Create an atmosphere that felt timeless, romantic, and effortlessly elegant.
Tell us a little about yourselves: what you do, what you love…
We’re originally from Austin, Texas and McDonough, Georgia, but have called Chicago, Illinois home for the past two years. Kai is a West Point graduate who served in the U.S. Army before transitioning into marketing, while Christen works in SaaS sales. Although our careers have taken different paths, we’ve always bonded over a shared love of good food, great wine, fashion, art, and discovering new places together.
We’re the kind of couple who will happily plan a trip around a memorable meal, but we’re just as content spending a quiet evening at home with our husky, Basil. Kai is an incredible cook and is usually the one in the kitchen, while Christen is more than happy to enjoy whatever he’s making. Kai is the movie lover in our relationship, while Christen is more likely to get completely invested in binge-watching a new TV series or disappearing into a romantasy novel.
Whether we’re checking out a neighbourhood food festival, exploring a new corner of the city, travelling somewhere we’ve never been before, or simply gathering around the table with family and friends, we love experiences that bring people together. Family has always been at the heart of both of our lives, and when we started planning our wedding, our biggest hope was to create a celebration that felt less like an event and more like bringing all of our favourite people together around one unforgettable table.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met on Hinge in early 2020, just before the world unexpectedly changed. After matching, we had our first FaceTime call and ended up talking until six o’clock the next morning without realising how much time had passed. From that very first conversation, everything felt easy. We laughed nonstop, talked about everything and nothing, and by the time we finally hung up, we both knew we wanted to meet in person.
A few days later, we had our first date in Austin, Texas, just as everything was beginning to shut down because of the pandemic. We had planned to go out, but one by one, our options disappeared. Instead, we made an impromptu stop at the grocery store, picked up ingredients for spaghetti, tomato sauce, and a salad, and Kai cooked dinner for us. Looking back, we couldn’t have planned a more fitting first date. There were no distractions or expectations, just the chance to spend time together and get to know one another.
As lockdowns began, we naturally spent more and more time together. What could have been an incredibly uncertain season became the foundation of our relationship. We often joke that once Kai cooked us spaghetti on our first date, we were pretty much locked in. Six years later, we’re still choosing each other every day, and we’re so grateful that one swipe and one late-night FaceTime call led us here.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted the beauty of Tuscany to be the focal point. We never wanted to compete with the landscape or overwhelm it. Instead, our goal was to enhance what was already there and create an atmosphere that felt timeless, romantic, and effortlessly elegant.
We kept our colour palette intentionally simple with all-white florals, layered candlelight, and natural textures that complemented the historic villa and surrounding countryside. One of our favourite design choices was asking our guests to wear all black. Against the soft greens of Tuscany and the white florals, it created a striking contrast while allowing the scenery to remain the star. It also gave the entire day a cohesive, elevated feel that was even more beautiful than we had imagined.
The reception was where everything truly came together. Long tables filled with candles encouraged conversation and created the feeling of one shared dinner rather than separate groups. As the sun set over the hills and the candles began to glow, it became exactly what we had hoped for: an intimate celebration where every detail felt thoughtful without feeling overdone. Looking back, that’s what made the design feel so special. It wasn’t about individual elements, but about how everything came together to create an unforgettable experience for everyone we love.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Looking back, what we enjoyed most about planning wasn’t checking things off a to-do list. It was imagining the experience we wanted to create for the people we love. From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want our wedding to feel like a single event. We wanted it to feel like a shared experience where everyone could slow down, spend quality time together, and make memories that extended far beyond the ceremony itself.
That vision shaped so many of our decisions. We planned multiple days of celebrations so our family and friends could truly experience Tuscany with us, from welcome festivities and time exploring the region to relaxing by the pool before the big day. Even our wedding day reflected that philosophy. Rather than a traditional evening ceremony and dinner, we chose a midday ceremony followed by a long Italian-style lunch. We loved the idea of lingering over incredible food and wine, letting the afternoon naturally unfold into cocktails, dancing, and eventually an after-party in Florence. It felt authentic to Italy and exactly how we envisioned celebrating.
