We had a vision of a romantic yet modern take on the whole wedding aesthetic and experience.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are a couple based in Milan, Italy, but our story began 8 years ago in London, where we met, lived, and fell in love. I come from a blend of cultures—Kuwaiti-Persian and Mexican-American—while my husband, Luca, is Italian, born and raised. Together, we make quite the combination—and a mouthful of an introduction!
Our kitchens became a place where we shared our cultures with one another, and we developed a shared passion for cooking. Food is something we’ve always had fun with, and for our wedding, we were excited to curate an authentic Italian culinary experience to share with our loved ones.
We were drawn to each other by our mutual love for exploration, travel, and embracing new experiences. Both of us were far from home, navigating life in a new country and culture, and it was that sense of adventure and challenge that brought us together. I work in the fashion industry, and Luca works in technology—two very different fields, but that contrast makes our connection even more exciting. It’s a blending of two worlds that complement each other in unexpected ways. Come to think of it, maybe that’s another factor that inspired the modern-romance aesthetic of our wedding!
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met in London while I was visiting a friend for the weekend. Luca was already living and working there, and I was finishing up my studies in Plymouth, which is about a 3-hour train ride away. Our first date lasted 8 hours! We met up in the evening after dinner and decided to take a stroll through the city, starting in Soho. We ended up walking and talking for hours, spontaneously hopping from bar to bar. It was a perfect, unplanned evening; everything rolled on with ease.
First impressions… his presence was comforting, and there was no first-date tension, just pure excitement and electricity. Luca had this effortless ability to make me laugh and didn’t take himself too seriously. He spoke passionately about the things he cared about, and I was really drawn in by how intently he was listening to everything I said, every story I told. It felt so natural, like we had known each other for much longer.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
For me, it was Luca’s deep well of patience and his gentle spirit that made me realise he was the one. I saw in him not just a partner, but a kindred spirit—someone who could calm me, challenge me, and support me in ways no one else could. Our connection felt like coming home, and that’s when I knew I wanted to spend my life with him.
For Luca, it was when I saw how Alia was unapologetically herself, no matter the situation. Her beauty, brilliance, and authenticity drew me in, and I realised she was my home. Life with her was simply sweeter and more fun.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We had a vision of a romantic yet modern take on the whole wedding aesthetic and experience, which is quite reflective of our personalities. We are very much of the thought of creating our own path and tradition, taking with us what we believe in and what serves us. The palette was definitely representative of a springtime in Italy, with a mix of pastel shades anchored by a deep purple foliage that added a layer of lushness to the whole look. The wedding was a mix of both our cultural backgrounds, with an infusion of a Persian ceremony and an Italian wedding ceremony. For the Persian ceremony set-up, we had heirlooms incorporated with a modern twist on the Sofreh table presentation, as we had a pastry tower, eggs and other symbolic items presented in a whole new way, which we absolutely adored.
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).
The venue was what inspired us the most. It was set amidst medieval-style farmhouses, vineyards, and olive groves, offering a spectacular view of the lush, rolling green hills typical of the Emilia-Romagna region, where my husband’s Nonno grew up. In the spring, the entire place comes to life with a burst of green, and the vines wrap around the buildings—it was absolutely stunning. We wanted to capture and enjoy the beauty of the space as it was, while adding a few floral touches to complement it.
What I absolutely adored were the fruit and vegetable sculptures specially crafted for the imperial-style tables. We worked with our wedding planner to add a more fashion-forward take on the floral table settings and thought, “Why not incorporate some food elements?” It was exactly what I had imagined for the setting— it was fun and fresh, something we had never seen before, a true treat for the eyes.
Instead of the traditional place cards, we had a calligrapher handwrite each guest’s name onto the charger plate, which added another bespoke and personal touch to the dinner setting, which we noticed our guests really loved and even wanted to take home with them!
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to work together to create something that truly reflected us as a couple. It was about making decisions that felt personal and meaningful, from choosing the venue to curating the details that brought our vision to life. My tip for couples starting their wedding planning journey would be to stay focused on what matters most to you both. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations, but at the end of the day, it’s about celebrating your love and the life you’re building together.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I chose a beautiful slip dress with a sweetheart neckline that fit like a glove—it was such a treasure to wear. For the ceremony look, I wanted something a bit more dreamy, so I added a detachable silk organza skirt with three tiers of ruffles along the hemline for a touch of drama—because why not! It was by far the best choice. There was something about the feeling of the skirt’s train trailing behind me that made me feel even more special and bridal.
What was 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?).
Definitely the celebrant, that was one of our top priorities. With friends and family travelling from all over the world, we wanted everyone to feel included and engaged, without the language barrier being an issue. After doing our research, we found Karin, a celebrant from Como, with whom we worked closely to craft a ceremony in both English and Italian. This allowed us to honour all our guests while beautifully blending both of our cultures and traditions. She delivered it spectacularly, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Yes! We had a rainy morning, although it was mid-May, and we were slightly concerned, but at the same time, we were just excited that the day had arrived and we’d finally get to celebrate with the people. Thankfully, by the time the ceremony started, the rain had subsided and the skies were not clear but mostly white and cloudy, but the moment I started to read my vows, the clouds actually parted and the sun came out and was shining on both of us at the altar. It was incredible, everyone at the ceremony had a giggle and an awe moment. It was so heartwarming, just a little gift from Mother Nature that further sweetened the day.
BRIDE Alia, @aliaasb VENUE Borgo Fregnano, @borgofregnano PHOTOGRAPHER Petit de la Crème, @petitdelacreme VIDEOGRAPHER Raffaele Ferrazzano – Kisset Films, @kisset_films PLANNER La Lindi, @lalindi_events FLORIST I Fiori di Ale, @ifioridiale CELEBRANT Karin Lanzer Celebrant, @karinlanzer_celebrant CATERING Per Te Catering, @pertecatering SIGNAGE Petit de la Crème, @petitdelacreme WEDDING BANDS Damiani, @damianiofficial ENGAGEMENT RING Michelle Oh, @michelleohjewellery BRIDE’S DRESS Halfpenny London, @halfpennylondon BRIDE’S SHOES Charlotte Mills, @charlottemillsshoes HAIR & MAKEUP Alexandra Hair & Makeup, @alexandrahairmakeup BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Scherzo – Miller Harris, @millerharris SUIT Corneliani, @corneliani_official
