Summary
A traditional masseria, abundant olive groves, a setting embellished with vibrant citrus fruits and prickly green cacti. A romantic, whimsical, and sophisticated destination wedding took place in Italy’s enchanting Southern region, Puglia. Captivated by the scenic landscape and culinary delights of Italy, Josephine and Tobias were attracted to the pristine stone walls, deep turquoise waters, and genuine charm of Puglia for their international celebration. Seventy-five friends and family members from various corners of the globe gathered for a festive occasion framed by the region’s distinctive surroundings. A three-day event commenced in picturesque Ostuni with a private civil ceremony, leading to an enchanting wedding weekend; Josephine and Tobias’ Italian festivities epitomized their affection for one another as well as their appreciation for elegance.
The couple: JOSEPHINE & TOBIAS
The venue: MASSERIA SAN GIOVANNI | PUGLIA, ITALY
The photography: KREATIV WEDDING
Set against a backdrop of lush olive groves, the couple’s wedding at Masseria San Giovanni was a spirited and joyful event. Their aim was to offer guests more than just a weekend retreat, but a lavish celebration filled with lively music, dancing, and infectious energy. The partners exchanged vows before the charming ancient chapel of Masseria San Giovanni, adorned with roses in soft blush and cream tones, while the bride glowed in a stunning Kaviar Gauche gown.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds sped off in a vintage Alfa Romeo for some private moments while their wedding party mingled in true Italian fashion on Masseria San Giovanni’s rooftop, where aperitivo was served alongside a lively Apulian street band. With views overlooking an endless expanse of olive trees, guests enjoyed Aperol Spritz while savoring the fresh local cuisine, which included cold meats, fresh seafood, mozzarella, and handmade local panzerotti.
As evening approached, guests transitioned from the appetizers to a three-course banquet featuring local, seasonal fare. Beneath a cozy vaulted ceiling, an enchanting display of muted blooms and an array of candles decorated the tables, enhanced by artisanal ceramics, brass accents, romantic crystal glassware, and exquisite silks. Combining soft blush tones with dark contrasts, tables featured dreamy arrangements of roses and dahlias in subdued shades, black anthurium, cascading white amaranthus, and delicate dried flowers accompanied by figs, embodying a theme of understated elegance and contemporary romance.
Continue reading to discover more about the couple’s chic celebration at Masseria San Giovanni as Josephine shares insights about their dream wedding in Puglia.
The Love Story
I first met Tobi 11 years ago in Marbella, Spain, where we were both engaged in a launch event. Initially, we were just friends (or so I believed) and did not see each other again until four years later. When we reconnected, Tobi was residing in Singapore while I had just completed university in New York. We both traveled to Munich for Oktoberfest, where he sought me out in a club (my phone was dead, yet he managed to find me!). When he confessed to having loved me for four years, stating that I would be his wife and the mother of his children, I was unsure if he was serious or merely a flirt. It turns out, it was the latter! Everything progressed rapidly; I visited him in Asia, and two months later, I moved to Singapore permanently. Seven years later, here I am, his wife. Who would have thought!
The Venue
Both Tobi and I hail from Germany and have spent many years in Singapore. Everyone questioned our choice of Italy. Asia did not appeal to us due to the lengthy distance from Europe, where most of our wedding attendees resided. Both Italy and Greece hold valuable significance in our hearts. During our wedding planning, it became clear that Italy presented a more accessible option in terms of logistics and travel for our guests compared to the Greek islands. Upon discovering Puglia, with its ancient Greek origins, whitewashed walls, stunning landscapes, and charming masserias, we immediately fell in love!
