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Italy’s sun‑kissed Puglia region is famous for its olive groves, whitewashed villages and timeless Masseria—fortified farmhouses now lovingly restored into boutique venues. After their colourful mehndi‑style welcome party, Moz & Aisha continued their multi‑day celebration at the 19th‑century Masseria San Giovanni. Set among ancient olive trees and citrus orchards minutes from the Adriatic coast, the Masseria offers 14 suites, a chapel, a vaulted reception hall and panoramic terraces perfect for destination weddings. Picture limestone arches, colonnaded walkways, a glistening pool and a small white chapel topped with a stone cross—the ultimate canvas for a modern Italian ceremony.
Day two began in the estate’s guest rooms. Moz strummed his guitar while leafing through an Italian phrasebook; his brown double‑breasted suit hung from a limestone wall alongside a silk cravat. Aisha, still glowing from night one’s dancing, slipped into a bronze two‑piece lehenga with billowing sleeves and pearl‑encrusted dupatta. She did her own hair and makeup (with a little help from family) and accessorized with strings of gold and pearl jewellery laid out on crisp linen. Outside, florists from La Vie en Rose Flower Design built meadow‑style arrangements of daisies, chamomile and olive branches; baskets filled with paper parasols and woven fans awaited guests.
Guests gathered on wooden benches under the Puglian sun, sheltered by cream parasols. Aisha descended the Masseria’s stone staircase carrying a daisy‑laden bouquet, hennaed feet peeking beneath her gown, while Moz waited by the chapel’s arched door. Their celebrant, Marry Us Gary, is a maestro of good vibes—he wants couples totally relaxed and guests having a brilliant time; formerly a performer and electrician, he ditched the tools to become a full‑time celebrant and MC and is renowned for his humour and ability to get the party started. He crafted a heartfelt, inclusive ceremony that blended Indian traditions with modern vows. After a flurry of white confetti, the newlyweds shared a kiss amid a wildflower aisle and walked out to cheers from their friends and family.
Cocktail hour unfolded on the lawn beside the chapel. Servers from the Nicola De Bartolo Group passed Aperol spritzes, mini arancini and taralli crackers while a live mozzarella bar (“Il Casaro”) pulled fresh curds by hand. Puglia’s cuisine is rooted in seasonal produce and wood‑fired breads; locals bake puccia—a pizza‑dough bread cooked in wood‑fired ovens until the crust is crunchy and the inside soft—and this spirit of rustic simplicity inspired the menu. The team later served handmade orecchiette with broccoli rabe and slow‑cooked lamb, finishing with tiramisu and limoncello for dolce.
While guests mingled, Mustacchi Bros provided the soundtrack. The Puglia‑based swing band channels vintage Italian jazz with modern energy, and their trombone, banjo and saxophone had everyone toe‑tapping. With their trademark moustaches and matching braces, they roamed between tables and serenaded couples during dinner.
During golden hour, we snuck away for portraits. Moz and Aisha wandered hand‑in‑hand along gravel paths flanked by dry stone walls and olive trees. We shot by the Masseria’s pool and by a vintage mustard‑yellow Fiat, paying homage to La Dolce Vita. Aisha’s chiffon dupatta caught the breeze, and the couple shared quiet moments beneath an olive canopy. Later we found a secluded corner where bougainvillea climbed whitewashed walls and the setting sun painted everything in soft pastels. These relaxed portraits epitomised why Puglia is such a dream for European wedding photography: the light, the textures and the endless rustic backdrops.
As dusk fell, guests followed a path of candles to the reception lawn. Here a star‑shaped luminarie—coloured festival lights often used at Italian summer fairs—hovered above long timber tables. Each table was set with pale turquoise plates, gold flatware, green pressed‑glass goblets and linen napkins tied with chamomile sprigs. Daisy‑filled urns ran down the center, and handwritten menus told the story of the food. Moz and Aisha made a grand entrance; Aisha had changed into a shimmering silver lehenga, and guests waved napkins as the couple twirled into the dining area.
Between courses, heartfelt speeches and belly laughs echoed across the courtyard, and the Mustacchi Bros kept the mood high. When the luminarie lights flickered to life, everyone hit the dance floor; napkins were spun above heads, and the brides bangles clinked in time with the music. Under the Puglian stars, this fusion of cultures created pure magic.
Moz & Aisha’s celebration shows why multi‑day weddings in Italy are worth every bit of planning. Masseria San Giovanni’s combination of rustic farm charm and refined luxury gives couples space to relax, celebrate and create multiple experiences for guests. The region’s farm‑to‑table cuisine, olive‑scented breezes and centuries‑old stonework add layers of sensory richness, while the ability to host welcome parties, ceremonies and receptions all in one place makes for a stress‑free destination wedding.
As a photographer, capturing a European wedding like this is a dream. The light and textures of Puglia lend themselves to cinematic imagery; from the archways and shadow‑patterns to the terracotta soil and white stone, every corner is a backdrop. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Italy or dreaming of a European elopement, don’t be afraid to blend cultures, traditions and personal touches—hire local artisans (like La Vie en Rose for florals or the Nicola De Bartolo Group for catering), embrace regional cuisine, and choose a celebrant who will craft a ceremony that feels like you. And if you’re still searching for the right photographer to tell your story, I’d love to be that third wheel. Get in touch and let’s plan your Puglia wedding adventure!
