Natalie + Marc’s Jewish wedding in Rome
Photography: Alex Wysocki
From falling in love with Rome, with its rich Jewish history to celebrating their love at the iconic Villa Miani, it was a full-circle moment for UK couple Natalie and Marc. Natalie had always dreamed of a romantic wedding surrounded by blooming flowers, and with the help of La Lista trusted planner Elegante by Michelle J, that childhood dream came to life. Planning a Jewish wedding from overseas is no small task, but Michelle’s expertise in both Italian and Jewish weddings ensured everything came together seamlessly on the day.
“Planning a Jewish destination wedding for a large amount of guests is no small undertaking— working with someone who knows Italy and Jewish practices intimately will turn the wedding planning journey from one of overwhelm to a streamlined and enjoyable process.” ~ Michelle, Planner
Your Love Story
“Marc first messaged me in 2019 to set up a date, but he ended up cancelling and never rescheduled! Then, a year later in 2020, he reached out to arrange a date but he cancelled again— claiming he had Covid. At that point, I decided, No way am I giving this guy another chance.
Fast forward to June 2021. We were at the same party and I made a point of ignoring Marc the entire night. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to come over and ask me out again. I said no, reminding him he’d already cancelled on me twice.
Marc spent the rest of the night trying to convince me to give him another chance. Finally, I gave in and when we did set a date, we met for drinks at the Ham Yard Hotel (the same place he later proposed) and the rest is history.”
Choosing Rome
“Rome felt like the perfect choice, not just because of its beauty but also because it held a special place in our hearts. It’s a city we fell in love with together, a place rich in culture, romance, history, and even a meaningful Jewish connection. And of course, the food—it’s hard not to love Italian cuisine.”
The Ceremony
“Our wedding ceremony was more than just a celebration of love—it was a profound acknowledgment of history, resilience, and hope. As we stood beneath the Chuppah, our Rabbi spoke about the significance of our presence in Rome, a city where Jews were once persecuted and shunned for their identity. Thousands of years later, to be standing there, marrying freely in a place so rich with Jewish history, felt like a full-circle moment. At the centre of it all was our tall, enchanting flower-covered Chuppah. It was the heart of our ceremony, perfectly blending romance, nature, and tradition.”
The Venue
“The first time we arrived at the Villa Miani, we were completely awestruck. The beauty of the place was almost surreal. Nestled atop a hill, the villa had sprawling gardens, charming natural elements, and a spectacular dance floor with a panoramic view of Rome—you could even see the Vatican in the distance.”
The Theme
“Our theme was pure romance, a feminine and enchanted garden brought to life. I wanted to step into a scene that felt like it had been plucked from a Bridgerton storybook—a timeless, elegant fairytale. The venue’s natural beauty did most of the talking; the views were so breathtaking that we wanted everything to complement, not compete with, the surroundings.
The Ketubah
“We decided against creating a custom-designed Ketubah because we were nervous about potential errors, such as misspellings or inaccuracies, that might affect its validity. Instead, we chose to go with the classic, traditional Ketubah provided by our Rabbi to ensure everything was correct and in keeping with tradition.”
Stand Out Supplier
“We chose Elegante by Michelle because she specialised not only in Italian weddings but also in Jewish-Italian weddings, and she came highly recommended by a trusted friend. She exceeded every expectation. Michelle thought of everything—details I didn’t even know existed and her team coordinated the entire day with such precision and care that everything felt seamless. They turned what could have been a stressful process into a joyful experience, and their expertise allowed us to simply enjoy the day.”
Advice For Future Couples
“One of the most special things we did during our wedding was to take a quiet moment for just the two of us. We stepped away from the celebration and went up to the roof of Villa Miani, where we could look out over the entire scene. From that vantage point, we saw all our family and friends laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. It was such a beautiful moment to pause, take it all in, and reflect on the love surrounding us. It’s a memory we’ll cherish forever, and we encourage other couples to find a similar moment to step back and truly absorb the magic of their wedding day.”
The Photos
“Our photographer, Alex, was an absolute dream to work with. She’s more than just a photographer—she’s a true artist. Her style is everything we wanted: candid, romantic, and cinematic, with an emotional depth that makes each image feel alive. Every photo she took felt like it belonged in a timeless love story, perfectly capturing the mood and magic of the day.”
VENDOR TEAM
Wedding Planner: Elegante by Michelle J | Venue + Catering: Villa Miani | Photographer: Alex Wysocki | Videographer: Waterfall Visuals | Florist: Flo-W | MUA: Pazit and Avishay | Hair Stylist: Avishay Masty | Stationery: Big Day Designs | Bridal Fashion: Lee Petra Grebenau | Production: Tecnoservice 2000 | Rentals: Elelight | Music: Muzika | Kippot: Simchas Kippot
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