Vintage-Inspired Couture Takes Center Stage at This Chicly Curated Castle Wedding in Rome

At Castello di Tor Crescenza, a dream-like Roman wedding venue, Bilge and Cengiz brought their vision of old-world Italian elegance to life with a celebration rich in texture, romance, and theatrical details. Deep burgundy florals, lace, embroidered linens, antique silver, and candlelit S-shaped tables gave the reception a distinctly cinematic feel, while the castle gardens welcomed guests for cocktails and a red-carpet arrival with vintage cameras. Bilge’s bridal looks, including her vintage-inspired wedding gown and after-party dress by Züleyha Kuru Couture, THE WED member, added a personal touch of sophistication and chic. From the intimate ceremony to fireworks illuminating the night, every moment felt considered, immersive, and unmistakably their own.

Our Love Story

The Day We Met

We met on March 7, 2023. At the time, Cengiz was living in France, and I was living in Istanbul. A mutual friend happened to bring us together, and there was an instant connection between us. Cengiz had to return to France shortly after we met, but neither of us wanted to let that connection simply fade with distance. Without overthinking it—and before we had even really had the chance to get to know each other—I followed my instincts and went to France to see him. That was simply how our story began: spontaneously, instinctively, and without hesitation. 

The Proposal

On October 21, 2025, Cengiz told me that I had been invited to a team dinner for the football club he worked for. When I arrived, expecting nothing more than a team dinner, I was met with the most incredible surprise. The historic cistern was illuminated by countless candles, classical music filled the space as a cellist played, and Cengiz stood waiting for me with flowers in his hands. It was intimate, romantic, and completely unexpected. Surrounded by centuries of history and the glow of candlelight, they enjoyed dinner there alone—just the two of them—before Cengiz proposed. 

Our Wedding

The Vision

From the very beginning, our vision centered on timeless vintage elegance with an understated, old-world sense of luxury. We wanted the wedding to feel sophisticated and romantic while remaining completely authentic to its Italian setting. Lace became one of the recurring elements throughout the celebration, bringing softness, texture, and a sense of heritage to the design. Every element was carefully considered to create a world that felt nostalgic yet contemporary—an interpretation of classic Italian elegance through the lens of our own story. Rather than following trends, we wanted every detail to feel as though it had always belonged there.

Our Team of Vendors

Creating a destination wedding in Rome required a team that could bring together different cultures, creative disciplines, and perspectives while maintaining one cohesive vision. RA Experience Event Design led the planning and creative direction of the celebration, bringing together an incredible team of Turkish and Italian vendors. Every collaborator was selected not only for their craft but also for their ability to contribute to the atmosphere we wanted to create. From the floral design and handmade stationery to the music, photography, fashion, and culinary experience, every element became part of the same story.

The Location

Castello di Tor Crescenza felt as though it had been waiting for this celebration. Its historic architecture, romantic gardens, and unmistakable Italian character created the perfect setting for our vision. We were looking for a place that wouldn't simply serve as a backdrop but would become part of the experience itself. The timeless beauty of the castle allowed us to create something elegant and cinematic without competing with the surroundings. Instead, every design decision was intended to complement the history and natural romance of the setting.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was arranged in a classic church-style seating configuration, creating an atmosphere of timeless Italian elegance within the castle grounds. Live female instrumentalists accompanied the ceremony, and the music transformed the space into something incredibly intimate and emotional. Despite all the visual details surrounding us, the ceremony ultimately became about emotion. There were moments when everything else seemed to disappear—the setting, the flowers, the guests—and we were simply present in what was happening.

The Cocktail Hour

Following the ceremony, guests moved into the castle gardens for cocktails. The experience began the moment they arrived: a dramatic, long red carpet, live instrumental music, and a selection of Italian flavors welcomed everyone into the celebration. The intention was for cocktail hour to feel less like a transition between the ceremony and dinner and more like the opening scene of the evening—elegant, theatrical, and unmistakably Italian.

The Reception

For dinner, all our guests were seated together around sweeping, elongated S-shaped tables, creating a beautifully connected and intimate atmosphere. The tables were layered with textured taffeta linens, lace details, specially embroidered napkins, and menus embroidered directly onto fabric. The floral design featured deep burgundy and green tones, with peonies, calla lilies, anthuriums, hydrangeas, and cascading amaranthus. Antique silver objects were incorporated throughout the tablescape, while tall taper candles brought warmth, height, and movement to the setting. The result was rich and romantic without feeling excessive—a modern interpretation of old-world Italian grandeur.

The Special Touches

For us, luxury was found in the details. Almost every element was created specifically for the celebration. The bar menu was engraved onto a silver tray rather than traditionally printed, becoming a decorative object in its own right. Guests received thoughtfully selected gifts and accessories that belonged to the world of the wedding: moon- and star-inspired hair accessories, miniature vintage-style cameras, fans, lace parasols, and specially embroidered pouches. 

Even the arrival experience became part of the story, with photographers waiting along the red carpet, holding vintage cameras and creating the feeling of stepping into another era. Our guests also embraced the concept beautifully through their own looks, making the entire celebration feel incredibly cohesive. For one evening in Rome, everyone became part of the world we had imagined.

Our Favorite Moment

It is almost impossible to choose just one moment because we experienced every part of the wedding with such excitement. Walking into the celebration for the first time and feeling the atmosphere around us was unforgettable. Later, during the cake cutting, fireworks filled the sky, and the energy of our guests transformed the moment—everyone was celebrating together. Perhaps what we loved most was the feeling of anticipation throughout the evening. We wanted our guests to constantly wonder, “What is going to happen next?” There was always another detail, another performance, or another surprise waiting to be discovered. Seeing our guests become increasingly immersed in the experience was one of the greatest joys of the entire celebration.

Our Style

The Bridal Looks

My bridal wardrobe was designed to reflect the different chapters of the wedding celebrations. For the welcome celebration, I wore a look by Nurseli Sarıkaya, setting the tone for the days ahead. Both of my wedding gown and the after-party look were created by Züleyha Kuru, allowing my style to evolve throughout the wedding while maintaining the same sense of sophistication and individuality. My hair accessories by Kübra Pak and Beck Design added another carefully considered detail to the bridal styling.

The Groom's Looks

Cengiz wore bespoke pieces by Faruk Saraç and Milimetric. The custom tailoring complemented the timeless character of the wedding while giving each look a contemporary, personal feel.

Our Advice

For the Planning Process

For a destination wedding, having a clear creative vision from the beginning makes every decision that follows much easier. Choose a team you trust and allow them to build a complete experience rather than treating every element separately. The venue, flowers, stationery, music, food, fashion, and even the smallest guest details should feel like chapters of the same story. Most importantly, focus on how you want your guests to feel, not just on how you want the wedding to look.

For On The Day

Once the day arrives, let go of the planning and enjoy the experience. So much time and emotion go into creating a wedding, but the day itself passes incredibly quickly. Trust the team around you and allow yourself to be completely present. Take in the room when you enter, look at your guests, listen to the music, and notice the small moments. Those are ultimately the memories that remain.

For Post-Wedding

Give yourself time to relive it. The photographs and films will allow you to discover moments you never saw on the day—reactions from your family, details unfolding around you, and little interactions between guests. And after such an intense planning process, enjoy the strange and beautiful feeling of having nothing left to organize. The wedding may be over, but the story continues through the memories you created together.