Language of love

Two families embraced when Aindrea Harte and Mattia Battiston were married in Salisbury

Aindrea Harte and Mattia Battiston

Where: Ceremony at the Catholic Church of St Osmund’s, Salisbury with reception at Trafalgar Park, near Salisbury, Wiltshire

Photography: Kismet Photography

The day started at the hairdressers. Since the groom’s family don’t speak a word of

English we had to translate what they wanted. My dad, Tony, was on hand to taxi various people back and forth to Salisbury and to put the finishing touches to the flowers in the church.

Me, my mum, June, and the bridesmaids – my sister Emily and Jocelyn Shepley – got ready at Trafalgar Park. Emily did our make-up and our photographers Sonja Barnfield and Harry Hall arrived to start snapping away. Once ready, we all travelled from Trafalgar Park to the church in my dad’s vintage Land Rover. A bumpy ride but so much fun – definitely a highlight for me.

Walking down the aisle with my dad was everything I had imagined since I was a little girl. The service was mainly in English but we decided to have a few Italian readings and translate the order of service for people to follow.

After the ceremony we went to Trafalgar Park where guests were greeted with canapés and white and pink Prosecco on the lawn.

Another highlight for us was how well our two families came together. During the meal we put a camera on each table and everyone had different instructions of what photos to take. For example, “take a photo of you with a pilot or with someone who works in a hospital.” At one point I think the caterers had trouble passing between all the guests scrambling to get their photos with each other. The Italians sporadically shouted out “viva glisposi” (here’s to the bride and groom) followed by the chanting of “bacio, bacio” (kiss, kiss). By the end of the meal even the English were joining in.

After dinner we all congregated in the front room where Mattia gave me a present – him playing one of my favourite pieces on the piano, Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

There were a few surprises during the day, such as the hand-knitted bride and groom dolls made by my mum. The evening brought with it a lot of fun, laughter, dancing and more food. We had cheese and biscuits accompanied by delicious pasticcini (mini cakes) and an open bar. Throughout the celebrations our photographers were there to capture the spirit of the day. They made the process of taking photos entertaining and we enjoyed every moment of it.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Kismet Photography, Salisbury, 01722 398822, www.kismetphotography.co.uk

Venue: Trafalgar Park, near Salisbury, 01722 711334, www.trafalgarpark.com

Dress: The Mews, Clifton, Bristol, 0117 973 8784, www.themewsclifton.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Coast, www.coast-stores.com

Groom’s outfit: Moss Bros, Salisbury, www.moss.co.uk

Stationery: Bride and Groom Direct online, www.brideandgroomdirect.co.uk

Catering: Norma Farrelly Catering, Wilton, Salisbury, 01722 744817, www.normaspantry.co.uk

Cake: Patisserie Angelique, Bournemouth, 01202 765271, www.patisserieangelique.com

Flowers: Jane White (family friend and retired florist)

Transport: Dad’s vintage Jeep

Entertainment: Toby Oakley, Your DJ, 07835 518539, www.yourdj.co.uk