The Magic of Villa Cimbrone Wedding Gardens: Selena and Daniel

Exploring the History: The Cloister and the Moody Magic of the Crypt

After the expansive views of the terrace, we sought the grounded, historic textures of the villa’s interior spaces. We moved to the Cloister, an Arabian-Sicilian-Norman styled courtyard that dates back centuries. The intricate mosaics and elaborate arches provide a completely different photographic language—one of detail, shadow, and architectural elegance. I love the way the ancient frescoes and sculptures add a layer of sophistication to the couple’s portraits, making them look like a Renaissance painting brought to life. 

Then, we descended into the Crypt. This is perhaps one of the most evocative spaces in all of Italy. A Gothic gallery of open arches that Lord Grimthorpe modeled after Fountains Abbey in his native Yorkshire, the Crypt is filled with a warm, natural light that filters through the windows. It’s a space that feels both intimate and solemn. I remember Selena and Daniel walking between the stone columns, their laughter echoing softly against the vaulted ceilings. The contrast between their modern Californian energy and the medieval weight of the Crypt created some of the most striking images of the entire day. 

A Sacred Union Under the Colonnade of the Tea Room

As the sun began to dip lower, the guests were invited to the Tea Room for the ceremony. The Tea Room is located in a monumental area of the gardens, framed by a beautiful colonnade that overlooks the surrounding countryside. The aisle was a long, winding path through the flowers, which I always love because it gives the bride time to really take in the moment as she walks toward her future.

The ceremony was officiated by Raffaele Mitridate, a local celebrant who knows how to weave the story of a couple into the fabric of Ravello’s history. Selena was escorted by her father under the colonnade, a moment of profound emotion that left few dry eyes in the audience. The music—a delicate combination of harp and violin—set a tone of quiet elegance that perfectly matched the surroundings. 

Emotional Rituals: The Blending of Sand and the Shared Chalice

What made Selena and Daniel’s ceremony truly stand out were the symbolic rituals they chose to incorporate. They performed a Sand Ceremony, where each poured a different color of sand into a central vessel. The imagery of the grains of sand mixing together, becoming inseparable, is a powerful metaphor for marriage—two unique lives merging into a single, beautiful pattern that can never be undone.   

Following the sand ritual, they shared the “Loving Cup” or the shared chalice. This is an ancient tradition, often rooted in Celtic or Scottish history, where the couple takes their first drink as husband and wife from a two-handled cup. The two handles represent their partnership, and the act of drinking together symbolizes their mutual trust and the sharing of all that life will bring. When they exchanged their touching vows and finally shared their first kiss, the “tripudio” from the guests was electric—a burst of joy that echoed through the gardens.   

Garden of Enchantment: Dinner Under the Stars and String Lights

After the ceremony and another refreshing cocktail hour on the terrace, the guests were guided down to the main garden for dinner. This area is a vast, open space surrounded by towering trees and verdant shrubs, and for the evening, it had been transformed into a fairytale setting.   

The lighting was the protagonist of this part of the night. Thousands of string lights, or “fairy lights,” were suspended in the trees and over the tables like fallen stars. This kind of lighting is fundamental at Villa Cimbrone because the paths can become quite dark at night, and it creates a soft, romantic glow that is incredibly flattering for photos. I worked closely with my second shooter to capture the scene from multiple angles—the wide shots showing the scale of the garden and the close-ups of the candlelit tables. 

Floral Masterpieces: The Artistry of Armando Malafonte

No discussion of this wedding would be complete without mentioning the floral theme created by Armando Malafonte. Armando is a true master of floral art, known as the “prince of Ravello”. His creations for Selena and Daniel were epic—a romantic soft shade of pink and white roses that seemed to grow naturally from the villa’s architecture.   

I’ve worked with Armando many times, and his attention to detail is obsessive. He doesn’t just put flowers in a vase; he builds a backdrop that moves colors and emotions. For the dinner tables, he integrated fruits and greenery that reflected the traditions of Southern Italy, creating a sensory feast for the eyes and the heart. His work is world-appreciated, appearing in magazines like Martha Stewart and Elle Decor, and standing in the garden that night, it was easy to see why.

The Logistics of a Perfect Day: Moving Through Paradise

One of the things I am most proud of is our ability to suggest the right times and places to ensure a perfect experience. Planning a wedding at Villa Cimbrone involves navigating thousands of details, from managing the “walking factor” to understanding the Ravello Town Hall’s music restrictions. Because we know this place inside out, we can suggest times when the light is best and the tourists are few.  

For example, before the dinner began, we took the opportunity to do more group photos on the grand stairs of the garden. These stairs offer a regal backdrop that perfectly captured the scale of the bridal party. By doing these right before the first dance, we ensured that the light was still soft enough for beautiful portraits but the atmosphere was already building toward the party. It’s about anticipating the needs of the couple and the flow of the day before they even have to think about it.

Dancing into Forever: A Celebration in the Heart of the Garden

The evening concluded with a high-energy party. Selena and Daniel had their first dance immediately upon entering the garden, surrounded by the warm glow of the string lights and the cheers of their friends. The band played a mix of modern favorites and classic tunes that kept the dance floor full from the first note.

Speeches were a highlight—raw, emotional, and fiercely beautiful testimonials of a love that has traveled across oceans. Then came the cake cutting, a five-tier piece of art that we captured under a send-off of sparklers. The night didn’t just end; it faded into a joyous memory of dancing under the stars, a true “revolution of love and laughter” in the heart of Ravello.