A Lace Layered Wedding in Puglia

Set against the imposing limestone architecture of Borgo Egnazia, the wedding of Mia and Alex was a striking ode to the poetry of Puglia. 

The ceremony took place on a rooftop overlooking the horizon, sea and greens coalescing, where guests sat on lace-draped benches surrounded by untamed white blooms and sculptural greenery. 

The setting was pared back yet resonant for the reception, which unfolded in the piazza beneath cascades of suspended lace. Long tables adorned in vintage crochet and creamy ceramics serpentined through the square, their composition defined by balance, movement, and the enduring elegance of southern design.

The bride wore an Andrea Sedici gown and Aquazzura heels.

Our Story

Names / Mia Rudolph & Alex Rudolph

Location / Puglia Italy

Guest Numbers / 120

How We Met

Alex and I matched on Raya in January 2022. He was in Miami, I was in LA, and neither of us were really looking for love, but the universe had other plans. I ghosted him after one message (regretfully!), but fate gave us a second chance. During Super Bowl weekend, his brother-in-law randomly met me and later told Alex, “You have to DM this girl, she’s your type.” Alex realized we had already matched and reached out again with a charming little lie: “Were you at Delilah last night?” (He wasn’t.)

This time, I answered.

He kept trying to meet, I kept hesitating. I thought he was short (he’s 6’4″). But something about him felt different.
Weeks later, I was actually moving to Miami, and I finally gave in and met him at a Heat game. The moment I saw him, everything shifted. We locked eyes, and I just knew. It felt easy, exciting, and strangely familiar.
That night, we ended up at E11even dancing to Ja Rule. Not the typical love story, but somehow it was perfect. And now, every time Ja Rule plays, it brings us right back to the night everything began. Fast forward to now, we cut our wedding cake to a Ja Rule song.

Our Engagement Story

If you know my fiancé, Alex Rudolph, you know he is Type A in the best way, an incredible planner who organizes everything with precision. While we had originally planned a trip to Europe that fall, those plans fell through, and Alex rerouted us to St. Barths, a place we had always dreamed of visiting.

We had a short, four-night getaway, and a proposal was not on my radar. Alex told me our hotel, Rosewood Le Guanahani, did a private “welcome picnic” on the beach every Friday, and I believed him. When we arrived, there was a beautiful setup waiting for us. Just as I wondered if he might propose, Alex went down on one knee, but the ring was missing. We laughed as he ran back to the hotel to get it, returning for the real proposal.

We had two proposals in one evening, and it was perfectly us: spontaneous, heartfelt, and unforgettable. It is a story we will treasure and tell for the rest of our lives.

What we love most about each other…

Mia is the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met. Everything she does is rooted in love and intention. Nothing is ever half-hearted with her. Whether it’s a perfectly chosen gift or the way she shows up for the people she loves, she gives all of herself, every single time. Knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with someone who leads with love, who pours her heart into everything and everyone she cares about, is the greatest gift I could ever receive. She’s the one I want to share every chapter of my life with, from the quiet mornings to the chaotic, beautiful moments we can’t predict. Mia isn’t just the love of my life, she’s the best part of it.

To know Alex is to witness what it means to love with your whole heart. He is passionate in everything he does, whether it’s building a life for us or simply making me laugh on an ordinary Tuesday. He is the kind of man who turns every moment into something meaningful. A true provider, not just in the way he takes care of us, but in how he pours his soul into our relationship, our future, and the life we’re building together. He makes my dreams feel not only possible but inevitable. He believes in me in a way that makes me believe in myself more. He makes me feel safe, seen, and endlessly loved. And in a world that moves fast, he still slows down to write me love letters. He’s a true romantic, the kind of man who looks at me like I’m magic. I thank God every day that I get to do life with him.

The Setting

Wedding Location

We chose Borgo Egnazia as our wedding venue for many meaningful reasons. First and foremost, the property truly has everything you could dream of, from breathtaking scenery and a beautiful beach club to a golf course and even a charming farm, my personal favorite. There is an effortless magic to it all. Puglia, the region where Borgo Egnazia is located, is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. It still feels authentic and untouched, far from overly touristy areas. Walking through nearby villages, you get a sense of experiencing the real Italy, unlike places such as the Amalfi Coast, where English often dominates the streets.

