Minimalism Meets Italian Charm for a Designer & Interior Stylist's Chic Farmhouse Wedding in Puglia

Hommey’s Head of Design Jamie Ashkar and interior stylist Matthew Dine brought their creative world to Puglia for a wedding that felt deeply personal, visually striking, and effortlessly modern. Choosing the beautifully restored Masseria Pistola as the setting, the couple invited their closest guests for an immersive celebration shaped by thoughtful design, warm hospitality, and impeccable style. For the ceremony, a giant chrome sphere anchored the garden backdrop, reflecting the surrounding vineyards. The reception followed with a single sweeping table dressed in creamy linen, handmade ceramics, and restrained florals of amaranths, anthuriums, and local grapes — elegant details that felt considered rather than overworked. Their looks were equally directional: Matthew wore a sharp Jacquemus suit paired with a bespoke bow tie, while Jamie chose an oversized Mugler silhouette finished with a dramatic silk satin bow cascading from the back. With Italian classics drifting through the air, cocktails flowing freely, and a supermoon rising as the cake arrived, the entire day carried the kind of atmosphere that can’t be manufactured — intimate, magnetic, and entirely their own. THE WED members from Rotondo Catering by Alba brought the culinary vision to life, overseeing both the catering and wedding cake with their signature blend of refined presentation, generous Puglian hospitality, and beautifully considered flavor.

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Both calling Melbourne home, I’m originally from Sydney, and Matthew is from Hawke’s Bay, NZ. We met in 2018 on the dance floor, on a night neither of us had planned to go out. A last-minute change of mind led to us dancing all night, and the rest, as they say, is history.

^{The Proposal}

I proposed to Matthew. We were heading to Paris for Christmas, so I knew I wanted to surprise him before we left. He was quietly expecting a proposal over there, and that just felt too cliché. It was simple: two weeks before our trip, on a rainy Saturday morning in bed, with Brooklyn, our puppy, by our side, in our happy place doing absolutely nothing. It was effortless, but incredibly meaningful. What I didn’t know was that Matthew had secretly been planning to counter-propose the moment I did, and had even organised a ring for me. The morning I proposed, the ring wasn’t ready, but he later surprised me on Christmas Eve in Paris. We celebrated with champagne and a classic French dinner at our favorite bistro in Le Marais.

^{The Engagement Ring}

We had both been following a local jeweller, Hamish Munro, for quite some time. His designs resonated with our personal style, being modern and timeless. I chose a platinum gold ring with baguette-cut white diamonds for Matthew, and he chose a classic gold Venetian ring for me.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Our vision for the day was refined minimalism with Puglian charm. We wanted the day to feel striking but never overstated, curated but full of warmth and character. It was about contrast and balance, creating something visually powerful yet deeply personal — a true reflection of us. A long lunch with our closest family and friends under the Puglian autumn sky.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

As it was a destination wedding, we really relied on our vendors to execute our vision. Having Federica on the ground in Puglia was essential, and our regular after-hours meetings allowed us to stay involved despite the distance. Finding vendors who truly understood our vision made all the difference. From our very first conversation online, Alba from Rotondo Catering instinctively saw what we were trying to create and executed it beautifully. From the set-up right through to the menu, every detail was perfection. Lil, our gorgeous photographer, who is based in Paris, insisted on a handful of pre-wedding FaceTime calls. This really made her feel more like a friend than a vendor. Her approach was so effortless, and we could not be happier with how she captured the emotion of the day.

^{The Location}

We always knew we wanted a destination wedding, though the destination itself was unknown. We wanted the property to guide us. As lovers of interior design, we were immediately drawn to the thoughtful renovation of the historic Masseria Pistola by Thurstan Design (Soho House), and Puglia, Italy, naturally became the perfect setting. The Masseria struck a flawless balance between heritage and contemporary elegance. Beyond its beauty, it allowed us to host 22 of our closest friends for an entire week, transforming the celebration into an immersive experience rather than a single day. The gardens, trulli, and interconnected buildings offered a succession of intimate, picturesque settings, each unfolding effortlessly into the next, creating new moments and experiences for our guests.

