Location: Tuscany, Italy
Style: Timeless Italian Garden Party
Time of planning: 14 months
Number of guests: 40
Setting: Villa
Season: Spring
Jake and Kora met long before their romance began. Growing up as next-door neighbors outside of Philadelphia, they were literally “the boy and girl next door.” Their parents were close friends, but life took them in different directions during high school and college. It wasn’t until a summer party at their parents’ house that sparks finally flew. With Kora living in NYC and Jake in Washington, DC, they navigated a year of long-distance dating before moving in together in DC. Five years later, after purchasing their first home, Jake proposed in the sweetest, most intimate way—just the two of them at home. To top it off, he surprised Kora with an engagement party surrounded by all their friends and family, making the moment even more unforgettable.
Vision & Photography
Jake and Kora envisioned a timeless Italian garden party for their wedding weekend in Tuscany, inviting guests from across the globe to join in the celebration. To add personal touches, they thoughtfully prepared welcome bags filled with Limoncello and local Tuscan chocolates, setting the tone for a warm and memorable experience. The celebrations included a gelato cart, a lively pizza evening, and a relaxed poolside brunch the following day—a perfect opportunity to reflect on the magical night before and spend more quality time with their loved ones.
The couple couldn’t have been happier to have their wedding beautifully captured by the talented Yana Korn. From the vibrant Welcome Day to the romantic wedding celebration, she perfectly froze every special moment—from the stunning ceremony to the joyful Italian-inspired festivities. Her photos felt authentic and full of emotion, capturing the couple’s love for each other and the warmth and connection shared with their guests.
Welcome Day
The couple imagined a magical wedding weekend that immersed their guests in an authentic Italian-inspired experience. Every detail was designed to capture the charm of Italy. The guests soaked up the Tuscan sun and enjoyed pizza, gelato, and traditional cocktails. The Welcome Day set the perfect tone, as the couple and their loved ones relaxed, laughed, and savored every unforgettable moment together.
"We wanted to create a few different moments and experiences for the guests so we had a white party with pizza and spritzes the night before the wedding."
Wedding Day
Couple's Morning & Fashion
“I felt amazing and so beautiful on my wedding day,” Kora shared. She stunned in a strapless A-line gown with a thigh-high slit, created from 100% silk by Hera Couture. She paired it with elegant platform silk strappy heels from Bella Belle Shoes. For her makeup and hair, Ieva Bogdanova and Suela Kernezo created an elevated yet classic look, keeping Kora’s natural beauty front and center. A sleek low bun for the ceremony and a high bun for the night before added modern sophistication to her style. Her bouquet, the only one with pink flowers, stood out beautifully among her bridesmaids’ white and green arrangements.
"I wanted the slit to be high so we had the dress custom altered so it showed my leg off more, it was very sexy and I felt sexy wearing it with the corset bust."
The groom described feeling a mix of relief, excitement, and pure happiness on the wedding day, overjoyed to marry the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “It felt like I was marrying a supermodel,” he shared. Surrounded by loved ones who had traveled so far to celebrate with them, the day was filled with gratitude and joy. His look was effortlessly stylish, featuring a classic black tux from Bonobos, a sleek Tudor watch, and black leather shoes worn sans socks for that perfect Italian-inspired vibe. Slim-fitting, slightly shorter pants added a modern touch, embracing the charm of a timeless Tuscan wedding.
Ceremony
The ceremony was heartwarming and unforgettable, taking place in the property’s olive grove because the couple wanted the classic Tuscan feel. Kora’s best friend officiated the ceremony, an easy and heartfelt choice given that she had grown up with both the bride and groom, watching them grow as individuals and as a couple. The couple wrote their own vows, adding a personal touch and including a short traditional passage for a timeless feel. To make the ceremony even more meaningful, they incorporated a group vow, inviting their intimate gathering to join in and symbolizing that their marriage is supported by their love and the community of family and friends who surround them.
A touching surprise came later in the day when the bride found out that her grandparents, unable to travel, had watched the ceremony via FaceTime. “It was so special knowing my family back home got to witness the most magical and meaningful day of my life,” she shared. Moments like these made the day even more unforgettable.
Cocktail Hour
The reception took place at two stunning locations on the property, starting with a cocktail hour in the main yard. Guests sipped on cocktails and soaked in the joyful atmosphere, setting the perfect tone for celebrating Kora and Jake’s love.
Moments Alone
The newlyweds made sure to steal a few quiet moments together, stepping aside to take it all in—the joy of having 40 of their closest friends and family travel so far to celebrate their love. During the golden hour, Yana Korn beautifully captured their portraits, perfectly reflecting their love and affection in the warm, glowing light.
Reception Decor
The reception space was thoughtfully designed to reflect the couple’s vision, blending the natural elegance of the villa with earthy neutrals that tied the entire wedding together. “We incorporated those tones everywhere, even down to the colors our guests were allowed to wear,” the bride shared. Florals played a central role: “We used olive branches in the floral designs, along with some unconventional choices like ranunculus, garden roses, lisianthus, peonies, sweet peas, and delphinium,” she added. The result was a romantic and effortlessly sophisticated setting that perfectly captured their style.
"I wanted to look back on the wedding and have the details not speak to one particular moment in time but be super classy and reminiscent of the time of year and the wedding location."
Celebration
Dinner took place in the cozy, covered pergola area, where the sides were closed to keep the evening chill at bay. “We wanted our guests to feel comfortable, so we also provided shawls to keep them warm before the dancing began,” the bride shared. Flowers and greenery beautifully lined the single long table, creating an intimate and elegant setting where all the guests sat together. They enjoyed a delicious three-course meal with perfectly paired wines, setting the stage for the couple’s first dance. Throughout dinner, the newlyweds were showered with heartfelt wishes and love, making the evening feel even more magical.
The cake was a traditional Tuscan wedding cake, layered with fresh berries and delicate Chantilly cream—a sweet nod to the Italian setting. For their first dance, the couple chose “Beyond” by Leon Bridges, a heartfelt moment that perfectly captured their love. After the cake cutting, guests enjoyed mini cannolis, tiramisu, and espresso martinis, adding a fun and flavorful touch to the evening. The celebration continued well into the night, with the couple and their loved ones dancing joyfully until 2:30 AM, creating memories they would cherish forever.
"We are so happy we created a memorable and special event for not only us but everyone who came to celebrate with us."
Advice from the couple:
• We are so happy we splurged on all the little details like a gelato cart in the form of a fiat 500 and hired the best photographer.
