On night two of Clarissa and Daniel’s wedding celebrations, they hosted a rehearsal dinner for their sixty guests who had traveled from across the world to celebrate their love. The autumnal evening felt absolute enchanted and was the perfect precursor to their elegant Villa Cetinale wedding. Scroll down for all of them magic and the full story as seen in Martha Stewart Weddings!
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After finding the venue’s website online, Clarissa and Daniel booked it sight unseen. “We planned the entire wedding without ever having seen the villa or church in person,” says Clarissa. “The moment we first drove up to each building, we were taken aback by how much more beautiful the location was in person, and we knew right away that we had made the right decision.”
The rehearsal dinner took place in the estate’s main villa, a pink-washed historic building. The façade spoke to the event’s barely-blush color palette.
As a destination wedding photographer, one of the best parts about photographing multiple days of events is that the couple and I have ample time to explore the beautiful property and take full advantage of the landscape. For this Villa Cetinale wedding, Clarissa, Daniel, and I planned countless opportunities for us to stroll through the formal Italian gardens, olive groves, and the majestic avenue of Cypress trees.
What a view! One of the things that astounded me the most about Villa Cetinale was the abundance of beautiful, ancient statues that were so effortlessly integrated into the gardens. It seemed like everywhere you turned you stumbled upon another priceless relic and heirloom.
As the sun set, Clarissa and Daniel made their way back to the main villa to enjoy cocktail hour with their friends and family amongst the geometric hedges in the citrus garden.
Dinner—which was held at one long table—unfolded inside the historic Limonaria, in a room with windows and French doors that opened to an exterior garden.
Blush florals, arranged in the Ikebana style by the talented Siloh Floral, ran the length of the tablescape, adding simple, streamlined color.
Overhead, collections of dried foliage and baby’s breath contributed to the garden vibe and cleverly masked two rather unsightly light fixtures.
The multi-course meal featured platters of antipasti, local cheeses, and homemade pasta. Clarissa and Daniel’s guests enjoyed the communal atmosphere, helping fill each others plates and refill each others glasses with some of the most incredible wines in Italy.
The starry night sky glittered above Villa Cetinale as Clarissa, Daniel, and their guests laughed the night away. It was absolutely idyllic and the perfect prelude to their elegant wedding.
PS – Planning your destination wedding in Italy and searching for a Villa Cetinale wedding photographer? Contact me to book your complimentary consultation!
Villa Cetinale Wedding Photographer: Molly Carr | Venue: Villa Cetinale | Event Planning: Laura Bravi Events | Catering and Cake: Galateo Ricevimenti | Flowers: Siloh Floral Artistry | Stationery: Every Little Letter | Music and Lighting: Wedding Music and Lights Hair: Frank Giacone | Makeup: Makeup Florence