Melbourne VIP: Weddings, announcements and events
Priscilla Giannarelli and Anthony Licuria had a heavenly and elegant wedding, inspired by the great ballrooms of Europe.
Fiona Byrne
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Society bride Priscilla Giannarelli and her husband Anthony Licuria created a world of high elegance and super chic luxury at their stunning wedding with their breathtaking reception, a celebration of love and family, inspired by the grand ballrooms of Europe.
Priscilla, the owner of event design and production agency Giannarelli International and Lusso Event Hire, and Anthony, owner of APL Photography, wed at St Anthony’s Capuchin Friary Catholic Church in Hawthorn with their reception at the State Library of Victoria.
Priscilla, whose parents are Dario and Maryanne Giannarelli, chose a gown by Pronovias complemented with heels by Rene Caovilla.
“I wanted something feminine, classic and simple with that “wow” factor. I wanted to feel like a real princess,” Priscilla said of her exquisite gown.
In a romantic touch her wedding veil by Demetrios was embroidered with the Italian phrase ‘Oggi, domani e per sempre’ which translates to ‘today, tomorrow and forever.’
“This saying is significant to Anthony and I as he said this to me upon proposing to me in Florence,” Priscilla said.
Anthony wore a custom-made suit by Dom Bagnato, Tom Ford bow tie, shoes by Hugo Boss and custom A&P monogrammed cufflinks which were a gift from Priscilla on the morning of the wedding.
Following the wedding ceremony welcome drinks at the reception were hosted in the stunning La Trobe Reading Room at the State Library of Victoria before guests moved to the historic Ian Potter Queen’s Hall for the wedding dinner.
Priscilla’s company Giannarelli International designed and produced the wedding, and her hiring company Lusso Event Hire provided the gorgeous glassware, crockery, cutlery and decor accessories.
And when an event professional creates her own wedding and reception you know the results are going to be incredible.
The theme and style of the occasion was chic, classic and heavenly.
The attention to detail was extraordinary and each decision had meaning.
The grandeur of Queen’s Hall was complemented by opulent chrome and crystal chandeliers, delicate sheer white draping which created a heavenly feel and an abundance of white orchids, hydrangea, roses and phalaenopsis in arrangements.
Silver service waiters in white suit jackets and black bow ties attended to guests.
The 7-tiered wedding cake was a work of art by Nobody Hates Cake.
A custom matt white round podium in the centre of the dance floor had the couple’s A&P monogram projected on it from above and after-party guests enjoyed classic Negroni cocktails with ice stamped with the A&P monogram.
The evening featured performances by a string quartet from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra which played as guests entered Queen’s Hall.
Soprano Georgia Wilkinson and tenor Kane Alexander performed a selection of Italian opera songs selected by Priscilla and Anthony during the reception dinner.
Priscilla and Anthony’s first dance was to the Frankie Valli classic Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
Flowers were by Ascha Jolie, the reception was catered by Showtime Events, invitations were by Calligraphy by Moya and photography and videography was by APL Photography.
Anthony proposed to Priscilla in a 15th century private chapel adorned with original frescoes at the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence in 2019.
“We were supposed to meet my family in the lobby for dinner, but before I knew it we were walking into this magical chapel filled with stunning white roses and candles arranged by the amazing Vincenzo Dascanio,” she said.
“I noticed a hand calligraphed envelope on the table addressed to “Priscilla”. I opened it and it read ‘Will you marry me?’ and there Anthony was on his knee with the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen.”
The couple wed on Valentine’s Day 2020.
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