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Stephanie Tresil and Antoine Pearson met through mutual friends on MySpace in the summer of 2009. “We exchanged messages for a few months before deciding to go on a first date,” the couple shares.
When Antoine was ready to propose 10 summers later, there was a slight hitch. “It was June 22, 2019,” he remembers. “The day of, Stephanie had fallen ill and was hesitant to leave the house so she could recover. In desperate fashion, I came up with an excuse—‘your friends want to surprise us with souvenirs from their honeymoon during brunch!’—to guilt trip her into coming out.” He continues: “Upon entering the 1 Hotel in Brooklyn, the next step was finding the perfect location with a great backdrop. We waited for the sunset and disguised the moment for a group photo. As I dropped to one knee and her eyes filled with tears, I proposed to the love of my life.”
The couple knew instantly where they’d get married. “We took the most breathtaking trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy in 2017, and agreed this would be the destination to get married,” recalls Stephanie, a doctor of physical therapy. One other thing was certain: their wedding was bound to be fashionable. Antoine is the director of global brand image for Ralph Lauren, after all. While picking the location and attire were easy for the pair, the Covid-19 pandemic threw a wrench in their vision. "The biggest challenge was narrowing down the guest list. We chose to invite close friends and immediate family," they share.
The guest list came to 40 people—however one nearly missed the wedding. “The groom’s father missed his flight, and there was a high possibility he would not land in time and miss the welcome dinner or be late for the ceremony,” Stephanie remembers. “Because of the bad network reception, it was challenging to follow his ETA. Surprisingly, he made the welcome dinner fashionably late with a massive smile and tear in his eye.” It was a special moment for the family. “The groom’s parents have lived in Pisa, Italy, before, where his younger brother was born. With his parents’ relationship separated for years, it was emotional to see the two enjoy Italy together like they once did when they were younger," she shares.
The emotional arrival set the tone for the perfect wedding weekend—and it was just getting started. Read on to explore all the beautiful details from the couple’s September 2, 2021, nuptials, planned by Linda Gatto of Italian Wedding Planners by Sposiamovi and photographed by Alessia Franco for David Bastianoni Studio.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Situated on the coast of southern Italy, Amalfi is a picturesque town built into sheer cliffs, full of colorful buildings and sandy beaches. “We chose NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento Di Amalfi because of its central location, views looking into the Amalfi Coast, and the 13th century cloister,” the couple shares. “We loved that we could coordinate the ceremony and reception in one place.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Stephanie’s skincare prep for the big day was minimal. “I actually went on Accutane a few months before my wedding,” she says. “I used very few products because my skin was sensitive, however I would say sunscreen was very important, especially with an outdoor wedding.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
She booked a local hair and makeup team, BeautyLivery, and asked for “a romantic and classy look,” she says. “It was so humid that day; I didn’t want to be hot and sweaty. I wanted my hair out of my face and simple.” Completing her beauty look, “I had long, almond-shaped nails with a white abstract design, and my matron of honor gave me a light fragrance from Zara.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
As for accessories, the bride donned a veil by Berta, and strappy shoes by Amina Muaddi. Stephanie adds, “My jewelry was very simple. I wore diamond stud earrings.” She purchased them at the same spot she found her gown, L’fay Bridal.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
When I put on the Berta dress, I felt beautiful, sexy, and classy.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Her simple accessories let the gown do all the talking—and rightfully so. Stephanie’s long-sleeve Berta gown featured a V neck, A-line skirt, and open back. “When I put on the Berta dress, I felt beautiful, sexy, and classy,” she says. “I felt like a queen. And, it was so romantic. I saw myself walking down the aisle in the old white-washed cloister in Italy.”
Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t the first gown she bought. “I made the mistake of buying the first dress I tried on!” the bride remembers. “I had my mom and matron of honor come with me to try on dresses and I felt so overwhelmed and cried in the first dress I tried on. I said yes to the dress, but realized several days later that I did not like that dress at all! I lost my deposit—but it was so much more worth it than wearing something I didn’t want.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Antoine and his wedding party got ready together in matching personalized robes. “One of the groomsmen helped shape up a few of the others’ hair while the rest began to toast with drinks and get dressed,” the groom says. He spritzed on Tom Ford’s Oud Wood and was ready to suit up.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Of course, Antoine opted for a Ralph Lauren look from head to toe. “For the ceremony, I wore a black peak lapel Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo, black velvet Ralph Lauren Purple Label slippers with my initials, and a black Polo Ralph Lauren cummerbund,” he says. He accessorized with a gold Rolex Day-Date, black silk knot cufflinks, and a linen pocket square.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
My husband said he wouldn’t cry, and when he turned around, tears came falling down his eyes.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“We decided to do a first look so we could get most of the photos out of the way,” the bride says. But, the moment was even more special than she’d imagined it could be. “My husband said he wouldn’t cry, and when he turned around, tears came falling down his eyes—and mine, of course. It was a beautiful moment because we finally did it and got married at the same place we said we would five years ago.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
