Having visited the charming small town of Sorrento, this is one real life wedding I got totally lost in! Lyndsey and William Duckworth were married 11th June 2011 under the romantic Sorrentine skies of the Neopolitan Riveria. So utterly charmed were they both by the romance, culture and pretty picturesque views of the Bay, post wedding they're now focussing on a new business venture, Ciao Bella Wedding Design, planning weddings for other excited couples in Sorrento (Ciao Bella Wedding Design on Facebook)
"We met at work, William says it was love across the desk partition. I got fed up of waiting for William to make a move so seduced him at the Christmas Party!"
Photographer
Our photographer was Vincenzo Aiello, originally from Sorrento but he now works out of London as a fashion photographer. It was great that we had someone who knew the local area along with speaking perfect English and the most important factor for us was that he had such a contemporary and stylish portfolio. He made us feel completely relaxed and was there at every perfect moment without being too intrusive.
Cermony
Evening reception
Photo is a restaurant and bar with contemporary style with traditional Italian cuisine. Photographs represent the main theme of the place and are the reason for the name. They have a fab little hide away garden at the rear of the restaurant. The resident DJ selects music to make it lively and we thought it would be the perfect place to end out day.
Will, tell us about the proposal
We were on a holiday of a lifetime in Dubai, then Safari in Tanzania, then a rest in Zanzibar in September 2009. I'd arranged everything before we left and picked the ring up secretly in Dubai at the Gold & Diamond Park, when I saw it I just thought wow - exactly as I wanted. From then on it was wrapped in tissue in my money belt for 2 weeks; the most important, most expensive purchase in my life in a sweaty bit of tissue around my waist as we travelled through Africa on safari! Every now and again I'd check it to make sure it was ok and as time went on I thought "it's not looking as good as I first thought, is the setting was too big", by the time we got to Zanzibar I was a nervous wreck!
As we'd stayed in the grubbiest bed and breakfast in Dar es Salaam and even camped in the Serengeti (where Lyndsey tripped the campsite's generator with her ghd's), I arranged to stay at the Penthouse Suite in the Z hotel on Zanzibar as a luxurious treat; the ‘Z Suite’ though with a hot tub on a balcony over looking the sea.
I hadn't planned anything past this point - I had a poem for when I got down on one knee but I didn't know when to say it. As the day went on I thought about just doing it over dinner but when we were watching the sunset in our hot tub I thought "this is it". I said I was going to order drinks at the bar but went down onto the beach and wrote ‘Lyndsey Will You Marry Me?’ in the sand. I looked up to the balcony; I was going to get down on one knee on the beach with her looking over but she wasn't there, I ran back up to the room past people at the pool clapping and caught her in the hall, got down on one knee, recited my poem then she said yes. What a great moment! When we walked on the beach that evening an African kid had written ‘yes’ in the sand underneath.
Tell us about your dress, Lyndsey
The dress was Blue by Enzoani – Calistoga, a European influence design, ivory satin and strapless with lots of attention to detail. The dress had a shell top edge which I loved and a cathedral train. As I wasn’t sure on the bottom of the dress or the long train I had it customised to suit my style more. I loved the Calistoga gown as soon as I tried it on in Pronuptia but was told I couldn’t achieve the alternations I required. By chance I attended a small wedding fair and a bridal boutique based in Widnes who also stocked the Enzoani gowns were prepared to do the alternations to the dress. So by process of elimination really I had my dress!
We departed Relais Blu at 9pm to continue the party at Photo, a contemporary bar in the heart of Sorrento, we were welcomed once again with Prosecco and partied with the backing of a DJ spinning classic house drinking Mojito’s, Sex on the Beach and Peroni – plus for the guests who were peckish there was more canapé style finger food.
"We met at work, William says it was love across the desk partition. I got fed up of waiting for William to make a move so seduced him at the Christmas Party!"Photographer
Our photographer was Vincenzo Aiello, originally from Sorrento but he now works out of London as a fashion photographer. It was great that we had someone who knew the local area along with speaking perfect English and the most important factor for us was that he had such a contemporary and stylish portfolio. He made us feel completely relaxed and was there at every perfect moment without being too intrusive.
