Photo by Paolo Ceritano

Destination weddings that wow


From the mountain to the city to the river to the sea, these exclusive locales were picture perfect for intimate nuptials of local brides and grooms.


PETRIOLI, ITALY
June 28, 2018

It was a weeklong celebration at the Palazzo Mannocchi in Petritoli, Italy, for Kathryn Juneau and James Maddi. The festivities included dinner in the town castle, wine tasting at a local vineyard, nuptials in a medieval Catholic church with violin and trumpet music during the ceremony, along with a second line band (from Italy) playing New Orleans jazz music to walk guests to the reception. “Our wedding party wore white, and we kept the décor simple to allow the setting of the small town to speak for itself,” says Kathryn. Serving only local wine at the reception, the couple ended the evening with their 60 guests dancing until sunrise in the castle’s dungeon. Photos by Paolo Ceritano.


WEST POINT, NEW YORK
September 1, 2018

High above the cliffs of the Hudson River, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was the ideal destination for the wedding of Christen Tanner and Zachary Foster. Zach graduated from the academy in 2007 and served eight years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and captain. He also completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Christen carried several of Zach’s medals on her bouquet, including a Bronze Star and Aviation Wings. They exchanged nuptials at the historic Cadet Chapel, and a reception was held at the Thayer Hotel. They used a saber sword to cut the cake, and Zach gave gold West Point lapel pins to those in the wedding party who were not former military officers. Photos by H & H Photography.


HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
September 15, 2018

Southern pines and majestic oaks surround Anthony Chapel, the six-story-tall structure in Hot Springs, Arkansas, made of floor-to-ceiling glass and large pine timbers. Here, light dances off the flagstone floors. It was the picturesque backdrop for the marriage of Rachel Eggie and Micah Gibbs. Rachel, a stylist, is usually behind the scenes at weddings, making brides and their wedding parties look their very best. Since weddings take up many of Rachel’s weekends, she and Micah decided their own wedding would be a small, intimate ceremony. The chapel in the woods of northwest Arkansas proved to be the perfect place. “We were just surrounded by God’s greatest gift, nature, and it was the most peaceful feeling,” says Rachel. The duo wrote their own vows and were married by their personal pastor. After the ceremony, they changed into casual attire, hit a local restaurant and danced with the DJ until well past midnight. Photos by Benjamin Martin Photography.


ROSEMARY BEACH, FLORIDA
December 15, 2018

Inspired by architecture of the West Indies, Charleston and St. Augustine, the community of Rosemary Beach boasts classic homes and carriage houses, wood-plank pathways, bubbling fountains and more. Vacationers flock to this stretch of 30A during the summer months, but it proved to be just as charming (and less crowded) for the winter wedding of Kelly Mondello and Scott Landry. The venue was a natural choice for this couple—Kelly’s family had vacationed there for years, and Scott fell in love with it when he joined them. Kelly and Scott exchanged nuptials on the rooftop of The Pearl, a boutique hotel exuding Southern charm. “I love a destination wedding, especially when there is a connection between the location and the couple,” says Leslie Campbell, the bride’s sister who also served as her wedding coordinator. “What wonderful memories to have and always a special place to continue to visit as a married couple!” Photos by Jeannie Frey Rhodes Photography.