An Extravagant European Celebration | Real Weddings: Johana & Cesare
An impossibly chic affair, this couple’s wedding celebration paid homage to their European heritage
“We went on our first date on the 18th of January 2020 to Alici in Bluewaters Island and never separated since,” smiles Johana Dana. After meeting on a dating app, Swiss-Italian Johana and Italian Cesare Fulci got engaged two years later in the most romantic of ways.
“We left Dubai after being there over Covid and moved to France for Cesare to do his MBA. He proposed on the day we were to move into our new place in Paris. I walked into the apartment to find 25 red, heart-shaped balloons with Polaroid pictures that had small notes written in black except for some red letters, which throughout the 25 images spelled ‘WILL YOU MARRY ME?’ From baby pictures, to our first trip for Valentine’s day at Al Maha… the last image was an empty picture which said: “So after all these amazing years, are you ready for our next chapter?”
I opened the door of our bedroom and found him. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in Italian. I didn’t even manage to say ‘yes’ because I was crying so much, it was the most wonderful feeling of love and excitement. We spent the next two hours calling our loved ones and celebrated over a romantic dinner in Paris,” explains Johana.
Just over a year later, the couple wed in Florence with 200 guests in attendance at the Villa Corsini. The pair created a logo that would be the theme for all of the stationery and décor and had their initials, C&J, written in blue and green olive branches on the side to represent the Tuscan olive trees painted in water colours.
“Our wedding floral décor followed that theme of light blue, including blue hydrangeas, chamomile and white peonies which are my favourite flowers, with touches of greenery including olive branches. My bouquet was just white peonies with chamomile. I wanted to include a personal touch and printed images of our grandparents that have left us which were pinned under the flowers to keep them close to me,’’ Johana reminisces.
Guests danced and dined the night away and as expected, the food served was a highlight. Appetisers were served throughout the aperitif with tiny tuna and beef tartare, zucchini tartlets and cheese and truffle puffs being guest favourites. For dinner, ravioli filled with ricotta and burrata with a parmesan sabayon and confit tomatoes was served for the starter followed by a veal filet. For dessert the newlyweds served their wedding cake – a classic Italian one-layer millefeuille with red fruits on top.
Having loved every minute of her big day, one moment stood out to the bride as the most special. “Entering the dinner with everyone singing and dancing and sitting down at the table and having a moment to look at everyone there to celebrate us and see the finished product of months of work,” says Johana.
The guests left with the most gorgeous keepsakes with the bride explaining, “We wanted to gift our guests something that represented us both. We made mini ceramic name cards in Sicily which guests could take back with them after the party. We also gave away mini olive oil bottles; my family produces this olive oil in our summer house in Tuscany.”
Post wedding, the couple went on a ‘mini moon’ to Ischia for three days and stayed at the stunning Mezzatore Hotel. They hope to enjoy their honeymoon in Bora Bora in early 2024 which will be the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
Bride’s Black Book
Dress: Self Portrait For The Welcome Event, A Bespoke Dress For The Wedding, And Safiyaa For The Party
Veil: Johana’s Mother’s 30-year-old Wedding Veil
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Photography: Elena Foresto, @magik
Videography: Yes Wedding, @yesweddingvideos
Event Planning: Alessia From Corsini Events, @corsini.events_group
Venue: Villa Corsini A Mezzomonte, @villa_corsini
Flowers: Simone Bertini, @simonebertinifloraldesigner
Catering: Galateo, @galateoricevimenti
Beauty: The Porfirio, @ Theporfirio_
Entertainment: Super Pop, @s.u.p.e.r.p.o.p
Photography By Elena Forest
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride’s Autumn Winter 2023 issue