Wedding Video
Enjoy the video from our wedding and feel free to share the link with family and friends!
The Welcome Party
Day 1 - The Welcome Party where all the guests dressed in white, was a mini adventure along the walkway to Positano’s smaller beach. The chalk-marked road led guests by arrows and the hashtag #YESTOHESS THIS WAY —> The entrance of the venue was a cave carved out of the cliffs and through the tunnel down to the Ristorante Hotel Pupetto. The outdoor patio was over looking the water. Everyone got to meet and greet and began getting to know each other. Families and friends mixed while guests enjoyed frutti di mare, pizzettas and prosecco. The children created funny name tags that ended up on guest’s backs. :) After the sun set, the Mini Bar hosted us on the Ferry Docks until the wee hours of the morning. Music and many slushy drinks were enjoyed. The kids even enjoyed a few non-alcoholic slushies of their own.
A perfect welcome to Positano.
Capri Excursion
Day 2 - A small private boat taxied the guests to EL PIRATA, the name of the pirate ship that we sailed to the Island of Capri. It was a relaxing boat ride where quests took in the scenery of the coastline, napped, sunbathed, listened to music and drank white wine. The wedding rehearsal took place on the deck, what better place to practice? We arrive in Capri, anchoring next to Capri’s famous rock formation Faraglioni. Guests jumped from the 25 foot bow of the ship, swam in the Capri-blue sea, and floated on inflatable pillows in the water. On board, lunch was served.
That evening, back in Positano, the rehearsal dinner was held poolside at Al Palazzo. The patio was at level with the cathedral’s iconic mosaic dome. It towered over us as a preview to where the ceremony would be the very next day. Tom’s parents and sister prepared speeches as well as Jessica’s brother and a few of their friends.
The First Look
Day 3 - THE BIG DAY! The first look happened on the beach right in front of the cathedral where the wedding was to happen just an hour later. Tom agreed that this would be the best way to combat the waterworks at the actual ceremony.
The Ceremony
Day 2 - THE BIG DAY! The ceremony was held at the iconic seaside Catholic church Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, which is the known as the heart of Positano and gem of the Amalfi coast. The organist and single opera singer filled the church with sound, bringing several guests to tears. The groomsmen all wore blue suits, while the bridesmaids wore the colors of the Amalfi Coast: Lemon yellow, Capri blue and Bougainvillea fuchsia. We incorporated the Filipino tradition of the veil and cord ceremony using the same cord used from Jess’ parent’s wedding ceremony. Father Cyriacus presided over the ceremony making us all laugh, but also reminded us to communicate with dialog and our duty to each other as family and friends.
The Wedding Party
After the ceremony, the guests headed to the city of Amalfi for the reception while the wedding party took a few photos on Positano’s beach outside the cathedral. As we walked through the town of Positano tourists and locals shouted “AUGURI!” wishing us well in Italian.
The Reception
The Dinner and Reception were held at the historic Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi which was originally a monastery in the 13th century for the Cistercian monks and then the Capuchin Friars. The reception was held in the ruins of the cloister which was part of the ancient abbey. The entire venue is situated on a cliff 80 meters above the sea. An Italian quintet serenaded the guests with Italian and English folk songs. Plenty of prosecco and fritto misto accompanied the breathtaking views.
The Dinner
The dinner was held along the Monk’s Walk on the Monk’s terrace where an imperial table adorned the panoramic walkway. An intimate dinner of part candle light and part chandelier lighting lit up the trellis of bougainvillea above. Speeches by the best man Brian Sapp, maid of honor Kristy Le, and father of the bride Dr. John Gurskis evoked equal parts tears and laughter. The cake was a traditional Italian millefoglie wedding cake made up of layers of puff pastery, Chantilly cream, fresh berries and fruit gelée. The cake topper was designed and created by Don, Jessica’s brother. Jessica and Tom’s biggest regret was not eating more that just that first bite of cake! The DJ played into the morning with dancing glowsticks … The most memorable night of our life.
Thank you for sharing this moment with us.
Love, Jessica & Tom