^{The Ceremony}

We didn’t expect the ceremony to be so emotional. Walking through the gardens the day before the wedding, we made a last-minute decision to change the ceremony location. As we wandered, we discovered a space that overlooked the valley of vineyards, surrounded by overgrown gardens that added height, scale, and a sense of enclosure. The location felt intimate and personal, creating the perfect setting for the ceremony. On the day, it felt profoundly personal. Surrounded by our closest friends and family, seeing them swept up in the moment, tears of love and happiness streaming, was infectious. It was a moment we will treasure forever.

^{The Reception}

A single, continuous table stretched along the front of the Masseria, draped in creamy white linen and adorned with a curated tablescape of locally made ceramics that caught the afternoon light. Florals were minimal yet sculptural: citrus green amaranths, bold anthuriums, and locally picked grapes were meticulously scattered down the centre, a quiet nod to the breathtaking surrounding gardens designed by Urquhart & Hunt, renowned British landscape designers. 

With only fifty of our closest friends and family, the gathering felt intimate and deliberate, more a curated experience than a traditional wedding. The long lunch became the day’s centrepiece under beautiful skies. Plates arrived with Puglian generosity, wine and cocktails flowed freely, and a swing band played Italian classics as the landscape and sky folded quietly around us.

^{The Special Touches}

The property and its surroundings were always destined to be the hero. We knew we didn’t need to add much — just enough to create an elevated, thoughtful experience. The chrome spheres and tulle-draped champagne tower table introduced sculptural drama, while the tablescape remained elegantly simple, accented with stationery personalised by the talented calligrapher Studio Heidi. Each place card was handwritten on an envelope containing a personal letter to our guests, a gesture of thanks for sharing in our day. Linen napkins were customised, and bespoke aprons were crafted for the bar and waitstaff. These understated details were subtle yet deeply appreciated, adding a considered, intimate layer to the celebration.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

It wasn’t until the night before that we realised a supermoon — the biggest and brightest of the year — would rise. As the moon came up, it transformed the sky into a breathtaking shade of pink as our wedding cake was brought out. We couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear — unexpected, magical, and utterly perfect.

Our Style

^{The Grooms’ Looks}

We knew we wanted our wedding attire to feel timeless, yet infused with a modern, fashion-forward sensibility. Classic silhouettes with a subtle twist of individuality. Matthew fell instantly for a Jacquemus suit from the Spring/Summer 2025 “La Croisière” collection: a double-breasted blazer paired with low-slung button-front trousers. Accessories were kept minimal: Jacquemus shoes and sunglasses, while the bespoke bow tie, crafted by me from the same cotton as his shirt, added a playful, personal touch. I wore an oversized Mugler suit, its bold shoulders and elongated lines perfectly balancing structure with fluidity. I wanted a nod to my fashion roots, so I created a bespoke sculptural bow from silk satin that draped to the floor, subtly contrasting with the wool of the suit. Positioned just below the back collar, it peeked elegantly through the front, adding movement and drama. My shoes were Miu Miu loafers, completing a look that felt both effortless and entirely personal.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Because we both lead incredibly busy lives, our biggest advice is to build a team you completely trust, especially for a destination wedding. We chose to take full creative control, which we genuinely loved, leaning into our shared passion for detail and design rather than feeling overwhelmed by it. Finding collaborators who truly understood our vision made all the difference.

^{For On The Day}

By the time the day arrives, let go and trust the people you’ve chosen. Because we had been so hands-on throughout the planning, we felt completely confident stepping back and allowing our team to execute everything seamlessly. That trust gave us the freedom to be fully present with each other and our guests, rather than worrying about logistics. Take quiet moments together to pause and absorb what you’ve created — the atmosphere, the people, the energy — because it all moves so quickly, and those small, intentional pauses become some of the most lasting memories.

^{For Post-Wedding}

After investing so much time, creativity, and emotion into one day, it’s natural to feel a shift once it’s over. We found it important to gently extend the celebration, revisiting special moments, looking through photographs together, and reaching out to thank the incredible team and guests who made it possible. Reflecting on the journey allowed us to fully process it and feel gratitude. Most of all, we reminded ourselves that while the wedding was unforgettable, it was only the beginning, and that perspective made everything feel even more meaningful.