When a wedding begins with Aperol Spritzes under cypress trees and ends with fireworks and espresso martinis at midnight, you know you’re in for something special. For Lauren and Matthew, two Hollywood talent agents used to curating stories behind the scenes, their own wedding unfolded like a three-act film. Planned by the talented LaLindi, this celebration at Villa Petriolo was a masterclass in atmosphere and editorial style.Their guests were welcomed to a full Italian experience enriched with layers of art, design, and intentional storytelling.
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Style: Chic, Elegant, Soulful
Time of planning: 10 months
Number of guests: 82
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Lauren and Matthew met at work in Beverly Hills, where they spent nearly two years keeping their relationship a secret. Once their department head casually outed them during a retreat, the secrecy was over, and the public romance began. In March 2023, Matthew proposed on what seemed like an ordinary Thursday morning. He cleared Lauren’s schedule without her knowing, created a playlist of their favorite songs, and got down on one knee during the mid-makeup routine. They celebrated the engagement with a surprise weekend at Ojai Valley Inn, where they had once realized they were in love.
Concept & Planning
The couple always knew they wanted a destination wedding that felt more like a vacation with friends and family. Italy was an easy choice: it was where they’d had a magical trip together in 2021, and it embodied the relaxed elegance they had always dreamed of. Planning felt like producing a show, and they took the task seriously, crafting moodboards, references, and a wishlist of moments and experiences.
To bring it all to life, they turned to Valentina Lindi of LaLindi, whose ability to blend organization with artistic flair impressed them from the first call. Despite a tight timeline, Valentina took them on as full-service clients and worked with her signature precision, passion, and stylistic eye. From the printed menus to the fireworks cue, everything was executed with heart.
Location
The venue, Villa Petriolo, is nestled among the Tuscan hills and offers not only 17th-century frescoes, cypress-lined paths, and two pools, but a deep commitment to sustainability. The estate’s zero-kilometer farming, love for animals, and immersive hospitality won the couple over instantly. Most importantly, all guests could stay on site, creating that seamless “dolce far niente” atmosphere Lauren and Matthew dreamed of.
"Most of all, it was the people who worked there. From the bartender to the breakfast staff and the incredible event coordinator Elena, every single person made us feel like the most special and welcomed guests to ever step foot on the property."
Welcome to Dolce Vita
The celebration kicked off with a Welcome Dinner under the cypress trees. Valentina found Oslo-based artist Agathe Berjaut, who hand-painted a 114-foot tablecloth with personal motifs: Lauren and Matthew’s dog Mister, a Chicago landmark, tributes to their grandparents, and nods to Italian art history. This one-of-a-kind piece brought color, charm, and a sense of personal storytelling to the evening.
Before guests even arrived, they found a custom wedding magazine waiting in their rooms. A glossy, travel-style magazine they designed themselves, filled with Italian phrases, weekend details, and even a crossword — somewhere between Condé Nast Traveler and Vogue.
"We both love fashion so we wanted to make sure we got the 3 days right. What was most important to us was having unique yet timeless (cue our Wedding Key Words!) pieces that fit our personalities."
Lauren channeled classic Italian cinema in a vintage 1960s pink Gene Shelly dress from Happy Isles, taking cues from screen icons like Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, and Audrey Hepburn. She paired it with pink Manolo Blahnik Cayminos, a cheeky Clio Peppiatt “Til Death Do Us Part” bag, and oval-shaped hoops by Jean Dousset that mirrored her engagement ring.
Matthew opted for a brown double-breasted J.Mueser linen suit, crisp white shirt, and Tom Ford loafers. “We loved our looks this night so much,” the couple shared.
As the sun set, a local band serenaded guests with Italian classics, and the couple led a musical parade from aperitivo to dinner, dancing their way into the night.
Later, the party moved to the courtyard, where a classic film was projected onto the villa’s wall. A vintage-inspired cigar and match station added an old-Hollywood edge to the evening’s close.
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
Lauren’s fashion journey across the three days was a curated blend of vintage elegance and personal touches. Her morning look held special meaning: a vintage-inspired robe made from her mother’s wedding dress, redesigned by LA-based tailor Sarah Rothan, layered over a pale blue Christian Dior nightgown. “It was such a special moment unveiling the robe to my mom and sister on my wedding morning,” shared the bride.
For the ceremony, she wore Monique Lhuillier‘s Magnificent gown, styled with a removable bolero and Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps. Her bouquet, designed by Mary Poppies, was a compact cluster of soft pink florals that echoed the romantic tones of the ceremony garden. Her makeup and hair, done by Xenixs and the BLBS Management team, stayed true to her vision — fresh, polished, and timeless.
Later, she changed into a silver beaded vintage gown for the reception and, finally, into a glittering Vivienne Westwood Nova Cora minidress paired with pink Amina Muaddi heels for the afterparty.
Groom's Fashion
Matthew brought a refined mix of personal and polished. For the ceremony, he wore a Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo with vintage cufflinks, shirt buttons, and patent leather loafers from his late uncle.
For the reception, he changed into a black hopsack suit with wide-leg pleated pants and a black shirt, balancing classic tailoring with contemporary ease.
