Get ready to fall in love with Natalie and Marc’s epic Jewish wedding in Rome. The UK-based couple wanted a spring destination wedding surrounded by blooming flowers, and they found everything they wanted and more at the breathtaking Villa Miani, nestled atop a hill with sprawling gardens and a panoramic view of Rome.
Natalie and Marc knew a destination wedding was a big ask for our guests, so they prioritized making it as seamless as possible – and they turned to the best of the best to help make it happen, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J.
In Natalie’s words,
Elegante by Michelle J 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. For anyone seeking a wedding planner, I can’t recommend her enough.
We’re also head over heels for the duo’s exquisite invitations, created by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Big Day Designs. Featuring whimsical illustrations inspired by Villa Miani, they set the tone for the big day so perfectly.
Read on for all the details of this fabulous day – including Natalie and Marc’s touching tribute to the hostages – and don’t miss the wonderful images from photographer Alex Wysocki and trailer by videographer Waterfall Visuals!
How We Met
Natalie, the bride: 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 again and suggested a socially distanced walking date. I decided to give him another chance—it’s not like I could pretend to be super busy during that time. 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. Marc’s good friend was having a birthday party, and somehow, both Marc and I got invited—his friend and some of my friends had conspired to make this happen. I went to the party, had a great time, and made a point of ignoring Marc the entire night. I could feel him looking at me, but I avoided eye contact. 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.
A Wedding in Rome
We got married at the breathtaking Villa Miani in Rome. I had always dreamed of a spring destination wedding, surrounded by blooming flowers and that vision had remained with me since I was a little girl. I imagined an outdoor venue in a warm, romantic setting, one that felt feminine and full of nature. I’ve always loved lush greenery and open skies. At the same time, we wanted a location that would be accessible and convenient for our guests, with short flights and a variety of accommodations to suit every budget. It was important to us that no one felt pressured or inconvenienced.
Villa Miani was the perfect choice. The first time Marc, Michelle, and I 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 dancefloor with a panoramic view of Rome—you could even see the Vatican in the distance. Despite being so close to the city, it felt serene and otherworldly, as if we were in the heavens looking down on Rome. The team at Villa Miani was exceptional—every detail was handled with professionalism and care, making the planning process effortless.
We knew a destination wedding was a big ask for our guests, so we prioritized making it as seamless as possible. 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.
Our history with Rome only deepened our bond with the city. Before we were even engaged, we visited on a spontaneous city break and had the most magical time exploring its streets. A few months later, we returned, only to face a minor disaster—Marc accidentally left our passports on the plane! What followed was a gruelling 48 hours stuck at the airport, waiting for clearance from the officials. It was a challenging experience, to say the least, but it became a defining moment for us. We navigated the highs and lows together, and it made our connection to Rome—and to each other—stronger.
When we stood at Villa Miani, surrounded by our loved ones, with the city of Rome spread out below us, it felt like everything had come full circle. It was a celebration of love, resilience, and the magical journey that brought us to that unforgettable day.
Theme + Wedding Planner
My vision for the wedding was always crystal clear. I had plenty of mood boards to guide me, and planning the aesthetic was hands down my favourite part. Every detail mattered to me, from the grand gestures to the smallest touches—like the personalised pizza boxes that added a playful yet personal flair. But none of it would have been possible without Michelle of Elegante by Michelle J, our incredible wedding planner.
We chose Michelle because she specialized 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. For anyone seeking a wedding planner, I can’t recommend her enough: Elegante by Michelle J.
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. I focused on incorporating natural elements, from the lush greenery of the grass pathway to the stunning floral arrangements that lined the way.
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. Standing beneath it, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens and the city views, I felt like I was in a dream—a moment suspended in time. As someone who adores flowers and nature, it felt deeply personal and authentic, a true reflection of me.
Every detail came together to create an atmosphere of love, magic, and timeless elegance. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was the embodiment of everything I had ever dreamed of and more.
Invitation
Our invitations, created by Big Day Designs, were an absolute obsession of mine. We drew major inspiration from our venue and wanted them to feel like a glimpse into the magic awaiting our guests. The design captured the essence of Villa Miani, with intricate details that made it feel as though the garden gates were opening to reveal an enchanting world. They perfectly set the tone for the romantic and whimsical atmosphere of our wedding, and I couldn’t have been happier with how they turned out.
