Kim Dalli and Daniel Azzopardi dated for six years after having met on the set of the popular TV comedy Deceduti back in 2010, where they played the roles of two ghosts from different centuries who fall in love and eventually wed in the afterlife. “It was a bit of a case of ‘life imitating art’ when Daniel popped the question six years later,” Kim laughs. He whisked her off to a trip to Venice and all their friends and colleagues were betting that he’d pop the question there, but it was all a ruse.
“I returned without a ring – and soon after realised that I had lost the one Daniel had given me a while before. It turned out that I hadn't misplaced it after all – Daniel had nipped it so that he could order the correct size for the engagement ring, since I have inordinately tiny fingers!” Kim says. The actual proposal took place over a meal at a little Chinese restaurant where they had first dined together officially as a couple at the beginning of their relationship.
On the day of their wedding, Kim says she felt “incredibly calm and serene, and absolutely thrilled that I was about to marry my soulmate.” The couple chose to wed at the historic Shipwreck of St Paul chapel in San Pawl tat-Targa, Naxxar, for its sheer beauty and for the fact that it is steeped in history. Built between 1696 and 1699, it replaced another chapel that had been destroyed in the beginning of the century, and contains numerous examples of graffiti, including the outline of footprints etched into the flagstones leading to the main door.
“Newlywed couples treading the very same parvis we did some 100 years ago would carve their footprints in to commemorate their wedding,” Kim says. Upon exchanging vows, the couple exchanged vintage wedding bands, which belonged to their late, beloved grandparents.
For the reception, Kim and Daniel opted for Popeye Village, which lent itself well to their 1940s Old Hollywood theme. The invitations were designed to look like a vintage movie poster, while James Caterers provided the magnificent four-tiered cake, with a custom-made cake topper in the bride and groom’s likeness. “Ultimately, it was also a film set, which was a close enough reminder of how we had met in the first place,” Kim smiles.
Kim says that the most stressful part was probably exactly a month before the wedding day, when the couple were in the process of re-approaching all their suppliers to make sure everything was in place. “But we had great fun planning our wedding – it was quite particular and, to those who know us, it had ‘Kim and Daniel’ written all over it.”
“If I had a piece of advice to give to couples who are planning their wedding now, it would be this – don’t feel pressured to fit into the norm and to necessarily go with what society, fashion trends or relatives dictate. Plan your unique and special day exactly as you want it to be, and in a way which reflects you fully. And of course, it’s always good to plan ahead if you have specific suppliers, churches or venues in mind, as they tend to be booked pretty early on.”
But the most important tip of all, Kim says, is to just sit back and savour each and every moment as it passes by so quickly. “If you are enjoying your wedding day, I can guarantee that your guests will too!”
Andrew Rizzo Photography