Borgo Egnazia is a newer property, yet it was thoughtfully designed to feel like a medieval village. It is unlike anything we had ever seen, romantic and completely transportive. One of the biggest draws for us was being able to host almost all of our wedding events on-site. This eliminated the stress of transportation logistics, allowing our guests to relax and fully enjoy the experience. It is rare to find a venue in Italy large enough to accommodate all your guests, host a multi-day celebration, and still offer luxury amenities throughout their stay. Our goal was to make the weekend seamless, and Borgo Egnazia and our planning team made that possible.

We held our ceremony on a rooftop overlooking the Puglian horizon and the rolling greens of the golf course, perfectly symbolic of us as a couple. I am a beach girl, and he is a golf guy. Cocktail hour took place in the uliveto, the serene olive grove that looks out over Borgo’s iconic pool. For the reception, we gathered in the piazza, the heart of the village, surrounded by beautiful stone buildings that make Borgo so unique. When it came time to dance, we transformed the beach club into our private nightclub for the afterparty.

It was incredibly special to have so many distinctive and stunning spaces on one property. Each event had its own character, yet it all felt cohesive and deeply personal. It truly was a dream.

Aesthetic

My vision for our wedding day and welcome night was to fully embrace the rich culture and traditions of Puglia. I wanted every detail to feel authentic to the region’s heritage, highlighting local artisans and their crafts. As someone who has always loved lace, I was especially inspired by Puglia’s renowned tradition of lace making and crochet. This became a central theme of our celebration.

At our welcome night, we featured live lace makers and embroiderers who demonstrated their beautiful, intricate craft. On our wedding day, vintage and handmade Puglian lace adorned every part of the experience, from the ceremony benches to the cocktail hour curtains, and to the stunning lace installations suspended above our dinner tables. It was a celebration not just of our love, but of the artistry and beauty of Puglia itself.

Preparation

Alex and I started the day with breakfast together in our villa, the perfect way to begin the morning. He surprised me with the most beautiful bracelet as my wedding gift, and we had a fun moment where I asked him to guess what my dress looked like. He was not too far off. Later, my bridesmaids, mom, and mother-in-law joined me at the villa to get ready with our amazing hair and makeup team. It was such a relaxed and exciting atmosphere, exactly how I had hoped it would feel.

As a special thank you, I gifted each of my bridesmaids a matching bracelet by Jessica Ricci, a talented jewelry designer who travels the world sourcing vintage lace and casting it into intricate pieces. She had visited Puglia and created stunning bracelets made from traditional Puglian lace. Instead of carrying bouquets, my bridesmaids wore these meaningful pieces, a unique and personal touch. Continuing the lace theme, I custom made my getting-ready outfit out of a handmade crochet tablecloth that my great-great-grandmother made.

Photography

Choosing a photographer was one of the most challenging parts of planning our wedding. I have a specific vision for photography: I am drawn to warm, rich tones that feel timeless, while much of the current trend leans toward cool, light, airy edits that can wash people out. When I discovered Linas Dambrauskas and saw his “Puglian Fairytale” wedding, I instantly fell in love with his style. His work captures atmosphere, emotion, and beauty in a natural way. The warmth, depth, and editorial quality of his editing were exactly what I had been searching for. He was truly the perfect fit.

Videography

I fell in love with Made in Video the moment I saw their work. Every wedding film they create feels deeply emotional and intimate, and you can truly feel the connection between each couple they capture. Our own wedding video completely took our breath away. It beautifully told the story of our weekend, including the joy, the energy, and the celebration, but most importantly, it captured the love and passion Alex and I share. It is something we will treasure forever.

“There is an effortless magic to it all. Puglia still feels authentic and untouched, far from overly touristy areas. Walking through nearby villages, you get a sense of experiencing the real Italy.”

