Gianna and Nicholas chose Florence for their wedding, and it felt like the only place it could be. The August celebration at Villa Medicea di Lilliano was planned with Maison di Eventi and brought together history, heritage, and the open-air elegance of a summer garden party. With lovely guests gathered from the US to Italy, the weekend became both a family reunion and a wedding full of personal details.
Location: Grassina, Florence, Italy
Style: Romantic, Elegant, Timeless
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 105
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
They first met at Vanderbilt University eight years ago. For years, their relationship was long-distance, with Gianna in Chicago and Nick in New Jersey, until they moved in together in New York City. The engagement happened on the rooftop of their Chelsea apartment, where Nick surprised Gianna by inviting their families to join them right after the proposal. Both felt strongly connected to their Italian roots, so celebrating in Florence was their way of honoring family history while starting their own.
Wedding Day
Couple Fashion
The bride wore a strapless lace gown by Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld Bridal, complete with a delicate mantilla veil edged in lace. The look balanced classic romance with a touch of drama, framed by satin platform heels from Vince Camuto and minimal jewelry that let the gown speak for itself.
For the after party, she changed into a custom Etsy design enhanced with a sequined mesh skirt overlay, sourced from New York’s garment district, which gave her a sparkling, modern twist for late-night dancing.
Hair and makeup by Vera Sots Muah were kept polished and radiant, enhancing Gianna’s natural beauty. A soft half-up style allowed the veil to fall perfectly behind her, while her glowing skin and subtle tones completed the bridal look with grace.
The groom chose a custom all-black tuxedo with suspenders and a bowtie. Small details carried deep meaning: cufflinks passed down from his grandfather through his father, and embroidery under the jacket collar that read “Solo Noi” with their wedding date. The understated but personal details gave his look a refined sense of continuity and family tradition.
First Look
The first look took place in the gardens of the villa. The photographer Yana Korn captured Nick’s reaction as he saw Gianna for the first time. It was emotional and grounding, a private exchange that set the rhythm for the day.
Yana’s eye for natural light and heartfelt moments added depth and texture, preserving the anticipation and tenderness of that pause before the ceremony.
Ceremony
Before their trip to Italy, Gianna and Nick held a small Catholic ceremony in New Jersey with their closest family members. Tuscany then became the stage for their symbolic vows. The terrace of Villa Medicea di Lilliano framed the setting, with panoramic views of the countryside and floral arrangements by Lilla Florals softening the space with antique shades of pink, ivory, and sage.
The ceremony was deeply personal. Gianna’s aunt and godmother officiated, while both mothers read blessings and joined in the Rite of the Veil prayer.
The couple exchanged shared vows they had written together, blending tradition with their own voices. A string trio played through the processional and recessional, filling the terrace with music as the couple sealed their vows with a kiss beneath soaring floral urns.
Private Moment
After the ceremony, the newlyweds stole a few moments together on the villa grounds. Against fountains and centuries-old stone walls, they walked hand in hand as the sun lowered.
These frames by Yana Korn glowed with intimacy. The quiet pause away from the reception allowed Gianna and Nick to absorb the magnitude of the day before rejoining their guests.
Decor & Flowers
The vision with Maison di Eventi was rustic Italian romance. Lilla Florals used hydrangeas, roses, greenery, and lace details to blend with the villa’s architecture. The dinner setting was one long imperial table running through the garden, lined with lemon trees in terracotta pots. The table decor included crystal candelabras and a floral runner, creating the sense of an outdoor family dinner.
Graphics from Tuscan Labs carried the design through the paper goods, inspired by the villa frescoes and Florence cityscape. Kaleydo Entertainment provided lighting and audio that transformed the spaces as the day moved into night.
Reception
Cocktail hour unfolded on the terrace and garden, where guests enjoyed an aperitivo bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and Tuscan food corners provided by Delizia Ricevimenti. The string trio, who had played during the ceremony, continued to set the mood with live music.
Dinner was one of the most memorable parts of the day: all lovely guests sharing the long table under the open sky. The arrangement created the feeling of a family dinner, exactly as Gianna and Nick had hoped. Their millefoglie wedding cake became another highlight, as the couple decorated it themselves before cutting and sharing a prosecco toast led by Nick.
The night transitioned into the villa’s Limonaia, where the first dance, Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes off You, kicked off hours of celebration. A live band carried the energy through the evening before handing over to DJ Lorenzo Zanobetti for late-night dancing until 2 a.m.
Gianna and Nick’s Tuscan wedding was more than a destination celebration. It was an embrace of heritage, an atmosphere of warmth, and a moment that brought together all the people they loved most. And thanks to the artistry of Yana, every layer of the experience was preserved for the couple to revisit for years to come.
Advice from the couple:
• Plan a wedding that is authentic to you! It will show, and it will make the day far more meaningful to you and your guests.
PHOTOGRAPHER Yana Korn | VIDEOGRAPHER Family Films | PLANNING & DESIGN Maison di Eventi | VENUE Villa Medicea di Lilliano | FLORALS Lilla Florals | CATERING Delizia Ricevimenti | MUAH Vera Sots | DRESS Kleinfeld Bridal | DESIGNER Pnina Tornai | SHOES Vince Camuto | GRAPHICS Tuscan Labs | LIGHTING & AUDIO Kaleydo Entertainment | DJ & BAND Lorenzo Zanobetti
