After Timur Saridereli visited his home city of Istanbul to see his parents, he met his girlfriend, Azul Marinoni, and her family in Milan. “On a rainy Sunday night, he visited my parents’ home, seeking their blessing before asking for my hand in marriage,” Azul reveals.
Soon after, he got down on one knee, and the couple, who split their time between Chicago and Milan, chose the latter for their wedding destination. “We desired a wedding location accessible to both our families and reflective of our relationship,” the bride says. “I have a Mexican, French, and Italian background, and Timur has a Turkish family.” The couple considered Milan the ideal meeting point for their set of diverse families and friends.
The wedding was in two parts: First, a civil ceremony in the Palazzo Reale’s famed Hall of Mirrors, followed by a welcome party at the couple’s favorite restaurant, Giacomo Arengario, in the shadow of the Duomo cathedral. The following day, they hosted a ceremony and reception at Villa Necchi, a museum and garden in the center of the city. “We selected Villa Necchi as the perfect representation of Milan in every aspect,” Azul says. “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting venue for our celebration, infused with elements from both our Mexican and Turkish cultures.”
Giuditta Caggiano of Postcard Perfect Weddings acted as wedding coordinator, Francesca Angrisano as photographer, and Alessandro Pentenè as videographer. The vendors also turned to Azul’s most trusted creative advisor for the design—her brother, Emiliano Marinoni, a consultant who is also the creative director of Zuazua. “Emiliano helped me throughout this whole process,” Azul shares. “He always gives me the best advice and shares my vision and taste, and I could not trust someone more.” He also worked with Tearose for the florals and décor for both events.
Emiliano helped with the bride’s fashion choices, especially. “I always envisioned myself wearing an unconventional dress for my wedding, and there was no doubt that I wanted to get married in Rick Owens,” Azul says. She wore two looks by the designer: A soft, romantic bubble dress for Friday’s civil wedding (paired with a cape by Roland Mouret and Bottega Veneta shoes) and the striking Aphrodite dress the following day. “For Saturday, I desired something bold,” she says. She paired it with sculptural Ottolinger heels and an orchid headpiece designed by her brother and brought to life by florist Tearose. Yohei Kuroshima and Emanuele Fraboschi beautified her with hair and makeup to match.
There were more outfit changes in store. Azul’s dinner look was an homage to Milan: A Swaroski-studded Prada dress with a custom cape handmade by an Italian tailor. “For the after-party, I wore a Tom Ford midi dress with Prada’s iconic flame shoes,” Azul continues. “When it came to jewelry, all the pieces were from my dearest friend, Bea Bongiasca, who also happens to be my favorite jewelry brand.” Timur wore custom atelier Zegna ensembles both days with made-to-order Arthur Sleep shoes; his Saturday pair featured the couple’s monogram embroidered on.
Just like the fashion choices, each day had a specific flavor. “During the civil ceremony, we laughed and had a great time,” Azul remembers. “The Palazzo Reale was very lively. Usually a serious occasion, it turned out great—I don’t think there’s been a mariachi band near the duomo before.”
On October 14, however, the energy shifted. “Day two was a day of love, promises, and cultural celebration,” Azul says. Former Mexican ambassador Jaime Nualart officiated. “For the vows, we were both nervous. Nothing was rehearsed, and that made it very touching. Timur and I felt like no one was around us—it was just the two of us, and we were moved by each other’s words. The ceremony culminated with the ‘El Ammarre’ ritual, skillfully performed by my beloved grandmother, Julia.”
Then, Turkish musicians beckoned guests into an aperitivo, and the Mexican-Cuban group Tren del Sur serenaded them during a three-course dinner by Class Eventi. A cake by Sant Ambroeus Milan was adorned with flowers inspired by Tearose’s floral compositions. Dancers in traditional Jalisco dresses performed, guests sipped mezcal from clay jicaritas etched with the couple’s names, and Azul’s grandmother sang a trio of traditional Mexican songs. “It brought tears to our eyes,” the bride says.
There was no formal first dance. “Instead, we kicked off the dancing right after the cake, grooving to ’80s music,” Azul says. “After the reception at Villa Necchi, we hosted a party at Republic.” Their deejay friend provided music and a local Mexican restaurant served food until the dancing wrapped at 5:00 a.m.
There were a few final parting gifts. “As a token of appreciation, guests were gifted with ceramic cups and a candle designed by my brother and crafted by Kinu Ceramics, a renowned atelier in Bodrum, Turkey,” Azul says. “Another delightful surprise awaited in the form of Turkish ‘lokum,’ an authentic confection, allowing guests to savor the sweet notes of rose and pistachio as they departed, leaving Milan with cherished memories of our extraordinary fusion of love and culture.”
