(From Desert Romance to Fairytale Italian Wedding)
The Amalfi Coast of Italy is a stunning backdrop for any occasion, but throw in a cliffside Wedding in an old world castle, sandwiched between milestone birthdays for both bride and groom, and well….That’s Amore’
Ann Marie Palma and William (Bill) Lewis met by chance at Palm Springs Life magazine’s popular annual event, Fashion Week El Paseo. Ann Marie, Owner of Bikram Yoga El Paseo, makes an annual tradition of purchasing the “Diva Package” as a “thank you” to her yearly Auto Debit Members, treating them to a night of fashion, food and fun. Among other perks, Diva Package holders receive front row fashion show seats and an exclusive entrance into the VIP Champagne lounge. In 2019, her professional outing turned personal after a random introduction to her future husband in the Diva VIP lounge. After a three year courtship, the couple married this past June 26, 2022, in a stately 15th century Italian castle. VILLA SCARPARIELLO RELEIS in Marmorata de Ravello, on Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast, was the venue for this spectacular cliffside wedding. The nuptials took place the day in between the couples two birthdays, and they celebrated the events with their twenty-four exclusive guests over three consecutive days. Renting out the entire castle, the couple made use of all five panoramic sea view terraces for the occasion, treating every guest to four nights accommodations in this historic castle that once housed notable Italian dignitaries and was a favorite holiday spot for Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
All four of Ann Marie’s grandparents, Pasquale and Concetta Palma and Salvatore and Antoinetta Aiello, were born and raised in Italy, so this wedding venue held an extra special meaning for the birthday bride.
The couple kicked off their wedding/birthday celebration trifecta with a welcome party on the pool terrace, serving Prosecco and Limoncello ( a favorite liqueur of the region) in special personalized ceramic gift cups for each guest to take home. The setting amid lemon groves, inspired the theme of this extravaganza as well as the beautiful bright yellow colors of the bridal party.
Built during Medieval times as a fortress to defend against invaders, Villa Scarpariello Relais is an imposing structure. The entrance is at the top of a 500 foot cliff, and the walls and rooms cascade at various levels, meandering all the way down to the sea with its own private boat dock.
Master of Ceremonies, Gordon Pfeiffer from the UK, set the tone for this auspicious occasion. Standing impressive above the guests on the Upper Minori Panoramic terrace, in his strong British accent he asked the guests on the Lower Minori Panoramic terrace to please be seated. He then thrice rang the Tibetan Bowl (an instrument Ann Marie uses in her Yoga studio that symbolizes healing, peace and unity) to signal the live Musicians to begin.
Unique to this Wedding, each bridal party member was introduced by name before descending the steps to the lower terrace to walk down the aisle. Furthering the twist on tradition, the bride would not be the only one making a grand entrance. The Groom would also be “given away” and walk down the aisle. Christy Field, the Groom’s daughter, was first to walk to edge of the upper terrace, waving to the guests below before introducing her father and escorting him down the aisle. The groom’s son and best man, Jeremy Lewis, was then introduced, and in turn introduced the maid of honor, Olivia Stigger, niece of the bride. Lastly, in the early evening hours, overlooking the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Nick Palma, nephew of the bride, announced the Bride, walking her down the steps and the aisle to give her away.
Italian Violinist, Giovanni Lucibello, serenaded the bridal party and the wedding couple as they made their descent down to the lower terrace where the guests were seated. With a full panoramic view of the Coast and under a lovely fresh floral arch they exchanged their wedding vows. Italian Tenor, Enrico Bernardo, awed the guests by belting out Andrea Bocelli and Josh Grobin songs as if they were his own. He sang verses in Italian, while Italian Pop Artist Mariangela Oste sang the duet verses in English.
The Bride, who would celebrate her 60th birthday just one day after their wedding, was dressed in a stunning tea length, Champagne embroidered, applique strapless gown, adorned with her birthstone pearls. The bride’s statement blue sapphire, pearl drop earrings, and the couples diamond wedding bands were designed by local Palm Desert Jeweler, Brandon Boswell, of Brandon Boswell Diamonds on EL Paseo.
The Groom, equally as handsome in his Italian suit and designer leather shoes, celebrated his 70th birthday just one day before their wedding.
Dressed in and elegant green off the shoulder dress, reminiscent of Roman times, Ana Stockwell, dear friend of the bride and professor of counseling at College of the Desert, delivered a touching yet powerful reading, followed by an equally moving rendition of “Fall on Me” sung by Bernardo and Oste.
“I closed my eyes and I thought that I was listening to Andrea Bocelli,” stated Trish LeFore, one of the lucky guests attending this once in a lifetime experience. “I have never been to such and amazing wedding in my life… Not even my own” LeFore went on to say.
The creative Italian Photographer, Emanuele Antonasi, photographed the couple on land and at sea (by boat leaving from the castle’s private boat dock) while the guests enjoyed cocktails and a buffet of appetizers in the castle’s covered panoramic terrace.
The couple then dined with their guests at an imperial looking table, impeccably set in the Lemon Grove Terrace. Loaded with Calla lilies, orchids, roses, peonies, and lemons of course, set high and low below the lemon tree pergola, Ravello florist, Isabell Kirchner, wowed the guests with her floral designs, setting the stage for an amazing five course dinner followed by the cake cutting, sweet table, and dancing in the covered Panoramic Terrace into the wee hours of the morning. Red, White and Rose’ wines flowed all night, the very generous gift of two of the guests, Lorenzo and Kimberly Lombardelli, of Lombardelli wines in Mombercelli, Peidmont, Italy.
Mary Beth Mittleman, wedding guest and long time friend of the bride, stated “my dream is to become Italian and recreate every detail of this enchanting, fairytale wedding. Now I just need to find my prince!”
In a world of online dating and chat rooms, meeting one’s mate organically may still be the best course for romance. Everyone needs to take a break from their smart phones and tablets to step out onto the runway of life. Your very own “Prince” (or “Princess”) may just be out there waiting for you!
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