Among the many wonders that our Bel Paese can offer, there is one that stands out above all others and has been attracting visitors from all over the world for years: Venice, a veritable floating city. The lagoon city is a true timeless jewel, steeped in magic and wonder, so much so that there are even those who claim they cannot die without visiting it at least once in their lifetime. La Serenissima, as it is often called (an epithet used especially in the past to emphasize the tranquility and stability of this city), is a unique place; there is no other city in the world that resembles it or is able to match its charm.
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It is not only its immense artistic heritage and its centuries-old culture that make it unique – these characteristics, moreover, are shared by many of Italy’s splendid cities – what makes Venice an extraordinary place is its being completely built on water, with no roads or cars, but only picturesque alleys and canals winding through its charming calli. Thanks to this peculiarity, Venice has always been the setting for romantic love stories both real and literary. Lovers from all corners of the globe dream of being able to celebrate their wedding right here, as Claudia and Kyle did, who arrived directly from New York City with all their loved ones to celebrate their wedding in this unique place in the world, thus ensuring that they would have as the setting of their love (but especially of their wedding photographs and videos!) an unforgettable place.
To welcome their guests to Italy and to introduce them to the wonders of Venice, the bride and groom hosted a very elegant luncheon in the majestic garden of the San Clemente Palace Kempinski: a refined 5-star luxury relais located on a private island that was able to offer guests a glimpse of all the best of Italian excellence and beauty.
But when Claudia and Kyle decided to cross the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate their wedding in Venice, they had no doubts about the choice of hotel in which to hold it: the Belmond Hotel Cipriani. This world-famous property represents the pinnacle of Venetian exclusivity and elegance and has been a venue for prestigious guests and ceremonies for decades. The fame of this place precedes it: it was founded in the 1950s as a place designed specifically to accommodate the most discerning travelers and is in fact still the most elegant and coveted property in the entire city, hosting celebrities and prominent personalities from every corner of the world.
The great reputation this luxury hotel enjoys is based on a combination of factors that set it apart and make it a unique place to stay. First and foremost, the Cipriani stands out for its top-notch hospitality and great commitment to ensuring all-round excellence in services; moreover, the beauty of its facilities is unparalleled. Located on the island of Giudecca, far from the touristy delirium of the center but at the same time very close to Piazza San Marco, the Cipriani Hotel offers an oasis of tranquility and beauty: the well-kept gardens and internal courtyards add a touch of serenity, while the panoramic view of the Canal offers guests an unforgettable spectacle.
Claudia and Kyle’s wedding took place in this luxurious and elegant setting, taken care of down to the last detail by Jennifer Zabinski Events (named by Vogue and Brides as “the world’s best wedding planner”) and the staff of the Cipriani, who together built the perfect set for a fairytale wedding, with a final surprise in true Venetian style: as the evening drew to a close, a group of masked musicians and dancers entered the hall, engaging the guests in a wild dance and a whirlwind of excitement, giving everyone a truly unique electrifying moment.
Adding further merit to this extraordinary event was the figure of one of Italy’s leading wedding photographers – David Bastianoni, a true pillar of Italian photography who has worked for several celebrities in the past and can boast numerous publications in some of the world’s most important magazines, including Bazaar, Brides, Elle and Vogue – .
A dream wedding at the Belmond Cipriani in Venice: the enchanting celebration that captivated Vogue
The impeccable organization, the luxury of the location, and the exceptional staff are all ingredients that made this wedding perfect for a major publication. On June 27, 2023, Vogue.com, the prestigious fashion and lifestyle magazine, took the opportunity to devote an entire article to this dream wedding. With stunning photos capturing the most exciting moments of the event and a detailed account of everything that made it special, the article has become a landmark for those dreaming of planning a fairytale wedding in Venice.
Read full article on Vogue: This Three-Day Garden Wedding in Venice Turned Into a Wild Masquerade Party with a Dancing Aerialist
The article describes in detail the day the bride and groom experienced, dwelling on each detail that helped make that day unforgettable for them. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of Jennifer Zabinski Events, who straight from New York City managed to organize such a beautiful wedding. This agency has been working in the industry for years and had already organized the wedding of tennis player Serena Williams, a success that opened the door to their first publication in Vogue.com.
The history of the Cipriani Hotel, an icon of luxury and prestige
Hotel Cipriani has a truly fascinating history. It all began when, in 1931, Giuseppe Cipriani decided to open a bar near St. Mark’s Square: Harry’s Bar. This soon became a gathering place for artists, writers, celebrities and members of high society, who, fascinated by the refined and exclusive cuisine, made the bar an international landmark. The growing fame and success of the Bar – now considered a national treasure – inspired Cipriani to realize an even bigger dream: the creation of a luxury hotel that would offer guests a one-of-a-kind destination.
