[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Cream, White, Sage & Natural Greens[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The design of our wedding centered around the timeless beauty of Florence, Italy. We had spent a magical summer trip in Florence and fell in love with the architecture, history, and culture, especially since we both studied architecture in college. Myself, the bride, being Italian, had always dreamed of getting married in the land of my father, and we were able to make that happen when finding the gorgeous Villa Cora. The incredible nineteenth-century villa was built in pure neoclassical style, and is located just outside Florence, on the hill overlooking the Boboli Gardens, near Piazzale Michelangelo.
It was our goal to ensure our family and closest friends had a place to stay and enjoy the full experience of Florence, and truly just be together. Villa Cora provided that perfect setting for family, friends, laughter and taking in the beautiful sights Florence has to offer. As the famous Florentine, Dante said, Noi Non Potremo Avere Perfetta Vita Senza Amici – “We Couldn’t Have a Perfect Life Without Friends.”
The ceremony took place in the Mirror Room Garden with the majestic Villa Cora behind us. With a venue such as historical as Villa Cora, we wanted to let the architecture speak for itself, opting for natural greens, white and cream color palete, to showcase all the beauty of our surroundings.
The reception took place in the Mirror Room with ornate painted walls/ceiling, gilded mirrors and timeless elegance. We decorated the tables with candelabras and greenery stems along with small white florals to compliment the grandeur of the room.
Our love story is full of fireworks, so we had to surprise our family and friends with a special firework display on the grounds of Villa Cora. Hearing the laughter, elation, and pure joy from everyone we hold dear was truly magical.
Dancing continued into the night in the Il Pasha room with guests dining on late-night pizza and some guests enjoying a midnight cigar.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]After meeting during a global pandemic in San Francisco, we were fortunate enough to find love in close quarters. Many quarantine memories were spent enjoying homemade pasta, working from home together, taking bike rides and enjoying dining al fresco around town. We were lucky enough to purchase our first home in Danville, California a few years after dating. Having a strong tie to family and architecture we had been enjoying curating our home and making it ours. We were blessed to receive a unique piece of dining furniture which had been in my family for awhile. It took some effort to coordinate delivery to us and Diego helped coordinate it all to make it happen. He knew how meaningful this furniture was to me and how much I was honored to carry on the legacy. While my family was visiting during it’s delivery, and enjoying a lovely dinner, Diego proposed in the presence of those I hold most dear. After the tears, hugs, and shared joy, we were then surprised by a mariachi band in our home, dancing with family and popping champagne! We quickly went to work to plan an international wedding in 6 months! [/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]My gown was designed by Rita Vinieris. The Thyra gown was the perfect fit for our black-tie Florentine wedding. It had modern lines, but also balanced with a classic style and high neck lace top as a nod to Grace Kelly. [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]
My maid of honor and lifelong friend, Carly Clements, wore a beautiful sapphire jewel toned silk Banana Republic gown and styled it with a velvet ribbon.
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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groomsmen, of course, wore classic tuxedos and velvet bow ties. Cufflinks were in the style of the “giglio,” the symbol of Florence.
The groom wore an ivory tuxedo jacket, by J. Crew and classic tuxedo pants. His cufflinks were designed by a local Florentine artisan showcasing the Florentine Giglio.
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]What better way to celebrate in Italy than kicking off the party with prosecco, spritz’s and bellinis? After an elegant aperitivo hour in the garden, guests moved to the Mirror Room where Villa Cora chef’s designed a sophisticated menu to compliment the fall season. Guests dined on Crocchetta di Stracotto di Manzo, Raviolo di Ricotta e Gambero, finishing with a classic Filetto di Manzo all while listening to a string duo playing classical Italian songs. A special mela in osmosi was served as a pre-dessert treat.
The bride and groom shared a bottle of 2006 Dom Perignon the groom had been saving for many years in the hopes to open on his wedding day. They traveled with this very precious cargo all the way from California.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
We wanted the elegance of Villa Cora to speak for itself, so were lucky enough to find an amazing florist in Francesca Piras Of Franci’s Flowers Wedding Design. Not only was Francesa so lovely and wonderful to coordinate with from abroad, but she also truly understood our vision and vibe to create a timeliness, elegant look. We focused on traditional vessels, with urns and candelabras to accent the beauty that is Villa Cora. The flowers were cream, white, and incorporated natural greenery. My bouquet complimented my gown so well and I love that we will be able to look back at photos throughout the years with great joy.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The bride and groom opted for a vintage-inspired traditional 3-tiered cake, topped with an arrangement of white florals. The cake was filled with a refreshing Italian lemon Chantilly cream, completed onsite by the amazing pastry chef at Villa Cora. The Villa staff was amazing in meeting all our special requests, even arranging for a cake tasting two days prior to the wedding! [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Being from multi-cultural backgrounds, it was important we included various aspects of our heritage during our wedding. I am Italian & Greek and Diego is Mexican & German.
The Stefana ceremony is important in any Greek wedding. The Stefana, known as Greek wedding crowns, symbolize the glory and honor that is being bestowed to the couple. The bride and groom are crowned as King and Queen of their home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity (how very Greek!). The ribbon that joins the two crowns should always remain intact for a lifetime as it represents the unity and eternal bond between the bride and groom. My Greek mother was able to perform this ceremony with us, which was extremely meaningful.
One of our groomsmen also read a passage inspired by Homer’s Odyssey and his love of Penelope.
We also incorporated a Nuremberg Cup for Diego’s German roots, drinking from a joined cup signifying harmony and love.
I walked down the aisle to the string duo playing Ave Maria. We performed the Stefana Ceremony to La Vita E Bella, and closed out with I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You. The classic sounds of the violin and cello made everything feel so elegant and touching.
Our first dance was to I Left My Heart in San Francisco. This was where we had our first date and spent the early part of our relationship falling in love.
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Honoring family is everything to us. Being a single mother, my 7-year-old son was integral to our wedding day. Diego made him feel so special by incorporating him into his vows and giving him a special ring with the inscription “together as one.” There was not a dry eye during the ceremony!
As Diego’s father had recently passed away, we were able to honor him reserving him a front-row seat and placing a special framed photo so that he was there with us. As a groom’s gift, I named a star after Diego’s late father to ensure he is always watching over him from above.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Guests received almond candies, which are traditional Italian & Greek wedding favors known as confetti & koufeta respectively. To add more meaning, the confetti was specially delivered from the city of Sulmona, located in the province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. The bride’s paternal grandparents were both from this province.
In addition to the confetti, guests received homemade ornaments showcasing Villa Cora as a special souvenir to always remember their time in Florence around the holidays. These were a bit tricky to get to Italy in one piece from California, but we made it happen!
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]We are so grateful to our photographers Kir & Ira for capturing such timeless and memorable photos and we could not have picked a better duo!
We also were overwhelmed to watch our wedding video which felt like a movie, created by Ivan Caiazza and will be forever thankful.
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Kir & Ira Photography | Videography: Ivan Caizza Films | Event Planning: Aries Weddings & Events Tuscany | Floral Design: Francis Flowers | Dress: Rita Vinieris | Shoes: Badgely Mischka | Catering: Villa Cora | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: TUSCANPLEDGES | Wedding Venue: Villa Cora | Beauty: Silvia Gerzeli | Bridesmaids' Dress: Banana Republic