Within the enchanted gardens of Villa Palmieri, where Queen Victoria once spent her summers in dreamy contemplation, and Alexandre Dumas penned his timeless tales, Ana Maria and Nicolas’s love story blossomed into a celebration that honored centuries of Italian romance – from Renaissance-inspired tablescapes adorned with fresh fruits and flowers to three tenors singing Bocelli under the Tuscan sun, each moment captured through Elisabetta Riccio’s artistic lens as if painting a modern masterpiece in the same light that has illuminated countless love stories before.
Location: Florence, Italy
Style: Elegant, romantic, stunning
Time of planning: 8 months
Number of guests: 160
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
What began with a chance meeting at Bogota’s chic La Huerta bar blossomed into an endless conversation that was cut short only when the staff asked them to leave. Ana Maria shared stories about her furniture design company, while Nicolas spoke about his environmental conservation work in Colombia. The next day’s second date began their inseparable journey together.
Nicolas’s proposal reflected their story’s blend of spontaneity and romance. After a first attempt while battling COVID-19, he created the perfect moment in Cartagena de Indias. Following dinner at Don Juan Restaurant, he led a confused Ana Maria to the wrong floor of their building, where candlelight guided them to a rooftop transformed by white roses, champagne, and a saxophonist’s soft melody. There, against the backdrop of the city lights, he got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife.
Location & Planning
When Ana Maria and Nicolas first visited Villa Palmieri, they immediately felt the magic of its storied past. Savvy Event Studio understood how to honor the villa’s legacy – from Queen Victoria’s summers to Alexandre Dumas’s writing sessions – and the couple’s vision of Italian romance. Every detail paid homage to the historic setting while creating fresh magic for their love story. Elisabetta Riccio chronicled their first walk through the property, capturing their awe as they discovered each perfect spot for their celebration.
Welcome Celebrations
Florence’s historic Forte Belvedere hosted an intimate welcome celebration that had deep meaning for the couple. The fortress, where Nicolas’s grandfather Fernando once held art exhibitions, provided a stunning backdrop of Renaissance Florence. Elisabetta Riccio captured the magic as Golden Hour painted the city’s iconic Duomo in warm light, her lens finding perfect moments between ancient stone walls where Floralia Event Design had created elegant tablescapes dotted with lemons and olive branches.
Galateo Ricevimenti served traditional Tuscan aperitivos and artisanal pizzas while guests mingled in Italian-chic summer attire – men in linen jackets and women in elegant flowing dresses. The evening unfolded like a scene from a classic Italian film, with The Art Society performing a blend of Cuban rhythms and beloved Italian melodies that echoed off centuries-old walls.
Bridal Look
Rosa Clará created a gown for Ana Maria that perfectly married Renaissance romance with modern sophistication. The designer, who attended as a family friend, incorporated dramatic period sleeves while maintaining a contemporary silhouette. Daniela Delia, known for her work with Chanel and Dior, created a timeless beauty look that enhanced Ana Maria’s natural radiance. Her bouquet of pure white orchids and delicate diamond and pearl earrings completed an ensemble that Elisabetta Riccio captured in a series of portraits that felt both editorial and intimately personal.
"The dress was inspired and created by her based largely on my personality; I wanted Renaissance sleeves that reflected my romantic side, and Rosa knew exactly how to incorporate that into the dress, making it look both modern and chic."
Groom's Fashion
Nicolas chose an off-white dinner jacket paired with classic black trousers. His elegant look was complemented by a meaningful touch—blue and white pearl cufflinks, a wedding gift from his stepfather. The couple’s children wore suits lovingly designed by Ana Maria herself, adding another layer of personal significance to the day.
Ceremony
The couple found endless inspiration in light and legacy at Villa Palmieri. The garden ceremony space, enhanced by Floralia Event Design, needed little embellishment – centuries-old trees provided a natural cathedral. At the same time, a cellist and violinist from The Art Society filled the air with romantic melodies.
