In the midst of the pandemic, I was contacted by a charming Swedish couple, Sandra & Jakob.
They told me they wanted to get married in Capri at the exclusive Villa San Michele. To my surprise, I soon discovered that Jakob is a relative of the illustrious founder of the Villa, Doctor Axel Munthe. Dr. Munthe built and furnished the Villa in the 19th century and wrote a bestselling book, The Story of San Michele.
A celebrity himself, Axel Munthe attracted a multitude of international celebrities, including Sweden's royal family, to Capri.
The Villa is located in Anacapri, belongs to Sweden, and operates as a museum and cultural center. It has an exquisite garden, planned and developed by Munthe, and is full of aromatic flowers and trees. The sea views from the Villa are simply breathtaking.
Celebrating their union in the Villa had a special meaning for Jakob and Sandra, and they fell in love with the place.
Despite all the uncertainties of the pandemic, we were able to plan and execute this wedding flawlessly. I am happy to share a few photos taken by Stepan Vrzala, a talented photographer from the Czech republic. I recommended him to the couple, and they fell in love with his work.
To prepare, the couple traveled to Capri to tour the Villa, sampled some delicious pasta from the local caterer, and considered a few spots for the welcome dinner.
During the year leading to the wedding, we found all the vendors and arranged lodging for the couple and their guests.
A few days before the wedding, I arrived in Capri to make sure everything was ready and in order. We met with Sandra and Jakob – the first time "in real life" – it was such a great feeling! We had a walk-through of the Villa and met with the Villa's event manager, caterer, photographer, and DJ.
The welcome party at La Zagara was a great success, and we were ready to set up for the big day.
Sandra and her bridesmaids got ready at the Villa Mamela they rented. Beauty Livery was helping to make the bride and her ladies look stunning.
Vintage jewelry, worn by Sandra on her wedding day.
Sandra wore a Pronovias' Aethra mermaid dress that had a sweetheart neckline and was 3D embroidered.
Jakob wore a custom-made tuxedo by SuitSupply and the crafted Undandy shoes.
The couple had their First Look on the street of Anacapri, to the delight of the passers-by. They then proceeded to the Villa and took a few refreshments with their wedding party while my assistant Dina and I directed the guests towards the ceremony area.
The ceremony was in Swedish and was incredibly touching and emotional, with everyone singing and crying. Fabio Vuoto provided a trio of talented musicians to play the music.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds went to take a few pictures while their guests enjoyed live music and mouth-watering appetizers by Capri Pasta.
Then Sandra and Jakob made a grand entrance to the cocktail area in the garden, followed by the Champagne Tower to everyone's delight.
The evening continued on the large terrace surrounded by flowering bushes with incredible sea views.
According to Swedish tradition, a Toast Master and Toast Madam were MCs for the evening, and a multitude of speeches accompanied the delicious multi-course dinner.
Family members, wedding guests, Sandra and Jakob were speaking, dancing, and toasting, and the evening was memorable and fun. Jakob's father toasted in honor of Axel Munthe.
After the cake-cutting moment and desserts, everyone moved to La Taverna Verde, a club in nearby hotel San Michele for the after-party.
It was a happy, meaningful, and joyful celebration, and we felt grateful to be a part of it.
Capri is one of the best places to get married if you love great food, rich culture, and the beauty of nature, the sea, flowers, and trees. I can’t wait to return with a new couple to this fantastic island.
Credits:
Wedding Planner: Primavera Dreams
Photography: Stepan Vrzala
Venue: Villa San Michele
Beauty: Beauty Livery
Dress: Pronovias
Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom's shoes: Undandy
Groom's attire: SuitSupply
Catering: Capri Pasta
Music and Lights: Capri Wedding DJ Fabio Vuoto
Florals: Flowers in Capri
After-Party: La Lanterna Verde
Excellent write-up!