This Couple Exchanged Vows in a 16th-Century Greek Castle Overlooking the Ionian Sea

For the rehearsal dinner, the couple leaned further into the authentic Greek aesthetic. “We hosted everyone at a traditional taverna in the center of town,” she says. “There was no elaborate production, just incredible local food, wine, music, and the kind of warmth and simplicity that Greece does better than anywhere else.” For her look, she chose a silk John Galliano slip dress from 1999 that belonged to her mother. “Amazingly, it fit me perfectly without a single alteration, making it the most sentimental piece I wore all weekend.”

The wedding itself unfolded at the historic New Castle of Pylos. “Our ceremony was held beneath towering trees overlooking the sea,” she says. Amid such a breathtaking setting, there’s one detail she remembers vividly: the sound of birds. “When the ceremony began, they were singing so loudly that it almost felt orchestrated,” she says. “It genuinely felt as though nature itself was celebrating with us.”

Though Amalia never had a specific vision of what she wanted to wear on her wedding day, a few parameters came into focus. “I did know I wanted to look classic and romantic, but not overly polished or rigid,” she says. “I wanted to feel free, as though I could kick off my shoes and run barefoot through a field—which I ended up doing.”

Somewhat surprisingly, she went with the very first wedding dress she ever tried on: a strapless Elie Saab gown with tulle and sequin floral motifs. “To me, it was the perfect balance of timelessness and a free spirit,” she says. “Despite its elegance and grandeur, it felt alive and wild, and that has always felt like the truest version of myself.”

For jewelry, she worked closely with longtime family friend Ileana Makri, who created pieces for each of her looks. “Her jewelry feels like wearable art, and it complemented each outfit without ever overpowering it,” she says.

Meanwhile, Jake wore a custom Anderson & Sheppard tuxedo. “He traveled to London twice to work with the team, selecting fabric swatches and perfecting every detail,” she shares. He completed the look with a custom bow tie by Thom Sweeney, made by his longtime friend, Luke Sweeney.

Amalia describes walking down the aisle as dreamlike. “I expected to be incredibly nervous, but as the castle doors opened and I stepped out, every nerve disappeared,” she says. “I felt completely grounded and completely overwhelmed at the same time.” Because Jake is Jewish and Amalia is Greek Orthodox, the two knew they wanted to find ways to honor both of their traditions. “One of Jake’s closest childhood friends officiated, making the ceremony deeply personal,” she says.

The two held hands and laughed throughout the ceremony. “Listening to Jake’s vows while trying not to cry, I kept thinking that somehow reality had become even more beautiful than I had imagined,” she says. “That balance between magic and complete familiarity is what I’ll remember forever.”

After the ceremony, guests made their way up to the castle for cocktails overlooking the Mediterranean as the sun began to set. “As golden hour faded into evening, everyone moved into the castle courtyard for dinner beneath the May full moon,” she says. The night carried into speeches, the couple’s first dance, cake cutting, and dancing, before the celebration continued into the early hours at the Mandarin Oriental.

For her after-party look, she worked with Georges Hobeika to customize a dress from their spring 2026 collection. The end result was a structured corset silhouette with sheer fabric, sparkle, and delicate floral appliqués. “I wanted to stay in a long gown, but one that felt lighter, sexier, and made for dancing until sunrise.”

The couple’s friend John from Rüfüs Du Sol and Augusto Yepes kept everyone on the dance floor until 8 a.m. “Surrounded by all of our favorite people, it was the perfect ending to the most unforgettable weekend,” she says.

When reflecting on the entire experience, it’s gratitude through and through. “The entire weekend had an almost euphoric energy because everyone arrived with open hearts and genuine excitement to celebrate our marriage,” she says. “The weekend left all of us wanting to love more deeply, and show up more fully for the people we care about—just like they did for us.”