Wedding | Abigail & Eli

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We're Abby and Eli, childhood friends turned life partners. We grew up in the same circle outside Chicago, closely orbiting one another but never quite colliding as more than friends. In hindsight, it was a friendship with an undercurrent; when we finally got together, friends and family were thoroughly unsurprised.

Life brought us both to Los Angeles after college, separately and for different reasons, but somehow living just neighbourhoods apart. There was a brief 'When Harry Met Sally' chapter where, in denial and fear of ruining our friendship, we set each other up with other people who, thankfully, weren't

that fussed about either of us.

We got it out of our systems and finally admitted our feelings. When we ultimately did get together, it felt both wildly new and completely inevitable. We've been growing together ever since.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Chicago was the place where our foundation was built, Los Angeles was the backdrop of our love story, and Aotearoa (New Zealand) is the home we've chosen, where we’ve spent most of our life together as a couple running Buffalo Lodge, a boutique bed and breakfast in the Coromandel. Each place holds deep significance for us and, more importantly, each is home to people we love.

As dual citizens of Aotearoa and the U.S., our hearts are permanently divided between two continents. A wedding in either country would've meant excluding some of our community, and the idea of planning two separate celebrations felt overwhelming—woof, who could be bothered?

So instead, we decided to make a trip out of it. A wedding for us, with all the meaning and none of the pressure. Florence was an easy choice: history, romance, and food—our holy trinity. As a bonus, the city has been meaningful to people we love. We turned it into a trip we’ll never forget, centred around a ceremony that felt personal, grounded, and entirely our own.

How many guests did you have?

Just the two of us. Given our shared agita around being the centre of large gatherings (I thought I would hyperventilate into my bouquet with that much attention), something small, intimate, and considered felt like the way to go.

What was your budget? 

Because it was just us, we could skip the usual wedding expenses and focus our budget on what mattered most to us: a meaningful ceremony, beautiful photography, and an unforgettable honeymoon.

Tell us about your outfits.

Eli wore the Lou Denim Blue Herringbone Suit from Working Style. Knowing Abby’s dress was vintage, Eli’s brother sent him a beautiful vintage Yema watch, a perfect finishing touch that tied everything together.

Living rather rurally now, we don’t get many chances to dress up, so I knew I wanted to feel gussied up, timeless, and chic. For me, that meant vintage. I loved the idea of wearing something with a past, something that already had a story and would continue to hold meaning after me.

I discovered Love James here in Aotearoa and had the dreamiest experience finding my dress. I booked a private session with Lizzie and was instantly taken by her incredible collection and deep knowledge of vintage bridal. She made what could’ve been an overwhelming experience feel effortless and fun. I tried on several dresses, but when I slipped into the one, it just fit. No alterations, no second guessing. It felt like my body and the dress were speaking the same language.

For the ceremony, I wore a rare vintage Mike Benet Formals gown. The label started in the 1960s in Pittsburg, Texas, and is known for elaborate, embellished designs. Mine had stunning hand-beading and looped fringe details across the entire dress that moved with me as I walked. I paired it with a custom silk gossamer neck scarf by Jess at Reparation Studio instead of a veil. It felt sculptural and soft and added a modern romantic layer.

Later, I changed into a 90s sequin and pearl mini dress, because I am a bit obsessed with the 90s right now. It was flirty, playful, and unapologetically fun. A perfect counterpoint to the ceremony look, and the ideal outfit for strolling around Florence at night.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

One of the most important things to us was finding a way to feel connected to our families, even from far away. We knew that eloping was the right choice for us, but we were also aware that it can sometimes leave couples with a twinge of regret, wishing they’d had their loved ones close.

It was really important for us to find a way to bring our loved ones with us, without the group itinerary. So, we asked our family and friends to write us letters. After our ceremony, we sat down to a candlelit dinner and opened them together. The response was overwhelming in the best way. Each letter was  so personal and wildly creative, full of poetry, artwork, stories, and thoughtful marriage advice.

