What’s more romantic than a wedding under the Italian sun? I mean, it’s pretty hard to beat if you ask us! Cavan-based couple Maura and Ciarán’s drop-dead gorgeous destination wedding with planning and design by Loving Marche Wedding and photos by Paola Latterini is all the inspiration you’ll ever need for the romantic Italian wedding of your dreams. It’s a classic Italian garden party with the use of real fruit a Lambeth wedding cake, linen welcome signage and vibrant pops of lime green and boy, do we wish we were invited! See all the gorgeous details unfold below…
First things first, let’s get to know our lovely couple a little better shall we? Bride Maura is from Italy, while Groom Ciarán is from Ireland. They are currently based in Co. Cavan in Ireland.
The pair first met in 2016 on a night out in Dublin. Maura fills us in, “It was my last night in the city and after a pub crawl, my friends decide to bring me to one last final pub. When I entered, Ciarán was there with his friends. After a drink, we locked eyes and spent the night talking together. When it came time to say goodbye, Ciarán kissed me at the taxi station along the Liffey, and for me it was the best kiss ever! I returned to Italy and and for 2 years we didn’t see or speak to each other. Just a happy birthday, or happy Christmas by text on Facebook (I didn’t want to give him my number because I thought I would not be back again in Ireland). Two years later, my friend organized a trip to Dublin and asked me to come; she also asked to contact some Irish friends to have a night out. I sent a message to Ciarán and after that moment we never left each other. Ciarán & I lived in 2 separate countries for 2 years where we met only for some weekends per month. Ciarán decided to move to Italy and after a while we made the decision to try to live in Ireland and… the rest is history!”.
The proposal happened in December 2022 when Maura and Ciarán were visiting family in Maura’s home country of Italy. The bride tells, “It was 2022 and we were going back to Italy to spend Christmas with my family. We flew into Rome first to stay there for 2 nights to say hello to my friends. After our first night out, Ciarán decided to walk up the Spanish steps and when we arrived at the top, he fell too ne knee and said the magic words!”.
Once engaged, the Irish-based couple knew from the start they wanted a destination wedding Italy and started looking at venues that were available for a summer wedding.
Their guests comfort, great food and and a great location were among their top priorities for their June 2024 celebration. “For us it was very important that the people, especially after a long journey, found a
spectacular setting and vibrant party that they would not forget,” the bride says. She adds, “We simply wanted to bring together the two different cultures: Ireland and Italy, food and party, love and laughter, colors of our countries.”
When they came across Villa Poggio Verde in Altidona, they immediately fell for it. The gardens and the quality of the food were both exceptional,” she says.
Maura’s dreamy wedding day look blew us away. Her long-sleeved, Guipure lace gown is by Italian bridal designer Alessandro Angelozzi Couture. She finished off her look with a pair of feather trimmed bridal heels by Italian shoe brand Les Amaranti, drop earrings and a dramatic cathedral-lenght, lace-trimmed veil.
Ciarán looked equally dapper in a classic three-peice suit by Tagliatore from Lui Boutique dal 1975, which he paired with smart Rossi Shoes brogues.
For Maura and Ciarán it was important for both of them to have a ceremony that felt rich in both of their cultures and traditions. The couple credit Father Giacomo who helped them craft a beautiful ceremony at Chiesa di Santa Maria a Mare that honored both of their backgrounds. “Father Giacomo’s homily was one of our favorite moments of the day. It was very touching, he put together the story of our life, of our family, and for the new beginning. It was a very special moment.”
After the ceremony, a sunny cocktail hour followed, where guests enjoyed traditional Italian cocktails such as Negronis, Aperol spritz, and Champagne. A live band provided music while the couple snuck off for some beautiful Just Married portraits.
All 270 guests were then seated for dinner in a gorgeous rustic space room adorned with all-white blooms, and styled with fresh green fruits and chic stationery by Bianco Su Bianco.
After finishing the meal and cutting the cake gorgeous vintage-style Lambeth wedding cake by Pasticceria Angelo, the party moved to the main floor, where the couple had their first dance to Fix You by Coldplay.
Looking back on their day, the couple say their favourite parts were “seeing all of our family, friends and loved ones together in one room to have an incredible moment together, especially to see people that crossed the world for us.”
Maura adds, “The look of the wedding was culturally colorful and spectacular. The vibe was very energetic, vibrant and so full of love!”.
After planning such a gorgeous destination wedding, the couple have this advice for others wishing to do the same, “It was also very important for us to have our wedding planner, especially for all the organization abroad. Nadia Sparapani of Loving Marche Wedding was fantastic.”
She adds, On the wedding day, try to enjoy every single moments because it goes extremely fast, and
try to keep as much love as possible in your heart from all your guest surrounding you!”.
After their fabulous Italian wedding celebrations the couple jetted off on honeymoon to Japan and Indonesia.
Maura & Ciaràn, a massive congratulations from all of us on the One Fab Day, your Italian wedding was so dreamy! A special thank you to photographer Paola Latterini for sharing this magical destination wedding with us.
Planning a wedding abroad? Check out our extensive Real Wedding archive.
