Clifftop Vows on the Amalfi Coast | Yolanda & Chris

Behind the Lens | A chat with Rebekah Molloy

Glittering high on one of the world’s most beautiful shorelines: the Amalfi Coast, sits the 12th century residence, Villa Cimbrone. And, it was here, enveloped in the charming historical architecture and enchanting ambience of this decorative wedding venue, that bride Yolanda and her partner Chris tied the knot.

There’s something almost other-worldly about this destination and wedding venue on the Amalfi Coast – something that Sara Lobla, the couple’s chosen photographer for the weekend of celebrations, confirms, “I am a fan of Marvel and DC and when I was there, I discovered that Wonder Woman had been filmed there, so the magic of the Valkyries (who were warrior women – a beauty out of the ordinary) plus the incredible Yolanda and the luminous love she feels for Chris, made me fall completely in love with the perfect scenery.”

And so, high above the blue of the Mediterranean, with the incredible Italian mountains as their backdrop, Yolanda and Chris exchanged vows in a haze of perfectly picked, wild botanicals, white lace, glimmering fairy lights and their closet friends and family…

#1 What attracted you as a couple to the spectacular Villa Cimbrone in Italy? Did you always know you would get married here? Or, if not, how did you find out?

“My family is originally from the Campania region in Italy, so the area has a special meaning for us. We are a very close family and proud of our heritage. Also, the year prior, my husband and I had taken a very romantic trip where we chartered a sailboat and sailed along the Amalfi Coast, just the two of us (he is a captain). It was very magical. When he proposed (also on a sailboat!), I knew I wanted to go back there to get married. We looked at many venues in the area, but when we went to Villa Cimbrone we fell in love right away. It was truly breathtaking.

Since the wedding, we had a daughter, Chiara Masterson. Two months ago, my brother-in-law was in Italy and sent me a photo of the street sign right outside Villa Cimbrone. It read Via Chiara. He asked if that’s is where we got the name Chiara. It isn’t. We celebrated our marriage on Via Chiara, and didn’t even realise it when we gave that name to our daughter! So, of course, it is an even more magical and special place to us now.”

#2 What was your vision for the day? What kind of atmosphere did you want to create and how did the wedding planner, Bespoke Unique Weddings & Events, help you achieve your vision?

“We wanted a gorgeous location, but a low-key wedding that felt like a fun family dinner. We wanted to keep it small and to feel like a proper “wedding”. Growing up in a Nicaraguan-Italian family, meals are such an important bonding event. We like to talk, loudly usually, drink wine, discuss the food and laugh. Our dinners can go on for hours, always with music, cozy and wonderful. I wanted to bring the families together, and our closest friends, and have everyone join in that experience.

All my friends know my number one favourite thing is to dance, and my husband is a DJ, so having a fun dance party was essential. So, not only was the dance party at Villa Cimbrone incredible, but Valentina (of Bespoke Unique Weddings & Events) set up the BEST after-party in the piazza at a local bar, easy to walk to. We all danced and drank into the early morning hours, having the time of our lives!

Valentina was so wonderful. She really worked hard, listened to all of my wishes and dreams and was like a good friend, so supportive and involved. Everything I communicated, she knew what I wanted. And on the day of the wedding she was seven months pregnant! I just had a baby, so now I know what a feat that is. She is incredible!”

#3 Tell us about the dress(es)… where are they from?

“We live in Los Angeles, so there are many bridal boutiques. In the beginning, I really had no idea what kind of dress I wanted. I actually thought I would probably wear something very low-key. Maybe a silk slip dress. But I ended up with a fairytale princess dress! Hahaha.. I tried it on for fun and fell in love immediately. It was a beautiful strapless Marchesa ballgown, the whitest white I could find.

My dance party dress was very simple, a Realisation Par mini dress, I wore it with sneakers!”

#4 We loved your bridesmaid dresses, where were they from?

“They looked so beautiful. My bridesmaids all found their own dresses, from various stores! They all have incredible taste so I left it up to them. I only asked that they be in the same colour family.”

#5 Who created the floral elements of your day?

“Armando Malafronte. We asked for very simple, minimal, wild looking flowers. He did a beautiful job!”

#6 Did you have a weekend of celebrations?

“Yes! I am so happy we were able to celebrate in such an incredible way. Right before the wedding we spent a week with a group of our closest friends on a beautiful catamaran, the largest my husband had ever sailed, exploring the Aeolian Islands. It was the best trip of my life already, and the wedding festivities hadn’t even begun. The best thing about Ravello is how everyone could walk everywhere. Villa Cimbrone has a beautiful pool so we spent our first day drinking cocktails by the pool.

The first night of festivities, all guests met in the piazza and we walked to Salvatore Ravello, an incredible restaurant with one of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen. The food was delicious, a big buffet, great wine. My husband made an incredible playlist so the music created a good mood. Valentina found this place, and I am so thankful. We had the best rehearsal dinner, with all of our guests in attendance. The day after the wedding, after everyone had brunch and spent the day by the pool, we had a farewell gelato party in the piazza for all the guests who were still in Ravello. It was the perfect, relaxing end to a fabulous weekend.”