Inside: A Colourful Wedding In Puglia

Join The Wedding Edition as we sit down with Francesca Sciaraffa-Welland, Beauty Buyer at Harvey Nichols, to discover the enchanting details of her destination wedding celebration in Puglia, Italy.

The Story So Far

Tom and I met five years ago in Somerset while working at Clarks’ head office. From the beginning, we connected, sharing a love for shoes, adventure, and new beginnings. After some time, we made a big leap—moving to London, where we both found new jobs and bought our first home together in Fulham. Fast forward to last year, when Tom planned a magical proposal during a family holiday to Puglia. In true romantic fashion, he sought my dad’s blessing, initially planning to propose in his home county of Devon. However, my dad suggested he pop the question in Puglia so the family could celebrate together. It was the best decision, making an unforgettable trip even more special. Puglia became a place we will always hold dear—so much so, we chose it as our wedding destination! Tom proposed with a vintage ring from Mortimers Jewellers in Exeter, featuring a centre diamond surrounded by emeralds and a halo of diamonds. The ring even appeared in Devon Life magazine! It’s a timeless piece that perfectly captures our love—classic, elegant, and full of history.

The Venue

We wanted our wedding to be a week-long celebration with our closest friends and family, and Puglia provided the perfect backdrop. We spent the week enjoying beautiful beaches like Bagno Marino Archi and indulging in amazing local food. It was the ideal way to lead up to the big day—relaxing and creating lasting memories. We kicked off the celebrations with welcome drinks at Est Hotel, a perfect sunset setting to begin our festivities. Our wedding took place at Cala dei Balcani in Santa Cesarea Terme, a breathtaking venue that stole our hearts the moment we saw it. After visiting several locations in Puglia, we instantly knew this was the one. The venue’s natural beauty, woodland charm, and stunning sea views made it truly magical. With the help of our brilliant wedding planner, Serena Urbano from Wed in Salento, we used different areas of the venue to host key moments of the day. The transition from the woodland ceremony to the seaside dinner was absolutely spectacular. What truly stood out, beyond the views and hospitality, was the incredible food and wine. The day after the wedding, we hosted a relaxed beach day, giving us a chance to soak up the joy with our loved ones.

The Fashion

I spent months searching for the perfect dress, visiting shops across the UK before booking an appointment at Pronovias on Bond Street. I fell in love with the very first dress I tried, but after chatting with the consultant, she suggested another gown. The moment I put it on, I knew it was the one. It was everything I had imagined. When we asked about the designer, she revealed it was Vera Wang, which felt like fate—my mother had worn Vera Wang on her wedding day, too. For my shoes, I wanted something that honoured both my Italian heritage and our Puglia wedding destination. Gucci was the perfect choice, blending elegance and tradition.

Tom went for classic black tuxedos for himself, our fathers, and his groomsmen. He chose the iconic British brand M&S, a nod to his own heritage.

The Jewellery

I wore meaningful pieces on the day. My parents gifted me a beautiful gold necklace with floral designs from Completed Works, which felt incredibly special. I borrowed my mum’s timeless pearl drop earrings, and my two bridesmaids gifted me a gold Monica Vinader bracelet, engraved with our wedding date and our initials inside. On the morning of our Puglia wedding, Tom surprised me with a diamond cross necklace, the most sentimental gift. For his look, Tom wore a classic Rolex Datejust 41 Jubilee and his family’s Rebus signet ring from Hatton Garden.

The Bridal Party

I was lucky to have eight amazing bridesmaids, and I wanted them to feel comfortable and confident on the day. My only request: they wear pink. We ended up with a beautiful array of floral patterns, bright pinks, and soft blush tones, which came together perfectly. The dresses were from a mix of brands, which added charm and individuality. I gifted each bridesmaid a silver heart bracelet as a token of appreciation. Tom’s groomsmen received bottles of Escentric Molecules 02 fragrance—a personal, stylish touch.

Transportation

I surprised Tom with a vintage white Fiat convertible with red leather interiors, perfectly matching the Italian setting. It was waiting outside the church as we exited, and his reaction was priceless. Our venue was just a short walk from the church, so our guests strolled Mamma Mia style through the charming town, creating a festive atmosphere. After the cocktail hour, Tom and I were meant to ride off into the sunset in the Fiat, but it broke down! Though unexpected, it made for a memorable story we’ll always laugh about.

The Tablescape

Our tablescape reflected our wedding’s theme, focusing on a vibrant palette of pink, orange, and yellow. Hot pink, orange, and yellow candles adorned the tables, with open lemons scattered among floral centrepieces for a fresh, cheerful touch. For favours, we chose handmade ceramics from Puglia, featuring splattered paint in a variety of colours. These ceramics played an extra special role in Tom’s speech, filled with Limoncello for everyone to toast at the end. Our stationery, hand-painted by family friend Lucy Innes Williams, captured the essence of a Puglia wedding and became keepsakes for our guests.

Food & Drinks

One of the main reasons we chose Puglia was the incredible food—it was truly a culinary experience. We began with an Aperol welcome reception at sunset, setting a magical tone. Our guests enjoyed live mozzarella-making stations, fresh oysters, and a range of pasta dishes, followed by a barbecue serving steak and swordfish. The desserts were divine, but the highlight was our classic Italian wedding cake. In a fun moment, Tom and I donned chef hats to dust the cake with icing—a joyful experience shared with our guests.

Entertainment

For entertainment, we enlisted Sisto Events, and they made the day unforgettable. The ceremony began with a harp and violin duo in the church. I walked down the aisle to Love Divine, a hymn from my school’s chamber choir, making it deeply personal. As we exited the church, they played an instrumental version of This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole, adding a celebratory touch. At sunset, we enjoyed Ibiza classics played by a saxophonist, setting the perfect vibe. Our first dance was to Let’s Stay Together by Al Green, a song we’d practiced dancing to in our kitchen. The night ended with a packed dance floor, where Alex Sisto kept the energy high until the early hours.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

As a beauty buyer for Harvey Nichols, I was excited about my beauty prep. I treated myself to regular Dermalogica facials and focused on wellness from the inside out—supplements, hydration, and mindfulness kept me calm during the lead-up. For my wedding fragrance, I wore Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s A Part of Me, which launched on my wedding day, making it feel even more special. On the big day, I kept my makeup simple and elegant, relying on hero products like Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick and Laura Mercier pressed powder to keep shine at bay.

Favourite Wedding Gifts

We requested no gifts, but my sisters surprised me with a beautiful scrapbook of letters to the bride, written by the important women in my life. Reading through their heartfelt words was one of the most emotional moments of the day. We also received a stunning Astier de Villatte vase from Abask, which now sits proudly on our mantlepiece.

The Honeymoon

Directly after the wedding, we took a mini-moon to Rome. It was the perfect mix of romance and culture as we explored the historical sites and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere. From Rome, we travelled to Venice, where we enjoyed magical gondola rides, explored the islands of Murano and Burano, and indulged in Venetian cuisine. We’re planning our full honeymoon to Mauritius next year for a much-needed relaxing getaway in paradise.

Advice

One of the most important lessons Tom and I learned during the wedding planning process was to tackle as much as possible together. This helped us stay on track and ensured we were both invested in creating a day we would cherish. I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner—our planner, Serena, was instrumental to our day. Finally, involving family in the planning was incredibly rewarding, creating unforgettable bonding moments.