Romance Amidst Ravello: An Elegant Wedding in Italy

Surrounded by the storied cliffs of Ravello, Marco and Ana Maria celebrated their union in a setting steeped in both history and sentiment. Their ceremony unfolded at Giardini Principessa di Piemonte, a garden suspended between sea and sky, where ivory calla lilies and verdant foliage framed the vows. 

The celebration continued through the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, where Moorish architecture met cascading blooms. Cocktails took place in I Giardini delle 4 Danzatrici, surrounded by marble statues and an abundance of color and texture. As night descended, guests gathered in the villa’s Gothic crypt, its vaulted ceilings washed in candlelight. Silver candlesticks, handwritten Amalfi menus, and spilling centerpieces of hydrangeas, calla lilies, and orchids created an atmosphere at once opulent and restrained.

Our Story

Names / Ana-Maria Anghelescu & Marco Pirolo

Location / Ravello, Italy

Wedding Date / August 21st, 2025

Guest Numbers / 30

How We Met

We met in Bucharest while I was celebrating my birthday. It was the right time for both of us after working in different parts of the world. When we locked eyes, there was an immediate spark. I noticed his beautiful eyes and gorgeous hair. It was an instant and powerful connection that bonded us together in love and commitment. We laughed at the same things and felt an incredible ease with each other, and the rest is a beautiful love story.

Our Engagement Story

The decision to get engaged wasn’t a surprise. We had already discussed the possibility of marriage before he popped the question. We believe that marriage is not a gift a man bestows upon a woman. It is a mutual commitment between partners, built on open communication, respect, and mutual trust.

Marco picked a beautiful ring and chose the perfect time and place for his formal proposal. Just the two of us and a beautiful sunset in Positano.

What we love most about each other…

There are so many things we love about each other. We are a team, partners in life and business. We share several core values and goals, make decisions together, and prioritize what truly matters to us. I love how passionate we are together. I love how he looks at me and how much he loves me. Marco is an incredibly supportive partner. His capacity to support me in my work is truly amazing. We share a deep passion for discovering new places together and caring for animals and nature.

The Setting

Wedding Location

There was a civil ceremony, a cocktail reception, and a five-course dinner.

For us, Ravello is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We love the town, and we love the historic Villa Cimbrone, a seamless blend of nature and architecture. It was a natural choice for us. Also, my husband’s parents got married in Ravello about 50 years ago.

The ceremony, surrounded by nature under the open sky with scenic sea views, took place at Giardini Principessa di Piemonte.

Our wedding reception was held at the historic Villa Cimbrone, where every corner tells a story. We wanted to offer our guests a truly unforgettable experience, and this historic villa has it all: impeccable service, gardens offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea, and an eclectic architectural style that blends Moorish and Gothic elements.

Between the ceremony and the cocktail reception, our guests had plenty of time to enjoy the stunning gardens of the villa and the Infinity Terrace with breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast and the sea.

Our cocktail reception was held at I Giardini delle 4 Danzatrici, surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and sculptures that created a serene and elegant atmosphere.

Then we moved to the Gothic crypt, where its medieval vaults and columns opened up a world of ethereal beauty and splendor for our intimate dinner.

Aesthetic

Our wedding style was a reflection of our own creative expression, a celebration that embraced elegance. From a natural dimension to a timeless dinner in the crypt, we allowed Ravello’s natural beauty to shine through.

Preparation

After having breakfast with my partner, I got ready with my mother and our makeup artist in the amazing E.W.B. suite, characterized by a wide vaulted frescoed ceiling and an ancient stone fireplace with relief representations.

Photography

As a former fashion model, it was very natural for me to choose the right team. I already had a vision in mind: a delicate balance between editorial style and timeless elegance. From the beginning, Gianni and his team understood my style. They were absolutely wonderful. They took photos and videos in such a natural and unobtrusive way, capturing the beauty and emotion of our wedding. From genuine moments to perfectly posed pictures, every image is a masterpiece.

“Inside the Gothic crypt, its medieval vaults and columns opened up a world of ethereal beauty and quiet splendor for our intimate dinner.”

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

Giardini Principessa di Piemonte was the perfect setting for our civil ceremony. The area was decorated with white and green flowers. Guests were seated on beautiful white wrought-iron garden chairs. For this moment, we chose an enchanting classical violin and harp duo.

Reception Décor

Our wedding dinner was set in Villa Cimbrone’s historic crypt with lovely flowers and glowing candles, creating a solemn and romantic atmosphere. We opted for an elegant mise en place with silver candlesticks, knotted white tablecloths, white porcelain plates, and silver cutlery. Our menus were handwritten and made with Amalfi paper. The Malafronte team played with shapes, creating graceful flower arrangements and offering our guests something beautiful to see from every angle.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

The Villa Cimbrone team assisted us in planning our wedding. The staff was highly skilled, coordinated our wedding day, and ensured that everything went perfectly.

Flowers

My bridal bouquet was made entirely of white calla lilies of various lengths.

We chose to pair white flowers with vibrant greenery to create an enchanted garden ceremony. This timeless duo was perfect for our summer celebration, evoking the feeling of fresh greens and crisp whites.

