1. Tell us about your wedding day and surrounding events! Where did it all go down? Did you have any particular inspiration or musts when choosing the location?

My family roots are in Italy and my husband's appetite makes Italy an incredibly important place in our hearts. We chose Villa Mangiacane to host our wedding activities! Located in Chianti, a 15th-century property built for the Machiavelli family designed by Michelangelo. It was just 20 minutes outside of Florence with over 750 acres of vineyards, olive groves, and gated gardens! Our inspiration was timeless, family-style, and intimate. The property has insane sculptures and art and was gaudy in the best way possible. We only had 72 guests and wanted to it feel like a family vacation! I thrifted all my looks 

-We hosted a Florence Kick-Off Dinner at 13 Gobbi. Stuffed our faces with the best rigatoni in the world and drank SO much wine to pregame the week.

-The next night, we hosted a Rehearsal Party at Villa Mangicane in their gardens with Italian Folk Trio musicians and spicy speeches from our best friends.

-Our wedding day was a beautiful, chaotic, human, messy extravaganza. My husband and I woke up and went for a run in the vineyards together. I twisted my ankle and my sister-in-law had to wrap my ankle with tape from her hiking pole 

-Our puppy, Mojo Jojo, sat on my lap the entire time I got my makeup done. Our best friends married us. My niece and Mojo were our flower girls! We did live vows and promised each other that we'd be a witness to each other’s lives. I wore a Vintage Catherine Rayner from Happy Isles 

"Kurt proposed last August in Montauk on the beach with our puppy, Mojo."

-We had one long table for our dinner and broke bread with our loved ones. My dad surprised us with an entire speech in Italian! We had an Espresso Tini Tower as our cake 

-Our afters was in the basement wine cellar and we danced all night long. I wore a Vintage Valentino from Happy Isles! Guests were at the gelato cart, taking photos in the vintage photo booth, and puffing on some Italian cigars. There were a lot of Vogue Cigarettes and Tequila shots taken 

-Post-wedding, we headed to Hotel Pellicano for a beyond-dreamy mini-moon. The perfect place to unwind, eat so much pasta, and enjoy the ocean.

2. How did you and your partner meet? What was the proposal like?

Kurt and I met in college in 2014. I was dancing on stage at a Cash Cash concert at Dunrik at Indiana University. I saw him in the crowd and we matched eyes. I knew the minute I met him that he was the one. And we've now grown up together and kept evolving as individuals and, more importantly, as a team. And we keep falling back in love with new versions of one another. Kurt proposed last August in Montauk on the beach with our puppy, Mojo. We celebrated with a lot of champagne and my best friends showed up and surprised me. We celebrated all weekend long 

3. Describe your Happy Isles dress and/or dresses! When did you know it was the one? 

I actually had a different wedding dress that didn't end up fitting me a month before the wedding. I took it as a sign. I saw the 90s Catherine Rayner Silk Corset pop up on your IG Stories and knew instantly she was the one. A timeless classic. And I loved those little flowers along the neckline! When it arrived at my apartment, it fit me perfectly. Didn't need any tailoring!!! Also took that as a sign that she was the one 

I also wore your Vintage 90's Sleeves Scoop Neck Valentino for our afterparty!! It had crochet circles and was SO fun to dance in.

4. What did your partner wear down-the-aisle and did you share outfits pics before the big day?

Kurt wore a custom Martin Greenfield tuxedo with a white suit jacket and shiny Gucci shoes. He looked SO handsome!!

5. How did your guests respond to your outfit/s? Were there any standout reactions?

Everyone was in shock, and so supportive. I had multiple looks and they didn't make me feel crazy lol. They understood the assignment!!! My niece told me I looked beautiful and it made my heart hurt from all her love. Kurt and I also sobbed the entire ceremony from happiness. 

6. Where did you shop for accessories and how did you style your look/s?

I mostly got my accessories from Le Grand Strip in Williamsburg. They hosted us my girlfriends and I. We had champagne and tequila, and they customized accessories per event and look. It was SO beyond thoughtful and fun. I also worked with Coco Schiffer to source my pearl wedding earrings 
 My godmother also let me borrow her pearl necklace and earrings for my second look. A little something borrowed 

7. What was the most memorable aspect of your dress shopping experience? Is there anything you would like to highlight or share with other brides considering an appointment at Happy Isles?

I just loved how comfortable Happy Isles made me feel. They didn't pressure me to purchase anything and let me take my time exploring the shop. It felt like playing dress up!!! Also the fact that I bought my wedding dress without even trying it on... y'all really curate the most authentic and special pieces of all time. And would also trust doing that with you.

8. Okay. Your HI wedding dress is a person. What is their name, and describe their perfect date!

Ooooo0oo!! Well since she has those little flowers along the neckline... let's call her Flora. Flora loves a filthy, dirty martini with olives. Her ideal date is finding a new cocktail bar, and if it goes well... finding some live music after! She just wants to dance and maybeeee sneak a little Vogue ciggy.

9. Getting serious for a second. Did you ever feel like you were breaking the mold or challenging expectations while wedding planning? What were some ways you stayed true to yourself during what can be an emotionally complex experience?

Beyond. I didn't want to just do things because that's what we're "supposed to do." We didn't do a first-look, we slept in the bed together the night before, we got ready like at noon, and a bunch of other non-traditional things. I just wanted us to be as comfortable as possible and actually ENJOY our wedding. We had a little thing we'd do if we'd get overwhelmed... we called it "BPS" aka "be present smooch" LOL. We'd pause, look at each other, breathe, and give a little kiss to ground ourselves. We also really tried to speak to every single person during our events so everyone felt appreciated, seen, and heard. People traveled from near and far to spend this experience with us, and we wanted to make sure they felt loved as well. Our stationary was also very playful and doodle-esque. Just tried not to take ourselves too seriously!

10. They say every wedding has a “wild card” moment. Did anything unexpected happen or surprise you during planning or day-of?

There were so many wild cards. My dad's chair broke during the ceremony, I twisted my ankle, couldn't find a pen to edit my vows so had to use lip liner, and many many more. But all in all, those moments are what made our wedding feel so human and special and us. Wouldn't change it!

11. HOT TAKES: Do you have any wedding planning or dress shopping advice? Please pay it forward to our future brides!

Don't settle!!! If you don't like the dress, heels, etc. then try to find something else, even if it's in the 11th hour. I was so excited and shopped a bit too early. I wish I waited a little longer until we truly established our vision. Also, don't be shy about multiple looks!!! It's so fun to curate pieces for different moments and play dress-up. 

12. If you had to choose your single best wedding day memory what would it be?

Our vows 

13. Now that the wedding chapter has come to a close, what are some dreams you have for your future, both personally and as a couple?

14. And finally - shout out your vendors!

Planner: @tuscaniaweddingevents
Venue: @mangiacane
Photographer: @erikagabalyte
Hair/Makeup: @barbaracorsowed
Flowers: @flowersliving
Decor: @preludiodivisionenoleggio
Lights/Audio: @kaleydo.official
Videographer/Super8: @tuscanyweddingphotographer
Band: @the_bitband
String Quartet/Italian Folk Trio: @florencestringquartet
DJ: @remogiunidj
Dresses: @happyisles_salon 
Accessories: @legrandstrip and @cocoschiffer 
Trainer: @wellness_with_niki