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Italy has long been on my bucket list for destination weddings, so when Moz & Aisha (aka the musical duo Stellaire) asked me to photograph their celebrations in Puglia I was beyond stoked. Their two‑part celebration kicked off at Masseria San Giovanni, a 19th‑century Apulian farmhouse thoughtfully restored into one of Puglia’s most sought‑after wedding venues. Surrounded by ancient olive groves and minutes from the Adriatic coast, the Masseria blends rustic elegance with refined simplicity—think white‑washed walls, a panoramic pool and a private chapel nestled among the trees. With fourteen rooms, a vaulted indoor hall, sprawling courtyards and a panoramic terrace, it’s perfectly designed for multi‑day weddings and welcome parties.
After arriving in Puglia (and pinching myself repeatedly), day one unfolded in the Masseria’s courtyard under strings of festoon lights and a sky filled with marigold garlands. Family and friends gathered on the sunbaked terrace for aperitivo hour; the warm, southern Italian air was scented with olive oil and citrus. Aisha did her own hair and makeup (with help from loved ones), and she glowed in mustard‑yellow set. Moz wore a yellow kurta with an intricately woven scarf, perfectly complementing Aisha’s colours.
As guests sipped cocktails and nibbled on focaccia and olives, the evening took on the feel of a mehndi or sangeet, blending Indian traditions with Italian hospitality. Everyone queued at a henna station to have intricate designs painted on their hands; friends circled the couple with a canopy of fabric as they made their grand entrance, and choreographed dances erupted across the terracotta tiles. The dance floor exploded when confetti and rose petals rained down; Aisha and Moz twirled beneath a full moon while they were showered in flowers. It was impossible not to smile as we bounced between Bollywood beats and retro Italian tracks.
If you’ve ever been to Puglia you know food is a love language here. The region is famed for its olive oil, durum‑wheat breads and cucina povera (“peasant cooking”) dishes made from seasonal produce. It’s also home to Puccia, a pizza‑dough bread baked in a wood‑fired oven until the crust is crunchy and the inside tender. For Moz & Aisha’s welcome party, local pizza wizards from @al_buongustaio_ontheroad parked their vintage truck beside the citrus garden and fired up the oven. Guests lined up for slices topped with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and basil, alongside arancini and platters of burrata. Watching everyone tuck into steaming pizza slices on a balmy Italian night felt like a scene from a dream.
The entire weekend was orchestrated by Giuditta of Postcard Perfect, a Puglia‑based wedding planner known for curating bespoke events that showcase the beauty of Southern Italy. Her team hung marigold garlands, transformed the courtyard into a dance floor and made sure every detail reflected Moz & Aisha’s fusion of cultures. From the warm welcome dinner under olive trees to dancing beneath the stars, every moment captured the soul of Pugliano hospitality.
And the best part? This is only day one. The main wedding day at Masseria San Giovanni—complete with heartfelt vows, more music and a ceremony in the chapel—deserves its own story, and I’ll be sharing that soon on the blog. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding that blends the rich traditions of your heritage with the timeless beauty of Italy, a Masseria wedding in Puglia might just be your perfect match.