There’s a particular kind of love story that feels destined from the start — the kind where paths cross long before two people realize it. That’s exactly how this couple’s romance began: a chance connection on Tinder, a shared history neither of them knew about, and a full-circle proposal ten years later that still managed to catch the bride completely by surprise. When it came time to plan their wedding, the bride — a creative director and designer by trade — wanted something that felt less like an event and more like an entirely new world guests could step into. They found it in Lucca, Italy, inside a centuries-old villa, where three days of celebration unfolded with sculptural florals, a runway-style ceremony, and a live mille-feuille assembly that stole the night. See all the magic below, as designed by FÖLA Styling and captured by Zoe Morley Photography
The Love Story
“Brandon and I met on Tinder the summer after our first year of college, back home in the Bay Area. We went on a date in Santa Cruz — the city we now call home — and spent the whole afternoon talking in a hidden treehouse near UC Santa Cruz before our first kiss at Panther Beach.”
As we got to know each other, we realized we had more history than we thought. We’d gone to rival high schools, shared a network of friends, and — in a twist neither of us saw coming — I had unknowingly returned his lost motorcycle keys months earlier, after finding them while skateboarding and posting about them on Yik Yak.
“It felt like a funny little piece of fate.”
The Proposal
Brandon proposed in the Santa Cruz forest, at the same spot where they’d had their first date — a detail he’d planned with quiet precision, down to a note left on his windshield asking not to be towed because he was “proposing to his girlfriend.”
“He kept taking photos of me before setting up what I thought was a timed picture. He was actually filming, because he knew I had always wanted the proposal captured. After ten years together, it still completely surprised me.”
They ended the afternoon at one of their favorite breweries, over smash burgers — simple, unfussy, exactly right.
A World Built for Guests
“We wanted the weekend to feel like entering a world we had made for everyone, not just arriving for a few hours at a wedding.”
The celebration kicked off with a welcome party dinner at Villa Pedone, styled as “Ristorante Rocha” — an Italian trattoria-meets-eclectic-vintage evening that set the tone before the wedding day itself.
The Vision
Choosing a Historic Italian Villa
Natalia and Brandon knew they wanted a historic Italian villa, somewhere beautiful enough to carry the feeling of the wedding, with landscape and architecture that already had a point of view. Natalia’s family has ties to Italy, and the couple had always loved being there, so it felt personal as well as visually right. They were drawn to Lucca for its history and beauty, and Villa Grabau gave them the grand, timeless setting they had imagined.
An Old-World, Sculptural Aesthetic
“We wanted the wedding to feel like a world of its own: historic Italian romance with a tactile, contemporary point of view.”
Drawing from jewelry, raw silver, gemstones, glass, and organic sculptural forms, the design leaned into contrast — delicate and metallic, formal and playful, timeless and a little unexpected.
“We wanted it to feel ethereal and intimate, with the ceremony and dinner layouts designed for connection, not a spectacle, but an experience people could actually inhabit.”
The Bridal Look
Natalia knew exactly what she wanted: romantic, sensual, softly draped — never fussy. The Layla gown by Enaura, pre-pulled by her stylist, was only the second or third dress she tried on.
“The off-the-shoulder neckline, sculptural draping, and fluid silk satin had this effortless romantic elegance. It felt exactly like what I had been imagining.”
She gave herself a week to be certain — though, as she puts it, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Loose waves, blush-focused makeup, and a veil finished the look.
“It felt like an elevated version of myself.”
Brandon wore a classic custom tuxedo — timeless and polished, allowing the couple’s looks to feel cohesive without being overly matched.
The Ceremony
The couple chose a runway-style layout, with a 20-meter aisle of lilies and guests facing one another and surrounding the space, creating a closeness that rippled through the entire ceremony. Guests were greeted along the way by a violinist, custom fans, and fabric-draped seating, before finding their way to the couple.
“It created a closeness that people really appreciated.”
Natalia’s uncle officiated, with words she describes as incredibly personal, while a live violinist and harpist played a strings rendition of “Avatar’s Kiss” during the ring exchange.
“During my uncle’s address, Brandon and I kept quietly talking to each other. It brought a little lightness to a moment that could have felt very intense, and it reminded me that even with everyone watching, we still had this small private world between us.”
Design Details
Sculptural, Architectural Florals
“I wanted the florals to feel as though they belonged to the villa, less like formal arrangements placed in a room and more like something growing through its architecture.”
Rows of lilies framed the ceremony, while taller sculptural moments and draping elements carried that same sense of movement into the reception. The bride’s bouquet cascaded down the front of her gown, echoing the fluidity of the dress itself, while bridesmaids each carried a single lily tied with ribbon — a quieter, more graphic take on the same idea. Silver lilies added a subtle metallic note throughout.
Old-World Grandeur Meets Modern Intimacy
Set within Villa Grabau’s monumental stone architecture, the reception design embraced sculptural, winding tables, abundant LED lighting, and immersive amber illumination. As guests arrived, projections mimicked the golden hour light outside — and as the sun went down, the moon appeared overhead. Lush, tree-like floral sculptures softened the historic surroundings, bringing a sense of untamed Mediterranean romance to the space. Dramatic yet understated, the atmosphere felt ancient, cinematic, and deeply intimate — elevated elegance built on the contrast between nature and light, old ruins and new design.
A Live Mille-Feuille Assembly
In place of a traditional cake, the couple chose a traditional Italian mille-feuille, assembled live in front of guests after dinner.
“Brandon and I finished it with powdered sugar before feeding each other, and it became one of everyone’s favorite moments. It was beautiful, interactive, and, most importantly, delicious.”
For their first dance, they chose Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” — a slower nod to the Lauryn Hill version that had played on their very first date.
A Late-Night Italian Discoteca
Following the first dance, an MC announcement signaled a shift — guests were led back into the villa, now transformed into deep maroon and red tones for the after-party. A cigar-and-custom-lighter service and roaming late-night bites kept the room’s energy going well past dinner.
The bride changed into a silk halter top and mini skirt set by Cherrie Attire, and the dance floor didn’t empty for the rest of the night.
Looking Back
“I am happiest we spent money on our destination wedding in Italy, without question, but especially our planner, Viv. Having someone who understood our design vision and could manage the realities of producing a wedding abroad made the whole experience possible. It let us enjoy the process and actually be present.”
The couple also credits their photography team — who shot film, digital, and drone footage — with capturing both the editorial images they’d dreamed of and the candid, unscripted moments in between.
Advice for Couples Planning a Destination Wedding
“Plan it together. One person can absolutely lead the vision, but both people should be involved enough to understand the decisions and feel like they are building the experience together. And know when to get help: invest in the people who make decisions easier and protect your ability to be present when the day finally arrives.”
Wedding Planner & Stylist: FÖLA Styling
Photography: Zoe Morley Photography
Florist: Mary Poppies Floral Studio
Hair & Makeup: The Studio Como
Content Creator: Veronica Metalli Studio
Catering: Guidi Lenci Catering
Venue: Villa Grabau
Welcome Party Venue: Villa Pedone
Lighting & Sound: Light N Sound Service
Stationery: One Mimosa Please
DJ: Fabio M DJ
Harpist & Strings: @fixthemusic
Bride’s Gown: Enaura (Layla gown)
Bride’s After-Party Look: Cherrie Attire
