Italy, the land of romance, elegance, and timeless beauty, never ceases to enchant. Among its countless treasures, the island of Ischia stands out as a particularly magical and unspoiled wedding destination.
Ischia, located a short ferry ride from Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, is known as the “Green Island” for its verdant landscapes. It is a paradise of natural beauty, hot springs, and elegant simplicity. Less known than its famous neighbors, it offers a plethora of beautiful venues, activities, and fun options for those seeking a truly unique destination wedding experience.
Recently, we had the joy of planning a heartwarming and fun celebration there, and I am excited to share some details with you.
What truly made this wedding unforgettable was the blend of timeless elegance and modern touches, a hallmark of our planning philosophy. From the moment our couple, S. & R., arrived in a vintage car to the scenic boat ride that whisked them away to the reception, every detail was meticulously curated to create a seamless experience.
The Welcome Dinner
The celebrations kicked off with the Welcome party at the local picturesque restaurant, La Vigna Di Alberto, with its charming rural garden full of fragrant flowers, orange trees, and multicolored fruit and vegetable display. The bride wore a golden Sofia Provera dress, and the groom a Cad and The Dandy NYC green suit. Their sunset pictures were breathtaking.
The Perfect Setting
Our couple began their wedding day journey at the Hotel Mare Blue Terme, which boasts its own wellness path of hot springs and a private beach.
Ischia’s artists from Aglaia Estetica provided make-up and hairstyling, ensuring the couple looked their best. The bride and her friends had an unforgettable experience, enjoying perfect service while singing popular tunes with their makeup artists.
Our stunning bride wore an elegant Justin Alexander dress with Bella Belle Shoes, while the groom looked dashing in a bespoke Cad & The Dandy New York suit with BV Milano shoes.
After some photos around the hotel, we headed to our ceremony site, Castello Aragonese.
A Fairytale Venue
Ischia’s Aragonese Castle, a medieval fortress perched majestically on a volcanic rock, is connected to the island by a charming causeway. This castle offers an enchanted wedding backdrop.
The couple shared emotional moments during their First Look at the castle’s tiny pathways before proceeding to the ceremony site of the old church.
The creative talent of flower designer Tommaso at La Primula transformed the historic castle into a natural garden setting, seamlessly blending with the cathedral’s ruins while respecting its sacredness. The couple's palette was fresh, delicate green, off-white, with pop-ups of yellow and orange shades. They wanted to incorporate the local wildflowers and greenery into their decor, and Tommaso addressed this perfectly.
Walking down the aisle in a centuries-old castle with panoramic sea views felt like stepping into a romantic historical novel!
Picture a sun-kissed ceremony on a cliffside, with the sea breeze gently rustling the leaves and the scent of blooming flowers in the air—pure bliss!
After capturing some shots in the castle’s private garden, the newlyweds drove a tiny vintage car to the pier and embarked on a boat to cruise the island’s shores.
Our couple, S.&R., wanted to have a fun and leisurely experience for everyone at their wedding, an informal feeling of joy and happiness. Their wedding reflected their values in life: simplicity, closeness with nature, barefoot bliss, fun, and a kind spirit.
By the time they arrived at their reception site at the famous Giardino Eden seafood restaurant and beach club, everything was ready to greet them.
Dinner and Beyond
The celebration was marked by a blend of timeless elegance and modern touches. A vintage car, a boat ride, and an under-the-stars reception with Aperol Spritzes, local food, delicate cake, and gelato defined this heartwarming, fun, easy-going, elegant celebration.
The dinner setup featured a palette of warm oranges and yellows with delicate greenery, enhanced by custom-made tablecloths from Blankspace Amsterdam. The four-course dinner showcased many local delicacies. Romantic watercolors of the island by Gaetano Patalano added a personal touch to the celebration with bespoke stationery.
For those with a sweet tooth, pastry chef and cake designer Nello Iervolino crafted a gorgeous and delicious wedding cake. For the cake-cutting, the bride changed into a fun and sexy dress by Sofia Provera Atelier. Once the cake was cut, the party began and continued until late into the night.
Capturing the Moments
The lively shots were beautifully captured by the talented photographer Michael Zennaro and videographer Ivan Rubino, who both have an eye for detail and genuine happiness. Their work ensures that every cherished moment of this magical wedding in Ischia will be remembered forever.
Parting Words
Planning this wedding in Ischia was a beautiful journey, one that showcased the island’s magic and the endless possibilities for creating your own dream wedding. If you envision a wedding combining breathtaking scenery, rich history, and elegant simplicity, Ischia is the perfect destination. And I’m here to make it happen.
As a wedding planner, my role is to turn dreams into reality. For this Ischia wedding, that meant not only selecting the perfect venue and coordinating the logistics but also infusing the event with personal touches that made it uniquely theirs. From floral arrangements that mirrored the island’s natural beauty to a reception setup that invited guests to relax and celebrate, every aspect was designed to reflect the couple’s personalities and create unforgettable memories.
Photo credits: Michael Zennaro Photography
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