For dinner, we chose overflowing and cascading flower arrangements. Full centerpieces of green hydrangeas, hanging amaranthus, lilies, roses, anthuriums, calla lilies, and burgundy orchids were arranged by the talented Malafronte team.

Favors

Our wedding guests received famous Vietri ceramic pieces, handmade and hand-painted on the Amalfi Coast, packaged with sugared almonds.

Cake

We opted for a light millefoglie with berries, particularly wild strawberries.

Food & Beverages

We wanted to capture the essence of local cuisine, including special dishes with a flavorful twist, accompanied by an excellent selection of Italian wines and bubbles. We chose meaningful dishes that reflected our story as a couple and our shared love for good food.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed aperitivo with passed canapés. We worked directly with the villa’s Michelin-awarded chefs to create a personalized menu. Our five-course dinner featured local ingredients sourced from the villa’s organic farm. There was no meat, but several types of fish. The famous Delizia al Limone di Ravello with strawberry sauce concluded the dinner beautifully.

“Between the ceremony and the cocktail reception, our guests had time to enjoy the stunning gardens of the villa and the Infinity Terrace, with breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast and the sea.”

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My wedding dress, embellished with pearls, was from The Bride by Oana Lupaș, a Romanian fashion brand from Cluj-Napoca. I couldn’t imagine not having my wedding dress handmade by a Romanian brand, as there are so many talented fashion designers in my home country. The dress felt exactly like me, reflecting my spirit, personality, and femininity. The uniqueness of this dress lies in the hand-embroidered large pearls. It has a colonial silhouette and a detachable train in the shape of a bow, made from a contrasting material that adds balance to the look. The gown was made sur mesure to ensure a perfect fit.

My shoes were Jimmy Choo Isa 95 White Crystal Mesh Satin Pumps. Crafted from crystal-embellished mesh with satin, they complemented the dress perfectly, creating a cohesive bridal aesthetic.

Wedding Rings

Classic round diamond engagement ring in white gold and matching wedding bands in white gold with a geometric shape.

Jewelry & Accessories

I chose to wear only my engagement ring and wedding band.

Hair & Makeup

Loose waves and subtle, glamorous makeup that enhanced my natural features.

Groom’s Attire

We wanted to bring Neapolitan sartorial tradition into the wedding, so the groom chose one of the most famous Neapolitan brands: a suit from Eddy Monetti, a family-run business founded in Naples in 1887. Tie from E. Marinella, iconic handmade ties, and a white made-to-measure shirt from Camiceria Piccolo. Groom’s shoes: Church’s.

The Details

Wedding Songs

Choosing music for the wedding was a meaningful part of the planning process. Music was a key component of our celebration, as Ravello is well known for its strong classical music heritage and its annual Ravello Festival.

For our walk through the garden, we chose a classic piece composed in the 1600s: Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major.

Entertainment

During the ceremony, a duo of harp and violin played classical music as guests arrived, setting a gentle, refined tone.

For our cocktail reception at I Giardini delle 4 Danzatrici, we opted for an electric harpist who added a modern twist with a versatile sound.

For dinner, a pianist set the romantic mood, performing classical pieces, jazz standards, movie music, and Italian classics. His setlist included works by Richard Wagner, Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Yann Tiersen, Yiruma, Einaudi, Mina, Domenico Modugno, Gino Paoli, The Beatles, Queen, and many more.

Celebrant

The Vice Mayor of Ravello officiated our wedding ceremony.

Readings

For a meaningful experience, we chose to have a private moment in which we shared our vows before walking hand in hand together.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

One of the most memorable moments was the walk with our guests from Giardini Principessa di Piemonte up to Villa Cimbrone. We walked through the main square of Ravello, took beautiful photos, and received warm wishes along the way.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

We planned our wedding in less than three months, and everything ran smoothly, creating timeless moments that genuinely reflected us as a couple. The key to this was having a clear vision from the start and making choices that felt right and meaningful to us. Instead of trying to fit into any tradition, we focused on what aligned with our values. We are so thrilled with how everything turned out.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

It’s okay to stray from the beaten path or skip traditions and choose a wedding style that truly reflects your personality. Focus on what truly matters to you and your partner. Also, try to make your wedding morning calm and relaxed, have a healthy breakfast, and allow extra time for getting ready.

Sources of inspiration…

I drew inspiration from the surroundings, in elements like light and shadow, music, and old Italian movies. Social media also helped me connect with local wedding vendors and get a sense of their style and personality.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Villa Cimbrone

Photography / Gianni Di Natale

Videography / EditStudio Wedding Films

Bride’s Dress / The Bride by Oana Lupas

Bride’s Shoes / Jimmy Choo

Wedding Rings / Gallotta Gioielli

Hair & Makeup / Bogdan Constantinescu

Grooms Formal Wear / Eddy Monetti, E.Marinella & Camiceria Piccolo

Florist / Malafronte

Cake & Catering / Villa Cimbrone

Celebrant / Comune di Ravello

Ceramics / L’arte in Ceramica Vietrese