Each heartbeat of the ceremony held its magic – the way the sunlight filtered through ancient olive trees to catch tears on guests’ cheeks, the gentle Tuscan breeze carrying the priest’s words about love and legacy across the centuries-old garden. When Ana Maria and Nicolas exchanged their vows, their voices were soft yet evident in the calm afternoon air, and even the most composed guests were deeply moved.
Cocktail Hour
In Villa Palmieri’s lush gardens, Galateo Ricevimenti crafted an aperitivo experience worthy of the setting’s storied past. Guests gathered between manicured hedges and blooming flower beds, where centuries-old stone fountains provided a musical backdrop to intimate conversations.
Private Moment
Between celebrations, the photographer guided the couple through the villa’s most photogenic spots, utilizing her intimate knowledge of Italian light to create images that felt both timeless and spontaneous. These quiet interludes allowed Ana Maria and Nicolas to absorb the magic of their chosen setting. Centuries of love stories had unfolded in this place among the same gardens and beneath the same Tuscan sky.
"One of the things we will treasure the most are the spectacular photos taken by our photographer, Elisabetta Riccio. She is a very talented professional and we are very grateful to her for capturing the most special moments of our dream day, which we will keep forever in our memories."
Decor & Setting
The villa’s transformation honored centuries of artistic tradition. Inspired by Baroque still-life paintings, tables became living canvases where Floralia Event Design crafted scenes worthy of a master’s brush. Pastel-colored flowers mingled with fresh fruit—plump cherries, dewy strawberries, and perfect peaches.
GB Audio Service enhanced the natural acoustics of the space, ensuring that every note carried perfectly through the historic rooms and gardens, whether it was the emotional ceremony music or the evening’s lively celebration. As day turned to even, their lighting design revealed new dimensions of the villa’s beauty.
Reception
The celebration unfolded like a Renaissance still-life painting come to life, a vision crafted by the bride’s mother-in-law. Floralia Event Design created tablescapes that would have inspired the old masters—orchids, hydrangeas, and roses mingled with fresh cherries, strawberries, and peaches in artistic abundance.
Galateo Ricevimenti presented course after course of Tuscan cuisine while three tenors performed “Con te Partiro” and other beloved Bocelli classics.
Elisabetta Riccio documented each carefully curated detail – from the pastel-hued flower arrangements to the flickering candlelight that transformed the villa’s spaces as day turned to evening. Her artist’s eye found beauty in every moment, from stolen glances between the newlyweds to the joyful energy of the dance floor where Cris Matt masterfully mixed Latin rhythms with international hits.
Evening Celebration
As stars appeared over Tuscany, the festivities became more vibrant. The Art Society filled the air with music that had everyone on their feet. Radiant in her evening attire, Ana Maria danced among Floralia Event Design‘s still-life-inspired centerpieces, which now glowed with candlelight. At the same time, Nicolas and their guests celebrated with the kind of joy that only an Italian night can inspire.
The tables, which earlier displayed such careful baroque artistry, now served as elegant anchors for an evening of pure celebration, where passed champagne and spontaneous toasts kept the energy high until the early hours.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple embraced Italian tradition with a stunning millefoglie tower decorated with fresh berries. The newlyweds shared a champagne toast beside the tiered masterpiece, its layers delicately illuminated by modern light installations overhead. White florals and trailing greenery adorned the dessert display, creating a perfect blend of classic Italian elegance and contemporary style.
Advice from the couple:
• Choose a photographer who understands the technique, emotion, and history of your chosen setting.
• Your wedding location should tell a story – ours spoke of centuries of romance, art, and Italian beauty.
• Trust in the magic of your venue’s natural beauty – sometimes, the perfect backdrop already exists.
PHOTOGRAPHER Elisabetta Riccio | VIDEOGRAPHER Waterfall Visuals | PLANNER Savvy Event Studio | VENUE Villa Palmieri | FLORALS Floralia Event Design | MUAH Daniela Delia | DRESS Rosa Clará | CATERING Galateo Ricevimenti | MUSIC The Art Society | DJ Cris Matt | AUDIO GB Audio Service