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

For the ceremony florals, my vision was an overgrown, organic look, something that felt natural and romantic, with all-white blooms and tons of greenery. I wanted to avoid anything that felt too structured or overly styled. While the original plan was to line the aisle with white petals, the wind had other ideas, which honestly added to the wild feel I was going for. I gave the florist creative freedom to select the specific white flowers, with one important guideline: no pops of color, not even yellow centers. Everything needed to stay true to the soft palette. To tie in our lace theme, we used long benches for guest seating, each draped in vintage embroidered lace bed sheets. It was a simple yet striking detail, and I absolutely loved how it all came together.

Reception Décor

Our reception décor was everything I had ever dreamed of. It felt like stepping into a romantic, lace-filled dream. We chose long, curved tables draped in vintage and handmade lace and crochet tablecloths, creating a soft, textural foundation that perfectly reflected the Puglian aesthetic. I wanted the tables to feel intimate and glowing, so I opted for candlelight only, with no florals. Originally, the candles were meant to stand alone without hurricanes, but the wind had other plans. Even with the glass covers, most of the candles would not stay lit, but I will take that over rain any day.

The table settings were some of my favorite details. We used beautifully etched glassware with delicate lace patterns, paired with vintage-style silverware and simple white ceramic chargers. The place settings were a personal highlight. Menus were printed on scalloped doilies, and each guest’s name was embroidered onto an additional lace doily, placed atop their charger. It felt thoughtful, unique, and like a little keepsake for everyone. To frame the space, we used ceramics filled with florals along the outer walls and soft drapery to add warmth. The true showstopper, however, was the floating lace hangings suspended above the tables. Inspired by the traditional linens of Locorotondo in Puglia, where families hang their finest lace linens across the streets during festivals, they added the most breathtaking visual element. As the sun set and our candlelit dinner began, the scene felt nothing short of magical.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Andrea from Italian Weddings and Events is truly the reason our wedding weekend was as magical and meaningful as it was. Without her, none of it would have been possible. We could not have asked for a better planning experience, and we are endlessly grateful to Andrea and her incredible team for making it all happen. Alex and I spoke with several planners before connecting with Andrea, and from our very first conversation, we knew she was the one. We instantly clicked. You often hear horror stories about brides feeling frustrated or disconnected from their planners, but that could not have been further from our experience. I trusted Andrea completely with the most important weekend of my life. She not only brought my vision to life, she elevated it in every possible way. Every detail, from flawless execution to thoughtful décor, exceeded my expectations. Andrea’s taste, creativity, and calm expertise made the entire process feel seamless and enjoyable. She truly went above and beyond, and I will never stop singing her praises.

Flowers

It was really important to me to keep the floral design clean, timeless, and true to my personal style. I focused on all-white florals paired with lots of lush greenery, avoiding any pops of color. I have always been drawn to a neutral palette, and I wanted the entire day to reflect that. For the ceremony, I pictured a natural, overgrown look that felt effortless and organic, and our florist absolutely brought that vision to life. My bouquet was made of lily of the valley and cabbage roses, both meaningful choices as they are Alex’s and my birth flowers. I chose not to have traditional bridesmaid bouquets. Instead, I gifted each bridesmaid a lace-inspired bracelet as a personal and lasting keepsake.

Stationery

We used Bliss & Bone for both our wedding website and virtual save the dates. Going digital made everything easier and more streamlined. It allowed us to track RSVPs and helped ensure guests booked their rooms in our required room block well in advance, which was a huge help in planning. For our invitation suites, we worked with Acqua & Ink, whom I discovered on Pinterest. While gathering inspiration, I realized I had pinned almost all of her designs without even noticing. She is a true artist, and designing the invitations became one of my favorite parts of planning. They set the tone for our wedding weekend and built excitement for our guests, giving them a beautiful preview of what to expect in Puglia.

The invitations were wrapped in a gorgeous handmade lace paper sleeve, tying perfectly into our overall theme. We also incorporated the Puglian pumo, a regional symbol of good fortune, featuring our initials for a personalized touch. For our day-of stationery, we carried the lace theme through in a meaningful way. Each guest’s name was delicately embroidered on a lace doily placed on top of their charger, with the wedding menu printed on another doily beneath it. These were both beautiful details and thoughtful keepsakes for our guests.

