An Evening to Remember

By: Rosa Cavallo, WPICC, CWD

All of our projects are important but this particular one was near and dear to my heart. 

What started out as a final project for my WPIC Wedding And Event Design Fundamentals course turned out to be such a personal celebration for myself and my family. Because of that, we are left with such beautiful memories to hold onto and cherish. Truly, an evening to remember.

As planners we strive to not only bring our clients vision to life, but to personalize the event in ways that make it memorable for guests. Especially the guests of honour.

When thinking about my hypothetical clients for this assignment, I remembered the story of my aunt’s wedding in southern Italy that has remained like a romantic fairy tale for me.

A beautiful wedding reception held under the olive trees on my grandfather’s land and all the older aunts, and ladies of the town helping to prepare the meal days before the wedding day. For years I have visualized the simple beauty of that day.

My aunt, my mother’s oldest sister, and my godmother dressed in a simple hand-made and hand-embroidered white gown. My uncle dressed in his finest suit. My mom and all of her siblings feverishly helping with the preparations, as my grandmother directed everyone in the olive grove. The meal was simple yet delicious, consisting of what we know today as “Italian Wedding Soup”, with the tiniest little meat balls, all hand rolled, and all the same size! Home made wine, that could rival any winery.

An elegant yet simple one-tiered wedding cake made with fresh seasonal fruit and whipped cream. Long harvest tables dressed in fine white hand embroidered linens, and the bride and groom mingling among their guests and handing out white “confetti”, known as Jordan almonds.

This fairy tale wedding that I have visualized for the last thirty-five years was my inspiration for this assignment. The clients were a young Italian couple celebrating their engagement in the back yard of the family home of the bride to be.

Their wishes were a beautiful summer evening meal “al fresco” shared with their closest family and friends to celebrate their love and the love that surrounds them daily.

Personal touches were added, such as her mothers’ vintage cut crystal stem ware, vintage milk glass bud vase collection, her family’s antique furniture, photos of her parents own love story, and the use of sunflowers. Also, Queen Anne’s lace, and olive branches that hold so many memories dear to their heart.

The day of the install was bittersweet, as I knew that all of my hard work would pay off in more ways than a final grade.

Fast forward to the evening: It was a perfect combination of simple elegance filled with love, laughter, the making of beautiful memories and delicious food. The antique harvest table was dressed in a simple checkered table runner, a relaxed and whimsical floral arrangement with trailing foliage and olive branches.

Vintage glass and milk glass bud vases lined the table with individual blooms, and flanked at either end were two myrtle topiaries relaxed in shape lending to an uncontrived and easy going feeling.

The simplicity of the florals and rustic appeal was juxtaposed by the elegant, scalloped edge chargers, gold Chiavari chairs (Special Event Rentals), and vintage cut crystal stemware. A carefully curated desert table adorned with a mix of fresh and silk florals (Homesense) consisted of our favorite deserts. A lemon Bundt cake (Nothing Bundt Cakes), individual pastries (Crivellar Cakes), and macaroons.

It was truly an evening to remember. A chance for us to come together as a family and enjoy one last meal in our backyard with my father who shortly afterwards became ill. Anyone that knew my Dad remembers his favorite thing to do was to enjoy a simple meal “al fresco” with family and friends. For one final time we were able to take pleasure in this humble tradition, and are left with heart warming memories.  

I truly thank WPIC for this opportunity to share such an unforgettable evening with my family.  An evening that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever.