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  7. This Couple Invited Their Immediate Family to Ravello, Italy, for a Seaside Wedding
Martha Stewart Weddings

This Couple Invited Their Immediate Family to Ravello, Italy, for a Seaside Wedding

Sara Dickinson, Freelance Writer
By Sara Dickinson November 04, 2019
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jacqueline david wedding couple walking by infinity pool
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Just 12 guests joined this duo for their intimate Amalfi Coast nuptials with mountain and ocean views and a candlelit dinner.

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jacqueline david wedding couple walking by infinity pool
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

When a college class brought Jacqueline and David together in January of 2013, their romance took off at lightning speed. Just two months into their relationship, the pair made a bold decision to move to Thailand together to travel and teach English. "Everyone thought we were crazy," Jacqueline says, "but I knew he was the one and was following my heart!"

In August of 2018, David planned a romantic proposal at Jacqueline's parents' lake house in Wisconsin. He led Jacqueline to the pier, where he had set up framed pictures—taken throughout their years together—and scattered flowers. As a surprise, David flew in his family and Jacqueline's sister so they could spend the remainder of the day on the lake with them, celebrating the engagement. This couple envisioned an intimate wedding that felt romantic and ethereal, so they invited just their immediate families to the Amalfi Coast for their intimate nuptials, which took place on June 27, 2019. The pair's 12 guests joined them at Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello, Italy, for the ceremony and reception; the locale treated attendees to breathtaking views of the coast.

To mitigate the fact that they chose their venue without actually visiting it, Jacqueline and David worked with the hotel's coordinator and a day-of planner; overall, they felt that the process went smoothly. The easy part was putting together the small guest list, and the couple felt they were in good hands with the vendors they worked with from afar. "The venue, florist, musicians, and day-of planners made it an extremely enjoyable experience!" Jacqueline recalls.

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Invites to Italy

jacqueline david wedding blue pink and white invitations
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The couple's invitation suite gave guests a first glimpse at their color palette—soft blues, yellows, greens, and pinks. The notes were hand-lettered with watercolor by Paige Spearin, who also drew the personalized illustration of the duo. Each blue envelope was calligraphed in white with guests' names.

  • 32 Destination Wedding Invitations That Celebrate Your Faraway Locale

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The Bride's Ball Gown

jacqueline david wedding bride on marble steps
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Jacqueline's Monique Lhuillier wedding dress featured a plunging bodice embellished with delicate flower details and a layered tulle skirt. When she tried it on in front of her sister and mother, she didn't want to take it off. "It was elegant, romantic, and flowy," Jacqueline says. "I felt perfect in it."

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The Accessories

jacqueline david wedding brides golden shoes
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The bride paired her ball gown with a custom Monique Lhuillier veil, gold sparkly Jimmy Choo heels, earrings that her sister wore to her own wedding, and her mom's blue sapphire ring purchased in Ireland (she considered this both her something borrowed and something blue).

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The Bouquet

jacqueline david wedding couple in white
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Her bouquet was a full arrangement made up entirely of white peonies with exposed stems.

  • 64 White Wedding Bouquets

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The Groom's Look

jacqueline david wedding groom putting on coat
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

On the big day, David wore a white tuxedo jacket paired with a crisp white button-down with black buttons and black pants from Formally Modern Tuxedo. He also wore a black Tom Ford bow tie and suspenders.

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The Wedding Party

jacqueline david wedding bridesmaids in pastels
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

While David's groomsmen matched him in white tuxedo jackets and black pants, the ladies in Jacqueline's bridal party were asked to wear gowns in soft watercolor tones, inspired by the setting and the pair's invitation suite.

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The First Look

jacqueline david wedding first look
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The couple planned a first look in the hotel's gardens before the ceremony. "I was a little nervous walking up, but as soon as I saw his face, I was ready to get the wedding rolling!" the bride recalls.

  • The Best First Look Wedding Photo Ideas

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Wedding Photoshoot in Ravello

jacqueline david wedding couple walking through italian streets
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

It was important to Jacqueline and David to be fully present for their entire wedding, considering how far their families traveled to share the experience with them—which is why they opted to take photos together before the ceremony (to therefore maximize their time with loved ones), in the streets of Ravello. "It really confirmed our decision of traveling to Italy with only our family because we were able to have so many special intimate moments together and stay present," the bride says. "Everything felt so exclusive to us."

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On Location

jacqueline david wedding ceremony space overlooking mountains
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

When Jacqueline and David researched Belmond Hotel Caruso, they were drawn to its epic backdrop. "Belmond was the perfect escape from our day-to-day lives with its magical setting on the mountains, oceans and gardens," Jacqueline explains. "Essentially, we could not think of a more romantic venue or country."

Their service embraced the view—it took place overlooking the sea and the town of Ravello.

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The Arch

jacqueline david wedding ceremony floral arch overlooking mountains
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The couple enlisted florist Armando Malafronte to create a stunning floral arch with white, cream, and blush flowers with pops of purple throughout.

