Venice, ceremony in a secret garden and reception in an amazing Venetian palaces. The luxurious marriage of Laleh and Jeff.

Laleh and Jeff leave the United States and land in Venice to celebrate their wedding in a private garden on the island of San Clemente and then continue with the receipt in an elegant Venetian palace. It's the 4th of July, 2015, day of the American independence. From this year, Laleh and Jeff will always have something more to remember and celebrate: the anniversary of their marriage .

Before starting the trip around the lagoon, a small step back to know more about their history. Matchmaker is the New Year's party of 2013, in Beverly Hills. Laleh, graduated with Pharmaceutical Masters and PhD, is immediately struck by the charm and the strange English accent of that man, and she wonders if she would see him again. Jeff, director and commercial manager, is facinated by her smile and shine. In a flash, he already feel that she is the woman that he was waiting for. And so, as in the most romantic fairy tale with a happy ending, six months after Jeff leave London to move overseas and stay with Laleh, and now they live in Corona del Mar, California.

Venice, 4th of July, 2015. The big day has arrived. The directives of the newlyweds were pretty clear: an elegant wedding, luxurious and with a great unforgettable party end. Recorded and realized. Although the ceremony was scheduled at 3 pm, the day is obviously started several hours before, officially at 11 am with the preparation of the couple in an elegant hotel, overlooking the entrance of the Grand Canal. Then, at noon, when bells of the nearby St. Marks’s Square (and of all the other churches of Venice) are unleashed, the first series of shots begins, on board of the red and gold wedding gondola, then on a taxi to get to the more distant destinations.

Dressed in their elegant clothes, Jeff and Laleh pose in front of Healt Basilica, just there where each November 21 is celebrated a feast of the same name, to thank the Virgin for having freed the Serenissima from the plague. Then they move to San Giorgio Maggiore, a small island that has no need of presentations. One of the most renowned points of the Maritime Republic, wet by San Marco basin and separated from Giudecca Island from the Channel of Grace. An island that is a house for the Basilica and the ancient Monastery. Great final photoshoot obviously in St. Mark’s Square, walking in the history of Palazzo Ducale, Basilica and Old and New Procuratie. A natural walkway than any Oscar ceremony or other super fashion event will never surpass.

Just a moment of relax and in the early afternoon it's already time to move towards marriage. Taxies are obviously separated for bride and groom, as tradition requires. Unlike the majority of couples who choose church, palace or even a suite of Venice for their "I do", Laleh and Jeff wanted to seclude, opting for the green of St. Regis Bar Garden in San Clemente. This island is located between Lido and Giudecca, it has almost a heart shape with an extension of seven hectares or less.

Venice is there, few (watery) steps away. The sun shines. About forty guests. There are only them in San Clemente. They and, of course, the staff. Children throw petals on the white carpet. In the garden center there is a delicate arboreal arc, adorned with white flowers. Sweet notes of viola and violin trace invisible paths of a world almost suspended. At 3.30 pm, Laleh and Saleh look at each other (and at their hearts). They swear eternal love. Not even two hours after, they are already going up the impressive staircase to reach the Music Room and enjoy a sumptuous reception, pleased by the seven notes of violin and piano.

The room is a floral triumph with white roses and hydrangeas to attract attention. Another must of the evening is the white and gold color of the decorations. The same colors are also on the books of the ceremony. Another gem, in perfect Venetian style and with a touch of  the sensuality of "Eyes Wide Shut", is this: for each guests there is a white mask to wear at will.

A menu quite varied. To triumph in the numerous starters served is in principle the fish, with the most typical recipes of Venetian cuisine, then expanded to other regional specialties. Pioneers are the inimitable sardines in sauce with polenta, then venetian octopuses, gray shrimp and polenta, the famous salt cod of Vicenza, followed by Montasio cheese and artichoke souffle. Then again meatballs, Mediterranean quinoa, fried mozzarella, millefeuille of vegetables and assorted mini-pizzas. For a worthy companion in the wine glass there is a wide choice: Prosecco, Bellini and soft drinks (juices).

Three main dishes. Risotto with black truffles of Euganean Hills with Prosecco; sea bass baked with piccadilly concassè, olives, capers and red potato mousse; medallion of lobster with crunchy julienne vegetables, shellfish oil and Carasau bread. During a wedding feast one of the most celebrative moment is the cake cutting, and if the cake is also a delight, even better. So it was. At about 21.30 pm Laleh and Jeff cut the sumptuous Pearl and Ruby cake. A Wedding Cake of 6 floors of pure delight, adorned with a hundred flowers made of sugar paste. One meter and twenty high by 60 centimeters wide. A delicious white chocolate creamy mousse with berry jelly and sponge cake with almonds.

But the party is just started, and if until now couple and guests were contained (in perfect harmony with the elegant style of the room), around 22.00 pm they embark from the hotel to reach the Arsenale, where the venetian galleon is moored: it is the pure floating nightlife. Four hours wandering through the lagoon, passing through San Marco basin and also reaching the island of Armenians. Paraphrasing the end of the first epic adventure of Captain Jack Sparrow at the helm of the Black Pearl:"... courage Lalel and Jeff, set an eternal course in your love".

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Venice, ceremony in a secret garden and reception in an amazing Venetian palaces.

Ph Mirco Toffolo