A GLAMOROUS WEDDING AT HOTEL CIPRIANI IN VENICE
When Nicole and Tony Piazza first met, neither had any idea they’d end up being husband and wife someday. Furthermore, they never imagined celebrating love with a glamorous destination wedding at Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy.
From Italy, With Love
Although the couple lives in Philadelphia, they’ve always loved traveling to Italy. Naturally, Tony decided it was the perfect place for a destination engagement, and planned a surprise proposal in Positano. He and Nicole were thrilled to share the news of their Amalfi Coast engagement with their families, and couldn’t wait to make their union official.
“A wedding at Hotel Cipriani in Venice is the epitome of timeless elegance.”
A Wedding at Hotel Cipriani in Venice
Venice was the perfect choice for their nuptials, and the couple decided early on that they wanted to host a wedding at Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice. A wedding at Hotel Cipriani in Venice is the epitome of timeless elegance in one of the world’s most iconic hotels. Located on the picturesque island of Giudecca, Belmond Hotel Cipriani boasts breathtaking views of the Venetian lagoon and the famous St. Mark's Square. It is a fantastic place for a wedding, setting the stage for everything from intimate ceremonies in the picturesque gardens, to grand celebrations in the elegant ballrooms.
Nicole and Tony also planned to spend their honeymoon in Italy, so staying at Hotel Cipriani was the perfect starting point, as guests can relax before the wedding day in the pool, the spa, or take a walk in the lush gardens with a view over Venice and its lagoon.
A Garden Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was held in the Ancient Garden of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, which provided a gorgeous space for the bride and groom’s symbolic ceremony. For the wedding décor, the talented team at Brilliant Events styled the ceremony with a magnificent floral arch consisting of fuchsia, hot pink, light blue, pale pink, and white flowers. Flowers also lined the path between the guests’ golden chairs, completely surrounding the bride as she walked down the aisle.
June is one of the best times to take in the flowers at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, and golden hour is even more exquisite. After an emotional ceremony, the newlyweds took advantage of the idyllic weather by walking through the spectacular gardens to reach the Fondamenta of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani – an outdoor area with a stunning view of Venice. The terrace was styled like a swanky lounge for enjoying an aperitif at sunset, while a band performed swing and Italian songs to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Dinner in the Ballroom
When it was time for the reception, the doors of the Granaries opened so guests could transition indoors for a wedding dinner in the ballroom. The room reveal left everyone speechless, as the ballroom was richly decorated in vibrant shades of fuchsia, hot pink, purple, lilac, and pale pink. Flowers graced the tables in tall arrangements with golden candleholders. With Murano-glass chandeliers, hundreds of candles, and strategic lighting, the effect was glamorous and awe-inspiring.
Guests were treated to a delicious wedding dinner at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, which was served using a personalized mise en place. Glasses and plates had a golden edge to match the gold of the chairs and floral structures of high compositions, located on both sides of the long table. Gold was also the color of the personalized names of each guest used as an original, tailor-made alternative to seat cards, while the satin tablecloth and napkins were pale pink to match the colors of the wedding palette.
After the ceremony and dinner, it was time for the most glamorous party ever hosted at Belmond Hotel Cipriani. It started with a live band playing a repertoire of rock ‘n roll, surf, twist, and international songs chosen by the bride and groom. The dance floor was glowing with lights of different colors and effects to create a fully immersive party experience.
The cake cutting took place in the Fondamenta of the Hotel Cipriani, with a fantastic view of Venice at night – an extraordinary ambiance with floral decorations and bright fountains that created an effect very similar to fireworks. Afterwards, the newlyweds shared their first dance before the party continued with a DJ.
The next day, Nicole and Tony headed to Florence to spend their honeymoon in Tuscany.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy; Planning & Event Design: Brilliant Events, Venice, Italy; Floral Design: Centrofiori, Venice, Italy; Sound & Lighting: AFS Sound and Lights Service, Venice, Italy; Photography: Jules Bower