The 19th-century palace built by the Cavazza family on Isola del Garda in Italy includes terraced Italian gardens that sweep down to the water, mixed with exotic plants, fruit trees, and an English-style park. It recently hosted the wedding of David Cancel and Amanda Cirello.
Roman Ivanov
After tech entrepreneur David Cancel (founder of Compete, Lookery, Ghostery, Performable, Boston Tech 30 list, Harvard Business School Entrepreneur in Residence, Whitney Museum of American Art board member) and Amanda Cirello (a scientist with Novartis) met online, the retired executives are enjoying a life of jet-setting. Just back from her wedding on a private island in Italy and before their upcoming honeymoon in Croatia, Cirello shared the challenges of planning a wedding from 3,000 miles away, their favorite hotels and special places, and a travel hack that can fit into any luxury traveler's budget. Below is an edited version of the interview transcript.
Cirello: We got married at Lake Garda in Italy and invited about 90 guests. The ceremony took place on Isola del Garda, a private island, which made it incredibly intimate. We shuttled everyone over by boat and had an opera singer, live musicians, a DJ, and an amazing reception. I really wanted to lean into my Italian heritage, so every detail reflected that. The celebration lasted several days. We hosted a welcome party inspired by an Italian marketplace, the wedding on the island, an after-party in a castle complete with fireworks, and a poolside brunch themed around the lemons Lake Garda is famous for. It was everything we had hoped for.
Amanda Cirello and David Cancel recently wed in Italy. The ceremony included 90 guests from the United States and 1.5 years of planning.
Roman Ivanov
Cirello: The dream started back in 2013, when I worked at Novartis as a scientist. I was sent to Switzerland my Swiss colleagues encouraged me to visit Lake Como. I absolutely fell in love with northern Italy and told everyone that if I ever got married, it would be there. Years later, when David and I started planning the wedding, we looked around northern Italy. Lake Como is beautiful, but it's also very well known. We wanted somewhere a little more intimate and less photographed. When I visited Isola del Garda, I knew immediately it was the place. Having the entire private island to ourselves felt magical.
Cirello: About a year and a half. There were a lot of logistics, especially since many of my family members had never traveled outside the United States. We worked with Heidi Brissette. Her company, She Luxe, is a Boston-based wedding-planning firm that coordinates everything from transportation to the smallest design details. Honestly, we couldn't have pulled off such a successful wedding without her. She helped bring our vision to life over a year and a half of planning. Like every bride, there were definitely moments when I wondered if everything was becoming too overwhelming. I cried a few times during the process. But looking back, it was absolutely worth it. Many of our guests told us it was the best wedding they'd ever attended.
Retired executives David Cancel and Amanda Cirello are headed back to Europe for their honeymoon
Roman Ivanov
Cirello: Without question, the ceremony. We surprised everyone with an opera singer. She stood quietly before suddenly breaking into song, and people got goosebumps. Then a violinist played before the opera singer began again, just as I walked down the aisle. Everyone was crying—including my dad. It was incredibly emotional.
Cirello: We had an extensive support team. Transportation was coordinated through Black Dog Luxury Travel, which arranged airport transfers and hotel transportation and answered guests’ logistical questions throughout the weekend. That made things much easier, especially for family members traveling internationally for the first time.
Cirello: No, Italy was really my dream. David basically told me, "Whatever you want." We did incorporate his Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian heritage into the celebration through some of the food and music, especially the Latin music, which was important to both of us.
Cirello: We've been together about two and a half years, and we travel constantly. We're both retired now, so we have the flexibility. We've visited Switzerland, Spain, France, Japan, South Korea, Saint Barths, Nicaragua, and many other places. Our honeymoon is taking us to Croatia and Montenegro, where we'll stay at the One&Only Montenegro.
Cirello: It was on a trip to Japan and Korea. We planned the trip together, but I had no idea he was going to propose. Originally, he intended to do it in Kyoto because Japan is one of my favorite countries, but it was so crowded that he decided to wait. He ended up proposing in Seoul instead.
Cirello: We'd love to visit Austria and Germany for the Christmas markets this year. We're also hoping to return to Japan for skiing around March.
Cirello: David is definitely more particular about hotels than I am. Comfort is very important to him. Some of our favorite stays have been the Ritz Paris, the Four Seasons Seoul, and Eden Rock in St. Barths. The room we had overlooking Nikki Beach with its private pool was incredible. For me, the spa is essential. I almost always book at least one treatment wherever we stay. Great restaurants are also very important.
Cirello: David has traditionally booked everything himself. For our honeymoon, though, we're working with a travel advisor for the first time, and she's been fantastic. She was able to secure reservations at a very difficult-to-book waterfront restaurant in Croatia that dates back to 1886.
Cirello: It's a mix. We flew Emirates to Milan for the wedding, which we really enjoyed, especially the nonstop from New York. For shorter trips, especially, such as to Florida, we fly privately.
Cirello: We use Magellan Jets. David has been using them for a long time and really likes them. They know how to make private aviation feel effortless. He likes the flexibility to access the right aircraft, combined with a team that provides personalized service, creates a seamless experience. I like newer aircraft, and I especially love cabins with couches because I can stretch out and take a nap. It's a much more relaxing experience.
Cirello: Absolutely—the VIP airport concierge service. I don't think enough people know about it. For a relatively small fee, someone meets you at the aircraft, carries your bags, escorts you through customs in just a few minutes, helps collect your luggage, and takes you directly to your transportation. David introduced me to it, and now we use it all the time, especially in Europe.
Cirello: Normally, no. We each travel with just a carry-on. The wedding was the obvious exception because we had so much to bring, but for regular trips, we pack very lightly. If we need something, we'll buy it when we arrive.
Cirello: Honestly, no. I was completely committed to our venue from the moment I saw it. One concern was that many European venues lack air conditioning, and David worried that guests would be uncomfortable in black-tie attire. We solved that by providing handheld fans and chilled face towels to guests as they arrived from the boats, and by strategically placing industrial fans around the venue. It worked perfectly.
Cirello: Just how grateful I am to everyone who helped make the wedding happen, especially our planner. And one fun detail—David had my engagement ring custom-designed by Ilan Portugali. It features an 11-carat yellow diamond with two side diamonds, and the band contains another 11 carats of diamonds. I loved the symbolism because it reminds me of making a wish.
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