Felicia & Markus’s Elegant Wedding at Villa Miani Overlooking the Eternal City

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 08/02/2025
City: Rome

Love Story

Sometimes fate has the most beautiful timing. "We first met five years ago during a summer in Croatia," Felicia shares with a smile in her voice. "Markus was filming a documentary about his business, and I happened to be one of the models booked for the shoot. What started as a professional encounter in a beautiful villa quickly turned into something much deeper." The contrast between their worlds only made their connection more special. "At the time, I was studying computer science alongside modeling, and our worlds couldn't have been more different—yet we instantly connected. From that moment on, our story began."

The proposal came in a place close to their hearts - the Maldives at Joali Being,where they return every year. "I did not expect it at all and I almost ruined the proposal," Felicia laughs. "He insisted we take pictures at the beach during sunset while I kept pushing to stay in our overwater villa, not realizing what he had planned. Luckily I agreed last minute to go and as the sun was setting over the ocean he got down on one knee. It was the most magical and unforgettable moment of our lives and he proposed on February 24, 2024."

About Your Wedding

Creating something extraordinary was at the heart of Felicia and Markus's vision. "Our vision was to create something truly unique that our guests had never experienced before and would likely never experience again," Felicia explains. "We wanted the celebration to take place in an extraordinary location and to leave a lasting impression that everyone would remember forever."

With 120 guests traveling to Rome, the couple spent a year and a half crafting every detail of their celebration. Their concept was beautifully simple yet impactful: "Our concept was timeless and classic with a very elegant design. We wanted everything in white, creating a setting that felt both glamorous and grand while remaining sophisticated and unforgettable."

The bride's inspiration came from hours of dreaming and planning. "My biggest inspiration came from exploring luxury destination weddings on social media. I loved collecting my favorite creative ideas from all over the world and blending them into our own unique vision."

Morning Details

Every detail told their love story, starting with the invitations crafted by @malina.art.and.letterpress. The wedding rings held special meaning for both - Markus found his perfect match at Wempe with "a simple matte platinum band that perfectly matched his style." For Felicia, it was more personal: "My ring was custom made by Wempe since I wanted a full pavé band with oval diamonds that would perfectly complement my engagement ring. The ring features alternating larger and smaller diamonds set all around, creating a timeless yet unique design."

Felicia's jewelry choices reflected her refined taste: "I kept my jewelry very simple and classic, choosing a timeless marquise diamond necklace and matching earrings that perfectly complemented my look without overpowering it."

“Our wedding stationery matched our invitations and was designed by the same artist. It was kept very elegant and refined with embossed details.”

Bride Getting Ready

Sometimes the first choice is the right choice. "My wedding dress was designed by Galia Lahav and it was actually the very first dress I tried on. I instantly knew it was the one, which made the decision effortless," Felicia recalls. Found at Brautblüte in Cologne, Germany, the gown was perfectly complemented by Dior pumps and a dramatic 4-meter veil.

We found Felicia preparing for her big day in the Getting Ready Suite of Villa Miani, surrounded by her bridesmaid and parents. Her bouquet from @sartoria_floreale was "a big white bouquet with roses and orchids, matching to my dress" - the perfect finishing touch to her ethereal bridal look.

Groom Getting Ready

Markus chose classic sophistication for his wedding day look with a tuxedo by @defilippouomo. He prepared for the ceremony at the luxurious Rome Cavalerie, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, with his groomsmen by his side, ensuring every detail was perfect for the moment he'd been dreaming of.

Ceremony

The Secret Garden of Villa Miani provided the most breathtaking backdrop imaginable. "Our ceremony took place in the Secret Garden of Villa Miani with a breathtaking view over the entire city of Rome," the couple shares. As Felicia walked down the aisle to 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' the timeless melody created the perfect atmosphere for their eternal promises.

The ceremony became even more meaningful with personal touches from their loved ones. "One of the most touching moments was when my sister and Markus's brother both gave very emotional speeches during the ceremony. Their heartfelt words added so much love and depth to the atmosphere and made the moment unforgettable for us and our guests."

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

The newlyweds made the most of Villa Miani's stunning locations for their post-ceremony portraits. "After the ceremony we had photos taken in the Secret Garden and of course in front of our altar which was beautifully designed with flowers and too special to miss," Felicia describes.

But the magic didn't stop there. "We also captured the dinner setup while it was still completely empty which felt magical to see before the guests arrived." But one moment stands out above all: "Another unforgettable memory was during our couple shoot on the rooftop terrace of Villa Miani at sunset. From the balcony we could overlook the entire city of Rome while the cocktail hour was still happening beneath us and our guests were being seated for dinner accompanied by a live string quartet. It was a surreal feeling to see our complete vision come to life, even more beautifully than we had imagined, and to realize that this was truly our wedding."

Reception

The celebration continued with Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' as their first dance song - a fitting choice for a perfect day. The festivities were elevated by an incredible wedding team. "We also hosted a welcome party the evening before the wedding on a rooftop near the Vatican with an all-white theme while I wore a striking red dress, which set the tone for an unforgettable weekend."

Looking back, Felicia and Markus created exactly what they dreamed of - a celebration that their 120 guests will never forget, set against one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world. Their Villa Miani wedding wasn't just an event; it was a masterpiece of love, elegance, and timeless romance that perfectly captured the beginning of their forever.