My Secret Italy

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

17/06/2023

Beautiful words to Catherine and so true ❤️💫

08/06/2023

What an incredible month.... 5 weddings in 12 days...

I am home for a short time, in between weddings. I go back to Twinkle Town on the 17th June. I can't quite believe the last month. Every single wedding, a dream come true.

The weather was a challenge, but even in the rain, Santa Maria takes my breath away.

It is time for some Thank YOU's to all the incredible people who help make the weddings so unbelievable.

Before I start with the Grazie list, I want to thank my family & friends for supporting me at this busy time, your words of love and encouragement at the most busiest of times, was always welcomed and appreciated. You are the best!

First Grazie is to all the couples that trusted me with their wedding. Trusting me and the planning process means that you are relaxed and this is when the magic happens... Wishing you all the very best for your futures together, come back and visit soon. Thank you all too, for your cards, and words of thanks.. one card especially, said a few words that I will never forget and that mean the world to me. From Alex & Rob, they said "We will never think of our wedding, without thinking of you"... beautiful words that will stay with me forever

Grazie to the amazing photographers that captured the moments of each wedding so beautifully. Boho Chic Weddings (who shot 3 of the weddings) Andrea Ellison Photography Black Agnes Photography I loved working with you all and have already been delighted with the reels you have shared. Brings back all the memories. You all work so hard during the wedding, and I appreciate all your hard work.

To my amazing team of assistant planners Alessandra Arlotta Tortora & Ewelina Lukaszyk. I simply could not have done the 5 weddings, without you helping, not just on the weddings days but also at the pre and post wedding events..

To Le Gatte il Ristorante/bar & Lido Azzurrofor the chilled BBQ nights & Pizza Nights watching the glorious sunsets.

A very special Grazie to Hotel Garden Riviera Your place always feels like home. Thank you for looking after all the guests that chose to stay with you.

To all the other hotels that welcomed My Secret Italy guests, A casa di Nonna Bianca Villa Imperamare Villa Rosa Residence Residenza d'epoca Olimpia Palazzo Belmonte, Italy Odissea Residence & Rooms Villa flora Castellabate
You are all a massive part of the My Secret Italy experience.

To the venues Torre Perrotti Palazzo Gentilcore Il Calesse Il Casino di Mare
❤❤

Thank you for the music, Maieutikè Liveband Stardust Band & Francesco Formicola

LT Trasporti Spedizioni Nazionali & Internazionali the airport transfers and wedding day transfers.

Joe for helping with a million things, from helping put up festoon lights, to running me around town, and being just an absolute star...

to Emillie McKenzie for helping to book days out for the guests, and Masaniello Tourist Excursions ,Tour Wine&Food , Boat Trip , Cooking Class for showing the guests around the beautiful Cilento area...

To the hair and Make up - Angela Hairwellness & Costabile Pascale Mua
You are the best!

Finally a big thank you to La Maison Marie for the most incredible flowers. You have blown me and the couples away each time, and delivered the most beautiful bouquets, each and everyone fragranced and just a joy!

Time now for a chill and catch up with the couples for the next weddings, (thanks to you too for being patient at this busy time)...

Love, Love, Love (remember thats all we need), to all of you...

Julie x

22/03/2023

TODAY...

Finally...it is time to head back to Twinkle Town, for a pre season visit. I cannot wait to see all my friends and lovely team, to tell them about all the lovely couples that are getting married this summer and next.

I will be staying at the fabulous Villa Rosa on the sea front, so can fall asleep listening to the sea. Of course I will be heading to BAFFO for an ice-cream.

I will be seeing Giuseppe Russo to give him the documents to translate for the civil weddings. I will be going to IKEA to get candles & vases....

I will be talking flowers with the florist (and hopefully will be invited for Spaghetti one lunch time, Veronica makes the best Pasta Pomodoro)..

I will be visiting the venues discussing menus's & table plans...

I will be welcoming Joe & Meg back to Santa Maria. They are staying for 3 days and have their menu tasting on the 24th March. They had a quick visit last year, so it will be lovely to see them again. They have a cookery class booked for Saturday....

So, here goes, taxi about to arrive to whisk me off to the airport for 1630 flight... I promise to post lots of photos and news from My Secret Italy. Sending you all lots of love,

Oh, and how could I forget, I have lunch with Carmela, the wedding celebrant.. I just love her and cannot wait to see her..

A presto Julie

14/02/2023

Happy St. Valentine's Day to everyone....

