When Love Meets the Mediterranean Coastline: Greta & Marc's Wedding at Villa Astor

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 10/04/2024
City: Naples

Love Story

Some love stories are written in the stars, and Greta and Marc's is one of them. Their journey began in 2006 in Malta,where fate brought them together through mutual friends on the tiny Mediterranean island they both call home.

"It's funny – even though Malta is such a small island and we shared quite a few mutual friends, our paths had never crossed until then," Greta reflects on their serendipitous meeting. "From the moment we met, I remember thinking how fun, kind, and adventurous he was. He was also incredibly smart, and just so easy to be around. There was an instant connection, and we’ve been inseparable ever since." Marc's first impression was equally enchanting: "Greta was a great person who projected a lot of positive vibes."

Nearly two decades later, this couple in their late 30s continues to share their love for adventure, travel, and discovering new cultures together. "We absolutely love to travel! Whether it's exploring new food, cultures, scenery, or sights, we're always up for an adventure," they share. Road trips, spa days, seaside moments, and cozy evenings with their two cats perfectly capture their balanced approach to life and love.

About Your Wedding

We're absolutely enchanted by Greta and Marc's vision for their dream wedding. After a full year of planning, they created something truly special that perfectly reflected their personalities and love story.

"Having always lived on an island, I knew I wanted to have something by the sea—but I also have a huge love for botanical gardens and palm trees. So when we found a venue that gave us both, it felt like a dream come true," Greta explains. "The mood we aimed for was elegant but relaxed, with nature playing a big role in the backdrop."

Their color palette of peach, blush, pink, ivory, and gold created the most romantic atmosphere against the lush Mediterranean greenery. But what truly set this wedding apart was their commitment to entertainment at every moment. "Entertainment was a major priority for us; we wanted the whole day to feel joyful and full of energy. We had music at every turn: a string duo for the ceremony, a sax player and electric violinist for the aperitivo, a live band during dinner and dancing, and finally, some of our friends (who also happen to be DJs) kept the after-party going well into the night."

"I've always known I wanted a destination wedding, something more intimate than the big, traditional weddings we have at home," Greta shares. Their approach to planning was refreshingly authentic: "Stay true to yourselves and focus on what really matters—whether that's the food, the music, or the vibe you want. Don't be afraid to delegate and trust your team; they're there to help. And don't forget to enjoy the journey—take time for each other and remember it's about celebrating your love, not stressing over every detail."

Morning Details

Every detail of Greta and Marc's wedding morning was thoughtfully curated, starting with the beautiful stationery designed by @sparkles.calligraphy. The morning began with anticipation and excitement as both bride and groom prepared for their special day at the stunning Villa Astor,where every corner offered a picture-perfect moment.

Bride Getting Ready

We're swooning over Greta's bridal look and the thoughtful process behind choosing her perfect dress. Her Luna Novias gown was everything we dream of in a timeless wedding dress. "I knew I wanted something timeless—something I could look back on in years, not a piece that would feel too trendy," Greta explains. "When I first tried on my dress, I wasn't a fan of the puffball sleeves at all, but when I tried it on again after trying a few different other styles, I couldn't imagine the dress without them. They really brought the whole look together."

Her decision-making process perfectly captures the bride's dilemma we see so often: "I knew I wanted an A-line shape, and even though I did try on some more fitted styles too, I kept thinking, 'When am I ever going to wear a big white dress like this again?' So, I went for the full circle skirt with a long train and a longer length veil for that extra bit of drama—and I'm so glad I did!"

Found at Ivory and Co in Malta, her gown was everything she had envisioned. But the story doesn't end there – her after-party dress was pure Instagram magic. "My after-party dress kept popping up every time I opened Instagram, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I just knew it was the one. It was so comfortable and turned out to be the perfect choice for dancing the night away. I only wish I wore it for longer!"

The getting ready session took place throughout the magnificent Villa Astor,where natural light and stunning architecture created the most romantic backdrop. Her bridal bouquet featured classic white roses by florist Riccardo Ciceri, while her bridesmaids wore sage and olive green dresses they chose themselves – a perfect complement to the natural palette.