Hair + Makeup
A special shoutout goes to the incredible glam squad, Avishay and Pazit. They made the morning of my wedding so much more than just getting ready—it was an experience I’ll always treasure. Their energy was so fun and uplifting, and spending those moments with them felt like hanging out with dear friends. They paid attention to every little detail and made me feel absolutely radiant. By the time they were done, I truly felt like a princess, ready to step into my fairytale. I couldn’t have asked for a more talented or caring team to share such a special part of my day
A Lee Petra Grebenau Dress
I had always assumed choosing my wedding dress would be the most challenging part of the entire planning process. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I made. It all began during a trip to Israel to visit my family. Israeli designers are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore, even though we hadn’t yet chosen a venue or found Michelle, our wedding planner.
Our first—and only—stop was at Lee Petra Grebenau’s studio in Herzliya. The moment I walked in, I felt like a child in a candy shop. The space was filled with breathtaking gowns, each one more beautiful than the last. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted, so I tried on a variety of styles, letting myself get swept up in the magic of the experience.
And then, I found it. My gown. The moment I slipped it on, I just knew. It was perfect. Feminine, youthful, and adorned with delicate floral details that felt like an extension of my personality. I looked in the mirror and felt like the best, truest version of myself.
Both of my parents were with me, and as soon as they saw me in the dress, tears welled up in their eyes. It was such a special moment, one I’ll treasure forever. Their reaction confirmed what I already knew in my heart—this was the dress. Without hesitation, we said yes to the dress, and I left feeling overjoyed and grateful that the process had been so seamless and filled with love.
Ceremony & Chuppah
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. It was a testament to the perseverance of our people and the beauty of returning to a place that once rejected us.
And given the difficult times in Israel, we wanted to honour our connection to Jewish history and resilience. We tied a yellow ribbon to our chuppah as a reminder to never forget and to continue speaking up the hostages. The ribbon was a small but deeply meaningful symbol of hope, solidarity, and our enduring strength as one family.
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
Our music choice
Music was a top priority for us because it set the tone for the entire celebration. We’re both huge fans of dancing and love a good party, so we knew the energy had to be just right. For our wedding, we chose MUZIKA for the band and DJ, and they absolutely delivered. MUZIKA brought an electric, unforgettable energy to the night—it was everything we hoped for and more.
The DJ was equally amazing, perfectly blending our curated playlists with his expertise. He listened carefully to every note we shared and ensured that the vibe matched our vision.
Flowers
Flowers were my absolute top priority—they were central to bringing my vision to life. I wanted the setting to feel like an enchanted garden, a dreamy fairytale brought to reality, and working with Flo-W was an absolute delight. They listened to every detail with care and attention, and I could genuinely feel their passion for their craft. I can’t recommend them enough—they truly delivered perfection.
For the floral design, I envisioned a mix of peonies, roses, and lush greenery, in soft shades of white and pink to create a romantic, feminine feel. But I didn’t want the arrangements to look overly curated or rigid. I was drawn to the charm of wildflowers—natural and free-flowing but still elegant. Flo-W struck the perfect balance, creating a look that felt organic and ethereal without being messy.
One flower that particularly captivated me was the cosmos. There’s something so delicate and whimsical about them that I couldn’t resist making them the focal point of my bouquet. I chose a smaller bouquet to keep the look balanced and let my dress shine without competing with the flowers. The final result was magical—a fairyland brought to life. Flo-W completely understood my vision and made it a reality in the most breathtaking way.
Photographer and videographer
Our photographer, Alex Wysocki, 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.
What made it even more special was how serendipitous it all was. Alex is based in London, but as fate would have it, she happened to be on holiday in Italy at the same time as our wedding. We couldn’t believe our luck—it felt completely meant to be. Working with her was effortless; she made us feel so comfortable, as though we were spending time with an old friend. The result was not just stunning photography, but a collection of moments that truly reflect the joy and love of our day. Alex is incredible, and I’m so grateful she was part of our wedding.
For our wedding videography, we chose Waterfall Visuals, and they were nothing short of phenomenal. Based in Italy and renowned for their cinematic editing, their work feels like a beautifully crafted film, full of emotion and artistry. Their style is immersive and romantic, with a storytelling quality that brings the day to life in the most stunning way.
They came highly recommended, and it’s easy to see why. Working with them was an absolute delight—they were professional, attentive, and made us feel completely at ease. Watching the final video felt like reliving our wedding through the lens of a dream.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
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. Watching everyone we care about come together to celebrate our day felt so surreal and meaningful. 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.
NATALIE & MARC’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Alex Wysocki
Videography – Waterfall Visuals
Planner – Elegante by Michelle J {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Stationery/Invitation – Big Day Designs {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – Villa Miani
Bride’s dress – Lee Petra Grebenau
Bride’s shoes – YSL
Hair + Makeup – Avishay, Pazit
Flowers – Flo-W
Band – MUZIKA
Illustrations – Anna Jayne Designs
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
