Raymond Gobberg chose the vineyards of Napa Valley as the backdrop for his proposal to Giana Calvello. Amid the weekend of wine tastings, although completely unphased at the time, Giana couldn’t help but notice Ray’s excitement building for their reservation at Promontory. “It was at this familiar spot where Ray asked me to marry him with my grandmother’s ring,” she recalls. “The proposal was thoughtful, intentional, and filled with joy—reflecting the nature of our relationship.” The surprises didn’t end with the proposal. Giana and Ray’s parents—who had flown in from Chicago—were ready with Champagne to toast the newly-engaged couple.
Giana originally envisioned a simple city hall ceremony, and Ray? “A big blowout wedding. Opposites attract, right?” Giana laughs. “We had a pretty clear idea of how we wanted the weekend to look [and] agreed on a relaxed, easy going feel that was still vibrant, fun, and playful—and nothing too traditional.”
The weekend was a love letter to Southern Italy—with the ultimate goal of sharing their favorite places with those they loved most. “One of the first trips Ray and I took together was to the Amalfi Coast, where we stayed in a beautiful property in Praiano,” Giana notes. “Throughout our visit, we kept talking about how we’d love to return someday with friends, or family, or both. I think that trip planted the seed.”
After looking at various venues without feeling connected to any of them, it all took a turn when Giana answered the phone to Lisa and Gaetano of Rossini Weddings, offering a virtual visit to La Torre Della Limonaia. “It was off-season, so the property was under renovation, plus it was pouring rain, but 45 minutes of somewhat blurry video footage later, we were sold,” Giana laughs. “We figured if we liked it this much in less-than-ideal conditions, it must be the place.” Dear Vincent was behind the lens through the whole wedding weekend.
The summer festivities unfolded in true Italian fashion, beginning with a welcome party in Ravello. The next day, everyone set sail along the Amalfi coastline. Each event led up to the main affair: the ceremony on June 1.
For the bride’s wedding weekend wardrobe, Giana turned to Samantha Levis of The Bold and Bridal for guidance in the styling process. Both the bride and groom began the weekend in custom One/Of by Patricia Voto—Giana in a muted jacquard two-piece and Ray in an ivory suit with peak lapels. The following morning, the couple took to the sea in a dress by The Garment and a Todd Snyder set.
Following bridal appointments at Oscar de la Renta, Loho Bride, and Vera Wang, Giana ultimately chose Monique Lhuillier’s Sicily dress for the day. “None of the others compared,” she says. “The hand-embroidered greenery and florals throughout the dress felt reminiscent of our venue. The cape added an element of drama, while the mini dress silhouette was more streamlined and fun. I wasn’t initially interested in wearing a veil, but the ‘mini’ Sicily veil was a playful take on the traditional piece.”
As for accessories, the bride kept things understated—a diamond bracelet of the her grandmothers, pave earrings, and Stuart Weitzman shoes. Alessandro Mancino styled her hair in waves and applied a fresh makeup look.
Samantha also styled Ray’s ceremony look—a double-breasted navy tuxedo by Boglioli. “It felt sophisticated but still fresh, and not to mention it was a perfect complement to my more nontraditional style,” he says.
Giana and Ray wed beneath the arches at Villa Limonaia. Winston & Winston Flowers beautifully reimagined the ceremony space, creating whimsical flower meadows that set an ethereal and dreamlike tone. The couple shared their own vows, and after exchanging rings, they sealed it all with a kiss. A Champagne tower awaited the newlyweds as guests made their way toward aperitivo.
For the newlyweds, food and wine were essential elements of the reception. They crafted a menu centered around fresh seafood, a nod to the coastal setting. Ray handpicked the wine selections for the entire weekend. He highlighted boutique producers from Campania, complemented by wines from other regions in Italy that held sentimental value for the couple.
Winston & Winston Flowers collaborated with Rossini Weddings to create a tablescape that featured bold, eclectic florals with lush fruits. For a sentimental touch, Sally Hartevelt of Stationery Stories, who designed the custom invitation suite, also embroidered the dinner linens with the couple’s custom wedding emblem.
“It was the dinner party of my dreams—just pure magic,” Giana says of the reception. The party sat down at one long table just as the sun set. “My dad kicked things off with the most heartfelt toast reminiscing about my childhood, Ray becoming part of our family over the years, and sharing his wisdom for our future together.”
On their first night in the villa, Giana and Ray spotted fireworks down the coastline. “Ray turned to me and said, ‘I can’t believe we didn’t think of fireworks!’” she notes. The next day, Ray unseriously mentioned it to Lisa and Gaetano. “Lisa pulled me aside and asked if we’d like to make it happen. When the fireworks suddenly started just after we cut the cake, the look of shock and excitement on Ray’s face and our guests’ faces was priceless. And it was a perfect way to start the party!”
From the moment DJ Fabio hit the dance floor, everyone was on their feet. The revelry continued until the early hours of the morning before guests either retired to their suites or went for a late-night dip in the pool.
Giana and Ray spent their honeymoon just a boat ride away in Ischia. “We stayed at Mezzatorre which was absolute perfection,” she shares. “I couldn’t imagine a better setting to decompress, relax, and relive all the amazing moments from the last few days.”
