After a romantic trip to Europe that started in Paris, France, Chris Detert had one last surprise in store for Lisa Lafferty on the last leg of their vacation in Venice, Italy. Though an unexpected thunderstorm derailed his original plan to propose on a gondola with a photographer in tow, Chris quickly pivoted and boarded a water taxi to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore with his beloved. While typically filled with tourists, they surprisingly found themselves alone on the island. After an impromptu photo shoot, Chris dropped to one knee and asked Lisa to be his wife.

Considering the magical Italian proposal, it’s no wonder the pair chose to have a destination wedding in the same country – this time, on the Amalfi Coast. Since Lisa is an event planner herself, she was accustomed to the planning process and didn’t think she would feel the stress of a typical bride; however, she found it challenging to make personal decisions, especially wanting every detail to be perfect for a faraway fête. By taking a step back and reminding herself that their enjoyment as a couple was essential to having an amazing wedding, everything went off without a hitch. “Your guests feed off of your energy, so if you are dancing the night away and having the best time, they are too!” she confirms.

The rooftop ceremony featured romantic, traditional décor showcasing an all-white color palette. A violinist set the mood for the elegant service, playing the pair’s favorite modern tunes, such as “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, and “Latch” by Sam Smith. “Both of us had to do everything possible not to to cry… it was truly a magical moment,” shares Lisa. Lush, fragrant florals including roses, lily of the valley, sweet peas, dahlias, hydrangeas, and orchids ran the length of the crisp white aisle and were suspended from the canopy beneath which Lisa and Chris exchanged vows.

After the ceremony, loved ones enjoyed cocktails and canapés at the reception venue’s private beach club, followed by a sunset dinner overlooking the sea. As guests entered, they were in awe of the design, which was awash with vibrant shades. “We really wanted to channel all of the natural bright hues of the island of Capri,” shares Chris. A large king’s table was decorated with towering glass candelabra, bright magenta dahlias and peonies accented with softer peach-hued roses, and romantic, twinkling tea lights. “We incorporated colors true to the island: the crystal blue waters, the bright shades of wildflowers and overgrown bougainvilleas, the bounty of lemons grown in the Amalfi Coast, and all of the region’s fresh seafood,” Lisa adds of the design scheme.

Since the couple’s goal was to make sure their 40 guests felt well-taken care of throughout the celebration, they put an emphasis on the comfort of their loved ones. “We are appreciators of fine foods, wine, and bespoke experiences,” smiles the bride. “That is exactly what we wanted to give our guests.” In addition to a dinner service from Michelin-starred chef Andrea Migliaccio complete with lobster and arugula salad and fresh pasta and seafood, loved ones enjoyed decadent handmade pastries and late-night stone-fired pizzas. As friends and family went home with favors in custom illustrated bags filled with treats local to Capri, the newlyweds set off on a memorable honeymoon up the coast of Italy, stopping in Florence, Tuscany, Milan, and Lake Como, as well as a bonus visit to Paris, where their engagement vacation began.