Ellea & Shiro
ROCCA CILENTO, ITALY
Choosing Italy for our wedding felt completely natural to me. My mother is from the south of Italy, and it is a place woven into my childhood memories and my family’s story. I always knew that when the time came to marry, I wanted to honour that connection. When we discovered Castello di Rocca, everything fell into place. It was as if the venue had been waiting for us. The castle stands high above the surrounding hills, with views that stretch all the way to the horizon. The stone walls glow at sunset, and every corner of the estate feels steeped in history. What truly won our hearts, though, was the warmth of the owners and their team. They welcomed us as if we were part of their own family, and that warmth shaped the entire experience.

From the beginning, we knew we wanted a wedding that felt timeless and elegant, something that would sit beautifully within the character of the castle rather than compete with it. We chose fresh white roses as the heart of our floral design. Their simplicity and purity felt right for the setting, and we paired them with soft sage green accents that echoed the olive trees and the natural tones of the landscape. Walking through the venue on the morning of the wedding, seeing the long tables dressed with roses and gypsophila, I felt as though the castle had been transformed into a dream version of itself.
Getting ready in one of the castle’s towers was an experience I will never forget. The room had thick stone walls and a tall arched window that looked out over the sky bar below. From above I could see the staff preparing the space where I would later walk with my father. There was something incredibly calming about having that quiet moment to myself, watching everything come to life from the tower, knowing that soon I would be part of it.
My dress was created by Emanuele Bilancia Couture in Pompeii. I had admired his work for years, so meeting him in person was extraordinary. He understood my vision within minutes and guided me through the process with such care. The dress felt like a piece of art. It was delicate yet structured, romantic yet modern, and wearing it made me feel completely myself.

The ceremony was held on the terrace overlooking the hills. Standing hand in hand at the altar, surrounded by the scent of roses and the soft breeze moving through the trees, was the most meaningful moment of the day. Everything was quiet, almost suspended, and I remember feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.
Our cake was a grand white creation with cascading floral details, and it looked beautiful against the historic backdrop of the castle. For our first dance, we chose “Never Find” by Jah Cure, a song that holds a special place in our hearts. It made the moment feel personal and full of joy.

The Dream Team
WEDDING PLANNER & DESIGNER: Iole Criscitiello CO-PLANNER & PR: Elisabetta Picardi PHOTOGRAPHY: Rotondo Studio VIDEOGRAPHY: Palmer Vitaliano FLORIST: Fontanella Vincenzo LOCATION: Castello di Rocca Cilento HAIR: Cristiano Basciu MAKE-UP: Anna Fiore GIFT FRAGRANCES: Xerjoff






