The Jewish wedding of Kelly and Gabriel at Villa Cimbrone on the Amalfi Coast is particularly special for me because I met an amazing couple and family and organized for them a fantastic event.
Kelly’s father wrote me first because he fondly loves his two daughters and wanted for both a fairy tale wedding. Kelly was the first to get married and he was looking for an experienced planner that could assist a foreign couple in planning and organizing a marvelous destination wedding in Italy.
I had already been corresponding with Kelly and her family for some time, when Kelly and her mother asked to meet me in Italy for a site inspection on the Amalfi Coast. During a menu tasting they revealed that Kelly’s father is the brother of the famous stylist Diane von Fürstenberg, and Kelly is her niece… imagine my surprise! Kelly’s mother is also active in the fashion world and she worked side by side with her daughter and me to organize a fantastic wedding in Ravello.
For this couple we organized a three day event, so that they could enjoy all the beauties of the Amalfi Coast together with their 100 guests, coming from all over the world.
Day 1: Welcome dinner
Welcome dinner at Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi, on a terrace facing the sea. The menu included traditional Italian dishes made with local produce and fresh fish.
Menu for Welcome Dinner
- First courses: Penne pasta with zucchini and pumpkin blossoms, Risotto with summer vegetables
- Selection of Neapolitan Pizzas
- Main courses: Seabass with lemon sauce, Small breaded veal cutlet with tomatoes and rocket salad
- Desserts: “Delizia al limone” cake and selection of ice creams
Day 2: Cocktail party
Cocktail party in the Amalfi Bay on the sailing ship of Diane von Fürstenberg and her husband.
Day 3: Wedding day
The wedding took place entirely at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. The Jewish ceremony was held in the Tea Room, an Art Nouveau pavilion located in the magnificent gardens facing the sea. A traditional Jewish chuppah was set up inside the pavilion to host the ceremony.
Kelly’s bridal gown was designed by Parisian stylist Celestina D’Agostino. The overall effect was simple and elegant like the style of a diva of the golden era of Hollywood.
For the ceremony the bride chose a boho chic theme in white and green hues, the flowers used: Dendrobium orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids, David Austin Roses, peonies, jasmine branches, amaranthus and few olive leaves.
The chuppah was a wooden structure with branches intertwined with white and green flowers and covered with a white linen cloth.
The bridal bouquet simple and elegant with lilies of the valley.
[one_half]
[/one_half][one_half_last]
[/one_half_last]
The wedding reception took place in the crypt of Villa Cimbrone. I already wrote on my blog about other weddings organized in this space but I cannot emphasize enough the extraordinary style and elegance of this setting: the Gothic arches and the fantastic sea view create the most enchanting effect for a romantic atmosphere.
Corresponding with the bride and her mother I understood that they wanted a personal and tasteful decoration but without being too lavish.
Working in coordination with them and the florist, we designed elegant floral decorations in white, light pink, fuchsia, bordeaux and acid green. On the long table spheres of peonies, hydrangeas, David Austin and Sweet Avalanche roses alternated with tall golden candelabras and tealights in tiny golden vases with antique finish. Lots of lanterns on the stairs, the balcony and hanging on trees created a fairy tale effect. The ambience was tasteful and refined, this is one of my favorite decorations for Villa Cimbrone weddings.
Wedding Menu
Starter: Beef Carpaccio served with rocket salad and walnuts, slivers of Parmesan cheese flavoured with lemon sauce
First course: Risotto with truffle
Main course: Lightly sautéed fillet of Sea Bass served with lemon sauce and crispy vegetables
Wedding cake: 4 layer lemon sponge cake, filled with lemon cream and covered with cream.
The after party continued at Palazzo della Marra until late in the night. Enjoy the special moments of this wedding captured by Carlo Carletti in the photo gallery.
If you are thinking about organizing a Jewish wedding on the Amalfi Coast or in other locations in Italy don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
Image Credits: Carlo Carletti ©.
