When Emmy-nominated producer and talent manager Meech Golden married the fashion and beauty influencer Ashley Alexandria Lopez, the world’s most trusted wedding authority — The Knot — took notice.
Their 2025 destination wedding at Masseria Salamina could not be anything short of perfect, with jet-set vibes surrounded by the marvels of centuries-old olive groves, Adriatic landscapes and historical locations. It wasn’t just a celebration: it was a statement about love, cultural mingling, and the magic of southern Italy.
A Regal Fantasy, Italian Style
The couple chose Puglia’s countryside for its timeless elegance and vibrant authenticity. Their wedding design theme, as Ashley revealed to The Knot, was “beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy.”Think royal, sultry, and unforgettable — brought to life with her signature pink, shimmering golden accents, and the raw charm of a 17th-century masseria.
Masseria Salamina, with its historic chapel, ancient stone walls, and stylish interiors redesigned with the best of Italian design, proved the perfect backdrop. Every space reflected a balance between noble tradition and modern comfort — a place where American glamour could meet Mediterranean soul expressing the full potential of both cultures.
Music, Fashion, and Soulful Celebration
Music was central to their story. A string quartet and a jazz band set the tone for timeless romance, before rhythms of hip-hop, salsa, and merengue honored Ashley’s Puerto Rican heritage. Later, Meech himself took over the DJ booth, spinning a high-energy set of early 2000s hits — a personal, electric gift to his guests.
As Ashley confessed, “Our guests started the weekend as strangers and left as friends.” And that, perhaps, is the essence of a Puglian wedding: togetherness, warmth, and joy, celebrated late into the night under a southern sky.
Glamour and fashion also played a key role: bride, groom and all of the guests showed off fancy outfits for any of the occasions occurred during the weekend at Masseria Salamina. The wedding party attires were thought and supplied by two Californian brands, Azazie for the bridesmaids and Friar Tux for the groomsmen.
A Wedding in Chapters: From Golden Hour to Poolside Bliss
The Goldens’ wedding wasn’t confined to a single day, but unfolded like a perfectly scripted film, with Masseria Salamina as both stage and co-star. The atmosphere and the storyline through which the celebration developed were perfectly highlighted by the renowned wedding photographer Kyla Jeanette. The weekend programme included:
- Welcome Party at Golden Hour
The weekend opened with a relaxed Pizza & Pasta feast at sunset. Guests arrived from the US, welcomed with the greatest classics of Italian pasta: arrabbiata, cacio e pepe, carbonara set the tone, immediately immersing everyone in a world of unforgettable flavors. And pizza, of course, couldn’t be missing, while guests also enjoyed a live cocktails service, enriched by the botanicals of Masseria Salamina’s garden to garnish the drink. All of that while the sky turned shades of pink and gold. - Pre-Ceremony & Ceremony
On the wedding day, anticipation built in the gardens. The vows took place in front of the historic chapel, framed by olive trees, with a design that felt both regal and intimate. - Cocktail Hour & Party
The celebrations flowed effortlessly into a cocktail reception and a party in the greenhouse where music, fireworks, and live performances turned the Masseria’s courtyards into a dreamlike stage. The greenhouse hosted wild dances and a joyful afterparty that only Puglia could inspire. - Next Day Pool Party
Because one day was not enough. Guests gathered again, this time poolside, to enjoy the Mediterranean sun, local cuisine, and a celebratory close to an unforgettable wedding chapter. A DJ set gave everyone the right mood and a detox buffet based on garden vegetables and typical Apulian products such as mozzarella, stracciatella and other dairy products offered one last tasty good bye to the guests.
Why Couples and Planners Are Looking at Puglia
Meech and Ahsley’s wedding shows why Puglia — and Masseria Salamina in particular — is becoming one of the world’s most desired destinations for weddings. Easily accessible from Bari and Brindisi airports, rich in culture, food, and tradition, yet still unspoiled compared to other Italian regions, this corner of southern Italy offers couples the chance to create something unique, intimate, and profoundly beautiful.
The Essence of the Goldens’ Wedding
At its heart, what made Meech and Ashley’s wedding extraordinary wasn’t only the design or the setting, but the feeling. As Ashley described: “The feeling you get when all of your favorite people are there, just for you, creating an unforgettable bond and lasting memories.”
That is the promise of Masseria Salamina: timeless beauty, authentic hospitality, and celebrations that linger in memory — long after the last dance.
Celebrate your love story surrounded by the beauty, colors and authenticity of Puglia. 2026 dates at Masseria Salamina are now available for booking.
Credits
The wedding was made special by the precious collaboration of some of the best professionals in the sector:
Venue: @masseriasalamina – Photographer: @kylajeanette & @Sarahteresa.kjp – Content Creator: @planwithlaur – Planner: @mediterraneoinlove – Florist: @flower_addicted_angelica – Bride’s Dresses: @justinalexander – Bride’s Accessories: @betseyjohnson (shoes) @elgrissydiamonds – Groom’s Shoes: @christianlouboutin (Ceremony), @prada (Reception) – Engagement Rings & Wedding Rings: @michaelgabrielsny – Hair & Makeup: @Rossella_Panarelli_Bridal_ – Wedding Party Attire: @azaziebridal (Bridesmaids), @friartux (Groomsmen) – Groom Stylist: @brittystylez
Catering, Cake, and other desserts: @masseriasalamina – Music: @rinaldiproduction – Other Entertainment: Friscira Fireworks – Ballerinas: @dynamisentertainment – Transportation: @autonoleggiodematteis – Registry & invitations: @theknot
Book your stay now. Let’s talk about your wedding!
