Location: Tuscany, Italy
Style: Classy, romantic, moody, authentic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 70
Setting: Italian Villa
Season: Summer
Alissa and Jakob envisioned a wedding that felt timeless, reflecting who they are rather than a celebration driven by trends. Creating a relaxed atmosphere was essential, where both they and their guests could feel comfortable, present, and truly enjoy the day. With that in mind, they kept the timeline simple and embraced only the traditions that felt meaningful to them. They chose Raw Studio led by Vitalie Varvarynets to photograph their celebration, and he captured every detail with intention, preserving the quiet moments, the joy between guests, and the genuine connection shared by the newlyweds.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Alissa wanted a look that felt effortless, chic, and completely true to who she is. “I wanted to feel comfortable and like myself,” she shared. She chose the Helix gown by Hera Couture paired with a tailor-made scarf, Ralph Lauren shoes, and her signature Aesop Karst perfume. Jen Hathaway styled her hair and makeup in a natural, minimal way with soft waves and clean glam, just as Alissa wears on a regular day. Her bouquet, long-stemmed white calla lilies from Winston and Winston Flowers, carried a special meaning as an homage to her grandmother, who couldn’t be at the wedding.
"I was actually pretty chilled throughout the day. I was 100% in the moment and enjoyed every second, and apparently, guests could feel my energy, too."
Groom's Fashion
Jakob wanted a classic, timeless look that felt completely comfortable, so he chose to have a tailor-made tuxedo crafted by Straub Vienna. “I’ve passed the store a thousand times and always said that one day I’d get a suit from there,” he shared. It ended up being the only tailor he visited as the owner, Peter, impressed him immediately with his warmth and expertise. His entire look came together with a Straub Vienna shirt, cummerbund, and bow tie, Roberto & Sons shoes, Cartier cufflinks, and his go-to scent, Chanel Sport.
First Touch
The couple chose not to spend the night before the wedding apart, knowing they felt most comfortable together. Jakob left only when Alissa began getting ready, so they still avoided seeing each other before the ceremony. Instead, they shared a quiet, emotional moment just beforehand, standing on opposite sides of a doorway where they could talk, hold hands, and feel each other’s presence without actually looking. Alissa gave Jakob a linen handkerchief embroidered in her own handwriting with the words “today, tomorrow, always, your wife,” and for Jakob, this became the most unforgettable moment of the day. Holding her hand, reading her message, and feeling the weight of it all moved him to tears.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the garden in front of the fountain at Villa Grabau. Rather than having all of their guests seated behind them, they chose a layout that allowed them to feel fully surrounded by the people they love. Since they had eloped in Vienna two weeks earlier, the ceremony was symbolic, and the surprise announcement at the beginning immediately set an emotional tone.
They wanted the ceremony to feel deeply personal, heartfelt, and joyful, with moments of lightness throughout. Jakob’s dad played the saxophone between parts of the ceremony, adding an intimate and meaningful touch. Guests later shared that it felt incredibly authentic and moving, with many admitting it was the first time they had ever cried at a wedding.
Cocktail Hour
They chose a historic Lucchese villa surrounded by a lush garden, fountain, and a grand lemon house, drawn to its timeless architecture that felt elegant without being overly princess-like. What they loved most was how the venue unfolded throughout the day, offering different spaces and constant wow moments as guests moved from one setting to the next. The atmosphere leaned into a late-summer mood, with rich tones of burgundy, dark chocolate, and green, layered with candlelight to create a romantic, slightly moody feel.
For Alissa, one of the most meaningful moments came during the aperitivo. Sitting in the garden with antipasti and a glass of prosecco, taking in the surroundings, Jakob, and all the guests who had traveled to celebrate them, she felt completely present and incredibly happy.
Reception Design
The reception took place inside the 300-year-old lemon house, where two long rectangular tables set the scene. Draped table ends, varied floral arrangements, some styled in silver vases, others in silver cups or laid horizontally along the tables, and an abundance of tapered candles created a warm, romantic atmosphere. A stone wall at the back of the lemon house was lined with 100 glowing candles, adding depth and an almost magical intimacy to the space.
The Lemonaia, home to lemon trees during the winter months, immediately captured their hearts. They are drawn to places that tell stories and carry history, which is exactly why this setting felt so special. The floral designs were intentionally treated like individual art pieces, with asymmetrical shapes and sculptural compositions. Thonet-style chairs completed the look, paying homage to Vienna, their hometown, and reflecting their shared love for timeless interior design.
Reception
Jazz music set the tone during dinner, followed by a live band, Double Soul, that took over after the meal. Speeches from Alissa and Jakob’s parents, as well as their maid of honor and best man, were woven between courses, creating heartfelt pauses throughout the evening. After the second course, the saxophonist surprised everyone with a saxophone version of “Crazy in Love,” leading guests outside for the wedding cake moment, a live millefoglie that Alissa and Jakob helped prepare together.
Following cake and dessert under the open sky, the celebration continued with Alissa and Jakob’s first dance to “At Last” by Etta James. It was a song they had chosen years earlier, long before the wedding, simply because of their shared love for Etta James. Dancing to it felt natural and deeply meaningful, marking the beginning of the night in a way that felt completely their own.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t listen to other people’s opinions or feel forced to do traditions you don’t feel comfortable with. Plan everything to your liking and enjoy the day to the fullest without worrying about organizational stuff on the day – leave that to your planner or maid of honor/best man.
• Only invite the people you feel 100% comfortable with. It’s a very personal and emotional day, and you would only spend that kind of day with the people you love and love you back.
PHOTOGRAPHY Raw Studio | VENUE Villa Grabau | FLORALS & DRAPING Winston and Winston Floral Design | CATERING Eventi e Cucina | CEREMONY SPEAKER Brigitte Stetter | LIVE BAND Double Soul | DJ Giovanni Renzini | HAIR & MAKEUP Jen Hathaway | MUSIC & LIGHT EQUIPMENT Music and Light | DANCE FLOOR Central House