Favors

We wanted to welcome our guests in the authentic Puglian spirit by gifting them keepsakes inspired by the local villages. Each guest received a pumo, a traditional Puglian ceramic symbolizing good fortune and fertility, alongside a refillable ceramic bottle of olive oil, and both sweet and savory taralli, the beloved crunchy snacks of the region. These gifts were presented with our wedding itineraries, beautifully designed by Acqua & Ink, all tied together with delicate lace ribbon to reflect the weekend’s theme.

In addition to the welcome baskets, we surprised everyone with custom-designed hats that complemented the aesthetic of our wedding and Borgo Egnazia. The front read “Rudolphs Per Sempre,” meaning “Rudolphs Forever,” the side featured the pumo with our initials, and the back displayed our wedding date in Roman numerals. It was a special way to create lasting memories and celebrate the weekend in true Puglian style.

Food & Beverages

Our welcome night was a Puglian festival with live food stations featuring mozzarella, burrata, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, BBQ, and panzerotti, complemented by gelato, wine, and cocktails.

On our wedding day, we started with a pre-ceremony Prosecco bar, followed by cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, and tray service of Italian margaritas and espresso martinis. Dinner featured tuna tartare, fried squash blossoms, and a choice of classic tomato pasta or truffle and cheese pasta. Wine flowed at the tables alongside two open bars. Tequila shots kicked off the afterparty, where guests enjoyed cake, a dessert buffet, late-night snacks, and lively entertainment. The white party at Lido Bambu featured a varied buffet and multiple open bars, keeping the weekend celebrations vibrant and fun.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

For the welcome night, I wore a custom Andrea Sedici eyelet silk ruffle gown with Jimmy Choo silk heels. On the wedding day, I wore a handmade macrame lace gown by Andrea Sedici, a custom veil by Nicole Bridal, and Aquazzura silk heels. For the afterparty, I wore my mom’s vintage Monique Lhuillier wedding dress with Zara heels. At the white party, I wore a Kilentar dress that I turned into a skirt and top set with my seamstress, paired with Jimmy Choo silk heels.

Bridesmaids’ Dresses & Shoes

My bridesmaids wore whatever they wanted in neutral shades of beige, tan, or gold. I did not want anyone’s dresses to match and wanted everyone to feel great on my wedding day. They also wore the Puglian lace bracelets I mentioned earlier.

Wedding Rings

My engagement ring is an elongated radiant cut set in yellow gold with a half bezel radiant eternity band. Alex’s ring is a gold band passed down from his great-granduncle, who my grandpa was named after since he never had children. My godmother saved the ring for us.

Jewelry & Accessories

On the welcome night, I wore pearl drop earrings from Ring Concierge along with a seeded pearl bracelet gifted by my mother-in-law that belonged to Alex’s late grandmother. On the wedding day, Alex gifted me an emerald cut tennis bracelet, which I paired with pearl and gold earrings gifted by my mom that had belonged to my late grandfather and were purchased during his travels to Italy. For the afterparty, I kept Alex’s bracelet, changed my earrings to the Ring Concierge pearl drops, and wore a seeded pearl choker that matched the bracelet from the welcome night.

Hair & Makeup

For the welcome night, I wore my hair in a romantic bun with natural makeup to feel like a classic princess. On the wedding day, I wore my hair half-up, half-down, which was a new style for me and became my favorite ever, paired with natural makeup similar to the welcome night. For the white party, I wore my natural curls half-up because of my high-neck dress and added a glowy makeup look with a small winged liner. My makeup team did an amazing job, and all of my bridesmaids and both moms felt and looked perfect.

Groom’s Attire

Alex wore a custom silk ivory suit by Damiani in Miami and a lapel pin made from one of his late grandfather’s cufflinks, gifted by his mother. His groomsmen wore linen suits from Damiani, and Alex gifted them white linen shirts and pocket squares with their initials embroidered.

“On our wedding day, vintage and handmade Puglian lace adorned every part of the experience, from the ceremony benches to the cocktail hour curtains, and to the stunning lace installations suspended above our dinner tables. It was a celebration not just of our love, but of the artistry and beauty of Puglia itself.”

