Claire, one of the sweetest brides I had the pleasure to work with… a wonderful taste for refined things. Claire contacted me through e-mail right on my birthday! September 30th 2011. What a wonderful present, asking me to plan her destination wedding in one of the most beautiful venues of the Amalfi Coast: the magnificent VILLA CIMBRONE.
Dear ExclusiveItaly,
Your company has come highly recommended to me in order to help us plan our wedding day on 1st August 2012 in Ravello :)
We went out to Ravello in August and fell in Love with Villa Cimbrone and met with Paola who very kindly showed us round the property. We have booked the reception at Cimbrone to take place on August 1st 2012 and Paola advised it would still be ok to work with you even since I already paid the deposit directly to Cimbrone.
We would like a catholic ceremony, ideally in the Duomo.
We will have approx 40 guests.
Please let me know the additional information you require from us.
I really look forward to hearing from you and hope we will be able to work with youClaire
I replied immediately to Claire, I was so excited. I love Villa Cimbrone, there is where I met my husband, it is a venue that holds a special place in my heart! At the same time it is one of the most amazing properties where to organize a wedding reception in Italy, a Villa where every event planner would love to have the chance to coordinate a wedding once in her career.
We started to correspond on a daily basis… what a fun! Claire is a travel agent basing her business on the internet, just like me, so her responses were so immediate! I loved it. Her folder had a total of 950 e-mails, all this to plan a unique and romantic destination wedding in Ravello.
I am going to share with you, all the smaller details of this enchanting vintage wedding on the Amalfi Coast:
Wedding ceremony venue: Duomo di S. Maria Assunta, Ravello (located in the main Piazza)
Wedding reception venue: Villa Cimbrone, Ravello
Wedding theme: vintage-classic style
Color palette: blush pink, ivory and light green
Type of ceremony: Catholic ceremony with civil validity
Wedding date and time: August 1st 2012 at 16:30
Number of guests: 30 adults
Accommodation the days prior the wedding: Private Villa called Villa Dante, in the heart of Ravello
Accommodation on the wedding night: Special bridal Suite at Villa Cimbrone
The day after the wedding: BBQ lunch at Villa Dante
What we organized for Claire & Daniel: Paperwork assistance for catholic ceremony with civil validity, planning of reception & food/wine suggestions, welcome baskets for guests, toast in the main square in town, music for ceremony (Harpist & Flautist), music for reception (string Quartet, sound system during dinner & DJ after dinner, concept and floral design of wedding reception, photographer, beauty service, order of service, videographer, buggy service for elderly guest.
Average cost of event: € 25.000 (excluding accommodation, flights and dresses)
Days leading to the wedding
Claire and Danny arrived in Ravello on Friday, July 27th and spent their first night in town at the Hotel Rufolo. On the next morning they had various meetings including the one with Ms. Paola Vuilleumier the owner of Villa Cimbrone to go through a final re-cap of the event, give them place cards, seating chart, favors and go over all the final details of the event. After meeting Paola the couple checked-in at Villa Dante
On Monday July 30th Claire had an appointment at Villa Dante with our make-up artist for a trial session of her bridal make-up. In the evening the couple hosted inside their Villa a lovely BBQ party for the entire family.
On Tuesday July 31st, the couple went first to the registry office in Ravello and presented a sworn declaration in order to have a catholic ceremony with civil validity the next day at the church. At 10:00 am the met Father John at the Duomo for a rehearsal of the ceremony. At the rehearsal were present the wedding party, father john and of course our staff. After the rehearsal Claire checked-in at Villa Cimbrone with her bridesmaid.
The wedding day finally arrived! August 1st 2012 – Claire & Daniel wedding day
13:30 Make-up artist starts bride service (time to be confirmed)
14:30 Arrival of wedding photographer and videographer at Villa Cimbrone
15:00 Florist delivers flowers for the bridal
16:00 Father John arrives at the church
16:10 Guest arrive at the church
16:15 Groom & Groomsman arrive at the church
16:20 Groom and groomsman move inside the church in the altar area
16:20 Bride and bridesmaid leave for the church
16:30 Ceremony begins
17:10 End of ceremony followed by a group shot on the steps of the church. The group relax on the main square in town where we organize a refreshing toast!
18:30 Procession to Villa Cimbrone
18:45 Arrival at Cimbrone, pictures at the Belvedere Terrace with family and friends.
19:30 Cocktails in the lawn area located in front of the villa.
20:30 Wedding dinner in the impressive Crypt with magnificent sea views
22:30 Cutting & dessert buffet followed by dancing
24:00 End of event
Enjoy their delicious wedding menu catered by Villa Cimbrone’s restaurant
Cocktail time
Prosecco di Valdobbiadene (2 flutes per person)
Alcoholic Cocktail (Requested Bellini)
Non-alcoholic Cocktail
Orange juices
Lemon juice
Mineral water
From the Buffet:
Blue fish mousse
Tiny Buffalo mozzarella balls served on oregano and tomato sauce
Creamed white beans seasoned with clams
Fried pancakes
Rice croquettes
Selection of salted puff Pastries
Potato croquettes
Focaccia flavoured with salt and rosemary
Anchovies served on fresella bread with buffalo milk butter
Ricotta mousse flavoured with lemon
Small sesame seed Panbrioché served with salami and lettuce
Slivers of Parmesan cheese
Wedding menu
Lobster salad with citrus sauce flavoured with ginger
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Tagliolini pasta timbale Sicilia Style served with basil sauce
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Beef fillet flavoured with Taurasi red wine served with mushrooms and potatoes
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Chocolate Profiteroles
Vegetarian Alternative
Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella and Oregan*
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Tagliolini pasta timbale Sicilia Style served with basil sauce
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Vegetable ”tempura” on a yogurt and orange sauce
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Chocolate Profiteroles
Wines
Starter and First course: Fiano di Avellino Colli di Lapio Romano – Romano Clelia
Main course: Aglianico Macchialuna
Speeches & cake cutting: Prosecco di Valdobbiadene – Le Colture
Visit the complete photo gallery of this amazing wedding. Thanks to Cinzia Bruschini for these spectacular images. You’ve really captured the essence of the day!
Do not hesitate to contact me at laura.weddings@exclusiveitaly.it to plan a memorable destination wedding at Villa Cimbrone.
Image Credits: Cinzia Bruschini ©.
This wedding is stunning! What are the little decorations on the Champagne flutes? I would love to use these at my wedding!