Read on how an all-star Filipino team carried out Karla Zulueta’s Italian nuptials.
Weddings are a culmination. They’re the combined taste of a couple committing themselves to each other for the rest of their lives, so it’s common practice to have the party and ceremony reflect their unique identities. Filipina entrepreneur Karla Zulueta understood this brief to a tee—having all Filipino suppliers for her Tuscan nuptials to British investor Oliver Wildmore this past May.
The two-day event in late May was held at Borgo San Luigi in Siena, Tuscany with over 60 guests from the United Kingdom, the US, and Asia. The region of Tuscany holds great significance within their relationship; they met here two years ago and Oliver proposed over the Tuscan hills exactly a year ago; so there was only one logical place for the wedding to happen, but Karla simply won’t hold a ceremony without an all-star Filipino team.
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One of the Philippines’ top destination wedding planner Amanda Tirol was at the helm of the entire celebration, with flowers and styling by renowned designer Gideon Hermosa. Nice Print Photography, known for covering celebrity weddings, and the glam duo of Mariah Santos and Vien Nueva, were also flown in for the ceremony.
The wedding festivities kicked off with a Welcome Dinner, where Karla wore a pina-abaca woven “Alon” dress made by Rajo Laurel. The party was themed after rustic Tuscan sunsets where tables were lined with dark leaves, citrus, and organic textiles.
When it came to the big day, Gideon drew inspiration from the Italian gardens and cypress trees that lined the estate of Borgo San Luigi. He likened the place to an Italian romance film—an otherworldly atmosphere with rolling grass and trees. Delicate white florals proved to be the perfect touch that enhanced the estate’s natural beauty.
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The sheer white floral wedding dress designed by Francis Libiran was also pivotal to the entire concept, resulting in an elegant and classic white-themed tablescape with overhanging chandeliers to fit the four-course Italian feast Karla and Oliver had planned for the guests.
As plans were being made, there was always the consideration that things might end up going in a different direction. While Tuscany was known for its long summer days, it happened to rain a lot around the dates of the ceremony. The team took this as a blessing, as is often believed in Filipino culture, and they were thankfully gifted a sunny sky on the day of the ceremony.
Amanda was glad to have pulled everything off. She shares that it was an extraordinary experience to showcase world-class Filipino talent from a thousand miles away. Gideon shares that destination weddings always pose a challenge when it comes to logistics and sourcing, but it’s nothing his team hasn’t handled before. Amanda shares a similar sentiment, adding that cultural differences and language barriers remain a hurdle–but it helps to have an all-star team of suppliers to execute this dreamy Italian affair to perfection.
Planning and coordination EVENTS BY AMANDA TIROL
Stylist GIDEON HERMOSA
Photo and Video NICEPRINT PHOTOGRAPHY
Venue BORGO SAN LUIGI
Invitations and printables PRINTDIVAS
Bridal gown FRANCIS LIBIRAN
Rehearsal dinner outfit RAJO LAUREL
Entourage outfits ZOO LABEL
Entertainment ITALIAN FOLK TRIO BY MUSICA EVENTO
DJ PAUL AND SAX
Hair and make up MARIAH SANTOS AND VIEN NUEVA
Grazing table APÉRITIF
Rentals PRELUDIO
Officiant FRANCESA ITALIAN CELEBRANTS
