From the boozy hen do at a Florence vineyard to the lavish ‘£1 million’ black tie celebration at a luxury villa, Lady Kitty Spencer and her new husband Michael Lewis pulled out all the stops for their week long wedding celebration.
Princess Diana’s niece, 30, wed fashion tycoon Michael, 62, – who is five years older than her father Charles Spencer – at a 17th century castle on Saturday surrounded by family and celebrity friends including Emma Weymouth and Pixie Lott.
But the wedding celebrations were far from limited to just 24 hours, with the couple throwing a host of bashes in the days surrounding their nuptials.
Here FEMAIL reveals all the details about the society wedding of the year – from the days running up to the ceremony to the luxury honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast…
From the boozy hen do at a Florence vineyard to the lavish ‘£1 million’ black tie celebration at a luxury villa, Lady Kitty Spencer and her new husband Michael Lewis pulled out all the stops for their week long wedding celebration (pictured, Kitty on her hen do in Florence)
The night before the wedding, Kitty wore a baby-blue tulle gown and cape embroidered with cross-stitched flowers also made for her by Dolce & Gabbana
Princess Diana’s niece wed fashion tycoon Michael – who is five years older than her father Charles Spencer – at a 17th century castle on Saturday surrounded by family and celebrity friends including Emma Weymouth and Pixie Lott
Lady Kitty joined friends including Emma Weymouth and Pixie Lott for lunch after the wedding (left), before enjoying dinner in Rome with her mother Victoria Aitken, 55, and 29-year-old sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer for a meal out at the upmarket Dal Bolognese restaurant on Monday night (right)
JULY 4: THE BOOZY HEN PARTY IN FLORENCE
Princess Diana’s niece spent the days leading up to the ceremony travelling around the Florence region with some of her closest girlfriends.
Now it has been revealed the group enjoyed a sidecar tour of the surrounding wine country as one of their activities – after an unsuspecting vineyard owner shared photos from their visit.
Kitty and the girls hired a fleet of vintage bikes with sidecars and stopped off at family-owned Luiano winery in Chianti where they sampled the wine and were given a tour of the estate.
But it was only when the owner saw the radiant bride pop up in local news coverage that he realised she had been a VIP guest.
Writing on Instagram, Alessandro posted: ‘Delighted to host brides from all over the world! We were especially honored to host a “special bride” recently for her pre-wedding celebrations. We look forward to welcoming more brides to Luiano!’
Separate photos of Kitty Spencer on her wedding day were shared with the rueful caption: ‘If only we knew…’
New photographs have emerged showing Lady Kitty Spencer letting loose with friends in the day before her lavish Rome wedding. The group took a sidecar tour through Chianti
The group, all dressed in white, sampled wine on the vineyard visit. Pictured, Lady Kitty (right) and her girlfriends on their Italian getaway
17-22 JULY: GIRLS TRIP TO FLORENCE
After returning to London after her first hen-do, Lady Kitty travelled back to Florence for a second girly trip to celebrate her upcoming nuptials.
As well as studying at the University of Cape Town, she studied art history and Italian in Florence,
On being a student in Italy, she added: ‘Everything felt so simple and carefree, but you’re still being stimulated in a culturally rich environment.
‘It’s just pure pleasure and learning, and being surrounded by every type of beauty. If I’m lucky enough to live to the age of retirement, Florence is where you’ll find me.’
After returning to London after her first hen-do, Lady Kitty travelled back to Florence for a second girly trip to celebrate her upcoming nuptials
Kitty’s last night of freedom! The royal and her gal pals stepped out in black dresses and colourful wigs for a night out on the town last weekend
After the hen do, she took to Instagram to share a gorgeous snap of herself sitting in the Piazza del Duomo, while sporting a glamorous black and white frock
She shared snaps on Instagram alongside friends from like stylist Becky Bower, singer Kathleen Taylor and model Erin Borini from the Firenze bridge.
And for her final nights a single woman, she and her gal pals stepped out in black dresses and colourful wigs for a night out on the town.
Lady Kitty showcased her fashion prowess once again during the evening in Florence, after stunning in a polka dot gown.
After the hen do, she took to Instagram to share a gorgeous snap of herself sitting in the Piazza del Duomo, while sporting a glamorous black and white frock.
Wedding guests began arriving and checked in to the five-star Hotel de la Ville in Rome, including Viscountess Emma Weymouth, singer Pixie Lott and artist Piotr Krzymowski.
23 JULY: REHEARSAL DINNER
Friends including Pixie Lott, Oliver Cheshire and Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, were spotted dining out in Rome in the hours before the big event
After a week-long hen party with friends, Kitty started her official pre-wedding events with a rehearsal dinner at the Galleria Del Cardinal, a high-end events space in Rome.
