Troy and Nadine’s wedding was more than a celebration — it was a heartfelt homage to heritage. As a proud Italian-American and dual citizen, the bride set out to create a wedding that would share with her U.S. loved ones the true spirit of Italy — not the clichés, but the layered beauty of tradition, family, and craftsmanship. Held in the Tuscan countryside, their day honored the roots of an old-world village wedding while blending in thoughtful touches that reflected their story, their values, and what it really means to be Italian at heart.
Location: Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Vintage, authentic, handmade
Time of planning: 8 months
Number of guests: 112
Setting: Villa among the vineyards
Season: Spring
Troy and Nadine both attended the University of Chicago, sharing the same campus for two years, but it wasn’t until Alumni Day that their paths truly crossed. A chance encounter downtown — with a little help from a mutual friend — sparked their first real conversation. Troy was living in Chicago, Nadine was visiting from Los Angeles, and as she rushed to catch her flight home, a lingering hug hinted at something more. Mid-flight, Nadine sent a bold message: “lmk if you’re ever in LA!” Troy didn’t miss his chance. After a year and a half of long-distance and countless flights, the world shifted. Remote work finally brought them together — and they’ve been building a life side by side ever since.
Welcome Dinner
The couple kicked off their wedding weekend with a welcome dinner at the charming Villa of Tenuta Monaciano. From the very beginning, their vision was to create the feeling of stepping back in time — weaving Italian traditions with heartfelt touches of love and care. Before the evening unfolded, Nadine got ready on her own, surrounded by the captivating decor of the villa, as if transported to another era. She wore a beautiful summer dress paired with statement golden sun-shaped earrings, perfectly capturing the timeless spirit of the celebration.
The welcome dinner was set under a clear tent, blending the beauty of the Tuscan evening with an elegant, rustic atmosphere. Wooden tables lined with soft pink runners and simple yet refined table settings created a relaxed, inviting feel. Guests enjoyed classic Italian cocktails, with a charming vintage car transformed into a stylish mobile bar. Aperol Spritzes in hand, everyone gathered to celebrate, savoring the warm, effortless charm of the evening. Laughter, clinking glasses, and long conversations set the perfect tone for the weekend ahead.
"Our wedding was a moment to show our family and friends in the U.S. what an authentic Italian wedding is meant to be, as well as show my family members in Italy an experience that properly honored the old-school, Italian village wedding feel."
Evening Together
As twilight fell over the villa, Troy and Nadine slipped into a world that felt untouched by time. Illuminated only by the warm flicker of candlelight, they shared a quiet, intimate moment. Nadine moved gracefully through the grand, velvet-draped rooms, her silhouette glowing against the deep blue night. It was a scene straight from a timeless love story — tender, cinematic, and filled with the kind of magic only true connection can create.
Later that evening, Nadine, dressed in a flowing white nightgown and surrounded by dozens of candles, poured her heart onto paper — a private vow written in the language of a love that felt both eternal and beautifully real. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale, the kind of magic the couple had always dreamed of — the perfect, intimate prelude to their special day.
Wedding Day
Bride's Fashion
Nadine’s bridal look was a breathtaking ode to vintage elegance, inspired by Sofia Loren’s timeless beauty in ‘Houseboat’ (1958), as well as the iconic bridal styles of Grace Kelly and the British Royals. Knowing she wanted a classic A-line silhouette with long lace sleeves, Nadine found her dream dress on the very first day at Monique Lhuillier — a delicate Chantilly lace gown featuring a lace jacket layered over a strapless base, allowing for two looks in one. She framed her face with a high-set veil and tiara, both from the same boutique, achieving the graceful, regal effect she envisioned. Her Dior shoes, and vintage sapphire earrings from her mother completed the timeless ensemble.
With natural, glowing makeup by Inspired By Grace MUA, Nadine felt calm, present, and utterly herself. Her creative vision — to capture a black-and-white wedding portrait so timeless that one might wonder if it was taken decades ago — came to life flawlessly, thanks to the artistry of ZONZO Studio. To complete the dream, Nadine even had the chance to meet Monique Lhuillier in person and share the photos of her unforgettable day — a true full-circle moment for a bride who embodied tradition, elegance, and personal history with effortless grace.
