Stylist Mary Velardo and Timothy Di Prizito, the director of luxury estates at Christie’s, met at a local restaurant on the water in Somers Point, New Jersey. The moment Mary saw Timothy she stopped him and said, “Hey fella, don’t I know you?” not a pick-up line she insists, but simple curiosity. Without missing a beat, he perfectly replied, “If I knew you, I’d remember.”
When the two struck up a conversation, Timothy mentioned he was meeting a couple of friends for a drink, and as it turned out, Mary had known both of them since childhood. “We quickly found out that we grew up one town away from each other, went to rival high schools, graduated the same year, had dozens of mutual friends, and quite literally had been in the same place at the same time on more occasions than we could count!” she recalls.
The two dated long-distance for a year, before Mary met Timothy in Los Angeles. In April of 2022, he proposed on the bow of a boat in St. Barths.
Several years prior to their engagement, Mary and Timothy had visited Paris and were charmed by the refined elegance of the Ritz Paris. “It was incredibly romantic, and we fell deeper in love on that holiday, so when Timothy suggested we host an intimate wedding at the Ritz, I jumped into action!” Mary says. “It is iconic, exudes elegance, full of history, world-class service and charm.” Soon after, guests received a custom invitation suite by Arzberger Stationers detailing the events of the coming weekend.
Once in Paris, the weekend began aboard the Acajou with an evening cruise along the River Seine. For the waterborne event, Mary chose Zimmerman’s High Tide dress and Fred Leighton earrings, the jeweler she donned all weekend. The bride boarded the boat carrying an Olympia Le-Tan book clutch, arm in arm with Timothy, who wore Brunello Cucinelli.
“Having worked in fashion for so many years I thought finding my wedding dress would be a piece of cake for me. It turned out to be the most difficult decision I have ever made,” Mary says. “My stylist at Elie Saab, Heidi Meissner, overheard me say that I loved feathers. She brought a dress out from the back and it was everything I had hoped for and more. I felt like a modern-day Leslie Caron in Gigi.”
For her veil, the bride worked alongside Alison Miller of Monvieve to add a traditional touch to the ensemble. “Alison knew exactly which lace to use and what would enhance the beading on my dress, yet not take away from the feather train. It was exquisite and elevated my look to the next level,” she says. Timothy chose a Dior tuxedo and Tom Ford accessories for the wedding.
Following the ceremony, Mary switched into an ambrosia pink silk faille dress by Markarian. The unexpectedness, drama, and color drew her in, and once the bride tried it on, she knew it would be a delightful second look.
For the after-party, Mary shopped Over The Moon and found a second Markarian look—the Vivienne Silver Paillette Mini. She accessorized with Mark Cross’s pink flamingo feather bag and Aquazzura shoes.
On May 27, 2023, the wedding suite at the Ritz Paris set the scene for the intimate day to come. Mary dressed in her Loretta Caponi robe that she got on Over The Moon, and Sanni Sorma styled her Brigitte Bardot–inspired updo and a glowing makeup look.
“Our wedding suite at the Ritz Paris was an absolute dream and truly fit for a queen! Identical to Marie Antoinette’s boudoir at Château de Versailles, staying in this room is like stepping back into one of the most luxurious time periods in history!” she shares.
Then, Mary and Timothy stole a few photos on the Pont Alexandre III Bridge before heading to the Salon Psyché. Once arrived, a string duo began playing “La Vie En Rose,” and the bride’s stepson walked her down the aisle and toward a collection of Anne Vitchen peonies.
Timothy’s daughter officiated the ceremony beautifully. “It was the most beautiful moment for our multi-blended family,” Mary recalls. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. . .Isabella knocked it out of the park as officiant, having her marry us truly solidified us as a family. It was the greatest gift of love.”
The newlyweds exited the ceremony amidst a symphony of applause and cheers, before guests gathered for cocktails in the garden. For dinner, Salon D’eté offered a selection of lobster, beef tenderloin, and John Dory.
Afterward, the couple cut their strawberry wedding gateau and danced to Van Morrison’s “Someone Like You.” “I loved the intimacy of the room, yet it felt like a big party,” Mary shares. “We were able to talk to all of our guests. It was relaxed and fun, and the Champagne flowed and flowed!”
