A Declaration Of Love

This Italian inspiration shoot has got me seriously swooning! Those flowers! The tablescape! The incredible neoclassical Villa La Pieve! Whose crumbling walkways, turrets and secret gardens make the most magical backdrop to this shoot. I defy you not to fall in love with at least one aspect of this editorial - it's earthy, feminine, stylish, romantic and classic all at the same time. And it's given me ALL THE HEART EYES. The dreamy images come from Andrea Calvano, whose tag line I highly applaud 'I don't shoot what it looks like. I shoot what it feels like.' Exactly how it should be done.

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The Inspiration

The idea for this shoot came from seeing the beautiful turret of the neoclassical Villa La Pieve, which is in Macerata, in the Marche region of Italy. It was love at first sight and I immediately thought of our own poet, Giacomo Leopardi. His romanticism and the poem “Alla sua donna”, a declaration of love from a man to the woman he loves. That's how a love story begins, based on romanticism. I imagined his invitation for a romantic dinner where he'd propose to her. A place where time has stopped, a wood with numerous little paths, stone tables and flowering hedges, where once upon a time, who knows how many lovers would have taken a long, romantic stroll in the shadow of centuries-old trees.

The Details

The love letter resting on a table, giving out a faint scent of musk. The nib of the pen still fresh from the writing of the calligrapher Nadia Di Leo, the scent of old paper, candlelight, and the emotions of the woman reading the letter. A ring to seal the marriage proposal. A lace dress designed by Agnetti, powder pink shoes made by Mascia Mandolesi capturing the mood of the scene, minimal jewellery with light floral and butterfly motifs created by Immago for Bride. The natural set design was styled by Catia Fizzoni of Sposarti to include pastel tones of antique rose, Marsala and eucalpytus green. The bouquet is very important, irregularly shaped and balanced in tone, delicately tied by silk ribbons from Orchidee de Soiee. Our bride's look is very natural; with her long hair styled by Massimo Cesca, light make-up by the talented Elena Cameranesi with a hint of color for the lips. An understated cake, positioned among the trees, with subtle floral details in the style of a “naked cake”. Floral details accentuate the most atmospheric areas inside the villa where the bride can experience this long-awaited day, a light veil covering her face full of emotion. 
The elegance of neoclassical columns and the atmosphere of candlelight.
 The colours are perfectly complemented by a bare table, with an asymmetric centrepiece, gold hues from brass candelabra, silk runners, anthracite porcelain plates, and antique silver flatware. Waiting for dusk to fall to light the candles ahead of his arrival to then toast and seal the wedding proposal. To record this beautiful inspiration in all its detail: the talented Andrea Calvano, photographer.