Daniella and Thomas's Timeless Italian Wedding at Villa La Rondinaia

Love Story

Daniella and Thomas's journey began in the summer of 2020 when they met through mutual friends. "After our first date, the rest was history, and we've been inseparable ever since!" Daniella shares. The couple built their relationship thoughtfully—dating for three years before moving in together, getting engaged at four years, and tying the knot around their five-year anniversary.

The proposal itself was a masterclass in surprise. During a trip to Tuscany with friends, Daniella had her suspicions. "We had a big trip planned with our friends, but Thomas and I went to Milan for two days before meeting up with everyone. I was sure that if he were going to propose, it would happen while we were alone in Milan." But Thomas had other plans, waiting until their first night in Cortona with their friends. "He ended up proposing on our first night with friends, after dinner on a gorgeous cobblestone street in Cortona. I was completely surprised—it couldn't have been more perfect!"

About Your Wedding

Planning an Italian destination wedding in just nine months might sound ambitious, but when Daniella found Villa La Rondinaia in August 2024, she knew she had to secure the June 2025 opening. "Our dream wedding has always been about creating a weekend that feels warm, joyful, and full of love—surrounded by our closest family and friends in one of the most beautiful places in the world," she explains.

The couple envisioned something timeless, romantic, and elegantly intimate. "We wanted it to feel intimate yet full of energy, with great food, great wine, and unforgettable views. Most of all, we wanted everyone to truly enjoy themselves and feel part of our story!" The exclusive three-day weekend at the villa's property included a welcome party, the wedding day, and a post-wedding pool party—allowing guests to truly immerse themselves in the celebration.

Drawing inspiration from the Amalfi Coast's natural beauty, Daniella reflects: "From the stunning cliffs and coastline to the romantic streets of Ravello, the setting guided so many of our choices—from décor and flowers to the feel of the weekend. We also wanted to honor the traditional Italian wedding experience, keeping the celebrations authentic and full of classic Italian touches."

Morning Details

The couple's attention to detail began with their wedding stationery, designed by Paper Capers in Livingston, New Jersey. "They brought my stationary vision to life!" Daniella enthuses. The carefully curated invitations set the tone for the elegant Italian celebration to come, while every other element—from the classic white color palette to the blue-inked menus—was chosen with intention to create a cohesive look.

Bride Getting Ready

The bridal suite at Villa La Rondinaia provided the most stunning backdrop for the morning preparations. "My bridesmaids and I got ready in the suite of the villa. It was the most stunning room, with a gorgeous balcony that overlooked the breathtaking views of Ravello," Daniella recalls. Surrounded by her eight bridesmaids, maid of honor (her sister), mom, mother-in-law, and nana, Daniella was cocooned in love. "It was so special and fun to have all the women I love most by my side all day!"

For her dress, Daniella knew exactly what she wanted. "From the moment I knew we were getting married in Italy, I envisioned a form-fitted lace dress." At Kleinfeld's in NYC, she found her dream Pnina Tornai gown on the very first try. "When I tried on my dress, it was the very first one I put on—and I knew instantly it was the one. It will forever be my dream dress!" She kept her accessories minimal to let the intricate lace details shine: a flowing veil, Jimmy Choo lace heels, and diamond stud earrings. "I wanted to keep my accessories minimal given the detail of my dress."

Her bouquet featured classic white peonies created by Flowers Living, while her bridesmaids carried smaller white rose bouquets. The bridesmaids wore light pink dresses from various designers. "My only request was that they be a light shade of pink—and they absolutely nailed it. Overall it created a beautiful, cohesive look."

Groom Getting Ready

While Daniella prepared with her bridesmaids, Thomas was in another part of the villa with his six groomsmen and best man—his older brother. The groom wore a custom Zegna tuxedo, his favorite brand, perfectly tailored for the occasion.

"The boys got ready in a different part of the villa. While there, they did a fun photoshoot on the balcony overlooking the Amalfi Coast, as well as in various parts of the villa's elegant interior," Daniella shares. "It was such a great way for them to enjoy the morning and capture some special memories before the ceremony."