After exploring approximately 15 venues last August, we found Masseria San Giovanni to be our absolute favorite wedding location in Puglia, fulfilling all our expectations. This modern farmhouse, encased in whitewashed walls and bordered by olive trees and a delightful citrus garden, had recently undergone renovation, blending Apulian traditions with contemporary design while offering a variety of event spaces within the venue. It was essential for us to have distinct sites for each festive event, creating a dynamic experience for our guests—from our warm Apulian welcome evening on Friday in the olive grove by the pool, to the ceremony at Masseria San Giovanni’s quaint chapel, to the rooftop aperitivo, culminating with the reception dinner under a nostalgic vaulted ceiling and concluding with the party beneath the Apulian sky. Interestingly, Masseria San Giovanni is owned by the renowned Italian actor Raoul Bova. We were unaware of this before, but all our Italian friends adore him (particularly the ladies)! 🙂
The Dress
Throughout my search for the perfect dress in various boutiques in Singapore, nothing resonated as my true style. Many designs were either too small, overly glittery, or excessively elaborate. Two months prior to the wedding, I still remained without an outfit. Conversely, during a brief stopover in Germany after our final venue visit, my friend arranged an appointment for me at Kaviar Gauche in Munich. I had always envisioned a gown with long, voluminous sleeves and a soft A-line silhouette, striking a balance through delicate details rather than sheer volume. Upon trying on Kaviar Gauche’s Champagne Sleeve Dress, it perfectly reflected my envisioned attire. The dress was incredibly lightweight and remarkably comfortable to wear. I particularly adored the airy effects of the sleeves along with the shimmering lace interwoven into delicate silk, all of which contributed to a romantic silhouette that complemented my form.
For accessories, I chose a Kaviar Gauche chapel-length veil, Givenchy heels, and pearl earrings by 14/QUATORZE featuring baby’s breath.
I also selected a Kaviar Gauche garment for our intimate civil ceremony in Ostuni two days before our grand celebration. This choice was surprising, as I initially planned for something simple; however, I was captivated by the Bubble Lace Cape! 🙂
The Wedding Planner
I am immensely appreciative for the opportunity to collaborate with Alessandra Linoci, who managed the planning and styling for our Puglia wedding. During our initial Skype conversation, it took merely ten seconds for me to be charmed by her warm personality—I instinctively knew she was the right choice! Alessandra’s creative vision aligned perfectly with my preferences, and intriguingly, we discovered that we pinned the same inspirations on Pinterest prior to connecting. She was simply superb in sourcing all the vendors we needed for our wedding while bringing our collective vision to realization. Her professionalism, artistic perspective, attention to detail, and delightful demeanor made her a pleasure to work with. We thoroughly enjoyed our planning experience with her, and Ale and I are very much looking forward to organizing #MeisterAmore 2.0—our renewal of vows! 🙂 We are truly grateful for Ale and her team’s invaluable contributions.
The Honeymoon
Owning our businesses granted us the freedom to take a well-deserved long vacation for the first time in years, allowing us to explore Italy and Greece for four weeks following the wedding. Our initial stop was Capri, where our friends unexpectedly joined our honeymoon. We chartered a boat, spending sunny days on the water, concluding our time in Capri unwinding at La Fontelina, then we proceeded to the Amalfi Coast, savoring pasta and Aperol Spritz throughout. Given that we got engaged in Santorini, it was imperative to include it in our honeymoon plans, leading to several amazing weeks visiting the Greek islands. It was an incredible experience; we hadn’t felt this relaxed in years! Further, I shared all my tips for the honeymoon in The Ultimate Capri Travel Guide and The Ultimate Mykonos Travel Guide, alongside personal travel insights featured on my Instagram account @phineloves.
Immerse yourself in the essence of our dream wedding in Puglia at Masseria San Giovanni through this captivating teaser by Julia & Gil.
Video Player
00:00
00:00
The Wedding Vendors
The Wedding Planner & Stylist: – Alessandra Linoci
The Wedding Venue: – Masseria San Giovanni
The Flowers: – Chiara Sperti
The Silk Napkins & Ribbons: – Allegoria
The Wedding Dress & Veil: – Kaviar Gauche