That day we felt truly wrapped in everyone’s love. It made our elopement feel rich and rooted, like we were exactly where we were meant to be, with everyone we love still woven into the day.

And since we weren’t having a traditional reception, it was just as important to us that the evening felt like a celebration, not something that peaked at the vows and fizzled out after. We wanted the energy to build, and we wanted to create a night in Florence we’d never forget.

Wandering through the cobbled streets, hearing strangers call out “congratulations!” and cheer us on, it was truly special. We planned the evening as an extension of everything we love: great food, good drinks, bouncing between little spots that caught our eye, and soaking up the palpable energy of the city. It’s our favourite way to move, with no pressure, just joy.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Even though we broke tradition in almost every other way, I became strangely fixated on spending the night before apart, which turned out to be a good call.

We were about to spend three uninterrupted weeks together between the elopement and our honeymoon; having that intentional space gave us both the chance to quietly take it all in, each in our own way. Eli spent the morning calling everyone in both our families, riding the wave of connection and excitement. I enjoyed my favourite morning routine and soaked in the silence.

It was exactly what we needed, a moment to ground ourselves in the midst of all the buzzy anticipation. And as a bonus, it made coming back together feel like an even bigger treat.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Come back to the feeling. That was our compass throughout the whole process. We asked ourselves: Will this make us feel calm, connected, celebratory, grounded? If the answer was yes, we went for it. 

Also, invest in how you’ll remember it. The day was pure magic, but the photos are how you’ll get to relive it. They’ve become the most cherished part of it all.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Madline Baucia Bridal did my hair and makeup. She listened and was patient with me as an admittedly fussy client who doesn’t wear makeup and considers a shower and air dry “doing her hair.” Even more, being originally from Australia but living in Italy now, it was fun to have an Oceania connection on the day of the wedding.

Natalia Sorkina helped plan our wedding and suggested our gorgeous venue, which was undoubtedly one of my favourite aspects. She organised all the extra details I hadn’t even thought of and made it simple and effortless on our part.

Lizzie from Love James was an absolute dream to work with. She has such a sharp eye for vintage and a deep understanding of what makes a piece feel special, not just in terms of style, but in how it sits on the body and how it makes you feel. Her approach is thoughtful and intuitive, plus she has a refreshingly “no-pressure” vibe. She created space for genuine joy and made the process feel both exciting and easy.

Have your wedding in Italy so Stefano Santucci can be your photographer. Full disclosure, we looked seriously at six highly reviewed photographers, labouring over the decision, but it was a no-brainer in the end when we found Stefano. There is something unmistakably soulful and emotive about his work. He shoots on film, which already brings a certain mood and aesthetic, but it’s his eye for detail and his presence that are truly singular. As a vendor, he moves through the day with the quiet focus of someone who sees things others miss. There was never a sense of being forcefully staged or styled. It was organic, calm, and he allowed us to be fully ourselves. The photographs he delivered are works of art. We’ll treasure them forever, not just for how beautiful they are, but for how vividly they bring us back to the feeling of being there on the day.

Photographer: Stefano Santucci @photosantucci | Planning: Natalia Sorokina @_nataliasorokina | Flora: @kvitea.flowers | Ceremony Location: Hotel Torre @htbellosguardo | Celebrant: Emily Music | Ceremony Space: Gardens at Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo @htbellosguardo | HMUA: Madeline Baucia Bridal @madelinebauciabridal | Cake: Pasticceria Gualtieri dal 1933 @pasticceriagualtieri | Stationery: Natalia Sorokina @ocra.art | Dress & Dinner Outfit: Love James @lovejamesstore | Suit: Working Style @workingstylenz | Neck Scarf: (Custom) Reparation Studio @re____studio | Purse: Gerogia Jay @georgiajaybags | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Temple St Clair @templestclair | Watch: (Paternal grandmothers) | Earrings: Charlotte Penman | Getting Ready Venue: Casa Barthel