From marriages in simple country chapels to brides accompanied down the aisle by Hollywood stars, WeddinginRome has arranged some truly memorable ceremonies

From marriages in simple country chapels to brides accompanied down the aisle by Hollywood stars, WeddinginRome has arranged some truly memorable ceremonies

SINCE SHE MOVED to London after her own Roman Wedding to her English husband, Raffaella Alflatt has set up a bespoke planning service for couples wanting to marry in her beloved home town, the Eternal City of Rome, a tailor-made service that guarantees Raffaella’s presence at every single wedding she organises.
Before moving to the UK, Raffaella had spent most of her life in Rome, working for a long period in the events industry. Once in London, she decided to offer her unique experience and intimate knowledge of the city and its surroundings to couples looking for something exclusive and distinctive for their special day. Co-ordinating a team of three people based in London, Dublin and Rome, and collaborating with the most prestigious vendors and suppliers of the Italian capital, Weddinginrome.co.uk distinguish themselves from other wedding organisers not only for the expertise of the team and their Italianita, but also for their ability to support couples from the early stage of the planning process, meeting them in London or Dublin for an initial consultation.

CITY OF ROMANCE

Rome has proven to be the perfect location for many a couple’s dream wedding: combining Italian sunshine, magnificent art, hospitality, superb venues, fine food and gorgeous wine, the Eternal City has been chosen in recent years by couples from all over the world. Since the launch of the new website last spring, Raffaella and her team have been really busy and in the past season alone, they organised 20 weddings both in the city centre and the countryside.
Wedding celebrations have been of various types: from traditional Catholic weddings, to intimate symbolic ceremonies and simple renewals of vows to civil bindings and protestant blessings, brides and grooms from Manchester to Perth, from Chicago to Berlin have been delighted and amazed by that unique atmosphere that only those who have been to Rome can comprehend. There’s no doubt that Rome has a choice for every couple, every religious denomination and every budget.
Couples who are planning to get married with a religious Catholic ceremony might not know that weddings can be held in any of the stunning churches that crowd the city centre, including the most famous ones like St. Peter’s and the Pantheon. Small chapels, both in the city centre and the countryside, are also available for those who would prefer a more simple and intimate setting. If, on the other hand, you want a dramatic city location for your civil wedding, Rome’s Town Hall is sure to be at the very top of your list. Michelangelo designed the fantastic Piazza del Campidoglio (with its magnificent stairs and buildings) that lies on the top of the Capitoline Hill, one of the Original Seven Hills. Ceremonies are held in the magnificent Sala Rossa, whose interior boasts Renaissance gilding, formal furniture and rich tapestries and drapery. In short, exactly what you expect to find in a city celebrated for its art and history. The surroundings are incredibly choreographic and your wedding photographs will have the backdrop of the Roman Forum, the Coliseum and the roofs of the city.
Complesso Vignola Mattei is undoubtedly a more tranquil location with a slightly more personal feel about it. It a delightful building set in the heart of Ancient Rome in front of the Baths of Caracalla, in the vicinity of Circo Massimo. This former chapel, no longer consecrated, is available for ceremonies every day. For receptions, Weddinginrome have handpicked some of the most stunning and prestigious venues of the city: whether it’s a villa, a palazzo, a castle or farmhouse, they have exclusive agreements to propose.
Ray and Fiona from Leeds, for example, enjoyed a wonderful late spring day overlooking the Coliseum, while Hamed and Sarah opted instead for an historic borgo located in the Roman countryside.

...whatever location you decide on, remember that in Rome anything can happen...

A CITY OF SURPRISES

However, whatever location you decide on, remember that in Rome anything can happen, even a celebrity accompanying you to the altar! On a hot day in June last year, for example, Raffaella had a wedding group waiting for the arrival of the bride in the welcome cool of the magnificent Pantheon, everyone eager to see her finally walk down the aisle. Unsurprisingly, the bride and her mother had been very anxious that morning, a mixture of excitement and panic enveloping them in true wedding day style! But of all the things that could have thrown a spanner in the works, a Hollywood movie star blocking the bride’s way to the church with his latest film production was not something that had occurred to them.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Traditionally in Italy, brides are expected to be late, at least a good 10 minutes or so – just enough to get the groom’s nerves tingling.
But that day 30, 35, 40 minutes passed, and it started to seem a bit too long. As Raffaella went out through the massive front door of Santa Maria ad Martyres, she realised immediately that something peculiar was going on: Tom Hanks and his crew filming Angels and Demons were blocking the path to the Bride and her father, making it impossible for them to reach the entrance of the Church. She had to do something, and quickly, as they were running out of time.
Ignoring the security staff, she crossed the square and approached Tom, who turned out to be a real gentleman. Immediately he smiled and chivalrously offered his arm to the bride and escorted her to the aisle! The enthusiastic crowd gathered in the square clapped at the unusual trio, even wondering if even the wedding was part of the plot of Tom’s new film! At the end of the ceremony, Tom was there again, along with Ron Howard, to congratulate the new couple on what was fast becoming a day they’d never forget...

For more information visit
www.weddinginrome.co.uk
Email: info@weddinginrome.co.uk
Photographer: Massimiliano Magliacca of Studio Nabisazeta
Web: www.nabisazeta.it