Alexandra and Brian held a stunning Amalfi Coast destination wedding in Ravello, Italy. Beyond a breathtaking backdrop, the couple was in search of quality time with loved ones. “We wanted an intimate wedding that was more than just a one-day event,” says the bride. “Having a destination wedding meant that our families could spend several days together celebrating and exploring the Amalfi Coast.” While the couple was sold on the idea of a wedding away, they wanted to ensure their guest list would be in agreement.

“We enjoy traveling and experiencing new places, and so do our families. Both of our families loved having an excuse to travel and even extended their vacations following the wedding festivities.” With their family and friends on board, the planning went into full swing. The first step after running the idea of a destination wedding past their guests was to decide on a destination.

“We were drawn to the Amalfi Coast because of its romantic aura and breathtaking views,” recalls Alexandra. “Plus, Italian food and wine is delizioso! We found Villa Cimbrone [in Ravello] online and fell in love with its old-world charm and lush gardens.” Originally, the couple planned on getting married in mid-August, but quickly discovered this timeframe wasn’t great for their chosen destination. “There are several holidays and summer vacation periods in Italy during that time, so the venue was not available. We ultimately chose an earlier date.”

The couple’s flexibility paid off once again when Alexandra and Brian opted to rethink the decision of not hiring a wedding planner. “Initially, we thought we could plan the wedding ourselves since it was going to be a small affair,” explains the bride. “However, we quickly realized that even an intimate wedding involves a great deal of planning and decided we needed an expert. Once we found our wedding planner, Katie, we were able to enjoy the planning process.”

If there’s one thing Alexandra can look back on with confidence, it’s her and Brian’s decision to hire their wedding planner with Intertwined Events. “Although the venue has an experienced wedding coordinator on staff, we could not have planned our wedding without Katie, especially given the language barrier and time difference. Because Katie had previously planned a wedding on the Amalfi Coast, her local contacts helped us research and secure incredible vendors.”

The couple’s planner also arranged hotel and travel logistics for them and coordinated daily tourist activities for the group while in Ravello, Italy. Having their planner and one of her associates at Villa Cimbrone both in the days leading up to the actual wedding day made things run smoothly and stress-free.

When asked what final advice she would share with other brides, Alexandra focused-in on traveling with the wedding dress. “I had a positive travel experience using a white (water-resistant) garment bag because airline personnel could easily recognize that I was carrying my wedding dress and were very accommodating. After all, no one wants to upset a bride-to-be! Also, I recommend sewing straps onto the garment bag to make it easier to carry through the airport, especially if you have a long layover.”

Vendors: Photographer: Quattro Studio, Wedding Planner: Intertwined Events, Ceremony/Reception Site: Villa Cimbrone, Florist: Malafronte, Gown Designer: Hayley Paige, Hair & Makeup: Alessandro Mancino, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Hugo Boss, Wedding Music: Marco from Wedding Music & Choreographed Dance: Amy Lawrence Ballroom Dance in Los Angeles