Cermony
San Francesco Cloisters
"The bride walked down a green carpet which was rose petal covered aisle to a mandolin playing the wedding march, the mandolin continuing to provide background music throughout the ceremony"
Recepetion
Relais Blu Belvedere A charming Boutique hotel, between the Amalfi coast and the Sorrento Peninsula 
Evening reception
Photo is a restaurant and bar with contemporary style with traditional Italian cuisine. Photographs represent the main theme of the place and are the reason for the name. They have a fab little hide away garden at the rear of the restaurant. The resident DJ selects music to make it lively and we thought it would be the perfect place to end out day.
Will, tell us about the proposal
We were on a holiday of a lifetime in Dubai, then Safari in Tanzania, then a rest in Zanzibar in September 2009. I'd arranged everything before we left and picked the ring up secretly in Dubai at the Gold & Diamond Park, when I saw it I just thought wow - exactly as I wanted. From then on it was wrapped in tissue in my money belt for 2 weeks; the most important, most expensive purchase in my life in a sweaty bit of tissue around my waist as we travelled through Africa on safari! Every now and again I'd check it to make sure it was ok and as time went on I thought "it's not looking as good as I first thought, is the setting was too big", by the time we got to Zanzibar I was a nervous wreck!
As we'd stayed in the grubbiest bed and breakfast in Dar es Salaam and even camped in the Serengeti (where Lyndsey tripped the campsite's generator with her ghd's), I arranged to stay at the Penthouse Suite in the Z hotel on Zanzibar as a luxurious treat; the ‘Z Suite’ though with a hot tub on a balcony over looking the sea.
I hadn't planned anything past this point - I had a poem for when I got down on one knee but I didn't know when to say it. As the day went on I thought about just doing it over dinner but when we were watching the sunset in our hot tub I thought "this is it". I said I was going to order drinks at the bar but went down onto the beach and wrote ‘Lyndsey Will You Marry Me?’ in the sand. I looked up to the balcony; I was going to get down on one knee on the beach with her looking over but she wasn't there, I ran back up to the room past people at the pool clapping and caught her in the hall, got down on one knee, recited my poem then she said yes. What a great moment! When we walked on the beach that evening an African kid had written ‘yes’ in the sand underneath.
Tell us about your dress, Lyndsey
The dress was Blue by Enzoani – Calistoga, a European influence design, ivory satin and strapless with lots of attention to detail. The dress had a shell top edge which I loved and a cathedral train. As I wasn’t sure on the bottom of the dress or the long train I had it customised to suit my style more. I loved the Calistoga gown as soon as I tried it on in Pronuptia but was told I couldn’t achieve the alternations I required. By chance I attended a small wedding fair and a bridal boutique based in Widnes who also stocked the Enzoani gowns were prepared to do the alternations to the dress. So by process of elimination really I had my dress!
Accessories
I had a simple satin trimmed ivory veil that was scattered with crystals. I didn’t want a traditional tiara; I wanted a side hair band style which I got from Glitzy Secrets, a bargain! My earrings were beautiful Swarovski crystal chandelier style (my signature /statement piece is dangly earrings). Will bought me a beautiful Swarovski cuff which he delivered to me on the morning of the wedding as a surprise. I had seen beautiful ‘bling’ diamond encrusted shoes that were very 'me' at St George’s Hall wedding fair that I had been lusting over for weeks, and then Will surprised me on my birthday with them!
And the Groom...
Will wore a silver contemporary three piece Albert suit with silver waistcoat and cravat. He wanted the matching waistcoat as he knew it would be too hot abroad wearing the jacket all day; he looked extremely handsome and very stylish! Will completed the look with diamante cufflinks and tie pin from Groom Hire at the Wedding House
Bridesmaids
I orignally struggled to select a colour that would complement my best friend's colouring, Will's suit and the venue. In the end I went for a Jim Hjem Teal Bridesmaid dress which suited my beautiful blonde best friend's figure and colouring perfectly and went perfectly with Will’s grey suit; it was such a relief once we had bought it.
