At the church, floral designer Andrea Patrizi recreated an Italian Renaissance garden inspired by those at Paulo’s family’s castle in the Basilica. “The church was breathtaking,” Tosca admits. “It was truly surreal.” Andrea Patrizi used topiary art to decorate the aisles and the altar, while they used iron chairs to continue the outdoor feel. During the ceremony, a 40-person choir—Schola Cantorum di Roma, led by Maestro Giovanni Gava—brought the congregation to tears.
At the beginning of the ceremony, both Tosca and Paulo were very nervous. “He was shaking when we exchanged the rings!” Tosca says. “But I was so happy, I would tear up from joy at certain moments. Hearing the choir and the incredible words of His Eminence Cardinal Antonio Tagle, I was so touched. It was the most love I have ever felt. Everything went perfectly.”
After the ceremony, the newlyweds drove away in Tosca’s father’s 1964 Lancia Flaminia. “This car is a symbol of the Italian dolce vita, so we knew it was the perfect car to drive away in after the ceremony,” Tosca explains. “The process of convincing my father to send the car to Rome was an ordeal, but everything worked out!” The couple headed from the church to the building next door—“It was a very quick drive!”—and all the guests walked over to enjoy aperitivo in the courtyard. Shortly afterwards, the doors to the terrace opened and everyone was welcomed to their tables with an orange sunset falling beneath the rooftops of Rome, with a view of St. Peter’s Cathedral in the distance.
For the second night, which was held at the castle, it was important to Tosca and Paulo that the town of Vignanello, where Castello Ruspoli is located, be incorporated into their celebration. “I love Carnival in Rio—I’ve gone eight times—and given my husband’s family connection with Brazil, we wanted to host a typical Brazilian street party for the town of Vignanello,” says Tosca. “To make things even more interesting [and personal to us], we wanted to start the show with the medieval Italian flag-wavers and band (called sbandieratori) and then have it turn into the Brazilian street party.”
For the celebration at the castle, Tosca’s Japanese godfather, Yuki Torimoru, made her a unique Japanese dress. “He was a famous designer in the ’80s,” Tosca explains. “He made dresses for Princess Diana, for example, and now, his pieces are exhibited in places such as the V&A Museum in London.” Tosca notes that when most people think of a castle, they think of a princess-style dress, so she wanted to wear something different and more modern. “And something with an Asian twist, since now I am bringing some Asian blood to the Ruspoli history!”