My Secret Italy

07/01/2025

Dreaming of a wedding in Italy. Let's talk.

I'm offering a FREE "Ciao Bella" all to all couples who find themselves at the start of their planning journey and who are feeling overwhelmed by all the possible venues/areas of Italy to consider. Let me help guide you and together we can work out the best area that will suit your budget & requirements. It is a FREE call. I am very friendly, and I can promise, that if I cannot help you then I will know someone that can.

REASONS TO BOOK A CALL.

Discover Hidden Gems: Learn about Italy's most authentic romantic venues.

Expert Guidance: Personalised advice from My Secret Italy with 20 years experience.

Stress Free Planning: Ask the questions, get clarity, and start your planning journey with confidence.

Tailored Inspiration: Explore unique ideas to bring your dream Italian wedding to life.

Your perfect wedding starts with a conversation. Let's make the magic happen.

Click the link to the call calendar in the Bio, to book your free call NOW..

This incredible image of Santa Maria di Castellabate is thanks to the amazing Sarah Bruce Photography

06/01/2025

Cheers/Salute to 20 Years of Magical Weddings....

As we step into a brand-new year, I'm filled with gratitude and excitement.

This year marks a very special milestone for My Secret Italy - 20 years of unforgettable wedding planning in one of Italy's most authentic and beautiful coastal gems, Santa Maria di Castellabate. Situated on the Cilento Coast, just south of the Amalfi Coast.

From intimate seaside ceremonies to elegant Palazzo celebrations, this part of Italy has it all. .

I have been honoured to bring love stories to life in a part of Italy that still remains a hidden treasure, rich with charm, history & breathtaking scenery.

Thank you to all the incredible couples, friends and team who have been part of this incredible journey. Your trust, love and shared dreams have made every step so magical & memorable.

2025 is a year of celebration, and I can't wait to share new surprises, fresh inspiration and more enchanting weddings with you.

TANTI AUGURI (very best wishes), to everyone on an Italian wedding adventure this season, and to those of you about to book for 2026/7.

Wishing every planner & couple in Italy the very best for the coming season.

On this snowy morning, I'm dreaming of blue Italian skies, joyful celebrations & sunshine in this incredible part of the Italian coast.

I will be sharing more inspiration this week on this very special place..

Please feel free to share this post if you know anyone thinking about getting married in Italy...

PS. I am offering FREE CIAO BELLA calls throughout January. You can see the link in our bio.

Here's to new beginnings...

22/11/2024

Where do I even begin to tell you how magical this little gem is and why it is the perfect place to get married in Italy. Still in love after almost 20 years planning weddings here.

I know and love Santa Maria di Castellabate which boasts both a beautiful little seaside town (Santa Maria) and also a medieval village (Castellabate) where cobbled streets lead you to the heart of the village and a tiny piazza perfect for post wedding drinks. Both, perfect choices for your Italian wedding.

I LOVE to combine the two settings, a seaside wedding followed by a historic Palazzo setting in the village for dinner. Anything is possible and we are here to hand craft the perfect wedding in Italy for YOU. As soon as we start to talk, I can listen to your plans and can then enthuse you with ideas.

The possibilities are endless but talking to you is really important to me, as I can get to know you and understand what type of wedding will be perfect for you and your close family and friends.

Authentic, Friendly, Magical - just a few words to describe this part of Italy

Flights are into Naples and from here, a 2 hour transfer to Santa Maria. Last year the Amalfi Coast airport opened in Salerno so there are regional flights from the UK into this airport meaning a shorter transfer.

There is a choice of quaint hotels and apartments to suit all tastes and budgets. There are lovely restaurants, shops and bars and when your guests arrive they are given a My Secret Italy Guide Book and a VIP card, which will open up the town to them so they feel like locals not tourists when they arrive.

Castellabate has recently been voted one of the prettiest villages in Italy. From that moment on Santa Maria and Castellabate have stolen my heart. Last year Santa Maria di Castellabate was voted by the GUARDIAN as one of Italys best seaside towns. It also featured in the New York Times. ✨

IT ALSO CAN COST LESS TO MARRY HERE V OTHER PARTS OF ITALY 🥳
Remember to book in for a FREE CIAO BELLA CALL (30 MINS).. LINK IN PROFILE...

Love Julie ❤

21/11/2024

Are you thinking of getting married in 2025 and maybe thinking it is too late to start planning?

🥰Let me reassure you that it is not.

Here is a blog for a wedding we arranged with a six month planning window.

Photos - www.ditabowenphotography.co.uk

https://mysecretitaly.com/michael-malins-september-wedding/

Love Julie x

09/11/2024

Anyone for Gelato?

What better way to have a moment with your family & friends as you exit one of the most beautiful churches (a step from the sea) in Santa Maria di Castellabate.

This is Meg & Joe, leaving the church to a shower of confetti.

Little did the guests know that Mr Baffo, the resident ice-cream man (for over 50 years) was setting up to serve everyone a gelato, to help them cool off from the late August sunshine. What a moment..

Each and every wedding with My Secret Italy, has lots of incredible moments that delight the guests. We love authentic Italy & this little town on the Cilento Coast (just south of Amalfi Coast) has it all...

If you have experienced a My Secret Italy wedding, comment which 3 words best describe your day.. I am counting on you bella brides from the past to share the love and help more couples experience the magic of this incredible place....

