Setting the Stage - Eventful Designing

Setting the Stage
their wedding day
Diana Burillo & Alejandro Carnevali
the location:
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the photographer:
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the
wedding
Diana Burillo and Alejandro Carnevali of Madrid, Spain, were married at Palm Beach, Florida’s private club, Mar-a-Lago,
in a ceremony and reception that can best be described by their wedding theme, Elegant and Regal.
The couple chose Mar-a-Lago, Latin for “Sea to Lake,” in part because of the estate’s Hispanico-Moresque influence,
reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, with an intersecting Old World Spanish-Venetian-Portuguese style and flair created by
original owner Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1927. Mar-a-Lago is now a National Historic Landmark.
Of the 126 fully-restored rooms at this estate, situated on 20 acres of impeccably manicured lawns, lush gardens, and broad
vistas, Diana and Alejandro chose the in-villa ballroom for their ceremony. Fulfilling their desire for a traditional Catholic
wedding, their designer and coordinator, Linda Pittelli, owner of Eventful Designs of Beverly Hills, New York, and Italy,
transformed the ballroom into a magnificent cathedral. Exquisite fabrics draped the room, kneel benches were custom-made
and installed, and a traditional Catholic altar was created for the nuptials. Father Hermogenes Rizzo of Miami officiated the
wedding before the 40 ceremony guests.
Honoring Diana’s request that there be a rendition of Our Mother Of Guadalupe at her wedding, Linda asked Russian fine
artist Albert Simoneon to create a special oil painting for the ballroom altar.
For her wedding gown, Diana selected a Badgley Mischka, Madrid, in ivory and gold silk. Intricate hand-beading covered
the fitted bodice, gentle silk folds accentuated the waistline, and flowing lace with crystals completed the skirt. Diana’s long
veil completed the elegant vision in a cascade of delicate silk tulle layers trimmed in small crystals.
Diana’s bouquet was a round cluster comprised of ivory and beige roses, white mini cala’s, and sweet peas, all wrapped in
ivory silk wound with strings of crystals.
Alejandro wore traditional black tie and tails, from Badgley Mischka, and to complement his bride’s gown, he chose an ivory
silk shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons and ivory pique bow tie.
Musicians for the ceremony included strings, a harpist, and an opera vocalist singing opera.
the
cocktail reception
As guests segued from ceremony to reception, they were treated to floral arrangements that were cleverly created to represent
a rainbow-style transition. From the ceremony, where florals were white with hints of green, guests soon found themselves
among rich tropical-colored arrangements including hundreds of fuchsia and red peonies as they entered the cocktail reception
around Mar-a-Lago’s pool and upper cloister veranda.
To the sounds of Latin Jazz, the 450 reception guests, who travelled from Spain, Italy, Portugal and other international
regions, enjoyed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, Sushi, and assorted terrines and pâtés. (Continues on page 76)
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75
credits
Wedding Design, Production,
Coordinating Company
Eventful
Ceremony & Reception Site
Mar-a-Lago Club (Private Club)
Photographer
Mike Colon
Officiant
Father Hermogenes Rizzo
Bridal Designer
Badgley Mischka
Lingerie
La Perla
Shoes
Jimmy Choo
Hair & Make-up
Fredderic Fekkai Salon & Spa
and Mar-a-Lago
Bridesmaid Dresses
Custom made
Caterer & Wedding Cake
Mar-a-Lago
Florist
the
reception
Then, under a lengthy canopy created from hundreds of yards of flowing fabric, Diana and Alejandro and guests were
escorted by violinists to Mar-a-Lago’s Grand Ballroom. Down an avenue of hanging, cascading crystals and crystal vases of
clustered flowers, colors transitioned to corals and pinks.
The new and larger Grand Ballroom, external from the mansion, features a Louis XIV gold and crystal finish, and
ceremony theme colors, white, ivory and gold with blue and coral accents, highlighted the room’s gold trim. Gold accents
were incorporated into all reception appointments including linens with taupe silk overlays, a gold embroidery fleur-de-lis
design, and silk underclothes in peacock blue with golden undertones, which were greatly enhanced by the soft reception
lighting.
Appointments also included several exquisite items originally owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post, including gold
candelabra and a gold punch bowl which Linda used for a ballroom-entrance floral display.
A symphony orchestra and vocalist entertained guests through the white-glove-service reception catered by Mar-aLago. The menu included a first course of Asparagus and Truffle Risotto with Parmesan Chips, and a second of Fresh
Buffalo Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Oven Dried Tomatoes and Baby Greens. Entrées were Pan-Seared Filet of Beef Tenderloin
with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Filet of Red Snapper with Mushrooms. Petit Desserts included Apricot Crème Brulée,
Flourless Chocolate Cake, and Fresh Fruit Tart, and the wedding cake, by Mar-a-Lago, was Vanilla with Lemon Curd and
Lemon Mousse Filling.
Wines included a Macon Villages Chardonnay, Joseph Drouhin Chardonnay, Hahn Cellars, Central Coast Cabernet
Sauvignon, and Piper Sonoma.
Post-reception, guests enjoyed a Martini Bar, specially-imported Santa Teresa Rum, a late night menu of Miniature Pizzas
and Cheeseburgers, and in a specially-created outdoor lounge, hand-rolled cigars.
Dance music under a disc jockey’s direction was accompanied by colored lighting reflecting brilliantly off the crystal
chandeliers. Guests danced well into the dawn, still not ready to leave Diana and Alejandro’s magnificent wedding party.
the
honeymoon
The couple spent their wedding night at Mar-a-Lago, then were off for a safari in Tanzania. Upon returning home to
Madrid, Diana and Alejandro were greeted by the painting of Our Mother of Guadalupe which had been signed by each
wedding guest as a beautiful memento of what the couple referred to as their “fairytale wedding.”
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• SUSAN HART HELLMAN
Renny & Reed
Rentals
Classic Party, Mar-a-Lago
Fabric & Furniture Rentals
Revelry
Custom Linens, Décor Items
& Furniture
Eventful Designing
Lighting
Hy-Lite Productions Inc
Entertainment
mAs Music & Performances
Videography
Envision Productions
Transportation
Park Limo
Rehearsal Dinner
Four Seasons Hotel
Wedding Night Accommodations
Mar-a-Lago Bridal Suite
Other Services
Sabor Havana Cigars
of Palm Beach