Caro and Lachlan
On a warm September evening in a little corner of Southern Italy, Caro and Lachlan married in the luxurious Palazzo Belmonte. Their fabulous wedding photography which tells the story of their day so well, is the work of the very talented Chantal Lachance-Gibson.
Location: Santa Maria di Castellabate, Cilento Region, Italy
Number of Guests: 60
From: Australia / Germany
Month: September
Wedding Theme: Bright summer wedding with a personal touch
Wedding Colours: A palette of pinks and blues
Nearest Airport: Naples-1 hour / Rome-3 hours
The Location
Although Caro and Lachlan live in Australia, Caro is German. As their family and friends live on two different continents they were keen to find a location that everyone would be happy to travel to – particularly Caro’s grandparents. It was important for the couple to bring their families together for longer than just one day and as Lachlan had knowledge of the Cilento Region of Italy, the village of Santa Maria di Castellabate stood out as their favourite location.
The delightful village of Santa Maria di Castellebate lies South of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Blessed with clear blue seas, beautiful fine sand beaches and long summers, this destination has largely managed to escape major tourism and retains an authentic old world charm.
Not far from the village, is one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval towns, Castellabate. Standing 278m above sea level it has stunning views of the Amalfi Coast, the Isle of Capri and the Gulf of Salerno .
Just 5 minutes from Santa Maria and bordering Castellabate, is where you will find the 17th century Palazzo Belmonte. Nestled in an oasis of lush gardens this unique historic residence was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Prince of Belmonte and a large portion of the building is still lived in by his decedents. The Palazzo has been converted into beautiful suites and apartments, but maintains the charm and magic of a private home and manages to harmoniously blend nature, comfort and elegance.
Caro’s Look
Caro looked exquisite in a gown by renowned Australian designer Pina Fiorenza. Her dress incorporated French beaded lace with a strapless neckline and a simple satin sash which merged into a flared A line skirt. Caro paired her gown with an elegant slingback sandal by Clarice.
Caro’s gorgeous hairstyle completed her fresh look; it was left loose and lightly curled – except for a French braid which was delicately weaved on one side and finished with a small flower. The hairdresser and make-up artist were organised by Caro’s wedding planner and both sourced locally.
Civil Ceremony
Caro and Lachlan’s civil ceremony was held on the Belvedere Terrace of the Palazzo Belmonte, which commands a stunning view of the Gulf of Salerno. It was held at 5pm, a perfect time of the evening in the late summer heat of Southern Italy. The couple personalised their ceremony with readings, while Lachlan’s brother and a lifelong friend of Caro’s acted as witnesses.
Canapés and Champagne
After the ceremony, guests moved to a further terrace where they were entertained by a string quartet whilst being served drinks and canapés. This time was also used by Chantal to capture some amazing shots of the Caro and Lachlan within the Palazzo’s five acres of secluded gardens.
Dinner and Dancing
Around 7pm everyone moved to the marquee -a permanent structure within the gardens of the Palazzo, for dinner and games. This was followed by live music and dancing in an undercover area near the magnificent freshwater pool, which was romantically illuminated by torches and candlelight.
Extra Activities
As Caro and Lachlan’s guests were making a special trip abroad to be at their wedding, the couple took advantage of having family and friends together and organised several extra activities. This consideration for their international contingent added to the uniqueness of their wedding and definitely made it more memorable for their guests.
Two days prior to her wedding, Caro arranged a fabulous “girls day out”. This included boating and a snorkeling trip in the afternoon, followed by a four course dinner and cocktails.
On the eve of their wedding, the couple held a traditional German send off “Polterabend” at a local restaurant in Castellabate. This allowed guests to mingle and become acquainted prior to the big day. They also held a post wedding lunch for all those who could join.
Caro and Lachlan’s wedding planner provided additional information to the couple which they included in their wedding invitations and on their blog. This helped their guests to plan their trip, book their accommodation and get inspiration for things to do whilst in Italy.
Advice from the Bride
“Wedding planners are an amazing help in getting your big day organised. Make sure though that the suppliers they book give you what you really want. In our case, I knew what style of photos I wanted and the original photographer that was booked for us just wasn’t the right fit. Have a look around, ask friends and behold – you might find a gem just like we did :)!”
The perfect Partners
Featured Suppliers listed on Weddings Abroad Guide:
Photographer: Chantal Lachance-Gibson Photography
Other Suppliers:
Wedding Planner: Amore Weddings.ie | Civil Ceremony: Palazzo Belmonte | Reception Venue: Palazzo Belmonte | Bridal Gown: Charlize by Pina Fiorenza | Bridal Shoes: Clarice | Grooms Attire: Tailor in Rome | Wedding Flowers: organised by wedding planner, sourced locally | Brides Hair & Make-up: organised by wedding planner, sourced locally | Wedding Favours: Prepared by bride (DIY) | Wedding Stationery: Prepared by bride (DIY) | Bridal Accommodation: Palazzo Belmonte | Guest Accommodation: Accommodation of their choice including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering
Find more information and inspiration on destination weddings in Italy
