For Emily and Huy, their wedding at Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi unfolded as an elegant and deeply personal day, bringing together the Mediterranean landscape, timeless Italian details, meaningful music and the people closest to them.
The day began quietly at Hotel Santa Caterina, with the bride and groom preparing separately, surrounded by their families.
Before walking down the aisle, the couple shared a private first look on the sea-view terrace. It was a moment intentionally set aside for the two of them, a quiet pause before the emotions of the celebration began.
The ceremony took place in the Botanical Garden of Hotel Santa Caterina, with the Mediterranean stretching out beyond the intimate setting. Just a few chairs for the small group were arranged on either side of the aisle, creating an atmosphere that felt personal and unhurried. An asymmetrical floral arch framed the altar, while a three-metre corridor of petals led toward the sea. The design was inspired to the hand embroidered veil of the bride.
During the exchange of vows came one of the most memorable moments of the day: a butterfly release. As Somewhere Over the Rainbow played, twenty white butterflies were released, creating a delicate and almost dreamlike moment against the gardens and the Mediterranean horizon.
Cocktail hour followed on the Il Grottino Terrace, where guests gathered for a distinctly Italian aperitivo. The signature Limoncello Spritz was joined by Prosecco, local wines, Bellinis, strawberry sangria and Italian beer, accompanied by a selection of hot and cold canapés. Guitar and violin continued to provide the soundtrack while personalized details, including a signature cocktail wall, guestbook and Polaroid station, invited guests to make the celebration their own.
What began as a day celebrating their marriage suddenly became a celebration of a new chapter in their lives, when the couple revelead they were expecting a baby, adding an even deeper meaning to an already emotional and intimate occasion. Surrounded by their closest loved ones, the announcement transformed the joy of the day into something even more extraordinary—a wedding and the beginning of a new family story, all at once.
Dinner was set at Al Mare Restaurant around one long table , creating a sense of intimacy and togetherness. The tablescape was layered with a five-metre “meadow effect” runner, candles, loose flowers tucked into the napkins, elegant Monet chairs, gold cutlery and glassware, and a dramatic chandelier suspended above the table. Green napkins and menus wrapped in vellum and finished with wax seals added a refined, handcrafted touch, while small limoncello bottles brought a distinctly Amalfi detail to each place setting.
The dinner itself celebrated the flavors of the coast. Guests began with lobster prepared Caprese style, pairing local tomato and mozzarella, followed by a lightly smoked risotto with scampi and lemon. The main course was fillet of grouper with a sun-dried tomato and olive crust, served over a velouté of leeks. Fresh fruit and the wedding cake completed the meal, accompanied by local wines.
After dinner, the celebration moved back to Il Grottino Terrace for cake cutting and an open bar. The wedding cake was a traditional sponge cake filled with Amalfi Coast lemon cream, a fittingly local finale to a menu and celebration so closely connected to the landscape around them.
From the intimate ceremony overlooking the sea to the butterfly release, from the golden details of the dinner table to the fresh flavors of the Amalfi Coast, Emily and Huy’s wedding was a celebration of everything that makes an Italian destination wedding so unforgettable.
A day of sea views, candlelight and music, made personal through thoughtful details and meaningful moments – an intimate Amalfi love story with a little touch of magic.
Planning, Design and Coordination Amalfi Soirée | Photographer Leah Marie Photography | Venue Hotel Santa Caterina | Flowers Rosalinda Wedding Flowers | Rentals Allestimenti Le Rose