The Details

Transport

We flew to Italy for our wedding. All events were at Borgo Egnazia except the white party. Most locations were within walking distance for our guests, but there were short five-minute shuttles to the wedding afterparty and ten-minute shuttles to the white party at Lido Bambu. Alex and I drove a vintage convertible to the white party.

Honeymoon

We took a mini-moon in Amalfi right after our wedding, which was convenient from Puglia because we hired a driver to take us to Naples and then took a ferry to Ischia. We continued to Capri and then Ravello. It was a perfect way to continue celebrating while winding down before heading home. Our honeymoon in Japan is coming up soon, and we plan to visit all the hotspots, including Okinawa.

Entertainment

On the welcome night, a traditional Italian folk band sang, danced, and moved through the crowd, getting all our guests dancing in a big circle. Women on stilts, live artisans, and a mural artist added to the festive atmosphere, and we even did grape stomping.

On the wedding day, a saxophone accompanied the ceremony, and a roaming Italian band played Italian classics during cocktail hour. Alex and I made a grand entrance holding the reins of a donkey, which immediately pooped on my dress, creating a hilarious and unforgettable moment. During dinner, the saxophone set the mood, and the band returned later. Alex surprised me with La Serenata, singing Volare with the band, completely catching me off guard.

At the afterparty, a fireworks show during the cake cutting kicked off the night. DJ Rich, flown in from the UK, played a 90s and early 2000s set featuring Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, and our favorites.

The white party celebrated early 2000s hip hop and R&B. DJ Rich nailed the playlist, and Alex’s tequila shots helped get everyone back on the dance floor. We danced to classics like Ja Rule, Chingy, and Fabolous, fully celebrating as newlyweds.

Celebrant

Our officiant was Alex’s dad, Doug, who is incredibly important to us. Doug has always been Alex’s role model, a talented singer and songwriter, and renowned for his way with words. He wrote a song for our wedding called We’ll Always Say I Do. We decided he would be our officiant before we got engaged, which was an easy choice.

Readings

Alex and I wrote our own vows, a preview of which can be seen in our wedding video.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

There were so many memorable moments, but the most unforgettable was definitely the entrance with the donkey and Alex serenading me at the end of our wedding dinner. Him singing was the cherry on top. I felt like an actual princess! Alex couldn’t know me better or love me more, and he showed me that in that moment, especially since he is not a singer.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Easier said than done, but I wish I had stopped stressing. I’m such a type A person and wanted everything to be perfect. In the end, everything was perfect and always was going to be, because I was marrying Alex.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

Spend generously on your wedding planner, especially for a destination wedding. Not because of their Instagram following, but because a great planner is the key to making your dream day a reality. The best planners are also incredible negotiators who can save you money in the long run. Our entire weekend wouldn’t have been possible without Andrea. Thanks to her, the planning process was amazing, and on the wedding day, I didn’t stress about a single thing going wrong. All I could think about was rushing down the aisle to marry the love of my life. And one last tip: get the tequila guns! They are an insanely fun party starter and cost next to nothing. You won’t regret it.

Sources of inspiration…

Of course I used Pinterest like every other bride, but a lot of my ideas came from my personal vision. I have been planning my wedding since I was a child! I have always loved lace and crochet, and Puglia is known for exactly that. We really wanted our wedding to feel authentic to the region, and that guided every choice we made.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Borgo Egnazia

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Italian Weddings and Events (Andrea Naar Alba)

Photography / Linas Dambrauskas

Videography / Made in Video & Super 8: Amore Films

Bride’s Dresses / Andrea Sedici & Kilentar

Bride’s Shoes / Jimmy Choo & Aquazzura

Grooms Formal Wear / Damiani

Wedding Rings / Rons Diamonds

Jewelry & Accessories / Ring Concierge

Hair / Mel from Joana Ronquillo

Makeup / Joana of Joana Ronquillo

Stationery / Acqua & Ink

Crochet & Lace Artist / Bernardo Palazzo

Florist / Flower Addicted

Cake & Catering / Borgo Egnazia

Entertainment / Crossroads Band, Terraross Band, DJ Rich & Party Dancers; Mho Events 

Honeymoon Destinations / Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, Osaka, Mt Fuji