For some couples, the location is more than a backdrop. It’s a character in their story. When Camellia and Eric chose to elope, they envisioned a place with history, drama, and a distinctly Italian sense of grandeur. They found it at Villa Rizzardi.
This was not just a venue for a historic garden elopement; it was a sprawling private estate in the heart of the Valpolicella wine region, offering a series of magnificent spaces that we used to build a complete, flowing, and deeply personal experience for them.
The day was overcast, with gray skies that threatened rain. But perfect weather is never the goal. A perfect feeling is. The soft, diffused light gave the gardens a painterly quality, creating a romantic and timeless atmosphere that our photography team used to capture dramatic, heirloom-quality images.
An Experience Designed for the Estate
A great estate tells you how to use it. Our plan for the day was a direct response to the villa’s magnificent features. After a relaxed morning in Verona, Camellia and Eric arrived at Villa Rizzardi, where we began with portraits inside the villa itself and on the terrace overlooking the grounds.
For their vows, we selected the estate’s magnificent Circular Temple. Its soaring arches and intimate scale created a private sanctuary within the sprawling gardens. We filled the space with hundreds of hand-opened white roses, turning the historic stone structure into an intensely personal setting. Here, they exchanged vows and planted an olive tree, a beautiful, symbolic act representing the growth of their new life together.
Following the ceremony, we moved through the gardens for portraits, making our way toward the estate’s famous Grotto. Its dramatic architecture provided a powerful setting for their cake cutting. The day concluded with a private dinner for two, set at the head of the villa’s grand avenue, where a professional chef and waiters attended to them under the evening sky.
Our Favorite Moment
The most rewarding part of our work is seeing a plan come to life exactly as you envisioned it. Watching Camellia and Eric, completely relaxed and present with each other, move from the intimate sanctuary of the Circular Temple to the dramatic Grotto and then to their grand dinner felt like we were revealing chapters of a story.
We didn’t just find them a venue; we created an experience that unfolded across the estate, making them the main characters in a story worthy of the setting. It’s proof that a thoughtful plan, built on deep knowledge of a location, creates a day that feels both effortless and extraordinary.
Create Your Own Italian Elopement Story
Finding the right location is the first step. Crafting a personal, relaxed, and beautiful day around it is where our work begins. If you are inspired by Camellia and Eric’s story at Villa Rizzardi or dreaming of your own elopement in the Valpolicella region, we would love to help.
