Inside Melbourne jewellery designer Ada Hodgson’s Italian summer wedding

“We learnt how to make pasta from some local nonnas, visited some wineries, had a pool party… and then ended with a sunny day at the beach.”

Looking for more thought-provoking reads? Try our Life section.

After four proposals and one Elvis-officiated Vegas ceremony, Ada Hodgson and David Anthony’s Italian wedding celebration was more of a party than anything else. A jewellery designer by trade, Ada made two beautiful rings, wore four different secondhand dresses and let the chlorine and summer air shape her hair and makeup. There was pizza, pasta, pool parties, surprise speeches and so much more. Below, Ada gives us an intimate glimpse into her big day.

How did you meet your partner, and how did the proposal happen?

Dave and I have been best friends for ten years and dating for about four. Hopefully, this doesn’t sound insufferable, but there wasn’t a proposal – there were four. I proposed on a whim during the middle of one of Melbourne’s really grim lockdowns, on my birthday.

We went for a little bike ride, picked up some croissants and had a champagne picnic in our garden. And I just had the best day! It made me realise that we can have excellent times even when everything is bad, and that’s what made me want to celebrate our relationship.

Neither of us was sure what marriage would look like for us, but being engaged felt like a really beautiful way to express our love. I got down on one knee with an heirloom ring and said all of the above, and he said yes.

The second proposal came about because Dave wanted me to experience all of the surprise and joy that he’d felt when I proposed to him. We went out to lunch, and I knew something was up because my favourite ring was missing, and he was extremely nervous and fumbling for something in his pocket. He sputtered out some sweet words and, of course, I said yes.

The third proposal happened on a weekend away with friends. I’d finally gotten around to making him his ring, and I surprised him with a big golden tourmaline. He lost the ring surfing at the start of this year (don’t wear your jewellery surfing!).

So the latest proposal happened during our wedding, while I was giving my speech. I’d secretly remade his ring, so in committing to our love I asked him to marry me again. We’re still TBC on the fifth proposal. Watch this space.

What venue did you choose for your wedding, and why?

We decided on a destination wedding. I know these can seem like a burden to some people, which I totally get. But I think a lot of our friends were desperate for an adventure together, and we found an amazing castle in Petritoli, Italy.

How many guests did you have?

Dave and I both have big families, and luckily most of them could make it. We brought together 65 friends and family for five days of festivities. We learnt how to make pasta from some local nonnas, visited some wineries, had a pool party, threw a banquet with a few special speeches and then ended with a sunny day at the beach.

Because we’d done all of the ceremonial serious stuff with Elvis in Vegas the year before – four proposals, two weddings, I know I know – this could just be a party fun time with friends. We didn’t have any groomsbabes or bridesbabes, as everyone is equally important to us.

Who made your rings?

Me! (Dave wasn’t exactly going to do it.)

Where was your outfit from, and what was the process of sourcing it like?

I had four different outfits (one for each proposal), and I borrowed most of them. I wore my best friend’s sister’s formal dress from 2001, my best friend’s wedding gown, a gown from Depop and one from the op shop.

In terms of beauty, tell us about the look you went for on the day, and what your inspiration for it was. Did you do your own hair/makeup or hire someone?

Hair and makeup were pretty natural, as we were out in the sun and in and out of the pool all week. Picture lots of sunscreen and enough chlorine to give your hair some real volume.

What did you do to celebrate after the wedding?

We went on a friendmoon in Naples. We ate lots of pizza with some of our nearest, then spent some time enjoying the sea and sun and edible delights of Sicily.

What kind of food and/or entertainment did you have on the day?

We had a big banquet in the town square near the castle where we were staying. Italy is its own entertainment, but we brought in a local couple to sing Italian ballads while we ate pizza and pasta (what else?) and drank the local wines. Bellissimo.