Lara and Ian

Where tradition, music, and the soul of Puglia became one unforgettable celebration.

A Jewish Destination Wedding in Italy at Tenuta La Residenza Pettolecchia | Puglia Weddings

Some weddings in Italy are defined by a single breathtaking day. Others, like Lara and Ian’s, unfold as a journey across places, traditions, and emotions, designed to be lived slowly and deeply. Their destination wedding in Puglia was not just a celebration, but a three-day experience that allowed guests to truly connect with the land, the culture, and each other.

Coming together from different parts of the world, Lara and Ian envisioned a wedding that honored their Jewish heritage while embracing the raw beauty of southern Italy. Their goal was clear: to create an immersive celebration that combined spirituality, joy, music, and togetherness, all set against the landscapes of vineyards, olive groves, and the Adriatic Sea.

The experience unfolded across three different Puglian settings, each chosen for its unique atmosphere. It began with a deeply meaningful Shabbat dinner among the vineyards of a local masseria, continued with a vibrant beach party by the sea, and culminated in an elegant wedding celebration at Tenuta La Residenza Pettolecchia, a private luxury estate nestled between Fasano and Savelletri.

With 125 guests, the celebration was lively, energetic, and full of warmth. From the very first evening, it was clear that this was a group ready to celebrate fully, united by music, tradition, and a shared love for meaningful moments. Every guest was invited not just to attend, but to participate, to dance, to sing, to feel.

The wedding day itself was a perfect synthesis of elegance and emotion. Ancient olive trees framed the ceremony, live music filled the air, and the rhythm of the celebration never slowed. Guests danced during dinner, under a sky of fairy lights, surrounded by nature and sound.This was more than a destination wedding in Italy.

It was a celebration of identity, joy, and life itself.

And reading their story, it is impossible not to think: “This is how I want to get married in Italy.”

The vision


Lara and Ian's notes

Lara and Ian’s vision was rooted in nature, beauty, and celebration, inspired by the landscapes that define Puglia: vineyards, olive groves, and the sea. Their wedding needed to feel vibrant and spiritual at the same time, honoring Jewish traditions while embracing the relaxed, sun-drenched atmosphere of southern Italy.

Each day of the celebration had its own visual identity.

For the Shabbat dinner, the concept revolved around countryside simplicity, with wild, field-inspired florals and a warm, communal atmosphere among the vines.

The beach party embraced the sea, light, and freedom, with casual elegance, music, and Mediterranean flavors.

The wedding day itself shifted into refined romance, with a white and natural palette accented by romantic green tones, perfectly integrated into the olive grove setting.

The huppah, floral design, and decorative elements played a central role in shaping the emotional landscape of the ceremony. Nothing felt imposed. Everything felt organic, respectful of both tradition and place.

The emotion the couple wanted their guests to feel was joy in its purest form: joyful prayer, joyful music, joyful dancing, joyful togetherness. 

The result was a wedding that felt alive from beginning to end, a perfect expression of how a Jewish destination wedding in Italy can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly fun.

The five deal breakers:

  • Live music until late
  • Space to dance during dinner
  • Elegant yet authentic venue

  • Strong sense of tradition

  • Seamless multi-day experience


placehold

The action plan


How did we pull it off

Planning Lara and Ian’s wedding required careful orchestration across multiple locations, cultures, and moments, all guided by the WeddingItaly method.

The experience began with the Shabbat dinner at Masseria Montenapoleone, set among the vineyards. Guests were welcomed into a warm, intimate atmosphere, accompanied by a traditional Puglian band that filled the evening with local rhythms and authenticity. This first night set the emotional tone, grounding the celebration in tradition and connection.

The second day brought a shift in energy with a beach party at a seaside club. Pizza, pasta, sunshine, and a DJ set created a relaxed yet vibrant environment where guests could unwind, swim, dance, and celebrate freely. This balance between sacred and playful moments was essential to the overall flow of the weekend.

On the wedding day, preparations began calmly in the morning at Tenuta La Residenza Pettolecchia. Guests arrived in the afternoon by bus and were welcomed with pre-ceremony cocktails in front of the villa. From there, they were gently guided into the olive grove, where the Jewish ceremony took place beneath the huppah, accompanied by traditional music that deeply moved everyone present.

After the ceremony, the celebration flowed seamlessly into aperitivo, dinner, and after-dinner party, all in the same area. This was a deliberate choice to maintain energy and connection. The international live band, joined later by a DJ, played continuously from aperitivo until late at night, encouraging guests to dance not only after dinner, but during dinner itself.Tables were set beneath a sky of fairy lights, creating a magical, open-air atmosphere where music, laughter, and movement never stopped. The combination of live music, meaningful rituals, and joyful spontaneity made the entire day unforgettable.

This is how WeddingItaly designs weddings in Italy: by blending logistics, culture, emotion, and rhythm into celebrations that feel effortless and alive.