Galia Lahav gowns brought couture romance to this cliffside wedding
The Villa Oliviero, perched on the picturesque cliffside overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean seaside village of Positano, Italy was a breathtaking setting for Amanda & Derek’s wedding. The destination bride stunned in a Galia Lahav gown change that transformed her style from day to night! The sheer and sexy Gia gown was perfect for a romantic "I do's", while the bold and asymmetrical Terry gown was a dazzling look for a fun and sexy reception party.
Keep reading to see every dreamy detail of this 4 day celebration on the iconic Amalfi Coast - a true masterclass in fashion!
Four day festival of love
"The four-day destination affair began with a sunset welcome reception at Il Pirata Ristorante & Beach Club in Praiano, where the bridal couple arrived via a classic Italian Gozzo boat to a cheering crowd of 65 welcoming guests. The evening continued with Italian fare, classic Amalfi coast cocktails, a heartfelt welcome speech from Harley, the beautiful sea breeze, all set to Derek's curated DJ musical repertoire of jazzy party vibes.
Day two brought the wedding party and guests together for a private boat cruise along the stunning Amalfi Coast from Positano down to the seaside village of Amalfi with intermittent stops along the way for sightseeing, cliff diving, swimming, & beach relaxation. The evening was set aside for a more intimate rehearsal at Villa Oliviero, followed by a poolside pizza party with an assortment of fresh Italian brick-oven baked pizzas made on-site. as a nod to Amanda’s favorite food, local Italian wines, and the sounds of the couples’ curated international cocktail music playlist.
Following the wedding ceremony and reception day, the celebration culminated with a brunch at the villa followed by a farewell beach party at Arienzo Beach Club. Guests were transferred via boats to the private beach club, just a short ride from Positano, where everyone spent the day by the sea lounging under the famed orange striped umbrellas, swimming, dancing, enjoying cocktails, fresh Italian fare, and a vibrant champagne send off for the happy couple."
Sheer & blush Gia gown by Galia Lahav
The couple wore complementary luxury attire that elevated their styles for a stunning Italian wedding day! Bride Amanda wore a sheer Galia Lahav couture gown, called Gia, in tones of blush and ivory, paired with Jimmy Choo satin heels. Derek wore a bespoke Brioni tuxedo with custom cufflinks made to look like their beloved dog, Bodie.
"Years ago, I saw the Gia gown on a gorgeous blogger on Instagram. At that point, getting married wasn’t even on my mind, but I thought to myself, that is the most breathtaking wedding dress I have ever seen. Flash forward to 2021, Derek and I had just gotten back to our home in Colorado after getting engaged in Italy and I saw an Instagram ad that Galia Lahav was having a trunk show in Denver the following week! We hadn’t even set a date or anything, but I knew I had to go. I tried on a number of gowns, falling in love with so many, but at the end of the day, Gia still had my heart. I added the lace straps and a slit in the front to customize it a bit and it was the gown of my dreams! Having figured out my wedding gown so early on (18 months before our wedding), it gave me a lot of time to think about changing into a second dress for the reception." -The bride on finding the perfect Galia Lahav gown
[You'll have to keep reading to see how she found her iconic Terry party dress!]
Shop This Dress
Designer: Galia Lahav
Dress Style: Gia
Sheer strapless corset dress in shades of nude and blush, with a pleated silk tulle skirt adorned by beaded and crystal encrusted dramatic appliques. Add accessories to dress up or dress down this look; pictured above with custom slit and lace off the shoulder straps.
To add to the sentimental moments of getting ready with her mom, Amanda wore family heirlooms borrowed from her for her main jewelry. Her wedding band was also custom made by a family friend and Navajo jeweler – a diamond and Sleeping Beauty turquoise ring, to honor the bride's Native American roots.
Vibrant jewel tone bridesmaids dresses
To match Amanda's show stopping Galia Lahav style, her bridal party was styled in bold and vibrant mix and match dresses! The variety of jewel tone gowns reflected the stunning colors of the sunset over the Amalfi Coast.
Cliffside ceremony
Upon arriving to the Italian estate, guests were greeted with lemon refreshments on the white terrace of Villa Oliviero, high atop the cliffs with sweeping views of Positano and the coastline below. The ceremony took place just below, on the red terrace of the villa, where a classical string trio played welcoming and processional music. The couple’s dear friend, Nick Lamberti, officiated the ceremony. Amanda walked down the aisle to a live performance of Con Te Partirò by Andrea Bocelli, performed by the string trio and Italian crooner Enrico Capuata. The couple exchanged vows against the backdrop of the shimmering Adriatic Sea.
The delicate lace and tulle detailing of the Gia gown were radiant against luscious white blooms and the Italian coastline!
