what we do
Weddings
Mazel Tov! If you have chosen Bella Italia for your destination wedding, you’ve chosen one of the most beautiful places in the world to “tie the knot.” Whether its a Roman terrace with a Coliseum view, a peaceful setting on Lake Como, Florence’s Boboli Gardens, the rolling hills of Tuscany, or the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean from the Amalfi Coast your Italian Jewish wedding is an experience beyond imagination. Relationships Matter… Rabbi Barbara understands that for many destination wedding couples, it is difficult to get to know the officiant and often the couple finds themselves exchanging vows in front of a stranger. That’s why Rabbi Barbara offers you a unique experience, beginning with a telephone meeting that leads to the creation of a personalized ceremony designed to celebrate the spiritual traditions of the bride, the groom, and both families. Certainly, your relationship is the most important but a couple’s relationship with the rabbi is important, too.
Rabbi Barbara is the only Pluralistic rabbi in Italy (in the reform tradition) and one of only a very few throughout Europe who welcomes the opportunity to officiate and co-officiate for interfaith and non-traditional couples. It is her joy to create a ceremony under the chuppah (the bridal canopy) that includes everyone in the celebration. Family members of all faiths are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Rabbi Barbara’s wedding service is a unique and personal experience as Rabbi Barbara is fluent in English, Italian and Hebrew. In addition she will offer a concluding blessing in Spanish, Hungarian, Polish, German or a specific language that honors your family tradition.
As you plan for your special day:
- Contact Clergy First –Before you set the date and make the deposit on your venue, contact Rabbi Barbara to determine if she is available to officiate. Remember Rabbi Barbara is the only-non orthodox rabbi who lives and works in Italy and who officiates and co-officiates at modern Jewish and Jewish interfaith weddings.
- Finding an Italian Wedding Planner – A destination wedding requires on-site planning. Rabbi Barbara can recommend professionals who are fluent in both English and Italian and can coordinate your ceremony and reception. Click here for Rabbi Barbara’s favorite Italian wedding planner.
- Meet and Talk – You and your finance’ will have the opportunity to meet virtually with Rabbi Barbara to work with her to plan your personalized ceremony. In addition, Rabbi Barbara is available to your families to discuss the elements of a modern Jewish or interfaith wedding. For example, Jewish parents and Hindu parents or Catholic parents appreciate knowing that family faith traditions will be included in the ceremony. These meetings assure that everyone feels comfortable and included.
- On Your Special Day – Rabbi Barbara is available to you for a wedding rehearsal either the day of your ceremony or the evening prior. In addition, if the couple desires it, she will provide musicians with traditional Jewish music for your ceremony and work with the florist to create your chuppah (bridal canopy). Following her ceremony she is available to organize the HaMotzi blessing before the meal and Jewish dancing, including the traditional hora, “Hava N’gila.”
B’not Mitzvah celebration with Rabbi Barbara as Aunt Linda and niece Ellie are called to the Torah at Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud in Serrastretta, Calabria Italy-Proving you are never too old
Read about the beautiful wedding Rabbi Barbara officiated in Cabiati, Italy
A Monique Lhuillier Bride for a Vogue-Worthy Jewish Wedding at Villa Sola Cabiati, Italy