"First look with my bridesmaids was one of my favorite memories that day. My dress had been a secret for months and it was totally worth the wait."
Groom's Look
Wearing a classic black tuxedo, Troy added a nod to his self-proclaimed ‘groovy maximalist’ spirit with a rich paisley pocket square, mirroring the ties worn by his groomsmen. The paisley — a favorite pattern of his — featured tones of olive, red, and gold, carefully chosen to reflect both the wedding colors and the natural beauty of the Tuscan landscape.
Together with his groomsmen, Troy’s look was the perfect fusion of classic elegance and thoughtful individuality. It captured his vibrant personality while honoring the timeless setting they had both so carefully envisioned.
Ceremony
Troy and Nadine’s ceremony took place at a breathtaking centuries-old church nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. The Catholic church — a thousand-year-old, humble, ancient pile of stone, exactly what they had been dreaming of — was lovingly found by their incredible wedding planner, Denise More. Their guests filled the entire historic space, adding to the feeling that time had momentarily stood still.
A stunning floral arch by Nina e i Fiori framed the entrance, a lush, organic arrangement of greenery and golden-hued roses that felt as though it had grown naturally from the weathered stone. The florals continued seamlessly inside, weaving through the ancient space and carrying the dreamy, natural spirit. The entire setting felt like stepping into a vintage Italian movie. Troy and Nadine often joke that they still might be floating somewhere among the clouds from that ceremony, suspended in the beauty and emotion of it all.
After arriving at the venue in a vintage Rolls Royce from Tulliani Noleggi, the ceremony unfolded like a story frozen in time. With the church doors flung open to the Tuscan breeze, the service flowed mostly in Italian, with touches of English seamlessly woven in by their bilingual priest.
The delicate notes of a harp playing Bach’s ‘Ave Maria’ filled the air, while the couple’s voices echoed gently off the old stone walls. As they stepped back into the sunlight, the guests erupted in chants of “auguri! (congratulations!)” — a moment that felt electric, timeless, and deeply personal. No art adorned the church walls that day; it was their loved ones who became the true masterpiece.
Lunch
Honoring traditional Italian wedding customs, the couple followed the classic schedule: a church ceremony in the morning, a light afternoon lunch, and a leisurely break before returning in the evening for the reception. The lunch took place at the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena, a setting that perfectly continued the feeling of timeless romance. Family portraits were taken in the hotel’s stunning Salone delle Feste, where sixteenth-century frescoes adorned the walls, wrapping the moment in historic grandeur.
The photographers, ZONZO Studio, captured the atmosphere with remarkable artistry, perfectly balancing timeless, formal portraits — images that felt as if they belonged in a history art book — with lively, joy-filled snapshots that radiated the happiness of the day. Every frame told a part of the story, blending old-world beauty with the genuine, vibrant spirit of the couple and their loved ones.
Cocktail Hour
The classic italian aperitif unfolded like a dream across the estate’s historic grounds, where Troy, Nadine, and their guests had the entire property to themselves for three unforgettable nights. As guests sipped their first drinks, a seven-string orchestra filled the air with elegant melodies, setting a refined yet lively tone. Adding a touch of wonder, Mago Pandora — a talented illusionist — mingled through the crowd, performing up-close magic that sparked laughter and conversation among guests.
A live painter was at work during the cocktail hour and later reception, capturing the beauty of the venue on canvas. By the end of the night, the finished painting became an unforgettable gift — Nadine presented it to her grandmother, who lives in Italy, as a keepsake to hang in their family home.
The surprises were never-ending, and continuing the theme of family heritage, Troy and Nadine revealed one of the most heartfelt touches: a Maternal Lineage Museum of Bridal Gowns. With help from their planning team, four dressmaker’s busts were sourced and adorned with the wedding dresses of their mothers and grandmothers, each labeled with names and dates. Guests were moved to tears seeing the tribute — a beautiful way to honor the women who made their celebration possible.