Friends including Pixie Lott, Oliver Cheshire and Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, were spotted dining out in Rome in the hours before the big event.
Guests dined on a menu including a classic veal and tuna salad, beef broth and pumpkin cream ravioli and baked eggplant.
Lady Kitty wore the first of five custom made Dolce & Gabbana gowns for the occasion, opting for a blue tulle dress with a matching cape.
Earl Spencer posted a picture on his Instagram account of the gardens at his Althorp estate.
24 JULY: THE BIG DAY
Lady Kitty wore a stunning white lace Dolce & Gabbana gown as she married millionaire tycoon Michael Lewis in a lavish ceremony in Italy, surrounded by her friend
Lady Kitty married Michael in a lavish ceremony in Italy, surrounded by her friends and members of her family.
As the searing summer heat began to ease at 6pm, Princess Diana’s niece said ‘I do’ in front of a hushed congregation in the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, a stunning country mansion with views towards Rome.
Photographs of the bride wearing a high-necked Victorian-inspired lace gown by favourite designer Dolce and Gabbana for the occasion, which features trendy puff sleeves and a cinched waist.
Meanwhile she swept her hair back into a low bun and opted for a lengthy train for the occasion.
Guests were treated to an incredible light show at the venue on Saturday (left) while musical performers also put on a show under arches of flowers (right)
Kitty was walked down the aisle by her brothers Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp and Samuel Aitken.
Her husband opted for a smart white tuxedo and, later, Prince William and Harry’s younger cousin changed into a second gown, with short sleeves, pink floral detailing and a flowing hemline.
Michael and Kitty were joined by her sisters, twins Eliza and Amelia; Viscountess Emma Weymouth and her husband Ceawlin Thynn, the Marquess of Bath; pop star Pixie Lott and her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire; Idris Elba’s wife Sabrina; and Made In Chelsea star Mark Vandelli.
Also present were Mr Lewis’s three adult children from a previous marriage. Lady Kitty, – the eldest child of Diana’s brother Earl Spencer – is understood to have formed strong relationships with her husband’s children.
The newly weds put on a lavish event in Italy, with ornate place settings written in calligraphy and guests were able to enjoy the couple’s special day into the night (left) and right)
Photographs of the bride shared online show the 30-year-old wearing a Victorian-inspired lace gown for the occasion, which features trendy puff sleeves and a cinched waist (pictured with her brothers Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp and Samuel Aitken who walked her down the aisle)
Guests were treated to a spectacular fireworks display and many of the guests pulled out their phones to document the incredible sight
After the ceremony, the two could be seen toasting to their marriage while surrounded by their closest friends and family on the balcony of the villa.
In keeping with the Italian theme, fashion house Dolce and Gabbana played a key role. Several guests, including Viscountess Weymouth, socialite and DJ Marjorie Gubelmann and fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper wore the designers’ dresses.
Before the ceremony, Viscountess Weymouth and Ms Gubelmann posted on Instagram that their outfits were made by the Italian duo, while Ms Holland Cooper flaunted a small D & G handbag on the social media site.
After the ceremony, Lady Kitty and Mr Lewis treated guests to a feast and dancing before an incredible fireworks display lit up the Italian sky.
As the searing summer heat began to ease at 6pm, Princess Diana’s niece said ‘I do’ in front of a hushed congregation in the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, a stunning country mansion with views towards Rome
Former wedding planner to the stars, Kelly Mortimer, who oversaw Katherine Jenkins’ 2014 wedding to Andrew Levitas, said with five bespoke Dolce and Gabbana dresses, four days of events and the hire of an Italian castle, the bride and groom would have ‘easily hit the £1million mark’ when it came to costs.
Mortimer, who planned weddings at the likes of Claridges and the Mandarin Oriental in London for well-heeled brides and grooms before launching a business teaching hotels how to host luxury events, told FEMAIL: ‘With a society wedding with celebrities involved, it doesn’t take much to hit the £1million mark.
‘A band for the evening might cost a quarter of that figure, and when you factor in the flowers, meals and venue, you can quickly hit six figures, perhaps even more.’
25 JULY: POST-WEDDING CELEBRATION
On Sunday guests returned for a post-wedding lunch at the wedding venue which also served as the venue for the wedding of Meghan Markle’s BFF Misha Nonoo and oil heir Mikey Hess in September 2019.
Guests including Pixie Lott and her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire, were spotted leaving the Eden Hotel – which is part of the Dorchester group – to head to Villa Aurelia for a celebratory lunch.