After seeing each other for the first time that day, the couple hopped onto a boat with their photographer and took a short ride in the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Amalfi Coast. “We wanted to have a special moment to ourselves,” Stephanie says. “It was magical. Spending some time with each other on the boat before all the craziness happened really helped calm our nerves.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“The ceremony took place in the cloister,” the couple shares. “Decor included three large golden frames with white florals at the altar, white whimsical florals along the aisle, and white Chiavari chairs for the guests.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Antoine and the wedding party entered the stunning ceremony space to the tune of “Frozen” by Sabrina Claudio, and were followed by Stephanie and her dad. “The fathers of both the groom and bride wore notch lapel tuxedos, pleated tuxedo dress shirts, black bow ties, suspenders, linen pocket squares, silk knots, and patent leather lace-up dress shoes,” describes Antoine, who helped dress them, of course.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Beyonce’s “Die With You" played during Stephanie’s walk down the aisle with her father. “My dad is a very quiet man who shows little to no emotion,” the bride says. “He has this stoic look all the time. When he walked me down the aisle, he really didn’t have much of an expression on his face—but when he handed me off to Antoine, my dad put his head on Antoine’s shoulder and started crying. No one could hold back their tears when they saw that.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“We only had a flower girl, Antoine’s niece,” Stephanie says. “During the wedding rehearsal, the flower girl was very confident strutting down the aisle on her own. On the wedding day, when it was her turn to go, she said ‘No!’ and instead walked out with the maid of honor.” They booked a local officiant, Carmela Cesarano of Carmela Italy Wedding Celebrant, to perform the ceremony.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Stephanie held onto a whimsical white bouquet, and Antoine donned a boutonniere of light pink bouvardia and white cluster rose. The bridesmaids’s bouquets also introduced a pop of light pink florals that would come into play later in the evening.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
The couple didn’t write their own vows from scratch. "Our officiant sent us some traditional and nontraditional vows, which we chose and edited to better reflect us,” Stephanie says.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
After “I do,” Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s “(Part II) On the Run” came on for the newlyweds’ celebratory recessional.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“Every bridesmaid wore a different style tulle dress in different shades of pink," explains Stephanie. "My maid of honor—my sister—wore a Marchesa Notte floral pink dress. I mostly wanted them to feel comfortable in their dresses, but still have a romantic look.” The other bridesmaids selected Wtoo’s Callie and Lexie styles in blush and Fynn in morganite.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“I wanted the gentleman to look elevated, timeless, and chic,” Stephanie shares. “I liked the contrast of the black tuxedos and white cloister where the ceremony took place.” Their looks from The Black Tux featured peak lapel tuxedos, pleated tuxedo dress shirts, classic black bow ties, velvet slippers, linen pocket squares, and silk knot cufflinks.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
As the newlyweds posed for a few portraits, guests headed into the aperitif portion of the evening, where they listened to a live jazz duo and sipped signature Italian Palomas.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“Many people will have an opinion on how you should plan your wedding,” the couple shares. “As much as you would love to please everyone, you can’t! Remember this day is about you and your partner. So plan it how you envision it, with the people you want there the most. Do what makes you happy.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“We wanted an al fresco wedding and were very strategic in letting the natural beauty of Italy serve as decor in itself,” the couple says. Following the all-white ceremony, they wove in some understated color. The vision? “Adding subtle hues of light whimsical florals, transitioning in color from all white during the ceremony into a variation of pinks for the reception,” Stephanie says.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Tall pink taper candles housed in glass hurricanes were a modern and romantic complement to the long garland. The bride describes, “We wanted to keep the classic Amalfi style and decided to add its signature blue and white through chargers. The matron of honor and groom took it upon themselves to create the place cards and menu.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
The meal was, naturally, classic Italian. Swordfish and mozzarella au gratin with walnuts, tartar of eggplant and basil, and parched yellow datterino tomatoes were served to start; next came gnochetti with scallops, zucchini spaghetti, and braised veal cheek with crispy pecorino cheese. For dessert? “Half a ball of chocolate, tiramisu cream, and coffee crumble,” Stephanie says. “We also had a gelato cart that our guests enjoyed during the party.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Of course, there was also cake. A three-tier banana naked cake was dressed with pink and white florals, and featured banana cream and vanilla buttercream. Before the cake cutting, Antoine found the perfect moment to swap his tuxedo jacket for a second look: a white shawl collar dinner jacket also by Ralph Lauren Purple Label.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
“Our first dance and overall music selection was definitely a representation of our personalities,” the couple shares. “We chose Lauryn Hill’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ as our first dance, and booked DJ Nitrane of Dreamville to host the reception.” Cool-hued fireworks exploded around the couple as they danced.
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Next up were the family dances. Stephanie had the perfect song for her and her father: “Daddy’s Girl” by Nu-Look. Antoine and his mother swung to Aaliyah’s “(At Your Best) You Are Love.”
Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Stephanie changed out of her Berta ballgown into something more suited for dancing, a white embellished sleeveless gown by Mac Duggal Couture, and the party continued.
When the night finally came to an end, guests left with limoncello wedding favors, and the wedding party’s gift came shortly after: “We created a photo book magazine that included shots of the welcome dinner, wedding day, and the farewell boat rides to gift as a thank you to the wedding party,” the couple shares. Now, they’re planning a summer honeymoon as they soak up life as newlyweds.
Venue NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento Di Amalfi
Officiant Carmela Italy Wedding Celebrant
Bridal Salon L’fay Bridal
Bride’s Shoes Amina Muaddi
Bride’s Hair & Makeup BeautyLivery
Bride’s Reception Dress Mac Duggal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Marchesa Notte; WTOO
Mother of the Bride’s Dress Camille La Vie
Groom’s Attire Ralph Lauren
Groomsmen’s Attire The Black Tux
Flower Girl’s Attire David’s Bridal
Floral Design Maria Starace
Catering NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento Di Amalfi
Photography Alessia Franco for David Bastianoni Studio
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