If you want to hear more about this place and other hidden treasures that Italy has to offer, why not sign up to our "Italianissimo" newsletter. Here is the link...

https://mysecretitaly.com/email-sign-up/

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST...

GRAZIE MILLE....

Sarah Bruce Photography

17/09/2024

The Amalfi Coast is OVERRATED, go next door for the REAL dolce vita!!Get 5% OFF your Holafly E-Sim here: https://bit.ly/HolaFlyMaliniAngelica with my discoun...

16/09/2024

A gorgeous wedding.... Congratulations Rosie & Killian ❤️❤️❤️

ROSIE + KILLIAN married!!!
Simply stunning at the .palazzobelmonte.italy
palazzobelmonte.italy


marie

12/06/2024

Dream Team 🇮🇹❤️

What a pleasure to work with Ben & Lou on our last wedding in Santa Maria Di Castellabate. They were so professional and despite driving down from Tuscany during the night they were full of energy and enthusiasm.

Lou managed the group shots with ease and speed leaving everyone more time to enjoy the guitar & mandolin players & Gelato.

I hope to work with them again & can highly recommend them if you are looking for a photographer & videographer that work together.

I took this image as they sat in the shade as we reflected on a beautiful wedding for Tanya & P*e at the incredible Torre Perrotti. Soon after this we headed up to Hotel Garden Riviera for dinner & dancing.






Dream Team for the wedding (images coming soon)

- Dinner & Dancing
- Wedding Venue
MUAmarie - Flowers
- Live Music

31/05/2024

05/05/2024

So proud that Santa Maria has been voted one of the TOP TEN beach towns in EUROPE 👙🏝️💫

A special mention to our flag-ship hotel Hotel Garden Riviera ❤️❤️❤️❤️

From the Turkish Riviera to the Île de Ré, we select quiet and unspoilt places to stay for sun, sand, snorkelling – or just snoozing

12/03/2024

I cannot wait to be back in Santa Maria. 6 more sleeps !

19/02/2024

Ciao a tutti

I hope that you are all well.

I am sure that you are still glowing in the beautiful memories made at the weddings you attended last year and in previous years too.

As you all know me as the expert in Santa Maria, I wanted to reach out to remind you that I am still here if you need help with any of the following.. I would love to hear from you and continue to share my knowledge of Italy & beyond with you...

• If you are planning a trip back to Santa Maria, then I would love to help. You may want to go back to the hotel (I can offer the best rates) or try one of the many other options in the town, again always offering the best rooms at the best price.

• If you are thinking about your next adventure to Italy and perhaps want to try somewhere new, like Puglia, Tuscany or one of the cities, then again I am your girl! I would love to share my insider knowledge on all the best places to stay.

EXCITING NEWS..... NOW OFFERING HOLIDAYS TOO...

• I am now affiliated with the amazing team at Designer Travel, an award winning home-working travel agent. I worked for them for a number of years and have decided to re join as it means I can help couples with their honeymoons, and also continue to help my growing list of contacts with finding them the perfect holiday.

• SO, if you are looking for a holiday, I would love to hear from you. You may be too busy to do all the research, in which case, let's chat. We can discuss what you are looking for and I will hurry back to you with the best options available.

There is also a little incentive for you.. My business has grown over the years by word of mouth. I value all recommendations so if you pass on my name and contact details to anyone & they get in touch, you will be entered into a prize draw to win 3 nights stay at Hotel Garden Riviera.

A reminder of my contact details

M 07843255000

[email protected] (WEDDINGS)

[email protected] (HONEYMOONS & HOLIDAYS)

Thank you... Julie

PLEASE SHARE 🥰

22/01/2024

This is Castellabate, one of the prettiest villages in Italy.

Authentic Italy.

We have had many wonderful weddings in this pretty village, which boasts stunning views over Santa Maria.

Who remembers their wedding here?

03/01/2024

Joe & Megan - Can we do it all over again ?

Stunning church wedding, gelato & Palazzo Belmonte for dinner and dancing….

What can I say about Megan & Joe? Loved, loved, loved their wedding. Megan was a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding in Santa Maria di Casetllabate a few years ago and had dreamed about having her wedding in the same place ever since.

The wedding was booked 18 months in advance and Meg & Joe came to visit twice during the lead up to the wedding. Each time, falling more and more in love with the endless possibilities of hosting a wedding in this goregous little seaside town.

Almost 100 guests, many of whom stayed a few nights at the Palazzo Belmonte, a stunning Palace tucket away in the town itself. Hidden behind wrought iron gates, and a pathway lined with bouganvillea and Rosemary bushes, leading to a magnificent 17th Century Courtydard. From the courtyard you step into lush gardens, and walk to Belvedere, a terrace that overlooks the sea. This is where dinner took place.
After dinner, guests enjoyed a gorgeous firework display which wowed everyone. Afterwards, everyone headed down to the disco bar for the amazing DJ. The evening ended in the wee small hours.

The day after the wedding everyone enjoyed a beach BBQ. A couple of days later, Meg & Joe planted lemon trees (lemons were the theme), in the Palazzo’s orchard. They plan to visit over the coming years to check in on their trees…

There is a link in stories to see more images of the day ❤️

18/12/2023