In the olive-covered hills of Figline Valdarno, Katrina and Riccardo welcomed their guests to a 14th-century Tuscan villa, where golden light spilled over stone walls and the scent of espresso lingered in the air. Their weekend blended jazz, family traditions, and a shared love of food, weaving Italian roots with Californian warmth in a setting of understated elegance.
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Style: Refined, timeless, soulful
Time of planning: 5 months
Number of guests: 50
Setting: Villa
Season: Fall
Born oceans apart, Riccardo in Florence and Katrina in California, their paths crossed in the most unexpected way: through Riccardo’s televised Food Network debut. What began with curiosity and long-distance texts between Maui and LA turned into something far more lasting. After a year of flights and late-night calls, Katrina moved to Maui, and soon after, they built a life together in Los Angeles. During one summer evening in Florence, Riccardo proposed at Piazzale Michelangelo as the Arno river shimmered behind them, secretly captured by his childhood friend. Their story came full circle a year later, back in Tuscany, this time to say “I do.”
Couple's Morning
Katrina chose the Pronovias Oberon gown, with its clean trumpet lines and refined simplicity, which became an immediate “yes” the moment she slipped it on. Her accessories echoed the same restrained grace: satin heels adorned with pearls and rhinestones, gold-toned pearl and diamond jewelry, and a lace-trimmed cathedral veil that trailed softly behind her through the olive groves.
She wore Mon Paris by YSL, the perfume she had on during their very first meeting, and she felt “the same butterflies as four years earlier”. Her makeup, created by Bologna-based artist Daniele Carlo, highlighted her natural beauty with a soft, matte glow, while hairstylist Marina Rotondo crafted a low, swept-back style that framed her face with ease.
Riccardo got ready with his father by his side. He adjusted the crocodile leather cufflinks he’d received for his eighteenth birthday, as a small tradition between them that felt grounding in the quiet of the morning. His custom tuxedo and bow tie from Black Tux complemented his fine-pleated shirt and a boutonniere of cream roses, neatly pinned to the satin lapel. A final spritz of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue and a glance shared with his father in the mirror anchored the moment.
Ceremony
Set between tall cypress and silvery olive trees, the ceremony unfolded in the heart of the villa’s garden, framed by soft hills and floral ground arrangements of white roses and Florentine lilies. Cream petals were scattered along the aisle, guiding Katrina and Riccardo toward each other under a sky that miraculously cleared just in time after a morning rain. The chairs were arranged in an intimate semicircle, with family seated close and surrounded by blooms that echoed Katrina’s bouquet. The setup struck a balance between softness and structure, feeling both grounded and ceremonial, allowing the landscape to hold the moment.
The ceremony was led in both English and Italian by their closest friends, Francesco and Alexis, whose presence brought ease and intimacy to the formalities. The couple’s rings were passed through the hands of Riccardo’s and Katrina’s family as a gesture of collective blessing that culminated with Riccardo’s grandparents, who have been married for over 70 years. As vows were spoken, tears were wiped away with quiet gestures, and just before the kiss, laughter slipped in. Their exit, to Etta James’ “A Sunday Kind of Love”, felt joyous, personal, and perfectly timed for the soft golden light.
"Despite rain projected on the forecast, the sun broke through the clouds, and everything turned out better than expected."
Cocktail Hour
Guests gathered poolside under wide umbrellas for a relaxed aperitivo hour, where lounge chairs, lemon-hued towels, and spritzes in hand gave the setting a sun-drenched, villa-holiday feel. The couple offered a spread of Tuscan bites — Parmigiano chunks served straight from the wheel, rustic cheeses, and trays of prosciutto-wrapped figs. Servers passed through in all black with golden trays, while Riccardo’s uncle Enzo prepared porchetta just for the occasion.
"Their wedding favors were custom packages of espresso, because sharing an espresso in the morning was one of their favorite pastimes as a couple."
Private Moment
Meanwhile, Katrina and Riccardo slipped away to their suite for a private moment, letting the music drift in as they read personal vows to each other.
Afterward, they took a quiet walk among the cypress-lined paths with their photographer. They held hands, laughed, and let the stillness of the countryside wrap around them as the sky dimmed. Alice Santella followed from a gentle distance, never interrupting, only observing with a quiet lens. Her frames caught their real rhythm: the unspoken things, the way his head rested near her hip, the way her fingers curled through his. Nothing staged, nothing forced — just two people sinking into the moment, exactly as they were.
"From the very start, Alice intuitively understood our desires and needs, capturing the essence of our day with incredible care and sensitivity."
Reception
The villa garden transformed into a glowing dinner scene as string lights and a crystal chandelier bathed the evening in soft warmth. Long tables draped in ivory linen wrapped around the dance floor, surfaces lined with low white florals, flickering candles, and delicate gold accents. The sweetheart table stood just beneath the chandelier, surrounded by roses, greenery, and Florence’s signature lilies. Everything felt cohesive and effortless, carrying Katrina’s vision of clean minimalism with quiet romance.
"Couples like Katrina and Riccardo, who step outside the box and fully embrace my vision are truly my dream clients. They didn’t shy away from emotion, but let it carry them through the day, which resulted in a beautifully authentic narrative."
Dinner felt like a long Italian summer evening — slow, abundant, and surrounded by stories. Guests raised glasses to toasts from family and friends, laughing between courses and clinking over Chianti Classico, handpicked by the couple from a vineyard dear to them. Riccardo and Katrina made their entrance to Kiss’ “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” then shared their first dance to “XO” by John Mayer — it was such an emotional moment that Katrina couldn’t hold back tears.
Later in the courtyard, Riccardo’s former mentor, Roberto Morano, presented the wedding cake — a traditional tiramisu, crowned with a miniature golden retriever in honor of their dog Winston. Riccardo opened the champagne as sparklers lit the sky, and the celebration spilled into a lively afterparty.
The playlist shifted to throwbacks from their teenage years and summer drives through Italy. Guests waved LED sticks, Katrina danced with a gelato in hand, and they closed the night to “Piove in Discoteca” — a song that once marked the beginning of their love story, and now, its most unforgettable chapter.
"Every time we look at our wedding gallery, we relive the emotions all over again."
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t organize a wedding in 5 months! (just kidding).
• Take it slow and never forget why the event is happening in the first place. It’s so easy to get swept up in the small details and wanting things to be “perfect”, but at the end of the night, the only thing that matters is how much you were able to be present in the moment and savor every ounce of the magic that is your wedding day.
• Trust your vendors. Your vendors are the magicians behind the curtain, ensuring the day runs smoothly. If you have a great team, you can spend the day truly in the moment, focusing on what matters. We were fortunate to have an amazing team, and we wouldn’t change a thing.
PHOTOGRAPHER Alice Santella | PLANNER The Wedding Trail | VIDEOGRAPHER Andrea Tortora | VENUE Podere La Specola | CATERING Glam Ricevimenti | FLORALS Erbe e Fior | MAKEUP Daniele Carlo | HAIR Marina Rotondo | BAR Riccardo Barman | ICE CREAM Mordilatte Gelateria | DJ Gaetano Sicari