Here is a photo of me in Santa Maria with Anthonia & Dave, on a visit to Santa Maria. They are getting married this summer. Anthonia went to school with Emillie, so she is super special to me.

Couples just love Santa Maria, just like I do. The place is so special and today, I am reminded how much I love this little gem, and all the magic that happens there.

So, a big message of love to everyone today... to all of you who...

Have experienced a wedding in Santa Maria
to those of you yet to feel her magic..
to my team, who are so much more than that, my dear friends who love and support your event in Twinkle Town..
to all the videographers, photographers who capture the magic
to everyone that gives a little sprinkle of love and magic to the wedding, from the band, guitar and mandolin players, hair and make-up team, the cake maker, the lady that makes the limoncello with the zestiest of lemons, and just the locals for taking the time to say Ciao in the morning, and looking after everyone whilst they are in Santa Maria.

This place rocks, you all rock, and I love all the memories we have made over the last 18 years.. Here is to a summer of love this year and more magical memories that will stay with us all forever.

Lots of love to everyone today...

23/12/2022

Wishing you all a very HAPPY & JOYFUL Christmas & the happiest of New Years.

Thanks to everyone that has been part of the MY SECRET ITALY love story this year. It was a busy summer for sure, but so incredible to be back doing what I love to do in Italy after 2 years of no weddings.

2023 Couples - This will be such a wonderful time for you as you go into the New Year and the planning starts to get more detailed. This is the best bit, talking about food & flowers amongst other topics. Early January we will be catching up, so watch out for a link to book your CIAO BELLA call.

2024 Couples - NOW is the time to start researching your wedding and saving a date. Searching for a venue or a wedding planner may seem a little overwhelming, but remember when you find the right team, you will know & your heart will skip a beat. If you are at the start of your planning journey, click on my link in bio and you will see a planning tool on there, that will help guide you through all the options. It is called the Mega Tracker/Planner and it has a guest list on there, which collates all the guest info, arrival/departure date, food choices, where they are staying and more.

REMEMBER, I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE NEEDS A PLANNER, BUT YOU NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU. SOMEONE THAT SPECIALISES IN THEIR LITTLE PART OF ITALY. As you know I specialise in Santa Maria di Castellabate, which is perfect for your wedding, but if you need help finding a planner for the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Venice or Puglia, let me introduce you to the planner I would choose to arrange my wedding in these areas. I will do this with pleasure, if I don't think I am the planner for you ❤🥰✨

Boho Chic Weddings Torre Perrotti La Maison Marie Luigi De Gregorio Films Hotel Garden Riviera Residenza d'epoca Olimpia A casa di Nonna Bianca Villa Imperamare Amnis Suites Chris Barber Photography Ferri Photography Authentic Wedding Films Palazzo Belmonte, Italy Maieutikè Chelsea Shoesmith Photography ElsieLove Photography @

16/12/2022

Santa Maria in days gone by... how wonderful to see this ❤️

28/11/2022

NOT JUST THE WEDDING DAY ....

Another reason that makes getting married in Italy so appealing. You are able to plan magical events around the day itself. In Santa Maria you can have a wonderful gathering g at the super stylish .il_ristorante_bar_ and enjoy pizza and cocktails with your nearest and dearest. The night after the wedding a delicious seaside BBQ followed by fireworks that light up the sky and some that actually ignite over the sea. The possibilities are endless.

This summer some couples took their guests out to a vineyard for a sunset tour of the vines and then a traditional meal with song & dance...

This photo was taken as Louise & Jason set off for their BBQ ...

I have said it before and will say it again ... there is nowhere quite like Santa Maria di CASTELLABATE ... it ticks all the boxes for the perfect place to host your wedding.

In 18 years of wedding planning in Italy it is my favourite spot x

30/10/2022

Let's talk about love

Louise & Jason, 16th July 2022

This gorgeous couple tied the knot in Santa Maria di Castellabate in July and what an incredible day it was.

I felt like I had known L & J forever, as they booked before the pandemic and had to postpone their wedding twice. They did make it out to visit in September 2020 at a time when restrictions were lifted a little...

Only a very small intimate group, a ceremony at Torre Perrotti & dinner and dancing in the hill top village of Castellabate.

Here are a few images taken by the very talented & lovely ElsieLove Photography

Video coming soon from Luigi De Gregorio Films (Cannot wait for this)

Make UP Costabile Pascale Mua
Flowers La Maison Marie
Band Maieutikè

A big thanks to Hotel Garden Riviera for looking after the guests. Always feels like home....