Groom Getting Ready

Marc's preparation was equally stylish and relaxed, taking place in the elegant surroundings of Villa Astor. His attention to detail in choosing the perfect tuxedo showed his commitment to looking his absolute best for his bride on their special day.

First Look

The first look moment at Villa Astor's main hall was pure magic. We can only imagine the emotion filling the elegant space as Marc saw his bride for the first time on their wedding day.

Greta's thoughts during this intimate moment perfectly capture what weddings are truly about: "He is the person I wanted to share everything with—the highs, the lows, the random little things that make up a day." These are the moments that make our hearts flutter – when couples realize they're about to embark on their greatest adventure together.

Photoshoot Before The Ceremony

The combination of Villa Astor's lush gardens, the Mediterranean backdrop, and that gorgeous vintage car created the most stunning imagery. These pre-ceremony moments allowed them to have some private time together before saying "I do" in front of their loved ones.

Ceremony

Their ceremony location was nothing short of breathtaking. "Our ceremony took place in the meadow of the garden at Villa Astor, beneath the palm tree — it was incredibly romantic," they share.

But what we love most about their ceremony story is how real life added an unexpected twist to their perfect day. "In the days leading up to the wedding, I was feeling a bit run down with the excitement and preparation that I ended up completely losing my voice the day before. It was totally unexpected and something I could have never planned for. I remember stressing about all the details, and then the thought hit me: 'How am I going to say my vows if I can't even talk?' I honestly wondered if I'd be whispering them!"

Greta's vulnerability in sharing this moment is beautiful: "But, as with most things on the day, it all worked out. My voice came back just enough for the day, and when I finally said those vows, it made the moment feel even more special. Looking back, it's a funny reminder that things don't always go as planned, and that's okay. It just added to the whirlwind of the day, and I'm so grateful it all came together in the end."

Wedding Venue & Decor

Villa Astor proved to be the perfect choice for this Mediterranean celebration. As Greta beautifully explains: "The venue did a lot of the heavy lifting. The natural greenery in the gardens and the incredible views of the gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvio from every terrace were all we could've asked for. We didn't need much more than that!"

The venue's inherent beauty was enhanced by thoughtful floral design. "The beautiful decor inside the villa itself added its own charm, but it was the flowers that really made everything pop. Our floral designer team went above and beyond—roses individually planted down the aisle, a beautiful dinner setup... It was exactly what we'd imagined, but seeing it all come to life on the day? It was even better than we could've hoped for!" Their color palette of peach, blush, pink, ivory, and gold created the most romantic atmosphere, with touches of gold during dinner adding just the right amount of glamour to the natural beauty.

Reception

The reception was a true celebration of Mediterranean flavors and Italian hospitality. We're practically drooling over their menu description: "Starting with antipasti platters of cured prosciutto, creamy burrata, marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. Sorrento tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella di bufala honored the region's signature dish."

"For the main course, freshly made seafood and pasta with truffle were served. Desserts would celebrate Italian tradition with lemon sorbet, tiramisu, and a spectacular wedding cake. Guests could toast with limoncello, the iconic Sorrento liqueur, and sip local wines to complete the Mediterranean experience."

Their wedding cake was elegantly simple – a three-tiered creation with smooth, ridged buttercream frosting in clean white, decorated with delicate floral arrangements including blush-toned flowers, dried grasses, and subtle peach accents.

Greta and Marc's thoughts on their wedding team perfectly sum up what makes a truly magical wedding: "We honestly couldn't have asked for a better team of vendors. Everyone we worked with was so professional, talented, and genuinely lovely to be around. They all brought so much care and passion to what they do, and it made the whole experience feel easy and exciting from start to finish. It's really hard to pick just one standout because every single one of them played such an important part in bringing our day to life. We're so grateful to each of them for helping make our wedding so special - it truly wouldn't have been the same without them!"