  • 59 Wedding Arches That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Ceremony

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Personal Service

jacqueline david wedding ceremony couple kiss
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Jacqueline and David had a Catholic ceremony back in their hometown of Chicago, so their ceremony in Italy wasn't religious. Jacqueline's father, James, accompanied her down the petal-covered aisle as a harp and violinist played Pachelbel's "Canon in D." The couple then exchanged their own vows and included some of their favorite quotes and readings for a personal touch.

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The Cocktail Hour

jacqueline david wedding cocktail hour setup
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The cocktail hour unfolded in the hotel's garden and pool area, where lounge vignettes were set up and a trio band played music to set the mood. Guests enjoyed an open bar and passed appetizers, including a leek and tuna tartlet, Neapolitan bruschetta, individual calzones, and stuffed pumpkin flowers.

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The Reception Setup

jacqueline david wedding reception long table
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

With only 14 people total in attendance, the dinner was decidedly intimate; all attendees sat at one long table underneath a canopy of trees.

  • A Guide to Wedding Reception Tables

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The Floral Details

jacqueline david wedding reception table white decoration
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

White flower petals were scattered around the table's edges; 40 floral strings were hung from the trees, creating a unique visual effect around the dinner table. Bulbs also hung from the grove, providing soft lighting as the sun went down.

  • Lush Wedding Garlands Guaranteed to Elevate Your Reception

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Flower-Filled Setup

jacqueline david wedding reception table setting pastels
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The table was topped with floor-length white linens and a long garland featuring white-and-blush roses, while tea and taper candles were placed along the center of the station. Patterned blue-and-white plates rested atop gold-rimmed chargers; menus were calligraphed with each guest's name.

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The Toasts

jacqueline david wedding reception toasts
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Surrounded by their closest family members, Jacqueline and David asked each guest to give a toast at dinner. "It was overwhelmingly emotional to have them all there and I feel so lucky to have an amazingly supportive family—[and to be entering] a new family that reminds me so much of my own," the bride says.

  • Everything You Should Say in Your Wedding Toast

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The Sun Sets

jacqueline david wedding intimate candle lit dinner
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

A pianist played quietly during the meal, which encouraged conversation. Dinner began with marinated raw tuna and pasta with rockfish sauce, followed by olive-crusted sea bass.

  • Should You Have Your Wedding Band or DJ Play Music During Dinner?

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The First Dance

jacqueline david wedding first dance by pool
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

The couple shared their first dance to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis, because it reminds Jacqueline of her love story with David. "The song has a special meaning because I knew right when I met David that I was going to marry him," she says.

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The Cake

jacqueline david wedding cake covered in strawberries
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Jacqueline and David chose to serve a Millefoglie cake—a traditional Italian custard and puff pastry cake with strawberries and raspberries—for dessert.

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A New Tradition

jacqueline david wedding couple cake smash
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

One of Jacqueline's favorite moments from the wedding day was smashing the confection in David's face. "I had seen that my mom had done it during her wedding 35 years ago and it was an impulse decision to do the same," she says. "We had lots of laughter during this and I will always remember the look of love and laughter on his face!"

Eager to take in more of Italy's food, people, and culture, the happy couple traveled to Positano, Capri, and Rome for their honeymoon.

  • The Dos and Don'ts of the Wedding Cake Smash

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Sources

jacqueline david wedding couple in garden
Credit: Jacqui Cole Photography

Photography, Jacqui Cole

Venue, Catering, and Cake, Belmond Hotel Caruso

Event Coordinator, Francesca Chianese

Flowers and Lighting, Armando Malafronte

Day-of Paper Goods, Paige Spearin

Stationery, All She Wrote

Bride's Gown and Veil, Monique Lhuillier

Bride's Shoes, Jimmy Choo

Bride's Hair, Gerardo at Total Hair Design

Bride's Makeup, Enza at Frai Form

Groom's attire, Formally Modern

Groom's accessories, Tom Ford

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    1 of 22
    2 of 22 Invites to Italy
    3 of 22 The Bride's Ball Gown
    4 of 22 The Accessories
    5 of 22 The Bouquet
    6 of 22 The Groom's Look
    7 of 22 The Wedding Party
    8 of 22 The First Look
    9 of 22 Wedding Photoshoot in Ravello
    10 of 22 On Location
    11 of 22 The Arch
    12 of 22 Personal Service
    13 of 22 The Cocktail Hour
    14 of 22 The Reception Setup
    15 of 22 The Floral Details
    16 of 22 Flower-Filled Setup
    17 of 22 The Toasts
    18 of 22 The Sun Sets
    19 of 22 The First Dance
    20 of 22 The Cake
    21 of 22 A New Tradition
    22 of 22 Sources

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    This Couple Invited Their Immediate Family to Ravello, Italy, for a Seaside Wedding
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