Who says elopements have to be cheap and simple? Meghan and Emery had a most stylish Ravello elopement at Palazzo Avino with all the bells and whistles,.
Their elopement had it all. Starting with getting ready and ceremony at the magnificent Palazzo Avino with a newly wed walk around the quaint town of Ravello after their ceremony.
They then hopped on a private boat to go around the Amalfi Coast then headed to a secluded beach for a candle light dinner for two, fireworks, cake and dance!
Let's hear all about this lovely Ravello elopement (with tips and suggestions) from Meghan, la Sposa:
What inspired you to choose to do a destination Elopement?
We wanted to focus on ourselves and our commitment to one another. Sometimes the purpose of the day can get lost in the commotion of guest lists, hotel blocks, and seating charts. There was still plenty of planning involved in our elopement but it was minimal compared to a traditional wedding and it was all about us and making it a magical day. I had also lost my Dad recently and didn’t want the day to be saddened by skipping over the traditional walking down the aisle and father/daughter dance.
In what ways did you personalize your Ravello Elopement?
Our wedding day felt very personalized from start to finish. We exchanged special gifts prior to the ceremony. Both of us happened to engrave one another’s gift with our wedding date. During the ceremony we read our own vows to one another. Then we took a stroll through town and stopped for gelato (something we do often back home). Next, we headed to Amalfi for a boat ride along the coast to our secluded dinner location. We were met with white glove service, a violinist, and the most romantic 5 course dinner and wine pairings for two I could have ever imagined. We also enjoyed a cake cutting and first dance and capped the night with fireworks!
What were your favorite wedding day details?
This is a tough one! Since we were eloping it was important to include touches from home and special reminders of our loved ones who were not there with us. I wore my best friend’s veil and a special ring from my Dad, used my grandmother’s monogramed handkerchief, and planned ahead, asking our family and friends to write a little note for us to read before our ceremony. I also made sure to include a portion in our ceremony to remember my dad and took a moment to mention our loved ones back at home. Other details included a gelato and walk through town, a boat ride to dinner, and private firework display. It was once in a lifetime and simply magical.
Inspiration/theme behind your Ravello elopement?
I was torn between a playful, beachy vibe with the colorful backdrop of Positano or a classic and romantic vibe with the pastel backdrops of Ravello and Amalfi. I could not be more pleased with the direction we went. We chose formal attire with some casual twists and it fit us so well. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!
Tell us a little bit about how you chose your invitations, flowers, venue, and dress:
No invitations were needed, it was a party of two! Rochelle Cheever, our incredible photographer, was the first vendor I booked. I found her through Instagram and wanted to make sure she was available before I booked anything else. She was so knowledgeable about the area and a great resource for advice and my go-to for referrals. She helped me decide on our venue, Palazzo Avino, and also referred me to the florist and celebrant. My dress was a bit more challenging. I was determined not to spend a lot and I started the search with online shops. It is difficult to disguise “cheap” in white so I caved and went dress shopping. I found a tea length floral cocktail dress and loved the structure and style. So I did a custom rush order and had it made in full length and in white. It arrived two days before we left for Italy and fit.like.a.glove.
Overall, do you have any special advice you would like to share with other brides to help prepare them for their destination elopement?
Eloping was the best decision we ever made. It was exciting and romantic and everything we could’ve hoped our wedding day would be. We both had bachelor and bachelorette parties a few weekends before we left for Italy to celebrate with our friends. A sweet bridal shower was thrown for me as well. It was important to us to make sure our close friends and family knew it wasn’t our intention to exclude them, we just wanted to do something a bit more intimate and personal. Everyone was respectful of our decision and even envious of our special plans. Also, just like a traditional wedding, it is easy for the budget to go out the window. It happens. We reluctantly decided last minute to hire a videographer because our families were showing last minute signs of FOMO. We are so glad we did! Paolo and Rochelle worked so well together and we are grateful to have our incredible day documented both ways.
We would love to hear how you met? Or, How did you get engaged?
We met out one night through our mutual girlfriend, Alex. Bars were closing when Emery and Alex bumped into one another. We were introduced and talked briefly before I passed on my number for a potential business opportunity. Emery had other intentions and contacted me for 6 weeks before we met up again. We had such a great night together and two years later he proposed in the same spot on the sidewalk where we met. He had our families and my best girlfriends waiting to surprise me afterward. It was perfect!
Is there anything else you would like to share from your big day?
We wish we could do it all over again! Once the planning was complete and the day was underway, I tried to let go of all expectations and just enjoy the day. Great planning and confirmations go a long way! Everything went smoothly and we had the most amazing and eventful day. I had kept a few secrets along the way about our plans for the day and Emery was thrilled with the surprise boat ride and private firework show! It was simply incredible!
Below is a video montage with a few more highlights of Meghan + Emery's Ravello Elopement
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