Tell us a little about yourselves!
Cassidy and I met while working on a television show together. I was living in Nashville at the time, and he had grown up and was living in Los Angeles. California seemed like another world to me, but within a year, I had moved cross country! We’ve since left LA, but that’s really where our relationship grew into what it is now. Cassidy is a brilliant photographer and filmmaker. He can learn how to do any home renovation project if you give him one day to research and some hand tools. He’s also a fabulous cook, and we enjoy making dinners together. I love the world of coffee and enjoy exploring cafes around town and while traveling. We’re both interested in design and enjoy finding interesting pieces and items for our home. If we’re traveling, there’s a decent chance it’s to New York City or Italy.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
In the Spring of 2018, Cassidy and I travelled with my mom and sister to Italy. It was our first trip to Europe together. I’d loved Italy for quite some time and was excited to see if Cassidy loved it as much as I did. He fell in love with the country instantly, and Positano was the highlight of our trip. We stayed at Le Sirenuse, where we would ultimately return and be married. One morning towards the end of our trip, I went to the spa for a treatment. While I was there, Cassidy asked my mom if she would accompany him on an “art walk” around the hotel. It was a self-guided tour, and she of course agreed. Once they found their way to a quiet area of the hotel, he asked her for her blessing to marry me. I will never know all the details of their conversation, but I don’t think they discussed much art that day!
How many guests did you have?
Two – my mom and sister.
Tell us about your outfits.
Once Cassidy and I knew we were basically eloping to Italy, I knew my dress could follow suit and be a bit less traditional. I came across Prea James and immediately fell in love with her designs. I really hadn’t been exposed to funkier, more artistic dresses before, and her gowns really spoke to me. The Winona Mini was the first wedding-related thing I ever saved to my Instagram. I immediately looked up where I could try it and found The One Bridal in Brooklyn. I went dress shopping with my mom and sister and made this our first stop out of five or six. I tried on the Winona Mini & Bowie (the huge, droopy bow) and committed. We never made it to the other boutiques.
I returned to NYC two additional times for fittings and invited my closest friends and godmother to the first fitting, so they could see me in my dress in person. We made a small bachelorette weekend out of it, and it was perfect.
My veil is by Harriette Gordon, another Australian designer. I loved how layering the pearl veil over the bow looked and felt.
Cassidy decided to design a custom suit for our wedding. Something he could get more use from than a tux. I think (and it’s been said) that he looks very Bond.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
Planning a wedding is no simple thing - especially when you want to plan and craft every detail yourself, (I’m sure that comes from a long line of strong women in my family) and Cassidy felt the same.
At first, we began planning a more “typical” wedding, and even though we were excited, something didn’t feel quite right. I wanted to feel like a big-fun-wedding bride, but I couldn’t shake that it didn’t feel like us as a couple. Once I broke the news to my family that we had a different idea, it felt like a huge weight was lifted.
Eventually, creating the “perfect day” was what Cassidy and I aimed for. We just said – “Where’s the greatest place in the world??” “Positano!” “Well, what should the day be like??” “Let’s wake up at Le Sirenuse, get married, then board a boat and drink champagne en route to Capri!”
The most important part of planning our wedding was doing it for us. Being honest with ourselves and others about our wishes was what led us to our perfect day.
I’m most grateful for my mom, because without her, none of this would’ve been possible.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
What was most important to us was just to create a relaxed day. I didn’t want anyone, including myself, to feel any stress. (I think if you’re in Italy, you’re halfway there!) It was important to me to be in the moment, take it all in, so that I could remember the entirety of the day. I hear so many brides say they don’t know where the day went and were in a haze. That’s the last thing I wanted. I remember it all, from waking up to having coffee and leftover Millefoglie on our terrace after dark.
Any tips for couples getting married?
It really can be as easy as planning your “perfect day together” if you allow it to be. If you focus on the elements that are truly important to you and let go of the rest, you’re most of the way there. Showing up authentically you is key – don’t get distracted by the flashy things that don’t speak to you as a couple. This is your wedding day, after all.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Could I gush about Elisa Rinaldi for a moment? What a truly special photographer. She perfectly captured our ceremony and cake cutting at Le Sirenuse, then boarded our boat with us to Capri. I only wish she could’ve stayed through lunch and us all jumping in the ocean! She was a joy to be with, and her work speaks for itself.
I found my gown at The One Bridal in Brooklyn, NY. Sue, the owner, has curated an amazing selection of cool designers, and she’s great to work with.
For our boat outing, we hired a private boat through Lucibello Positano. We had booked through them the year prior and made the most amazing memories. Be sure to request Giovanni! There’s no one better!
We were gifted the most beautiful, custom handkerchiefs by dear family friends. They’re by A. Marie Design.
Photographer: Elisa Rinaldi @elisarinaldiphoto | Flora: PosaFlora @posaflora | Ceremony Location:
Le Sirenuse @lesirenuse | Lunch Reception Location: La Fontelina @lafontelina | Celebrant: Italy Celebrant | Hair & Makeup: by the Bride | Cake: Le Sirenuse @lesirenuse | Private Boat Charter: Lucibello Positano | Dress: Prea James @preajames_bridal | Veil: Harriette Gordon @harriettegordon | Engagement Ring: Custom | Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co. (Groom) | Shoes: Prada @prada | Purse:
Prada @prada | Pearl Phone Wristlet: Ossa | Earrings & Necklace: Tiffany & Co. | Sunglasses: Chanel @chanel | Custom Handkerchiefs: A. Marie Design @a.mariedesign