First Look

Ceremony

The ceremony took place in the Duomo di Ravello, a beautiful and historical church right in the town square. As an organist and string quartet performed Canon in D by Pachelbel, Daniella made her way down the aisle toward her future.

"The ceremony was one of my favorite moments of the wedding. It was so special to say 'I do' and officially become husband and wife," Daniella reflects. "I'll never forget when the priest said, 'I now pronounce you husband and wife,' and seeing all of our family and friends cheering and clapping with joy. That moment was full of love, happiness, and pure magic—something we'll treasure forever."

But the magic didn't end when they walked back down the aisle. "One of the moments we'll always remember was walking out of the church and being greeted by a full marching band. They led us and all of our guests through the streets of Ravello, playing music as we made our way to the reception." The streets came alive with celebration. "All the locals were outside, cheering us on and joining in the celebration, which made the moment feel even more magical. Marching through those cobblestone streets with everyone we love, surrounded by so much joy and energy, was one of the happiest moments I will ever experience!"

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

From the moment Daniella first visited the Amalfi Coast, she knew it would be her wedding backdrop. "I always knew I wanted to get married in Italy, and the Amalfi Coast had always held a special place in my heart. The first time I visited, I imagined the water and cliffs as the backdrop for all of our photos—it felt like the most magical setting."

After viewing multiple venues, Villa La Rondinaia kept calling them back. "We loved the idea of staying on the property and having it exclusively for a three-day weekend, making the celebration feel intimate, relaxed, and completely ours. When we saw it in person, with its stunning views and timeless charm, we knew immediately it was the perfect place for our wedding."

The color palette was sophisticated and romantic—predominantly white and green with hints of blue, “creating a classic and romantic feel throughout the villa.” The blue-inked menus coordinated perfectly with the blue accents on the plates. "Everything came together to feel cohesive, sophisticated, and effortlessly Italian."

Antares Events brought the couple's vision to life, while Flowers Living created stunning floral arrangements. Personal touches included customized ceramic coasters at each place setting. "Each one featured our initials and wedding date and was sourced from a local ceramic shop in Ravello—a special touch inspired by a popular local tradition. It was a small detail, but we loved adding something personal that guests could take home and remember our day by."

Reception

As the sun began to set over the Amalfi Coast, the reception came alive. Daniella and Thomas took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife to Haley Reinhart's version of "Can't Help Falling in Love."

The menu was authentically Italian, featuring a preset three-course experience. "The first course was a delicious eggplant parmigiana, followed by a pasta dish of cacio e pepe with shrimp. For the main course, guests enjoyed a perfectly cooked filet." The traditional millefoglie wedding cake, made in-house, was the perfect sweet ending.

Music from Rinaldi Production filled the air throughout the evening, with multiple acts keeping the energy high. "We had multiple musical acts, from small bands to a large band at the wedding, and everyone loved the music," Daniella shares.

But the celebration didn't end with the wedding day. "Most of our memories revolve around the wedding day itself, but the celebrations actually spanned a full weekend." The night before, they hosted a welcome party with an Italian market theme. "Guests were greeted with an entrance filled with bags and goodies to fill and take home, and we spent the evening enjoying beautiful speeches, dancing, and music from a DJ." The morning after the wedding brought a poolside brunch with a spritz bar, "giving everyone a chance to relive the wedding, swim, relax, and soak in the last moments of our unforgettable weekend."

Reflecting on their vendor team, the couple couldn't be more grateful. "We absolutely loved all of our vendors. Our photographers brought my bridal photo vision to life — they were absolutely perfect and captured every moment beautifully. Our planners helped me find all the amazing vendors and put the weekend together. All of the décor, from the welcome party to the wedding, was exactly as I had envisioned. We had multiple musical acts, from small bands to a large band at the wedding, and everyone loved the music. It all came together seamlessly, and working with such talented, dedicated vendors made the entire experience even more special."