When the news came out that television personality Ilary Blasi and her partner Bastian Muller had selected the prestigious Villa Cimbrone in Ravello for their wedding, we wedding planners weren’t surprised at all — the villa has been on the favorites’ list of everyone who knows the Amalfi Coast.
Recently, our founder Ines Napolitano was invited by Fanpage to tell about organizing the Amalfi Coast weddings and reveal the secrets of the legendary Villa Cimbrone. And today, we are sharing with you the most interesting parts of the interview with our founder and wedding planner.
Why Do Couples Choose Villa Cimbrone for Their Wedding?
The Amalfi Coast villa, perched on a precipice overlooking the Gulf of Salerno, has attracted Hollywood stars and was frequented by Jackie Kennedy. However, not only the views of the sea and the impressive architecture attract couples to Villa Cimbrone — it is also famous for its warm hospitality. It is difficult to get used to the luxury of a five-star hotel in the middle of Ravello, but the villa offers a more intimate experience — the owners often meet with couples in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone over a cup of lemonade.
What Is the First Step in Planning a Wedding at Villa Cimbrone?
Ines tells about planning a wedding at the Amalfi Coast villa: ‘We always start our work with future brides and grooms with a conversation to find out what kind of guests they want to see at their wedding, how many people they want to invite, whether they want symbols, what color scheme they like… When couples want everything to be simple, we understand that they want flowers in the colors of peonies, which, by the way, is quite expensive. We always take into account the wishes of the future spouses and a couple of details that help us to estimate the overall volume of the event.’
How Does Booking the Villa Work?
The booking process of the villa is also worth knowing: the owners only rent the establishment for one wedding per week, and a midweek reception means one day, whereas at the weekend, there may be two days — for example, if the bride and groom want to have a reception for friends the day before the wedding or the day after.
‘Of course, most couples that we work with fly in from Milan or other cities like Positano, Amalfi, or Capri and the trip to the Amalfi Coast turns into a multi-day stay,’ says Ines. ‘Most often, our guests do not leave after the wedding — we always try to provide an unforgettable experience.’
How Many Guests Typically Attend a Villa Cimbrone Wedding?
Villa Cimbrone weddings are usually planned for a party of around 100 people, and that is another special feature. According to Ines Napolitano, ‘A wedding at the Amalfi Coast villa is never a single-day event — couples are warmly welcomed to spend two or more days in the villa with their loved ones. The first day can be an informal reception, followed by a real celebration of the wedding the next day.’
What Does a Villa Cimbrone Wedding Actually Include?
It is difficult to imagine what an event at the Amalfi Coast villa looks like, but according to Ines, ‘There are no standard packages for our weddings. The price depends on the services and spaces that the bride and groom choose for their celebration — the romantic Tea Room with panoramic views, the crypt with medieval frescoes, and the Gothic-arched Belvedere. Of course, if a couple rents the crypt, they also rent the space above it. We never offer a menu — our dinners are always held in a la carte manner and Mediterranean style with champagne. By renting the villa, couples also close off the iconic Terrace of Infinity to other visitors — that is the special bonus of shopping in the estate.
What Does the Most Elaborate Villa Cimbrone Wedding Look Like?
The most spectacular Villa Cimbrone wedding, according to Ines Napolitano, was organized for a couple from the north of Italy, who wanted to make their celebration a two-day event for 100 guests. The first evening, the future spouses held a pizza party for their friends and family with checkered tablecloths, fresh pasta with tomato sauce, and music. The next day, the couple was married in the scenic gardens of the villa, had portraits drawn in the Belvedere, dined in the crypt under the hanging vines and crystal chandeliers, and danced in the garden at nightfall.
Do Couples Cover Accommodations and Gifts for Guests?
Ines always asks her clients to cover the accommodation of their closest relatives and friends, but the rest of the guests are transported to the Amalfi Coast and back, and this turn of service is fully paid for by the couple. ‘If you give a gift to your guests, it is a token of appreciation for the days spent with you in the Amalfi Coast. Cash gifts from guests are now rare — usually, they go to a children’s charity to donate to the clown doctor or to the charity of their choice. A couple once even gave their guests a red clown nose as a gift, which they could use to donate to charity in the name of their hearts,’ says Ines.
Who Typically Chooses Villa Cimbrone for Their Wedding?
The couples who want a Villa Cimbrone wedding are usually entrepreneurs, doctors, clinic directors, and successful financial sector figures from Milan or abroad. The Amalfi Coast wedding planner tells us about the changes in tastes and budgets: ‘We noticed that an increasing number of foreign couples are showing interest in the Amalfi Coast, and especially in this villa. This year, we have seen a slight increase in the number of American bride and grooms.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Villa Cimbrone available for weddings year-round?
Villa Cimbrone hosts weddings primarily during the spring, summer, and early autumn months, when the Amalfi Coast’s weather and gardens are at their best. Availability is limited, since the estate typically hosts only one wedding per week.
How far in advance should we book Villa Cimbrone?
You should plan a wedding in this villa at least a year in advance, preferably 18 months — especially if you want to get married on a weekend during peak season.
Can we have both the ceremony and reception at Villa Cimbrone?
Yes. Couples can host their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception across different spaces within the estate — such as the Tea Room gardens, the crypt, or the Belvedere terrace — creating a seamless, immersive experience in one location.
Do we need to plan additional days for our guests?
Many couples prefer to enhance the festivities, adding a welcome gathering, and group travel to Positano or Capri, as well as a brunch in the end. This means that the wedding becomes the entire exciting experience on the Amalfi Coast instead of just one event.
How many guests can Villa Cimbrone accommodate?
While the estate can host groups of varying sizes, planning is typically built around an intimate-to-mid-sized guest list, with roughly 100 guests serving as a common benchmark for space and logistics planning.
Do we need a wedding planner to book Villa Cimbrone?
Given the exclusivity, logistics, and coordination required — from securing the date to designing a multi-day guest experience — working with an experienced local wedding planner is highly recommended to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Planning Your Own Amalfi Coast Fairytale
Ilary Blasi’s wedding has placed Villa Cimbrone in the global spotlight, but this level of Amalfi Coast magic isn’t reserved only for celebrities. With the right planning team, any couple can create a celebration that feels just as personal, just as breathtaking, and just as unforgettable.
At Mr & Mrs Wedding in Italy, we specialize in designing bespoke destination weddings across the Amalfi Coast — from Ravello to Positano and beyond. If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” in one of the world’s most romantic settings, we’d love to help bring that vision to life.
Get in touch with our team to start planning your Villa Cimbrone wedding experience.
