Receiving the pictures from Alix and Irfan’s wedding was like opening a Christmas gift.
Having experienced it all in person during the long months of preparation and the day of, I knew it would be out of the ordinary, but the marvellous photos by Masha Golub with their light and vivid and bright colours make it even more magical. They are the undisputed stars of the show: a wonderful French couple who live and work in London. It was love at first sight for Borgo di Castelvecchio, and they decided to get married in the Val d’Orcia. Here they brought together relatives and friends from all over the world including Pakistan, Irfan’s family’s homeland.

On a hot day in July in the splendid scenery of the Tuscan hills, the perfect balance of French allure and Pakistani traditions took centre stage. The palette chosen by Alix for the symbolic ceremony was positively elegant with peonies and roses in shades of pastel: she, who wore a long white gown with embroidered bodice, arrived on the arms of her father and her grandfather, while Irfan waited for her under the beautiful flowered arch created by Lilla Florals.

After enjoying drinks by the pool at sunset to live music for a while, the party decidedly changed tone and colour. All the guests, including the happy couple, changed into traditional Pakistani clothing for the dinner. The tables, lit by the fairy lights on the big tree in the centre of the courtyard, were decorated with a variety of flowers - from roses to hydrangea, from mini calla lilies to orchids - in an unusual gorgeous mix of colours as well as candelabras and vases.

To liven up the evening, a dhol (a Punjabi percussion instrument) and a group of professional bhangra dancers who came directly from London and got the guests involved in spectacular dances. Both the bride and the groom with their respective friends took turns performing traditional dances which brought out thunderous applause from the guests.
After the cutting of the cake, which featured many layers and was decorated with colourful flowers, a romantic first dance. Then they got the real party started which went on until dawn.