Set against the dreamy backdrop of Venice’s San Servolo Island, Anna and Keith’s wedding was a love letter to the golden age of cinema. The couple wanted their day to feel like a scene straight out of a classic movie. They had film quotes on the menus and planned to play a montage of iconic kissing scenes during the cake cutting (but this didn’t happen because the power went out!) Regardless of the hiccup, the day was everything they hoped it would be.

With a €60k budget, their biggest cost was food and the venue. “If you have a wedding in Venice it won’t be cheap!” Anna laughed. “But, for us, it was exactly what we wanted.

One highlight was actually when the power went out! “At first, it was a bit of a shock but with the sun setting over the Venetian lagoon, it turned into something magical. We had music playing over a battery-powered speaker, and everyone just soaked in the atmosphere.”

The ceremony itself was an intimate and multilingual affair, with vows translated into German, English, Slovakian, and Italian. “We wanted everyone to feel included and connected, no matter where they were from,” Anna explained.

Looking back, Anna emphasised the importance of not overburdening the day with expectations. “People often expect so much from their wedding, thinking it will define their marriage. But at the end of the day, it’s a party. It only happens once, so have fun and relax. There are so many details. Decide which ones matter. Things like colour schemes and place settings are great, but they’re not what you’ll remember years later.”

Her final words of advice? “It’s your day. You don’t have to please everyone—just focus on enjoying it. Your guests are there to celebrate with you, not to judge your choices. You should look back and remember a beautiful, stress-free day.”