A Romantic Affair at Villa Cariola
Tucked into the verdant folds of the Italian countryside, Villa Cariola offers a kind of cinematic romance that lingers in your memory long after the last toast. With its frescoed walls, sweeping terraces, and timeless views over the Valpolicella hills, it’s the kind of place where vows feel weightier, laughter rings a little louder, and the light always seems golden.
This elegant wedding, captured beautifully by Paula Jackson, is a vision of understated luxury. The bride, in a long-sleeved lace gown with a cathedral-length veil, looked impossibly poised as she descended the stone staircase—her train billowing behind her, flanked by bridesmaids in classic black. It’s a moment that feels plucked from a black-and-white film reel, equal parts drama and grace.
Inside the villa, where Renaissance frescoes frame every corner, the bride stood serenely beneath the soft brushstrokes of mythic muses—an old-world setting that made even a simple bouquet of cream and blush blooms feel regal.
The ceremony unfolded on the panoramic terrace, flanked by towering floral arrangements in soft neutrals that let the view speak for itself. There’s something special about saying “I do” where the sky meets the valley, with nothing but the sounds of nature and champagne flutes clinking in the background.
As the day melted into evening, guests moved from candlelit dinner to dancing under a canopy of market lights. The evening unfolded beneath lemon-hued umbrellas and mountain silhouettes.
Later, the bride changed into a playful brocade mini dress—still topped with her veil—and danced barefoot across the stone courtyard with her new husband. A final, joyful note to a day that felt both grand and grounded in love.
Whether you’re drawn to its artful interiors or sun-drenched terraces, Villa Cariola is the kind of venue that invites celebration. Every frame captured by Paula Jackson tells a story not just of one couple, but of a setting built for forever.
