When New Orleans native Eleanor McCay Schwing decided to move to Italy, her friend from Sacred Heart, Lisa, put her in touch with Dario Pepicelli, a friend she made while studying in Argentina. Dario and Ellie met up after she arrived in Rome, and the two became fast friends. About a year later, Ellie had a gap between apartment rentals, so Dario invited her to his family’s beach house. While there, they began to see each other as more than friends.
Seven years later, Dario was patiently waiting to propose. Ellie was back in the United States, and due to COVID restrictions, he was not allowed to enter the country. Eventually he was able to visit for Christmas 2021. Unfortunately, he took ill and had to cancel many special things he had planned. Finally, he felt well enough to eat New Year’s Eve dinner with Ellie’s parents. Later that night, Dario got down on one knee. Though it wasn’t what he planned, it was the perfect moment!
Ellie and Dario began planning a wedding in Italy but soon realized that finding a space large enough to host an event with half the guests coming from another country would prove challenging. Then Ellie discovered the Capo Santa Fortunata Realis, a private villa in Sorrento, and she knew it would be perfect.
Her instinct was correct! After the ceremony at the Basilica di Sant ’Antonino on June 17, 2023, guests headed to the villa for a stunning reception. They were greeted by the sounds of a violinist and a champagne tower. The villa’s facade was covered in freshly bloomed bougainvillea, and scaling the entrance staircase were bougainvillea, Sorrento lemons and candles. These elements, along with white roses, were incorporated into the centerpieces of the tables for dinner, where hand-made mozzarella di buffala and grouper with zucchini in a mussel sauce topped with burrata were crowd favorites.
These dishes were complemented by several specialty cocktails, including a Spritz Mediterraneo, a Negroni, and of course, limoncello. In addition to cocktails, wine was flowing, and all the wine served was from grapes grown by Dario’s grandmother!
As they sipped their drinks, guests traveled throughout the villa during different moments of the reception. The newlyweds surprised everyone with a La Tarantella performance during the aperitivo. Everyone received tambourines featuring the wedding logo and joined in!
One of the highlights of the evening was the couple’s first dance to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Shortly after, the bride’s cousin, Jenn Howard Glass, lent her vocals to an unforgettable father/daughter dance. These dances were followed by a festive night jamming to a ten-piece band unlike anything the Italian guests had ever seen. The band left the stage shortly before midnight so everyone could enjoy dessert and a fireworks display, followed by a DJ who played until 2:00 a.m.
This unforgettable night was followed by a three-week honeymoon to Japan and the Maldives. The newlyweds then returned to Rome, where Dario is senior manager at Deloitte and Ellie the founder of BENE.
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Parco dei Principi
Celebrant: Father Piotr Janas
Wedding Gown: Designer Nicole Milano
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Sachin and Babi
Groom’s Attire: Custom tux by Kadoa
Florist: L’eleganza dei fiori
Favor: Confetti (Italian chocolate used for weddings and celebrations) and tambourines
Invitation: Alexa Pulitzer
Caterer: Trotta A Trotta
Wedding Cake: Red Velvet
Photographer: Alessandra Finelli
Hair: Luisa
Makeup: Alessia Blandi
Music: Annalisa Di Pinto- Violinist; Sorrento Dancers; Jenn Howard of Jenn Howard band for the father / daughter dance; Selecta Band Milano
