Jesse + Spencer’s three-part wedding celebration in Puglia
Photo: Klassen Weddings
After 15 years together, childhood sweethearts Jesse + Spencer finally tied the knot. With Jesse’s Italian roots and a birthday trip to Puglia sparking the idea, an Italian wedding was always on the cards. They planned their dream celebration at the stunning Masseria Borgo Ritella, all the way from the U.S., site unseen and with total trust in their planner, Annamaria Pirina of Imperial Weddings.
Blending classic Italian tradition with modern Italian-American “Godfather” flair, vintage fashion moments, and Apulian-inspired florals, they hosted a three-part celebration that was pure style from start to finish.
The Welcome
The Catholic Ceremony
The Wedding Day
Why Italy?
“My family is Italian-American, and that heritage is a big, beating part of our lives. I used to wear my 'Kiss Me I'm Italian' shirt to school every day, and my large Italian family was led by my Italian Nonni's and Papa. As a family we'd do Ravioli Day every year, making homemade pasta and celebrating our Italian roots, so naturally it was a dream of mine from a very young age to celebrate where my grandparents were from. The dream of marrying in Italy became undeniable after Spencer took me to Puglia for my birthday—we fell in love with everything about the region and the people who live there. We’ve never been in a rush to get married, but after Puglia, everything just felt right and we knew what we wanted.”
The Venue
“We wanted a masseria where we could host our closest friends and family for several nights. Our favourite weddings have been multi-day celebrations where everyone gets to know each other, and we really wanted everyone who has been a part of our love story over the past 15 years to connect.
Our brilliant planner, Annamaria Pirina of Imperial Weddings, introduced us to Borgo Ritella. The moment we saw it, it felt like the place I’d always pictured. When we learned they had dates that aligned, we didn’t look back. Wildly enough, we didn’t see the venue in person until our actual wedding week. I’ll never forget my mom, sister, and I sobbing, with Spencer just squeezing my hand with excitement — we knew we’d found the most incredible gem.”
Stand Out Moment
“Our vows. We both made a point to put a lot of time and thought into them—15 years of memories and love to draw from—and it really showed. After the ceremony, guests came up to us saying they could not only hear but truly feel the depth of our love. At the end of the day, that’s really all you can hope for in a wedding.”
The Style
“I wanted a blend of traditional Italian with a touch of what we might call “Frank Sinatra” and “The Godfather” American. The floral arrangements were all inspired by Puglia, featuring produce like olives, grapes, and even green beans.
All my dresses were ivory rather than white, and I wore vintage veils along with family heirlooms from both of my Nonnis. One of my Nonnis was a fairly famous Italian opera singer who performed with Sinatra, so as a jazz singer and actress myself, I wanted to capture that grand energy of Italian romance cinema, a la Fellini.”
Best Money Spent
“The venue itself. It was stunning—between the location, the incredibly kind and accommodating staff, and the whole experience, we feel absolutely lucky to have married there.”
Special Touches
“A friend of mine created incredible illustrations for all the invitations, menus, and signage, perfectly blending the aesthetics—Puglian pumis and olives alongside martini glasses and Hollywood glamour (Flourish Co.). We also placed vintage Italian postcards under each guest’s plate with handwritten personal messages, which we revealed as a surprise during our thank-you speech.”
Stand Out Supplier
“I would love to give a huge shoutout to all of my vendors —Working in the creative world, both in front of and behind the camera, I knew planning this big day — 15 years in the making — would be challenging. But I truly meant what I said about what makes the bridal process so special. There were moments it brought me to tears, just seeing passionate, talented people come together not out of obligation, but because they genuinely love their craft and want to make one day unforgettable. It really does take a village, but every person felt like a friend I’ll stay in touch with for years to come.”
Advice For Couples
“Try to stay as in-the-moment as you can during the planning process (with the help of a good wedding planner, this is totally possible). It’s going to feel overwhelming at times, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying it. Take the chance to revisit your love story together, play your favourite playlists, go on fun dates, and chat about what you’re most excited for. You could even plan a little pre-wedding dinner with friends and family to share that excitement.
That said, don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re stressed or not loving every second of the planning. Ups and downs are completely normal, and chances are other couples are feeling the same way too.”
VENDOR TEAM
Venue: Masseria Borgo Ritella | Photographer: Klassen Weddings | Wedding Planner: The Imperial Weddings | Florals: Fiori di Testa | MUA: Barbara Pastore Makeup | Hair Stylist: Jorge Serrano Hair | Film Photography & Content Creation: Love + Other Stories | Video: Balto Videomaker | Catering: Traetta Exclusive | DJ: Alex Sisto | Bridal Fashion: Madrigal Designs Bridal The Official Margot | Stationary: The Flourish Co | Location Pre Wedding Terrazze Monachile
Categories
PLANNING | REAL WEDDING | SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT | INSPIRATION | WANDERLUST
