When choosing a wedding location, September and her husband were excited by the idea of a once-in-a-lifetime Italian adventure with all of their closest family and friends. Capri combines the best of Italy– the food, culture, and people with breathtaking ocean views, endless activities, and an intimate island feel. See how September and Michael created the celebration of a lifetime in one of the most romantic places in the world.
LA DOLCE VITA
I wanted my wedding color palette and theme, la dolce vita, to reflect the gorgeous colors found throughout Capri. From the colorful tiles, boats and buildings to the magnificent gardens, lemon groves and orange trees, you are completely captivated by the citrus and jewel tones at every turn.
THE DAY BEFORE: A TRIP TO LA FONTELINA
I wanted all of the guests to feel taken care of from the moment they stepped on the island. Traveling to Capri is not easy so the weekend adventure had to be worth it.
I knew it was less likely that everyone would remember the flowers or table settings as much as they would remember how I made them feel. With this in mind, I planned and designed all of the events around the atmosphere, entertainment, food and drinks and provided surprises along the way.
THE DAY OF: GETTING READY
I wore a wedding gown designed by Austin Scarlett for Bergdorf Goodman. I tried on dresses the day the designer was at the store hosting a trunk show and immediately fell in love with him and the dress. I was able to customize the dress with his help by adding an architectural knot/sash to enhance the detail of the low back. It was amazing to watch him sketch this idea on the spot and eventually see it come to life. The dress was simple but elegant, which perfectly complemented my cathedral-length lace veil which was handed down to me by my mom.
I worked with Whitney from WHiT to design custom bridesmaid dresses in shades of blue, poppy red, and bright yellow to reflect a dolce vita theme. It was very important to me that my bridesmaids loved their dresses because I am in the business of making people feel good in the clothes that they wear. Whitney and I collaborated on a variety of silhouettes that were both elegant and flattering based on their body types.
THE CEREMONY
We had a traditional ceremony at the Catholic Church in the heart of the Piazzetta. The former cathedral is quite breathtaking as it is one of the oldest churches on the island. Our family priest, Father Rock, traveled with us to conduct the ceremony to enhance the intimacy and meaning behind the occasion.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the reaction of the town to our wedding. As my bridesmaids and I walked from the villa to the church, all of the store owners and townspeople lined the streets showering us with rice and cheering us along. I was so moved by the love and warmth I felt from strangers leading up to the ceremony. Upon exiting the church, the Piazzetta had filled with swarms of locals and tourists clapping and taking pictures. It was unbelievably special.
THE RECEPTION
The reception was on the rooftop of the beach club, Il Riccio at the top of Ana Capri. This incredible open-air venue was the perfect spot to dance the night away under the stars. Guests were greeted by cocktails and the roar of the live band as they walked along the candle-lit path to the dance floor. The band kicked off right away to keep the energy high and excitement alive.
After a few songs and our first dance, we enjoyed a traditional Italian sit-down dinner in the bougenvilla-filled restaurant lit up by hundreds of candles. A local folk band serenaded the guests at their tables while each dinner course was served. Il Riccio is famous for its fresh fish dishes and tile-clad dessert room. Keeping to Italian tradition, Michael and I surprised everyone by preparing the cake with the chef for all of the guests to see and enjoy as everyone lit the night sky with sparklers. The party continued on the rooftop well into the wee hours of the morning with non-stop dancing thanks to the unbelievable sounds of the Sensation Band.
