Five years to the month after meeting — Alessia and Grant were married. Their journey spanned oceans, time zones, and every challenge love can face. But on that day, surrounded by the people who had witnessed their unwavering devotion, they said yes — not just to marriage, but to the beautiful, hard-won life they’d made together.
Location: Artimino, Carmignano, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Classic, chic, royal
Time of planning: 1 year and 9 months
Number of guests: 250
Setting: Villa
Season: Fall
Some love stories begin with sparks. Theirs began with a false fire alarm, which emptied a student housing complex near McGill University. Two hundred students poured out — and by chance, Alessia and Grant walked through the same door. Later that day, fate nudged them together again in the shared office space where they both worked. Within ten days, they said “I love you.“ A month later, they returned to Rome and Los Angeles, unsure when they’d meet again.
What followed was a love shaped by distance and devotion — handwritten letters, 16 months apart during the pandemic, and late-night calls stretching across time zones. In 2020, they reunited in Croatia. Later, Alessia wrote a heartfelt letter that persuaded Italian border officials to let Grant enter — a rare exception during strict COVID travel bans. In 2021, they built a life together in Madrid. And one morning in Phoenix, after climbing Alessia’s favorite hike in the dark, they waited hand in hand for the sun to rise. As it crested the horizon, Grant got down on one knee and asked Alessia to be his wife.
Couple's Fashion
The getting ready was pure fun — dynamic, heartfelt, and full of anticipation. Laughter, movement, quiet nerves, and joyful energy filled the room, all captured with the masterful eye of Plus Two Films. Throughout the film, the couple’s joy and the warmth of their guests was palpable, creating a truly immersive experience. The elegant editing allowed the genuine beauty of the day to shine through, while the playful soundtrack, featuring Italian classics, perfectly complemented the visuals.
Alessia wore a sculptural Pronovias gown that flowed like liquid silk, with softly draped sleeves and a dramatic open back — timeless, modern, and unforgettable. Her hair was swept into an up-do — a last-minute decision that felt just right — revealing pearl and diamond earrings that echoed the quiet luxury of her engagement ring. The Porfirio kept the bridal makeup light and luminous, letting Alessia’s natural beauty shine through. A few delicate spritzes of Chanel Gabrielle lingered in the air as she stepped into her classic Stuart Weitzman heels and took one last breath before walking into forever.
"Оver the moon. I was about to get married to the love of my life. The kind you meet once-in-a-lifetime."
Grant opted for a deep navy Suit Supply suit with a subtle double-breasted cut, its elegance made personal by a small embroidered detail inside the collar, their wedding date. His boutonniere, a single calla lily, mirrored Alessia’s bouquet — a small, deliberate echo of their unity. No accessories, no fuss. Just clean lines, a crisp white shirt, and polished Crownhill shoes.
Ceremony
Set in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Alessia and Grant’s ceremony took place at the breathtaking Villa Medici — a historic estate that effortlessly blended beauty, intimacy, and practicality. With 75 guests arriving from the U.S. and more traveling from France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Bosnia, the couple needed a location that was not only accessible, but also welcoming. The villa, with its nearly 80 rooms, became the perfect home for a weekend filled with love and celebration.
Romantics at heart, the couple had long dreamed of an outdoor summer wedding. The ceremony unfolded in the villa’s courtyard, framed by cascading greenery, white florals by Luca Cozza, and a soft, golden light. Elegant chairs lined a flower-lined aisle, while a harp and violin duo played in the background, creating a soundtrack as timeless as the setting itself.
More than one guest described Alessia and Grant’s ceremony as something out of a fairytale — and it truly was. Set against the timeless backdrop, the ceremony was emotional, intimate, and deeply personal. Held in both Italian and English, it reflected the couple’s two worlds coming together, sentence by sentence, vow by vow. The music of Ennio Morricone floated through the air, adding cinematic beauty to an already heartfelt moment. Guests wiped away tears as the couple exchanged their vows, overwhelmed by the emotion in the air.
"We showed that no matter the distance and the difficulties, love wins — when you believe in it."
Cocktail Hour
As the ceremony gave way to golden hour, guests were welcomed into the villa’s lush gardens for a cocktail hour that felt both relaxed and refined. With views of the Tuscan hills stretching in every direction, guests were treated to two signature cocktails that reflected the couple’s story: the Aperol Spritz for the bride — a nod to Alessia’s Italian roots — and The Happy Cactus for the groom, a fresh mix of tequila blanco, triple sec, and lime juice that honored Grant’s Arizona heritage. Together, the drinks captured a love story told in flavor and place.
It was also the perfect moment for Vlasta Weddings to work their magic. Bathed in the softness of the evening light, every image radiated romance and warmth — glances, gestures, and bursts of joy preserved like stills from a film.
Reception
A self-declared romantic with a passion for planning and design, Alessia had a clear vision from the start: an elegant, emotional, outdoor wedding at sunset — a vision beautifully brought to life by Tuscan Wedding Events. The forecast, however, had other plans. Rain poured all week, miraculously, on the wedding day itself, the rain returned only briefly: a soft, three-minute sprinkle that felt less like misfortune and more like a blessing.
Long, sweeping tables stretched across the lawn, dressed in crisp white linen and adorned with sculptural arrangements of green and ivory. The color palette was a refined mix of ivory and forest green — understated yet striking. Natural wooden chairs added warmth to the setting, while taper candles and delicate glassware reflected the last light of day, glowing softly as dusk arrived. Overhead, strands of lights twinkled to life, echoing the stars that would soon appear above. It was a scene that felt both timeless and cinematic, the kind you dream about, and then never forget.
Alessia and Grant walked down the grand staircase of the villa to the soaring notes of ‘I Was Born to Love You’ by Freddie Mercury. Below, their guests stood watching, gathered around the long candlelit tables, cheering and smiling. “The moment we saw everyone from the top of the stairs. It was very emotional and touching,” the bride recalls. Though they didn’t get the chance to dance to their chosen song, Alessia and Grant spontaneously took to the floor and shared a quick, unscripted dance.
Dinner by Roland’s Social & Business Catering was served, accompanied by the nostalgic sounds of 70s, 80s, and 90s classics — from The Beatles and Barry White to The Temptations and Ray LaMontagne. The cake-cutting moment was set to ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours’ — playful, joyous, and full of meaning. The couple served a traditional Italian millefoglie layered with Chantilly cream, strawberries, and raspberries, assembling it together in front of their guests and adding the final touch themselves.
Later, the energy soared as the Deb Jones Band took over, followed by Alessia’s brother stepping in as DJ. The night unfolded into hours of dancing, celebration, and pure joy — a perfect finale to a day that felt nothing short of magical.
"Overall, best day of our lives. Better than our expectations. All the people we loved were there, the weather was amazing, and the location was simply breathtaking."
Advice from the couple:
• Enjoy every second – the day flies. And make sure you eat the cake!
PHOTOGRAPHERS Vlasta Weddings | VIDEOGRAPHER Plus Two Films | PLANNER Tuscan Wedding Events | VENUE Villa Medici | FLORALS Luca Cozza | MAKEUP The Porfirio | CEREMONY DRESS Pronovias | RECEPTION DRESS Rat & Boa | SHOES Stuart Weitzman | PERFUME Chanel | SUIT Suit Supply | SHOES Crownhill | CATERING Roland’s Social & Business Catering | BEERS Noam | VOW BOOKS Papira | STATIONERY Invitarte | LIGHTING Wedding Music & Lights | BAND Deb Jones Band