Our biggest piece of advice is to plan a wedding that feels like you. Trends will come and go, but the moments you’ll remember most are the ones that reflect your personalities and the people you love. Focus less on what a wedding is “supposed” to look like and more on how you want everyone to feel. For us, that meant creating a weekend centred around connection, conversation, and celebrating with the people who mean the most to us, and we wouldn’t change a thing.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We were incredibly fortunate to work with a team of people who cared about our wedding just as much as we did. Looking back, Veronica and Martina from La Dolce Wedding Italy were truly the heart of the entire experience. Planning a destination wedding from another country could have felt overwhelming, but they made the entire process feel effortless. Every question was answered with patience, every detail was thoughtfully considered, and they made us feel supported from the very beginning. By the time our wedding weekend arrived, we were able to simply enjoy every moment because we had complete trust in them.
Our photographer, Samin and her team at Samin Photography, were equally incredible. From our very first conversation, Samin understood the vision we had for our wedding and captured it so beautifully. She documented not only the big moments, but also the quiet, emotional, and candid ones that we’ll cherish forever. Looking through our photos feels like reliving the entire weekend all over again.
We also couldn’t imagine a more perfect venue than Fattoria degli Usignoli. Roberto Tozzi and his entire team made us and every one of our guests feel like family from the moment we arrived. The villa and Tuscan countryside are breathtaking on their own, but it was the warmth, generosity, and genuine hospitality of Roberto and his team that made the experience unforgettable. Together, La Dolce Wedding Italy, Samin Photography, and the team at Fattoria degli Usignoli brought our vision to life in ways that exceeded every expectation.
Wedding Planner: Veronica & Martina, La Dolce Wedding Italy
Photographer: Samin Abarqoi, Samin Photography
Venue: Roberto Tozzi & Team, Fattoria degli Usignoli
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story? If you’d like, share the designer’s name and website to give them exposure.
We wanted our wedding attire to feel timeless while still reflecting who we are. Rather than following trends, we chose pieces that felt intentional and told a story.
Christen’s bridal look was heavily inspired by the Victorian era. She was drawn to its romance, elegance, and quiet sense of mystery, which influenced every detail of her look. She wore a strapless gown paired with a one-of-a-kind chainmail choker adorned with crosses, creating a balance between classic bridal elegance and something a little unexpected. One detail that was especially important was her cathedral veil with a blusher. She intentionally chose a more opaque veil so her face remained hidden as she walked down the aisle, preserving that sense of mystery until the moment she reached Kai. It made their first glance at the altar feel even more intimate and unforgettable.
Kai wore a classic black shawl-collar tuxedo that perfectly complemented the timeless aesthetic we envisioned. Instead of a traditional floral boutonnière, he wore a vintage Baroque-inspired antique silver flower with an emerald at its centre. It echoed the heirloom feel of the day while subtly tying into the emerald details found throughout Christen’s ring and jewellery. It was a small detail, but one that felt deeply personal and uniquely ours.
Together with our all-black dress code for our guests, our attire created a striking contrast against the Tuscan landscape, white florals, and candlelit reception. Looking back, what made our outfits feel so meaningful wasn’t simply how they looked, but how they reflected the atmosphere we wanted to create. Every detail was chosen with intention, creating a look that felt timeless, romantic, and unmistakably us.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Our rings are probably the most personal detail from our wedding because they were designed specifically for us. Knowing that Christen had always dreamed of a ring that felt like it could be passed down for generations, Kai worked with Mark Bachrach of Leo A. Bachrach Jewelers in Chicago to design her engagement ring completely from scratch. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts she’s ever received and instantly became one of our most treasured possessions.
The engagement ring features two snakes wrapping around the centre diamond, holding it in place. They have emerald eyes, delicate fangs, and intricate scales that reveal themselves the closer you look. The design was inspired by Christen’s lifelong love of Harry Potter, particularly Slytherin, along with her favourite colour, green. Kai is a Slytherin too, so it became a subtle nod to something we both share, while still being designed entirely with Christen in mind. Most people simply see it as a beautiful heirloom ring until they hear the story behind it, which makes it even more special to us.
When it came time to design our wedding bands, we wanted them to feel like a natural extension of the engagement ring. We worked with Mark again to create custom bands featuring a subtle snakeskin texture, tying all three rings together into one cohesive design. Every time we look at them, we’re reminded that the most meaningful pieces tell a story. We hope these rings become part of our family’s story for generations to come.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
Looking back, we were happiest investing in the overall experience. Since so many of our family and friends were travelling from around the world to celebrate with us in Tuscany, we wanted the five days to feel like so much more than a wedding. We wanted it to feel like a vacation we could all share together.