Thus, it was that, in 1958, the Cipriani Hotel officially opened its doors on the island of Giudecca. Since its inception, the hotel has stood out for its attention to detail and the refinement of its facilities and interiors, decorated with Venetian furniture and works of art and Murano glass, carefully selected to preserve the historic atmosphere and Venetian charm, offering guests an experience of authentic luxury.
The hotel also enjoys a privileged location: its position on the island of Giudecca offers breathtaking views of the Canal and a unique tranquility compared to the tourist chaos of Venice. The well-maintained gardens, swimming pools, and interior courtyards help create an oasis of peace and beauty where guests can relax and enjoy a timeless atmosphere.
An oasis of luxury and sophistication that has achieved worldwide fame
Considered by Frobes to be one of the most beautiful places to get married in Italy and cited by Vogues around the world, over the years the Belmond Hotel Cipriani has hosted celebrities, politicians, artists and members of royalty from all over the globe. In the hallway on the ground floor, the hotel hosts several dedications from top names from all over Hollywood, such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, and many others. I was really excited that the location for my videos would be a place that has previously hosted such famous actors on the world stage! The reasons why these celebrities chose the Cipriani are many: the Hotel boasts excellent services at all levels, starting from the dining to the luxury spa and personalized and unique recreational activities.
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The hotel is home to such classy restaurants as Oro, whose young chef Riccardo Canella can already boast a Michelin star, and Cip’s Club, a marvelous restaurant suspended over the water overlooking St. Mark’s Square. The spa is world-famous for its exclusive ambiance and quality service, offering romantic massages and couple’s treatments, perfect for newlyweds. There are countless recreational activities offered by the Cipriani Hotel, but among the most romantic are boat excursions.
Guests can immerse themselves in the magic of Venice and enjoy the enchanting views aboard typical gondolas. A ride through the city’s canals, admiring the unique architecture and charming atmosphere, is an unforgettable moment for newlyweds. Summarizing, the main reason for its fame is that the Cipriani offers a complete luxury experience, and its international reputation and timeless charm make it a perfect choice for those who wish to celebrate special moments in a unique and unforgettable setting.
Claudia and Kyle’s dream Jewish wedding
The day before the wedding, Claudia, Kyle and their guests took part in an extraordinary garden luncheon hosted at San Clemente Palace Kempinski. The wonder of being able to celebrate with their guests on a private island added up to the great job done by Jennifer Zabinski Events, who managed to create a truly unique atmosphere for the occasion, with even models parading among the guests and having their pictures taken. It was like being inside a Fellini film, or being at an exclusive Vogue event!
On the wedding day, as per tradition, the bride got ready together with her bridesmaids in a luxurious room on the top floor with a breathtaking view of all of Venice. The groom, on the other hand, got ready in his room and joined his friends in a room on the ground floor overlooking the canal, to have a few chats that could ease the tension before the long-awaited moment! The ceremony began with the bride circling the groom as per the Jewish tradition, creating a symbolic bond between them. It took place at sunset, in the large indoor garden of the estate, on a specially constructed stage decorated with fresh flowers. It was truly a dreamlike atmosphere: everything was so perfect that I was able to deliver to the bride and groom a wedding video that looks like a real romantic movie, with the best setting they could ever wish for.
After the ceremony, the event moved to the dining room where, as soon as they entered, the guests were open-mouthed with amazement: greeting them, right in front of the entrance, there was a dancer performing an aerial dance several meters above the ground, wearing a very long and dramatic pink dress – The attention to clothes and fashion was a recurring feature of this wedding, thanks to the excellent taste of the organizers and complicit in the fact that the Cipriani is a location that has been mentioned several times in major fashion magazines such as Vogue – .
At the end of the evening, the guests joined Claudia and Kyle in the ballroom, and this is where the magic happened: models and dancers began to parade through the crowd handing out typical Venetian masks to each guest, and so, to the notes of a saxophone, began a wild and engaging dance in which everyone took part.
The Perfect Organization and an Elite Team
Planning a wedding in Venice can be a complex undertaking because the city is visited by millions of tourists every year, which involves careful planning and booking locations and services well in advance. Throughout the months of planning, the wedding planning organization worked closely with the couple to fulfill their every wish and transform the Cipriani Hotel into a truly enchanted setting. From the romantic floral decorations that adorned the spaces, to the details of the mise en place and the setup of the ceremony area, to the dress code of all wedding participants (including staff), everything was carefully thought out to create an atmosphere of refined beauty with a high degree of attention to detail.
It was a precisely planned and executed wedding, in the knowledge that it was celebrated in one of the most renowned venues in Italy, with a truly exceptional staff. I am honored to have been able to work side by side with professionals who have repeatedly been cited by Vogue from around the world, named as the best in their field. As I often write, videographer and photographer are always part of a whole, because they perform different but complementary tasks, and to be able to work on this occasion with David Bastianoni, one of the most important and established Italian wedding photographers, was truly a privilege for me.
