Shimmering Vows in Rome: Anda & Leonardo’s Enchanting Wedding at Villa Aurelia
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Wedding date: 10/13/2024
- City: Rome
Love Story
Their story began in the warm glow of a dear friend's birthday celebration,where Anda and Leonardo's eyes found each other across the room. In that magical moment, a spark was lit, one that would flourish into a deep, unbreakable bond over the next four years—culminating in Leonardo’s breathtaking proposal that promised a lifetime of love.
With her sharp mind as a neuroscientist and his keen insight as an attorney, this remarkable couple set out to plan the wedding of their dreams. Over the following ten months, every detail was lovingly attended to, ensuring their special day would be nothing short of enchanting.
About Your Wedding
The couple dreamed of a celebration that exuded both sophistication and sumptuous charm—an event that would gracefully merge classic touches and bold eclectic moments into something unmistakably their own. In the glow of Rome’s timeless beauty, they welcomed 88 dear friends and family, creating an atmosphere that felt wonderfully intimate yet still captured all the grandeur of their magnificent venue.
Their festivities unfolded over several memorable days, starting with a convivial gathering at Charlie’s Bar at the Intercontinental,where laughter and anticipation filled the air. And even after the vows were exchanged and their promise sealed, the celebration lingered, carrying everyone into a joyful post-wedding gathering at Da Etta Rome—ensuring their love story continued to shine in every precious moment.
Details
The couple paid careful attention to the details that would make their day special, starting with exquisite stationery designed by Papyros Studio, including invitations, a welcome sign, a seating chart, menus, and name cards.
Their wedding bands became symbols of not just a promise, but of tender friendship and artistic devotion. Crafted by their gifted friend George William—the same visionary who designed Anda’s engagement ring—these rings held a depth of meaning that words could hardly convey. Family heirlooms also played a special role in their celebration. At their welcome party, Anda wore her paternal great-great-aunt Dora's bracelet – a precious piece that Dora had carefully safeguarded through the Holocaust.
Bride Getting Ready
The morning of Anda's wedding day unfolded in the elegant surroundings of Palazzo Ripetta,where golden Roman light streamed through the windows as she prepared to become a bride. Her search for the perfect dress took her across New York City where she tried on nearly 100 gowns in pursuit of the one that would make her heart sing.
After all, Anda chose the very first dress she had tried on – a breathtaking Lela Rose creation discovered at Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in Manhattan.
To complete her bridal vision, Anda adorned herself with delicate Magda Butrym earrings, paired with elegant Neous shoes. Her veil and scarf – handcrafted by a small designer discovered on Etsy – added that touch of ethereal romance that transforms a woman into a bride. In her hands, Anda carried a bouquet that seemed to embody the natural beauty of Italy itself – a unique selection of seasonal flowers thoughtfully curated by il Profumo dei Fiori.
Groom Getting Ready
Leonardo prepared for the day at Villa Aurelia, surrounded by his best friends who kept him laughing and reminiscing as he donned his carefully selected attire.
His wedding day look featured a Suit Supply tuxedo with fabric by Vitale Barberis Canonico, a ZEGNA cummerbund, a Charvet bow tie, Bottega Veneta cufflinks, and Aimé Leon Dore shoes – a sophisticated ensemble befitting the occasion.
First Look
In the enchanting splendor of Villa Aurelia, the couple paused for a private, whispered moment—an intimate first look that offered them the space to connect before the festivities swept them away. This cherished interlude allowed them to calm any fluttering nerves, share in the joy that was blooming between them, and step forward into the celebration with hearts aligned and spirits united.
Ceremony
Villa Aurelia’s hidden retreat, Il Giardino Segreto, offered a secluded paradise where vows were exchanged in a moment steeped in romance. Soft light touched every blossom as Anda began her walk, accompanied by a soulful three-piece jazz arrangement of “Poco Sole” by Ornella Vanoni—a melody that made each step brim with emotion.
Their ceremony was thoughtfully crafted to merge Anda’s Jewish-Israeli heritage with Leonardo’s Italian Catholic roots. Blending these cultures led to a deeply personal ritual that honored their pasts and set them, hand in hand, on a path toward their shared future.
Photoshoot After The Ceremony
Once their vows were exchanged, Anda and Leonardo strolled through Villa Aurelia’s timeless environs for couple portraits, savoring those first moments of newlywed bliss framed by the estate’s enduring beauty.
