Rosaleny and Cameron’s pull towards a destination wedding began when they couldn’t find the ideal venue between their respective home states of Florida and Alabama that fit their desired aesthetic and price point. “We decided to start planning the honeymoon since that would be more fun,” the bride explains. The couple didn’t desire a large wedding anyway, so when Rosaleny’s research found they could actually have a celebration in Italy for the same price, the decision became a no-brainer. The incredible coastal views, rich culture, and numerous vendor options of an intimate Ravello wedding would offer Rosaleny and Cameron everything they needed to host an event for the ages.

“We found our wedding planner first and she suggested Villa Mariella. It felt like the perfect location for what we were looking for – private, intimate, and with an incredible view,” Rosaleny shares.

Incorporating local culture into their celebration was a key aspect of their destination wedding. “LEMONS,” Rosaleny exclaims. “Of course, we had ceramic limoncello bottles as party favors, but the coolest thing we did was order lemon pizza at our welcome dinner.” These small but meaningful touches added a unique flavor to their celebration.

Guest accommodations and travel logistics were seamlessly handled by their planner, Francesca, and her team. “She arranged transportation for everyone from the airport to Ravello. All of the drivers were exceptional, punctual, and professional,” Rosaleny notes. “At the welcome dinner, one of our family members had a 20-minute walk uphill. After mentioning this to Francesca, she had a car within minutes ready to drive them back.”

Despite meticulous planning, the couple encountered unexpected challenges. “Of course!! We were battling the weather and praying it didn’t rain. We even considered moving our wedding up a day at the last minute but decided to stick with the original plan,” Cameron recalls. “It was easy to keep a positive mindset since we were in such a beautiful country.”

When it came to budgeting, the couple learned valuable lessons. “Expect the unexpected,” Cameron advises. “We suggest having a miscellaneous portion of your budget well-funded. There are going to be unexpected expenses, so it’s best to prepare for them. It could be the little things such as paying for taxis, currency exchange, food at train stations and hotels, etc. All of those things add up quickly and need to be accounted for.”

Personal touches were subtly woven into their wedding. “We didn’t focus on our personal style so much, but we did bring miniature dog cake toppers to recognize our pets at home,” Rosaleny shares.

The couple’s trust in their local vendors, recommended by their planner, was crucial. “Not being able to see the vendors, we had to put trust into our wedding planner that she knew what she was doing, but also did our own research and looked at reviews for them as well,” Rosaleny explains.

Creating an inclusive atmosphere for their guests was important to Rosaleny and Cameron. “By keeping the wedding small, it was easy to talk with everyone and keep them included. For the celebration dinner, we were all able to sit at one table and eat with everyone instead of having separate tables,” Cameron notes.

Reflecting on their experience, the couple wouldn’t change a thing. “We would not change a single thing! I recommend destination weddings and keeping it small and intimate to anyone who will listen,” Rosaleny asserts. “The wedding day is for the bride and groom. We have heard many times that when someone has a big wedding it ends up being a wedding for everyone else. As the wedding gets bigger, the personal touch starts to get lost. We also didn’t want to regret the cost of having a larger wedding. By doing a destination wedding, we kept the celebration intimate and emotional and helped create memories and stories that last a lifetime.”

Vendors: Photographer: Memories By Lindsay; Wedding Planner: Francesca Lucibello; Venue: Villa Mariella; Hair & Makeup: Alessandro Mancino; Gown Designer: Morilee