The charming villages tucked into the hillside of the Amalfi Coast have the kind of effortless style that can only be honed with age. So, it comes as no surprise that one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the area dates back to the 11th century. Villa Cimbrone in Ravello sits right on the hill’s edge and features extensive gardens, luxurious suites and a stone crypt with views of the Mediterranean Sea. This crypt set the scene for the wedding we’re sharing today.
We recently caught up with the wedding planners from Design Anarchy Studio and they’re filling us in on all the design details of this gorgeous weekend-long event from the colorful, Dolce & Gabbana inspired welcome dinner to the classic, neutral wedding ceremony to the wild, overgrown crypt reception. We love the way they brought the garden feel into the crypt by creating a canopy of climbing vines and roses trailing up the arches of the columns and ceiling.
Photography by Heather Waraksa of The Wedding Artists Co
Tell us a little about this couple and their magical weekend on the Amalfi Coast.
Claudia and Kevin visited lots of locations around Italy and south of France before finding their perfect match in Villa Cimbrone, a spectacular hotel perched on a cliff in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. They loved its historical soul and its breathtaking view, as well as its incredible gardens with lots of secret corners. The hotel could accommodate the majority of the wedding guests, making it perfect for a destination wedding as the couple was able to enjoy their family and closest friends over the whole weekend.
How was working at Villa Cimbrone? Any favorite aspects of the venue?
The venue has two main highlights: its Tea Room which is a wonderful antique loggia within a walled garden mainly used for ceremonies, and its Crypt which is often used for dinners. Claudia and Kevin opted for a ceremony overlooking the water, but they indeed chose to use the Crypt for the wedding banquet. The property is located on top of a hill in central Ravello and can be reached only on foot, thus the event logistics can be challenging. This is what makes the place so unique though!
Can you share about the design inspiration?
As the bride loved both the bright and colorful southern Italian style as well as the timeless classic elegant neutral palette, we decided to keep both – one for each day of celebration. We opted for a Dolce & Gabbana lemon inspired welcome pizza dinner by the pool with a trio of Neapolitan musicians and a very casual and relaxed atmosphere. Whereas on the main wedding day, we chose a timeless elegant garden theme, with a mix of soft tones and organic floral compositions. The highlight of the event was definitely the dinner Crypt, which was decorated with a variety of blossoms growing from the floor up the columns as if nature had taken over this breathtaking 11th-century structure overlooking the blue Mediterranean Sea. 
What did the food and drink menu look like?
We organized a pizza night to welcome all guests paired up with local wine. On the wedding day, we served an Italian traditional aperitif with Hugo and Spritz cocktails, followed by a four-course seated dinner, as follows.
• Marinated Mussels with warm potato soup
• Risotto with rosemary, grilled shellfish and seafood
• Beef stuffed with smoked mozzarella and porcini mushrooms in puff pastry crust
• The wedding cake was a millefeuille with cream and fresh wild berries
Any tips for hosting a destination wedding?
We always recommend localizing the look and feel of the event, to ensure that the ambience reflects the chosen region and that the guests enjoy an authentic experience. Since guests are asked to travel for the celebration, it is very important to provide them with useful practical information that will help them plan their trip and will inform them on what to expect. Organizing fun activities during the stay to give guests the chance to mingle is also something to consider that will make the event much more memorable.
See more of Design Anarchy's favorite wedding venues across Europe →
Credits
Event Production & Design: Design Anarchy by Chic Weddings in Italy | Photography: Heather Waraksa of The Wedding Artists Co | Venue: Hotel Villa Cimbrone | Florals: Flower Addicted | Video: Marco Caputo | Hair & Makeup: Harold James | Welcome Dinner Dress: Dolce Gabbana | Wedding Gown: Oscar de La Renta | Invites: Kelsey Malie
