautiful arrangements, a string quartet, classic Roman aperitifs and plenty of prosecco! After being introduced as Mr. and Mrs., we headed up to the rooftop for dinner.
The tablescape at the Hassler Hotel
Walking out on the rooftop for the first time, we were surrounded by the most striking tablescape of white, pink and gold roses decorating a chic black mirrored table. The sun setting over the view of the Vatican and Pantheon left us speechless. Having our family and closest friends with us for a beautiful evening full of laughs, delicious food and fabulous wine was even better than I dreamed. Once the clock struck midnight, it was time to move the party to the ToyRoom, where we dance the night away.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Cristen and Co., cristenandco.com
Bride's Gown Firas Yousif Originals, firasyousiforiginals.com
Bride's Hair Federico Salon Roma, federicosalon.it
Bride's Makeup Haley Navarro, haleynavarromakeup.com
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Tuxes Indochino, indochino.com
Florals Noosheens Floral Event Design Studio, noosheens.com/eng
Invitations The Paper Perfectionist, thepaperperfectionist.com
Table & Flatware Latini Design, latinidesign.it
Linens BBJ Linen, bbjlinen.com
Reception Venue Hotel Hassler Roma, hotelhasslerroma.com
Welcome Party Venue Sofitel Roma, all.accor.com
Getting-Ready Location Hotel de Russie, roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-de-russie
Photography & Videographer Move Mountains Co., movemountains.co
Photography by: Move Mountains Co.
