There were 12 harpists playing before, during, and after the ceremony, adding to the magical feeling of the moment, and the couple’s best friend officiated, which led the perfect balance of heartfelt moments and laughs. “I felt completely calm,” Carly says. “After four years, I was so excited it was finally happening. The entire setting of the wedding just felt so peaceful. It felt amazing seeing everything come together.”
After the ceremony, there was a champagne toast, before the newlyweds went back to the hotel for a quick change. Next, they took a vintage Italian Riva speedboat to Li Galli, a private island originally owned by the Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev where the reception was held later that evening. “I had fallen in love with this flowy pink Giambattista Valli gown right before I left for Italy,” Carly says. “This last-minute wardrobe addition resulted in some of my favorite photos from the weekend. To complete the look, I wore a mini white lady Dior bag, a diamond multi-stone tennis bracelet by Stephanie Gottlieb, and nude Valentino wedges.”
The reception was a separate event from the ceremony. “When we got to the island, our chef for the evening—Antonio Mellino from Ristorante Quattro Passi in Nerano—had set up a private lunch for us and made Austin’s favorite bolognese. It was so sweet,” Carly says. “It was really nice for Austin and I to have a moment alone on the island reliving the ceremony together while having a glass of wine while looking out over views of Positano.”
When guests arrived, they were welcomed with drinks from a bespoke bar that Diana designed, complete with a pink custom Gucci wallpapered bar and a fireworks show. For dinner, Carly changed into a beaded silver Naeem Khan dress with a V-neck and back. “I knew it was the one for the party,” Carly says. “To accent the look, I wore gorgeous emerald and diamond earrings and a diamond two-stone heart and pear cocktail ring that I designed with Stephanie Gottlieb.” For her shoes, the bride once again looked to Aquazzura for a pair of silver sandals.
After the meal came more fireworks and Carly’s final wardrobe change of the evening, as she switched into a nude tulle Oscar de le Renta dress. “Always wanting to tell a cohesive story with the help of Cynthia, I loved how it had the same vines from the straps of my wedding gown on the bodice and draping of the skirt,” Carly explains. It was easy for her to wear—and the perfect late-night party dress for the dancing to DJ Sam French that ensued and continued until the early hours of the morning.
“Now that it’s over, everyone who knows me has admitted that they thought I would be in a deep depression afterwards, because it was such a big part of my life for several years,” Carly shares. “Surprisingly, I never had a moment of sadness or a comedown. The weekend had so many incredible events. I really lived every moment to the fullest and took it all in throughout the process. In the end, it was exactly as I dreamed it would be—a once-in-a-lifetime experience I’ll never forget.”
