Real Wedding – Dana & Sten, Sorrento, Italy
Dana and Sten got as far as paying a deposit on a local venue when they realised a traditional wedding wasn’t for them. Instead, the two decided to escape to Italy with 26 of their nearest and dearest for intimate ‘I dos’ with an immaculate backdrop.
After landing on a hotel that could host the ceremony and reception, Dana embraced authentic Italian styling and symbols such as lemons in the tablescape florals and blue detailing on the place cards.
After the formalities, the newlyweds dined and danced by the sea under the stars – giddy with love and grateful they never gave up on their dream day.
Read on to learn how the pair planned a wedding in another country and see how it came together through the talented eye of Lauren Wild Creative.
The meeting.
We met in August 2020 at a rooftop bar. I was having dinner with a friend and Sten was sitting at a nearby table with his friends. After a few exchanged glances, I turned to my friend and said, “He’s cute!”. It turned out she knew him so she sent me his Instagram profile. I followed him that night and the next morning Sten messaged me asking if I was the girl from the restaurant. A few days later, we went on our first date, and we’ve been inseparable ever since!
The ‘one’.
When we realized we were best friends. After our first date, it was clear we didn’t want to spend any time apart—and it’s been that way ever since.
The proposal.
Sten proposed during a really special weekend—my university graduation. My parents, who lived out of the country at the time, had flown in to celebrate. One night, while walking home after dinner with them, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was perfect.
Planning process.
At first, we planned a local wedding in Denver, Colorado (USA). We toured a venue, picked a date and even put down a deposit. But after a week of thinking it over, we realized that a traditional wedding wasn’t what we wanted. We started looking into destination weddings and landed on the breathtaking Sorrento, Italy. From there, we searched for a hotel venue that could host both the ceremony and reception to make it as seamless as possible for our guests. Once we chose the venue, the rest of the planning was a breeze. Their wedding coordinator, Francesco, handled so much for us and it made the whole process stress-free!
Style inspiration.
We didn’t have a specific “vision” in mind—Sorrento itself brought the vibe. I wanted something simple and elegant, which came through in my dress, the florals, and the minimal décor. Honestly, when the Italian coast is your backdrop, you don’t need much else. Facebook wedding groups for Italy were my lifeline! Planning a wedding overseas came with unique challenges and the best advice came from other brides who had been through it. I found my hair and makeup team and even connected with Lauren, our photographer, through those groups.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony—and the entire wedding—was small and intimate. Since I’m an only child, it was really meaningful to have both my Mom and Dad walk me down the aisle. Our officiant was a close friend, which made it even more personal. Surrounded by immediate family and our closest friends, we focused on our vows. We poured our hearts into them and it was so special to share that moment with everyone there.
The outfits.
Finding the right outfits took a bit of trial and error! For the rehearsal dinner, I finally landed on the House of CB “Margiela” dress—an ivory midi dress with a shimmery crystal neckline and hem, paired with sparkly sandals. Sten wore a custom forest green suit with a matching tan belt and Chelsea boots, which suited him perfectly.
For the wedding, I wanted a timeless look. I told the boutique I wanted to avoid trendy designs and stick to something elegant and chic. I also mentioned I was open to a “party in the back.” My dress was exactly that: simple and sleek in the front, with beautiful lace/floral details on the back and train. I also wore a bridal scarf to tie it all together.
Favourite moments.
It’s hard to pick just one but my favorite part was writing our vows on the morning of the wedding. We sat outside on our balcony, sipping coffee in the morning sun, transferring them from our phones to our vow books. It was such a peaceful and sweet moment. I loved sneaking glances at Sten and seeing him smile as he wrote.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage is a true partnership. It’s not always an equal 50/50 balance—sometimes you need to give more, and other times, you need to lean on your partner. For me, it’s about sharing all the amazing milestones while knowing I have my best friend by my side for every moment in between.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle – Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (Played by live violinist)
Recessional – Perfect by Ed Sheeran (Played by live violinist)
First Dance – You’re Still the One by Shania Twain. We made an impromptu switch to that song a few days before leaving for Italy, and it felt just right!
Funny stories or near disasters.
Brides, beware of hugs. One of my friends hugged me a little too tightly and accidentally left some makeup on my dress. Thankfully, my Mom worked her stain-removal magic just in time for bridal portraits.
Words of wisdom.
Enjoy it and plan together. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your fiancé—just be super clear about what you need. It makes a world of difference, especially in the final weeks leading up to the big day. Soak it all in! It’s such a special and memorable time. Try not to let stress take over and be fully present on the day—it goes by so quickly!
For more Italian ‘I do’ inspiration, scroll through Brooke & Tazz’ Amalfi Coast wedding.
DANA & STEN’S SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony and reception venue: The Grand Hotel Royal Sorrento, Italy
Officiant: Sameer Patel – close friend of the groom & bride
Photography: Lauren Wild Creative
Videography: Nick Godden via Lauren Wild Creative
Florist: Castellano Fiori
Hair & Make-Up: Jimena Puy
The dress: Madi Lane bought from LUV Bridal, Denver
Scarf: Etsy
Shoes: Bridal – Betsy Johnson flats for ceremony, Golden Goose sneakers for reception
Groom – 3DM Lifestyle
Grooms Tux – Custom from Indochino
Bow tie: The Suit Supply
Favours: Custom limoncello bottles via Giardini di Cataldo
Cake & stationery: The Grand Hotel Royal Sorrento, Italy
Entertainment: Ceremony violinist Pierluigi Esposito
Reception DJ: Vincenzo
Honeymoon: Capri, Italy & Taormina, Sicily
