In the celebrity world, the wedding appears as a spectacular event, designed down to the smallest detail to reflect the personality, status and aesthetic vision of the bride and groom. The locations, often lavish and rich in history, become as prominent as the designer dresses and distinguished guests. From Tuscany to Sicily, passing through Venetian villas or Apulian villages, Italy confirms itself as one of the favorite wedding destinations for the world’s rich, international celebrities , attracted by its timeless beauty, art, landscape and hospitality. Also confirming this trend is one of the most talked-about weddings of the year: that between Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and Lauren Sánchez, a journalist. The couple chose Venice to crown their union, transforming the lagoon city into an open-air movie set. Amid gondolas, palaces overlooking the water and dreamy atmospheres, Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding, which was held at the Giardini dell’Arsenale after it was initially supposed to be held at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia (a venue later discarded for security reasons), confirms how celebrities seek not only luxury but also our landscapes. So here are nine weddings that, in recent times, were held in different Italian locations, amid elegance and history.
Millie Bobby Brown, author and film producer, and Jake Bongiovi, son of the famous Jon Bon Jovi, decided to get married with an exclusive party in Tuscany. The chosen location is Villa Cetinale, near Ancaiano, in the municipality of Sovicille, in the province of Siena. Considered one of the most beautiful villas in the region, it is known for its Baroque garden, among the most fascinating and relevant in Italy. It was built between 1676 and 1678 by Cardinal Flavio Chigi to a design by Carlo Fontana, a pupil of Bernini. Conceived as a holiday residence, it is famous for its Baroque gardens, which are among the most important in Italy. After three centuries in the Chigi family, the villa was bought in 1977 by Sir Antony Lambton, who carefully restored it. In 2021 it was also set for the Succession series, as the summer residence of the Roy family.
Rey Vakili, director of LTK Australia (the world’s largest influencer marketing platform), and Jonny Ingham, a businessman, were married in Taormina, pearl of eastern Sicily. The choice was not random: Rey’s family has been frequenting the town for years, and his sister and sister-in-law have already been married there. The couple was enchanted by the charm of the San Domenico Palace, reopened as the Four Seasons, surrounded by lush gardens.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker chose Italy for their wedding, celebrating it in picturesque Portofino, at Villa Olivetta. The late 19th-century residence belongs to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana and is situated on a promontory overlooking the bay. Set in a lush landscape, it is surrounded by olive groves, eucalyptus and cypress trees, with paths winding through Mediterranean vegetation. The terraces offer spectacular views of the sea, while the interiors reflect a maximalist and theatrical style, the aesthetic signature of the famous fashion duo.
The wedding of Kitty Spencer, granddaughter of Lady Diana, and Michael Lewis, a South African businessman, was held at one of the most charming historic homes in the Castelli Romani: Villa Aldobrandini. Also known as Villa Belvedere, it stands on a panoramic rise overlooking the entrance to Frascati, a few kilometers from Rome. Built beginning in 1598 by Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini, nephew of Pope Clement VIII, the villa is a rare example of Renaissance architecture, a witness to papal pomp and secular nobility. A film set and the scene of fashion campaigns such as Valentino’s, it is striking for its grandeur and the contrast between the severity of the north façade and the articulate sophistication of the south side.
Wedding in Treviso for Jessica Chastain, a U.S. film producer, who said yes to Gian Luca Passi, a count from Bergamo and manager of Moncler. The ceremony took place in the private chapel of Villa Tiepolo Passi, an elegant 17th-century residence located in Carbonera. The mansion, built by Almorò Tiepolo, procurator of San Marco, was conceived as a center of reference for the agricultural activities of the area, in the tradition of Venetian villas. It later passed to the Valier family and finally to the Counts Passi de Preposulo, and is now bound by the Superintendence and still inhabited by the family. The event was preceded by a pre-wedding party in Venice with 200 selected guests.
Among the most opulent locations in Venice, Palazzo Papadopoli hosted the wedding of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin. Overlooking the Grand Canal in the sestiere of San Polo, between Palazzo Giustinian Businello and Palazzo Donà a Sant’Aponal, it stands out for its imposing Istrian stone facade and architectural elegance that combines Palladian, Sanmichelian and Sansovinian suggestions. Built in the second half of the 16th century by the Bergamasque Giangiacomo dei Grigi for the Coccina family, the palace represents one of the finest examples of the Venetian Renaissance. Today it houses the exclusive Hotel Aman Venice.
In the center of Florence, among the ramparts of Forte Belvedere, built in the late 16th century, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West celebrated their wedding amid Vanessa Beecroft ’s art installations and flowers aplenty. The day before, a pre-wedding party at Versailles was attended by more than 600 guests, including Valentino and Lana Del Rey.
Florence hosted the lavish Indian wedding between Aradhana Lohia, daughter of the plastics magnate, and Kevin Sharma with a welcome party at the Pitti Palace. The event, organized by Florence-based Enic Meetings&Events, involved more than 600 guests and continued for three days, culminating with the wedding ceremony at Villa le Corti, the residence of Princes Corsini. Piazza Ognissanti was transformed into an outdoor lobby, covered by a large tent surrounded by hedges and exotic plants. Instead, at the Pitti Palace, decorated in blue, white and gold, the party was held with an international buffet, Bollywood shows and the Palatine Gallery opened for art-curious guests.
In 2012 Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake chose Puglia for a dream wedding, celebrated in secrecy at Borgo Egnazia, an extra-luxury resort designed and planned as an imaginary village nestled among olive trees in Savelletri di Fasano, in the province of Brindisi. With 63 rooms and 28 villas, the white stone complex guaranteed absolute privacy for the event, which was armored and had a fairy-tale feel. The ceremony took place in the central square, decorated for the occasion, where Jessica descended a specially built spiral staircase. Guests were welcomed with a feast of local flavors, live music and fireworks.
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| Not only Bezos and Sanchez: all the rich people who chose Italy (and our museums) to get married |
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