"It was the era of hipster chic, where spandex, sequins, and fur were the norm, and the call of a biking bar crawl named 'Tour de Bars' was irresistible. My best friend Haley, armed with a crush and a costume idea, convinced me to join her as her wingwoman. Now, I wasn't the most avid bicyclist, but with the promise of fun and flare, how could I say no? So, we suited up in our most outrageous attire, complete with hipster headbands, and joined the eclectic group. Among them, I couldn't help but notice this guy with a cute, mischievous smile. Derek eventually mustered the courage to strike up a conversation, and from that moment, we were caught in a whirlwind of laughter and flirtation. His unique sense of humor drew me in, while Derek found himself attracted to my, as he says, enigmatic charm. Our connection deepened as we pedaled from bar to bar, until we found ourselves at Rock Bar, a dive as infamous as it was enchanting. There, amidst the dim lights and raucous music, Derek leaned in for our first kiss. We found ourselves falling fast and hard, swept up in a whirlwind of emotions and dreams. Yet, we were young, and we knew that there was still much to learn and discover about ourselves and each other. We navigated the ups and downs of life and love. But continually chose each other, knowing, deep down, that we were meant to be together, finally making it official 10 years later."
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Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and guests socialized over hors d’oeuvres and the couple’s signature cocktails with the musical accompaniment of Enrico & Band playing classic Italian ballads.
Luscious white and green floral reception
A six-course dinner was served on the white terrace under a canopy of greenery and hanging wisteria. Highlights included local Amalfitana dishes such as prosciutto e melone, fettuccini limone, and main courses, filet mignon in barolo and champagne sea bass. The mother of the bride gave a beautiful wedding toast to the newlyweds, followed by anecdotes and well wishes from a few members of the wedding party.
Sunset portraits
To make the most of her stunning Gia gown, the bride and groom slipped away for sunset portraits! Galia Lahav was the perfect complement to the natural beauty and timeless charm of Positano, Italy.
After dinner, guests moved down to the red terrace for the reception, where the couple shared their first dance to the Italian version of “Perfect Symphony” by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli. Followed by the ‘mother daughter’ dance, where Amanda and her mom danced (in memoriam) to her mother and late step-father’s (or as she preferred to call him, her “bonus dad”) wedding song, “What a Wonderful World / Over the Rainbow”. Halfway into the song they brought Derek and Harley onto the dance floor to join in the beautiful moment.
Fun & flirty reception dress change
For the reception, Amanda changed into her second look, another Galia Lahav creation, a form fitting Terry gown with beaded crystals that sparkled in the night and a fabulous feather train. The dancing continued until midnight to the collaborative musical sounds of a live saxophonist and DJ, under the stars and twinkle of the disco ball overhead.
" I loved Gia so much but felt like it wasn’t the best party dress so decided to get a second dress for the reception. As luck would have it, in November 2022, I saw that Sharon would be at the Galia Lahav Miami store for another special trunk show and convinced two of my best girl friends to fly there with me with less than a week’s notice. It was the best trip and the most amazing experience at Galia Lahav Miami. The store is gorgeous and Nicole was so welcoming and helpful in learning more about me and my vision. I had already picked out a few dresses I had seen online and was feeling confident about my choices, when Sharon came to say hi to me. After chatting a bit, he took me over to the front and said, “I have no doubt in my mind that this is the dress for you”, pulling out Terry. As soon as I saw it my jaw dropped and I felt the same way. I tried it on first and pranced around for way too long, not wanting to take it off. I still tried on the other dresses, but at that point, nothing compared. It felt like it was made for me. Sharon even said that I would be the first bride in North America to wear the gown. The daring, shimmering, avant garde Terry, was the perfect pairing for the delicate, whimsical, ball gown Gia. After finding Terry, I wanted to lean full into the bridal gown vibe of Gia and Nicole recommended the dramatic Gia veil that had matching appliques to my dress. After trying it on, I knew it was the perfect final touch. I’ve never felt more beautiful and more me than I did on my wedding day. Both gowns perfectly captured the facets of my personality and the different vibes of our events. I can’t imagine any dresses more perfect. They were both works of art, in their unique, breathtaking styles. And my amazing experience at GL Miami with Sharon and Nicole was truly unforgettable. I am so thankful to both of them for helping me find the one(s)!"
Shop This Dress
Designer: Galia Lahav
Dress Style: Terry
Be bold in this asymmetrical super fitted number in a harmonious blend of crystals and feathers beaded all along the one sleeved neckline, asymmetrical corset, and fitted skirt showing legs for days and attached with an embroidered flower choker at the neck.
Knowing they wouldn’t want the party to end, and because of their love for music and dancing, Amanda and Derek arranged to continue the night with their guests with an after party at Music on the Rocks, a famed night club nestled in a cave by the sea that hosts world renowned DJs. The couple and guests changed into “Pucci Disco” attire and headed down to the club, where they danced and celebrated until the early hours of the morning.
"It was a wedding to remember, leaving Amanda & Derek filled with immense joy after celebrating this momentous occasion with their dear loved ones in their favorite place in the world. Special thanks to their parents, Harley & Jeanne, and in memory of their dear, lost parents, Meredyth & John, to their exceptional vendors & the staff at Villa Oliviero, to those who traveled across the globe to celebrate with them, and to all of their loved ones who sent their love and well wishes. The newlyweds currently make their home in Vail, Colorado."
Congratulations Amanda & Derek! Be sure to check out the full gallery below for even more details of the bride's gorgeous Galia Lahav gowns.
- Wedding Dresses: Galia Lahav
- Ceremony Dress: "Gia" by Galia Lahav
- Reception Dress: "Terry" by Galia Lahav
- Venues: Villa Oliviero
- Ceremony Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Reception Shoes: Tom Ford
- Groom & His Men: Brioni
- Live Band: Enrico & Band