One of our biggest priorities was making everything as seamless as possible for our guests. We arranged accommodations so everyone could stay together at Fattoria degli Usignoli, organised transportation from Florence to the venue and throughout the celebrations, and tried to remove as many logistical worries as we could. We wanted everyone to arrive, settle in, and simply enjoy being together.
Food and wine were just as important to us. One of our favourite parts of travelling is gathering around a table, so we wanted every meal to feel like an experience. From our welcome pizza party and Tuscan wine tastings to our long Italian wedding lunch and late-night celebrations, every menu was chosen with intention because we knew some of our best memories would be made over incredible food and conversation.
We also loved creating experiences beyond the wedding itself. Our bachelor and bachelorette days, pool party, karaoke night, cigar bar, and after-party in Florence gave everyone time to connect and celebrate throughout the week. Looking back, those moments in between the wedding are some of our favourite memories.
Finally, photography was one investment we never questioned. The week passed by so quickly, and having someone who could capture not only how everything looked but how it felt was incredibly important to us. Those photographs allow us to relive the joy, emotion, and little moments we’ll treasure for the rest of our lives.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
It’s impossible to choose just one favourite moment because what made our wedding so special wasn’t a single event; it was the five days we spent together. Having all of our favourite people in one place for nearly a week is something we’ll never experience in quite the same way again, and we’ll treasure those memories forever.
Looking back, it wasn’t just the wedding day that made it unforgettable. It was dancing late into the night at our welcome pizza party, the adventures and stories from our bachelor and bachelorette celebrations, spending the afternoon together at the pool party, and our rehearsal dinner that led into what can only be described as the most epic karaoke night. We had planned karaoke from the very beginning, and our family and friends completely embraced it. People came prepared with songs, performances, and the best energy. Watching everyone fully commit, cheer each other on, and celebrate together was one of the highlights of the entire week. There were plenty of happy tears, endless laughter, and moments we’ll be talking about for years.
Then came our wedding day, which somehow exceeded every expectation we had. Looking around during the ceremony and later at our long Italian lunch, seeing our families and closest friends laughing, celebrating, and simply enjoying being together, was everything we had hoped for when we first started planning. It wasn’t about one perfect moment. It was about hundreds of little moments that came together to create the most incredible week of our lives.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
For us, being married isn’t about feeling different overnight. It’s about knowing we’ve found the person we want to experience every chapter of life with. Marriage means choosing each other every day through the ordinary moments just as much as the extraordinary ones. It’s having a partner to build a home with, to travel the world with, to one day raise a family with, and to keep creating memories alongside.
One thing we realised throughout our wedding week is how much we love creating experiences together, not just for ourselves, but for the people we love. That’s something we hope never changes. We want to continue finding reasons to celebrate, whether it’s a big milestone or simply spending quality time with family and friends.
We also started what we hope will become one of our favourite traditions. Every year for our anniversary, we plan to return to Fattoria degli Usignoli. It will always be the place where our marriage began, and we love the idea of revisiting it year after year to reflect on how far we’ve come, celebrate the life we’re building together, and create new memories in the place where it all started.
If there’s one thing our wedding reminded us, it’s that the greatest moments in life are the ones shared with the people you love. That’s exactly how we hope to spend our marriage: making time for each other, making time for our family and friends, and continuing to create a life that’s full of adventure, laughter, and meaningful moments.
LOCATION Fattoria degli Usignoli, @fattoriausignoli BRIDE Christen, @lady.kizzie GROOM Kai PHOTOGRAPHER & CONTENT CREATOR Samin Photography, @saminphotography PLANNER La Dolce Wedding Italy, @ladolcewedding_italy FLORIST L’apemaia, @apemaiafv CELEBRANT Groom’s Brother ENGAGEMENT RING Groom worked with Mark Bachrach of Leo A. Bachrach Jewelers, @leobachrach WEDDING BANDS Custom Made – Worked with Mark Bachrach of Leo A. Bachrach Jewelers, @leobachrach HAIR & MAKEUP Vera Sots, @sots_muah