"The dress code for our guests was stylish suits and fabulous frocks. The best man wore a matching Albert suit with a teal and silver paisley tie"
Following the ceremony we had a drinks reception and photographs taken at Villa Communale overlooking the Sorrento coastline and Mount Vesuvious. There is a small little Italian bar were our guests enjoyed chilled white wine, beers and ice cream.
Our guests were then transported to the reception venue Relais Blu, a boutique hotel and restaurant located a short drive from Sorrento. When we first visited Relais Blu to plan our wedding the year before we turned up in the pouring rain but still the view of Capri from the entrance took our breath away. Suffice to say in the glorious sunshine of our wedding day when we arrived 20 minutes after our guests their mouth’s were still open in awe as they stood on the Capri Terrace.
Special Touches
It’s traditional in Italy to walk to the ceremony so we both walked to the cloisters. You really are made to feel special like a celebrity people in the street were clapping and cheering!
Following the ceremony we strolled hand in hand through the cobbled streets of Sorrento to get some photographs in the surroundings.
Relais Blu were supplying transport to get us and our guests from the ceremony to the reception venue but at the last minute Will and I thought we’d like to have these few moments alone so we arranged a transfer (BMW X5 big enough to fit my dress in) with the hotel owner. We really enjoyed this private/quiet moment together drinking a chilled bottle of Prosecco.
The Food
Our wedding breakfast was a lavish 5 course affair!
As we milled around on the rattan sofas and stood chatting on the balcony drinking Prosecco & Peroni we were served with our aperitif which comprised of Bruschetta, Shrimps with Lemon Leaf, Smoked Salmon with Fennel, Dried Beef with Parmesan and Fried Chicken with Mayonnaise.
After a 30 minute break we were seated at our tables for the wedding breakfast which were laid out simply with white linen and a vase of cut white roses along with the favours for each of our guests.
A pasta course of Ravioli with Walnut Sauce
A main of Tagliata of Beef served with Arucola and potatoes
Fruit and Wedding Cake. Yum!
Favours
The wedding favours were laid out on the tables in a bride dress box for the ladies, and a groom suit box for the men. Inside all the guests received a poem thanking them for being a part of our special day, personalised Lyns & Will Love heart sweets, the ladies received a handbag holder and Murano glass ring and the men received an Italy bottle opener and Sorrento football badge.
Fans were provided at the Cloisters to ensure that all the guests remained cool during the ceremony. The tag of the fan were personalised with ‘Lyns & Will 11th June 2011 Sorrento’. We had also provided flip flops for the lady guests to ensure that they were comfortable for the day and could save their feet for the dancing later! These were at the entrance of Relais Blu with a sign that said ‘Ladies, Aching Feet Give them a Treat Love Lyns & Will x’
Fans were provided at the Cloisters to ensure that all the guests remained cool during the ceremony. The tag of the fan were personalised with ‘Lyns & Will 11th June 2011 Sorrento’. We had also provided flip flops for the lady guests to ensure that they were comfortable for the day and could save their feet for the dancing later! These were at the entrance of Relais Blu with a sign that said ‘Ladies, Aching Feet Give them a Treat Love Lyns & Will x’
Entertainment
The music throughout the reception was provided by an Ipod playlist compiled specifically for the occasion by ourselves – probably one of the most stressful things, but it was worth the effort.
The first dance was performed on the Capri Terrace at dusk to if I Aint Got You by Alicia Keys, with choreography provided by Danielle Norman at Butterfly Dance and Fitness; following the first dance our guests joined us in a chorus of That’s Amore!
Once the sun had set we released sky lanterns from the terrace. Will and I had two huge Red Heart Lanterns and the rest of our guests had white.
We departed Relais Blu at 9pm to continue the party at Photo, a contemporary bar in the heart of Sorrento, we were welcomed once again with Prosecco and partied with the backing of a DJ spinning classic house drinking Mojito’s, Sex on the Beach and Peroni – plus for the guests who were peckish there was more canapé style finger food.
As it was an intimate wedding abroad with close family and friends only (we had a no child policy it excluded some guests), when we returned from honeymoon we held a party to celebrate our marriage at nightclub Kingdom. (A special thanks to Andrew Donohue Kingdom Manager).