First Look
Their first look took place in one of the frescoed rooms of the villa. In that quiet moment, away from the flurry of preparation, they shared laughs, calmed nerves, and took in the surreal beauty of their surroundings.
Ceremony
Set against the rolling Tuscan landscape and a garden of layered florals by Mary Poppies, the ceremony was heartfelt and modern. Officiated by their close friend and Matthew’s client Benito Skinner, it combined humor and deep emotion. Despite flight cancellations, Benito and his partner drove from Rome the morning of the wedding, arriving just in time to deliver a moving and hilarious ceremony.
The couple wrote their vows, with thoughtful, joyful promises that made their guests both laugh and tear up. A string quartet played reimagined versions of favorite songs — “Our House” by Crosby, Stills & Nash for Lauren’s entrance, and “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure for the exit.
Everything came together beautifully, with care, warmth, and unmistakable style.
Cocktail Hour
Aperitivo took place poolside, with a live performance by The Principals, bringing effortless Italian cool to the soundtrack. Guests were treated to a tower of butter, fresh prosciutto, abundant antipasti, and signature drinks: “The Lauren,” a dry vodka martini with olives, and “The Matthew,” mezcal on the rocks with an orange slice.
And of course, there was no shortage of Aperol Spritz, laughter, and long, happy embraces.
Private Moment
Before dinner, Lauren and Matthew slipped away to change outfits and take in the golden hour light. They spent a few quiet moments with photographer Dias de Vino y Rosas, capturing some of the most cinematic portraits of the weekend — bathed in sunset and pure joy.
Afterward, they caught their breath while guests made their way toward the dinner setting. It was a moment of stillness, just the two of them, before rejoining the party. They returned to the dance floor to the beat of “Rasputin,” greeted by guests who had just finished reading the heartfelt letters they had written to each and every attendee.
Decor & Setting
Dinner took place at a serpentine table designed to curve along the terrace, offering uninterrupted views of the golden Tuscan sunset. The table was a masterpiece of color and texture: layers of mismatched florals in deep reds and warm oranges, vintage baroque tassels, custom-designed plates by Antonio Fratantoni, and printed menus inspired by Italian trattorias. LaLindi‘s styling brought together historic charm and contemporary vibrancy with striking ease.
"Valentina is a force. She is able to manage so much (from her 2 little kids and a life in both Norway and Italy) without breaking a sweat. She was open to any dream or wish, and she helped execute in a way that still blows my mind. We had to I cannot imagine having gone through this process with anyone else, she feels like a true friend for life."
Handwritten letters, beautifully penned by One Mimosa Please, were placed at each setting—personal messages from the couple that turned a shared meal into an emotional, unforgettable moment. As guests took their seats, they waved their napkins in celebration—a spontaneous, joy-filled moment that captured the spirit of the night.
Dinner & Party
The dinner turned into dancing with a choreographed first dance: a bachata to “Estoy Enamorado,” which quickly segued into the White Lotus theme song—“Renaissance”—as the full dance floor erupted. DJ Steve1der, flown in from LA, kept the energy sky-high while making sure the playlist stayed far from tired wedding classics.
At midnight, trays of espresso martinis appeared on cue with a surprise fireworks show, as Lauren made her third outfit change. The party lasted well into the early morning, with guests eventually ending up at the pool, while the couple snuck away to their suite to laugh, debrief, and soak in every moment.
Ciao with Lemons and Bikinis
The final day was a true embodiment of “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Guests gathered for a pool party featuring a tarot card reader, pasta alla ruota, gelato served in lemons, and plenty of lounging. Lauren wore a white Missoni bikini with a With Jean skirt and Prada crochet tote. Matthew kept it casual in a Todd Snyder knit and espadrilles.
One final personal touch awaited: guests got to take home the hand-painted ceramic plates from the Welcome Dinner, each inscribed with playful phrases and illustrations. It was the kind of ending that made everyone linger a little longer — sun-kissed, a little tipsy, wrapped in laughter and stories.
"The entire day flowed like a dream — and we were both in bliss."
Advice from the couple:
• Stay true to yourselves and your shared style.
•Have fun creating something that reflects who you are as a couple. This day is about your love — make sure it feels genuinely, unmistakably you.
PLANNER & DESIGN LaLindi Events | PHOTOGRAPHER Dias de Vino y Rosas | CONTENT CREATOR Silvi Lubilubi | VENUE Villa Petriolo | FLORALS Mary Poppies | MUAH BLBS Management, Xenixs MUA | STATIONERY One Mimosa Please | DRESS Monique Lhuillier, Vivienne Westwood | SHOP Happy Isles | JEWELRY Jean Dousset | TAILOR & ROBE Sarah Rothan | TUXEDO Ralph Lauren | CUSTOM TABLECLOTH Agathe Berjaut | CERAMICS Antonio Fratantoni | WELCOME ENTERTAINMENT Tuscany Folk Band | CEREMONY MUSIC Firenze Classica | APERITIVO ENTERTAINMENT The Principals via FixTheMusic | DJ Steve1der
