Passionate travelers who got engaged in the wild beauty of Iceland, Joely and Kevin wanted their wedding to possess the same amount of adventure and uniqueness. So, the two set their sights on Italy and found the perfect venue in Villa Riviera Resort in the coastal town of Lavagna.

For Joely, it was all about the water. “I was pretty adamant about getting married on or near the water,” she says. With the help of their planners, Barbara from B Weddings Chicago and Anna from The Italian Bride, the couple found the perfect venue in Villa Riviera Resort. 

Planning a wedding in another country without a pre-visit presented challenges. “We didn’t do food tastings, hair and makeup trials, or venue visits,” Joely explains. “We had to trust the process and communicate our vision clearly to each vendor.”

To manage costs, the couple prioritized what mattered most. “Kevin’s top priority was the food, and mine was photography,” Joely says. They splurged in those areas and saved on others, like stationery. 

Aside from being on the Italian coast, Joely and Kevin’s wedding brimmed with unique, personal touches:

• Custom cocktail napkins featuring their dog’s face
• A tribute to passed loved ones in Joely’s bouquet and Kevin’s tux
• Espresso martinis as their signature cocktail
• A live painter who created portraits for guests during cocktail hour

Instead of a traditional rehearsal dinner, they hosted a welcome party to bring everyone together in a foreign country. With only 50 guests, the dinner table setting fostered connections and made the celebration feel extra special.

Rain on their wedding day added some unexpected twists, but with flexibility and support from their planners, they adapted seamlessly. The ceremony moved to a covered area, and they embraced every moment, rain or shine. “It was still more than perfect,” Joely says.

Joely and Kevin fully embraced Italian traditions, incorporating a long cocktail hour and a multi-course dinner featuring local cuisine. They added a sweet touch with a gelato cart and celebrated their cake cutting in the venue’s picturesque “Oliveto.”

Looking back, the couple’s only regret was not visiting the venue beforehand. “It would have eased some of our planning nerves,” Joely admits. Still, their big day turned out to be a dream come true. 

As Joely and Kevin proved, with thoughtful planning and a little trust, your dream destination wedding can become a reality.

Vendors: Photographer: Julia Elise Collective; Wedding Planner: BWeddings Chicago; Day-of Coordinator: The Italian Bride; Venue & Cake: Villa Riviera Resort; Florist: The Flowers Lab; Stationery: Simple Crest by Kristen Smith on Minted; Beauty: Milena Muratore & Federica Pitto; Gowns: Bella Bianca Bridal Couture & Martina Liana Bridal; Groom’s Clothing Designer: House of Brides Couture; Bridesmaids: Show Me Your Mumu; Live Painter: Sara Peron; Harpist & Violinist: Michela La Fauci; DJ: DJ Gabez; Gelato Stand: Romeo Viganotti