As the sun began to paint the sky in soft sunset hues, guests started preparing for the evening’s festivities. A glimpse of the reception’s beauty awaited them in the form of a breathtaking floral seating chart — a wall lined with delicate glass bud vases, each holding a fresh bloom and a name tag. Every guest was invited to take their flower to the table, adding a personal, fragrant touch to an already unforgettable setting.
Decor & Setting
The reception unfolded in the sun-washed courtyard, a cinematic stone enclave that balanced intimacy with timeless Italian grandeur. The decor, brought to life through the artistry of Denise More, was a romantic ode to craftsmanship, symbolism, and seasonality. Nearly everything that could be handmade was — from the textured paper of their invitations by Los Angeles atelier Acqua & Ink to the hand-painted watercolor menus by Calligraphy Design, carefully designed to echo the ornate plates. The tables were dressed in abundant centerpieces that blended soft blooms, wild greenery, and ripe seasonal fruit — a deliberate choice that reflected both aesthetic beauty and deep personal meaning.
Fruit and foliage weren’t just decor — they symbolized love, legacy, and la famiglia è tutto, inspired by the grapefruit tree Nadine’s grandfather planted at her birth. That personal story shaped the floral vision and even appeared on their Save-the-Date. “My maternal grandfather who lived outside Pescara, Italy, had the greenest thumb and boasted a proud garden. The wedding themes of ‘handmade’ and ‘authentic’ attests to this slow, loving work on the land. Our wedding colors were olive green and wine red to honor the region and those who work the land,” the bride recalls.
"Our wedding planner and team made the vision come to life as soon as we stepped foot in the rustic courtyard under fairy lights at dusk - it was an emotional experience."
Reception
Speeches followed, beautifully captured by Paramonova Movies, with Nadine’s father delivering his in both Italian and English — a gesture that moved everyone. From the gift of an embroidered handkerchief to their emotional walk down the aisle, it was their father-daughter dance to ‘What a Wonderful World’ that finally brought shared tears, as the saxophone played gently in the background.
Italian Taste Lodovichi brought the heart of Italian cuisine to life with a live ‘fior di latte’ demonstration, honoring the couple’s love for gardening and farm-to-table traditions. The atmosphere built with each course, and just as guests were settling into their meals, the band Saxobeat lit up the evening — a violinist stepping forward to lead a jaw-dropping rendition of ‘Titanium’ that had everyone leap from their seats to dance around Troy and Nadine’s sweetheart table in a wave of joy and energy.
The cake-cutting moment was anything but ordinary — it was a joyful tribute to love, heritage, and hands-on tradition. As the pastry chef from Italian Taste presented the base of the ‘millefoglie’, Troy and Nadine donned gloves and built their cake together — layering fresh cream, berries, and powdered sugar in front of their guests. It was a symbolic act of creation that echoed their wedding’s handmade theme and Nadine’s roots, reminding everyone of the love and care that go into building both a meal and a marriage.
"Our wedding day was so much more than just about us as a couple — it was a pillar in our guests’ lives too. Little ways to make them feel seen and a part of your love story will catapult your wedding experience to another dimension."
Advice from the couple:
• Never stifle a generous impulse. If an idea crosses your mind about a gift for someone you love, or a loving thought generates straight from your heart, speak it into existence. Life is too short to let those be fleeting urges — no loving gesture is too small.
PLANNER Denise More | PHOTOGRAPHER ZONZO Studio | VIDEOGRAPHER Paramonova Movies | GETTING READY & CEREMONY VENUE Tenuta Monaciano | RECEPTION VENUE Grand Hotel Continental Siena | FLORALS Nina e i Fiori | MAKEUP Inspired By Grace MUA | DRESS Monique lhuiller | CATERING & CAKE Italian Taste Lodovichi | INVITATIONS Acqua & Ink | STATIONERY Calligraphy Design | MUSIC La Semicroma Weddings & Saxobeat & Note a Nozze | ENTERTAINMENT Magopandora | LIGHTING Wedding Music and Light | TRANSFER & CAR Canestri Autonoleggi & Tulliani Noleggi
