Alisha + Patrik by The New Old

We really wanted to highlight everything the Tuscan landscape and the Villa had to offer.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Patrik is a business owner, and Alisha is a lawyer. We definitely believe that opposites attract! We really enjoy travelling, visiting new places and taking time out for ourselves to explore the world. At the same time, we cherish being at home and making the most of what Melbourne has to offer, especially the incredible food and coffee scene. Weekends often mean catching up with our closest family and friends or discovering a new café. Whether we’re adventuring abroad or enjoying the simple comforts of home, we’re happiest in each other’s company and excited for all the experiences still to come.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met the way most modern couples do – online! Pat messaged Alisha on Facebook, and from that very first conversation, something just felt easy and right. Our first date was at a cosy local Italian restaurant, and it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect. We instantly clicked and had the kind of effortless conversation that usually takes months to build. The whole night was filled with laughter, great food, and a sense of comfort that surprised us both. There was no awkward silence or nervous energy, just two people genuinely enjoying each other’s company. That simple, lovely dinner quickly turned into many more, each one deepening our connection. Looking back, it’s clear that our relationship began with a rare kind of spark, the kind that makes everything feel natural. From that first date onward, we knew we had found something truly meaningful, and we’ve been growing together ever since.

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).

We really wanted to highlight everything the Tuscan landscape and the Villa had to offer. We knew the day would be light-filled and bright, and that the natural greenery would add a beautiful sense of calm. To complement that, we decided to keep the florals all white so they would really pop against the scenery. One of our favourite design elements was the chandeliers that stretched across our imperial table and became the focal point of our cake display. They brought a touch of luxury and sparkle during the day, and a warm, romantic glow in the evening. The chandeliers were honestly one of our favourite choices of the entire wedding. The Villa itself was the true showstopper, and we made sure to use it to its fullest. We both got ready in the Villa (on different levels), held our ceremony and cocktail hour on one side, our reception and dance floor on the other, and finished the night with the afterparty inside!

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

We really enjoyed searching for inspiration for our wedding, the styling, the overall vibe, and all the little details that made it feel truly ours. We took our time choosing the right wedding planner and finding a venue that suited us perfectly. It was important that we could host everything in one place, from getting ready to the ceremony, reception, and accommodation for our guests, making it as seamless as possible for everyone involved. For soon-to-be newlyweds, the biggest piece of advice, cliché as it may sound, is to stay organised. Create to-do lists, schedule regular check-ins with your wedding planner, and diarise all deadlines so you don’t miss any important payments or tasks. It also helps to start early and give yourself plenty of time to make decisions, so the planning process doesn’t feel overwhelming. One thing we wish we had done earlier was set up a dedicated wedding email address. Having all communication with our planner and vendors in one place would have made the process much smoother, reducing confusion and keeping everything organised.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Elia Moretti of Moretti Events runs a reputable and fiercely organised wedding planning business based in Florence. He made sure every idea we had was brought to life, giving us multiple options to choose from while providing honest, practical feedback about what would or wouldn’t work. His guidance made the whole planning process feel effortless, and he was always just a call or WhatsApp message away whenever we needed him.

Bea and Guido, our photographer and videographer from The New Old, made us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. Their professionalism and warmth meant that our photos and video captured natural, genuine moments, and our wedding film still brings us to tears every time we watch it.

Delizia Catering, Wedding Music, and Lights were our ultimate one-stop shop. Delizia not only provided outstanding food (including a wedding cake that guests still rave about), but also handled furniture and tableware, making styling and logistics seamless. Wedding Music and Lights, who also supplied the stunning chandeliers, created an atmosphere beyond our imagination, turning the day into a true celebration and the evening into a party for everyone.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Alisha decided to do the classic thing of wearing just one dress for the entire wedding, a choice that feels increasingly rare these days. Funnily enough, she had actually screenshot the exact dress about a month after getting engaged and immediately set out to find it. She tracked down the only Berta stockist in Melbourne to ensure she could get her dream dress, and from the moment she tried it on, she knew it was the one. It was a perfect reflection of her style, elegant, timeless, and effortlessly stunning. In many ways, it felt symbolic, because just as she had known from the start that Pat was the one for her, she also knew from the very beginning that this dress was meant to be. Pat said he couldn’t imagine her in any other dress.

Patrik looked equally dashing in a custom P.Johnson tuxedo, complete with mother-of-pearl buttons and a pleated-front shirt that added a sharp, classic touch. As a deeply sentimental detail, he had their initials and wedding date embroidered on the inside of his suit jacket, a small, personal touch that made the day even more meaningful and unforgettable for both of them.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Pat proposed to Alisha with a stunning natural oval diamond set on a thin gold band from a private jeweller, a ring that perfectly captured her style: timeless, elegant, and understated. For their wedding bands, they wanted something equally classic and effortless, so they both chose simple gold bands from Cartier. Each ring also carried a deeply personal touch: Alisha had Patrik’s initial and their wedding date engraved on the inside of her band, while Pat had Alisha’s initial and their wedding date engraved inside his. These small details made their rings feel even more meaningful, a private reminder of their love and commitment.

Alisha had briefly considered adding a diamond band to complement her engagement ring, but ultimately decided against it. She wanted her engagement diamond to remain the focal point, allowing it to shine as the centrepiece of her jewellery. In the end, the simplicity of their wedding bands perfectly balanced the elegance of her engagement ring, creating a set that was sentimental and a reflection of their style as a couple and the meaningful choices that defined their wedding day.

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?).

Coming from an Albanian heritage, food was an important thing for us. We wanted to ensure our guests were well fed with classic Italian dishes and fresh local ingredients. We were in Tuscany in August 2023 and…

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The ceremony was absolutely unforgettable. The anticipation as Alisha walked down the aisle, seeing Patrik waiting at the other end, had our emotions running so high that every step felt like eternity. The moment of our first kiss as a married couple was indescribable; relief, joy, and love all washed over us at once. We felt the comforting knowledge that our ceremony had gone off without a hitch, and it was magical to seal our vows with a kiss (or maybe even two!). It all felt completely surreal, like a dream or floating on air, surrounded by our nearest and dearest family and friends. The music added to the enchantment. Performed live by a string duo, cello and violin and a harp, Lana Del Rey’s ‘Video Games’ played as Alisha walked down the aisle, and Etta James’ ‘At Last!’ filled the air with its gentle, romantic tones during their first kiss. Every detail, from the expressions on our loved ones’ faces to the soft rustle of the Villa’s gardens, made the moment feel timeless. It was a ceremony that perfectly captured who we are as a couple, full of love, emotion, and that indescribable sense of magic you can only feel on your wedding day.

In addition to our ceremony, the making and cutting of our cake was so much fun and such an immersive experience and spectacle for guests to be a part of. It was so special and a lot of fun!

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married means we get to live our lives together forever. As mentioned earlier, we love to travel and explore, but to us, marriage is just as much about finding joy in everyday moments (no matter how mundane) and sharing them with excitement, laughter, and love. It’s about building a life where even the simplest routines become meaningful because you’re experiencing them together. One of our favourite rituals is our Sunday reset. We take the time to sleep in, enjoy a leisurely coffee at our favourite café, or sometimes Pat makes a delicious homemade coffee just the way we like it. We tidy and refresh our home, prepare for the busy week ahead, and carve out a little space to relax, reconnect, and reflect on the week past. These quiet, intentional moments have become some of our most cherished as a couple, as they’re a reminder that marriage isn’t just about the big, spectacular adventures, but also about the small, everyday joys that make life feel full. Living our lives side by side, we’ve learned to celebrate both the extraordinary and the ordinary, and to always find happiness in the journey together.