Also understood to have been present were the groom’s three grown-up children from his marriage to ex-wife Leola.
The day after their wedding, the newlyweds posed for an intimate photoshoot in Villa Aurelia park, where they could be seen leaning into one another and sharing a passionate embrace
Emma Weymouth, the Marchioness of Bath, looked stunning in a strapless floor-length floral gown as she attended day two of Lady Kitty Spencer’s wedding celebrations at the Villa Aurelia, overlooking Rome
Designer Jade Holland Cooper looked glamorous in a red floral dress, accompanied by her adorable daughter Saphaïa. and her husband Julian Dunkerton, founder of Superdry (left) while Singer Pixie Lott opted for a more casual mini dress teamed with flat gold sandals with a diamante buckle and a pink tote bag as she arrived for day two of the festivities (right)
Lady Kitty Spencer and her new billionaire husband looked loved-up as they snuggled up and kissed in an intimate photoshoot at the venue.
Lady Kitty donned a fourth D&G gown for the occasion, a white dress which featured colourful floral lace embroidery across the bodice and green bow detailing on the puff sleeves.
Meanwhile Michael opted for a more simple outfit, wearing just a plain white shirt with a pair of cream linen trousers.
26 JULY: INTIMATE MEALS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
The fun continued into Monday, with Kitty joining friends including Pixie Lott and Jade Holland Cooper for lunch.
Photos show Lady Kitty smiling for the camera as she enjoyed a light lunch and Aperol spritz with friends in the Italian sunshine.
The radiant newlywed swept her hair back into a casual ponytail for the outing and opted for an ultra feminine D&G sundress with frilled detailing across the bust.
It was the sixth dazzling dress by the Italian fashion house worn by Lady Kitty over the weekend.
Garden lunch: Eliza Spencer and her boyfriend Channing Millerd (centre, in yellow) joined close family including half-brother Samuel Aitken (second from right) and Lady Amelia and her fiancé Greg Mallett (third from left) for an outdoor lunch on Monday
Later the couple joined Kitty’s mother Victoria Aitken, 55, and 29-year-old sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer for a meal out at the upmarket Dal Bolognese restaurant on Monday night
Kitty, who wowed in five Dolce & Gabbana alta moda gowns on Saturday and Sunday, wore yet another frock by the designers as she stepped out with her new husband. The £2,350 camellia-print ruffled silk-blend midi dress showcases the brand’s typically feminine style and features organza ruffles along the crossover V-neckline and midi hem
It appeared her husband Michael stayed at home after a busy weekend of partying.
Later the couple joined Kitty’s mother Victoria Aitken, 55, and 29-year-old sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer for a meal out at the upmarket Dal Bolognese restaurant on Monday night.
Kitty, who wowed in five Dolce & Gabbana alta moda gowns on Saturday and Sunday, wore yet another frock by the designers as she stepped out with her new husband.
The £2,350 camellia-print ruffled silk-blend midi dress showcases the brand’s typically feminine style and features organza ruffles along the crossover V-neckline and midi hem.
Victoria, who shares four children with ex-husband Charles Spencer, looked chic in a midi skirt and white shirt, while Amelia opted for a flirty green and white skater skirt, white top and Gucci trainers. Eliza kept her look similarly casual, pairing a pale blue denim dress with an oversized handbag.
The group were joined by Amelia’s fiancé Greg Mallett and Eliza’s boyfriend Channing Millerd.
28 JULY: HONEYMOON BEGINS
Lady Kitty Spencer and her new billionaire husband Michael looked relaxed as they arrived at the idyllic Amalfi Coast for their honeymoon – after a week long wedding celebration
Lady Kitty Spencer opted for yet another Dolce & Gabanna gown for the occasion, pairing the colourful midi dress with a straw bag embroidered with the label’s name
The pair could be seen inspecting the view from their luxury hotel as they arrived in Amalfi earlier this afternoon (pictured together)
Lady Kitty Spencer and her new billionaire husband Michael looked relaxed as they arrived at the idyllic Amalfi Coast for their honeymoon – after a week long wedding celebration.
Earlier this afternoon the pair arrived at their luxury hotel on Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast for their first romantic trip as newlyweds.
Lady Kitty Spencer opted for yet another Dolce & Gabanna gown for the occasion, pairing the colourful midi dress with a straw bag embroidered with the label’s name.
She swept her hair into a low ponytail for the occasion, and donned a large pair of sunglasses.
Meanwhile Michael appeared laid back in a blue linen shirt and white trousers.
Both wore black face masks as they arrived at their hotel, presumably having made the journey from Rome earlier today.