Wedding Venue & Decor
The search for the perfect venue led Anda and Leonardo on a romantic journey across Italy several months before their wedding. "We traveled to Italy to explore a variety of venues across the country," Anda shared with a wistful smile. "After an exhausting week of visiting potential locations that proved unsuitable or posed logistical challenges for our international guests, we refined our search to Rome rather than the countryside." Leonardo nodded in agreement, adding, "From that moment, Villa Aurelia emerged as the clear choice— an exquisite setting in the heart of the world’s most beautiful city."
Within this magnificent Roman villa, the couple crafted a celebration that was sophisticated and decadently charming, masterfully blending classic and eclectic elements. The aesthetic was defined by a rich, refined color palette of warm, enveloping tones—burgundy, cream, and brown—that created an intimate and elegant atmosphere throughout each space. "In lieu of a traditional wedding party, we asked all of our guests to dress in a color palette inspired by our three favorite cocktails – espresso martini browns, aperol spritz reds and oranges, and dirty martini greens," Anda explained, her eyes lighting up. “A more minimalistic version of this color palette also informed the overall design of the wedding."
The floral compositions throughout Villa Aurelia were nothing short of theatrical—dramatic arrangements featuring orchids, hanging amaranth, and dark hydrangeas added sophisticated, unexpected touches to the classic surroundings. These bold botanical elements perfectly complemented the venue's timeless architecture while introducing a contemporary flair.
Every detail spoke of aristocratic elegance, from the vintage silverware and fine crystal glassware to the classic plates that evoked grand dinners of a bygone era. The careful selection of these elements created an aesthetic reminiscent of grand aristocratic dinners, transporting guests to a more elegant time while still feeling fresh and contemporary.
Warm, inviting lighting from countless candles and glass cylinders with flickering flames bathed the celebration in a golden glow, contributing to the deeply romantic ambiance that enveloped guests throughout the evening.
Even the culinary presentation reflected the couple's attention to aesthetic perfection—croissants and breadsticks artfully arranged on silver plates added a subtle Parisian flair, while the family-style service presented over elegant silver risers elevated the dining experience from mere meal to memorable feast.
The result was a wedding design that achieved a remarkable balance—honoring historical influences while embracing contemporary sophistication, formal in its elegance yet warm in its execution. Villa Aurelia provided not just a location but a timeless backdrop that perfectly framed Anda and Leonardo's vision of refined celebration.
Reception
The reception carried on the refined, intimate ambiance that had defined their day. For their first dance as husband and wife, Anda and Leonardo chose the spirited track “Loco Amor” by Pedrito Martinez, swaying gently in each other’s arms as guests looked on with delight.
Honoring their love of sharing meals with family and friends, the couple opted for a family-style spread of classic Roman cuisine, sending heaping bowls of pasta around the tables to be savored by all. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, they surprised everyone with a dazzling espresso martini tower, the sultry strains of Sade’s “Smooth Operator” filling the air. Calling on his bartending past, Leonardo gracefully shook and poured the final cocktail, capping off the moment with cheers and laughter.
Under the shimmering stars of Rome, with Villa Aurelia aglow against the night sky, Anda and Leonardo’s celebration became more than just a wedding. It was a luminous beginning to their shared life—sophisticated, welcoming, and touched by countless personal details that spoke to their one-of-a-kind love story.
Wedding Team
- Venue Villa Aurelia
- Photographer @matteorossi.fotografia
- Planning & Design @confettiacolazione
- Banqueting @alessandropentene
- Flowers @ilprofumodeifiori
- Music @vitamina_milano https://www.giuseppecucchiara.com
- Service and Lights @tecnoservice2000official
- Rentals @preludiodivisionenoleggio @studio_gmc
- MUAH @shay_shaz.wedding
- Stationary @papyros.studio
- Dress @lelarosebridal @markingramatelier
- Groom Suit @suitsupply
- Accessories @magdabutrym
- Shoes @neous
Are you sure you want to delete this project?
Cancel
Other Real Weddings
Como
08/30/2024
Wedding
Los Angeles
06/21/2024
Wedding
Nice
09/28/2024
Wedding
Bari
09/15/2024
Wedding
Boston
11/03/2024
Wedding
Jersey City
06/11/2023
Wedding
San Miguel de Allende
11/25/2024
Wedding
New Orleans
02/24/2024
Wedding
Miami
05/10/2024
Wedding
Sacramento
09/17/2024
Wedding
Sicily
07/20/2024
Wedding
Como
09/02/2024
Wedding
Amalfi
10/17/2024
Wedding
Phuket
11/14/2023
Wedding
Como
07/01/2024
Wedding
Show More
