Wedding | Alix & David

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We both work in finance and live in Chicago, where we’ve built a life centered on family, friendships, and quality time together. We love traveling and immersing ourselves in different cultures and languages, but we’re just as happy staying active close to home—often playing pickleball with family and friends. At our core, we’re a team, always stepping in for one another when work gets busy. Our household is rounded out by our dog, Cooper, and our cat, Leo, who keep things lively.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We fell in love with Italy on a trip we took together before we were engaged. What started as a half-joking comment—“when we get married, we should just elope and run off to Italy”—slowly became less of a fairytale and more of a real possibility. With Alix’s family spread across Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, and David’s family in Seattle and Michigan, everyone would be traveling no matter where we married. Since we were already asking our loved ones to journey, it felt natural to make the destination itself part of the experience and celebrate somewhere that had captured our hearts.

How many guests did you have?

We hosted 33 guests. We wanted the celebration to feel intimate and unhurried, with time to truly connect with our closest friends and family. Because so many of our loved ones live in different states, it was important to us to spend several meaningful days together, rather than rushing through a single event.

What was your budget? 

We chose to keep our budget private, but we were intentional about our priorities. We invested in things that helped us preserve the memories—like photography, videography, and planning—while balancing that with many DIY aspects, such as our wedding invitations, hand-crafted fabric-frame signage, welcome brochure, and dinner menus. 

Tell us about your outfits.

David and I both gravitate toward simple, understated fashion and like to feel polished without being overdone. We chose outfits that felt natural to us and focused more on feeling good than making a statement. Each of us incorporated small, meaningful details—David wore green Gucci loafers, and Alix chose a mantilla lace veil as a subtle nod to her Hispanic heritage—which made everything feel personal and special.  

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

The experience was our top priority. We were asking our friends and family to travel far and take time away from their everyday lives, so it was important to us to create a weekend that felt thoughtful and generous for our guests, not just for ourselves. Hosting everyone on property at Borgo Argiano allowed us to share the heart of Tuscany and the charm that made us fall in love with it.

From the very beginning, photography was also a key priority. Stefano Santucci was the first person we reached out on our planning journey. Before having a venue, a planner, or even an engagement ring! (We had discussed locking a couple of key elements down before the official engagement) As an amateur photographer with a deep appreciation for film, it was important to work with someone who approached photography as art rather than a service. We found exactly that in Stefano—quiet, passionate, incredibly talented, and genuinely thoughtful in the way he documents moments.

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

It was important to us to incorporate elements of Italy we wanted to share with our guests. With the help of our planner and the venue, we created experiences like a mini market featuring Italian favorites, a welcome wine tasting, and a relaxed pizza party that allowed everyone to settle in and enjoy the setting. We made a conscious decision to embrace these familiar Italian wedding experiences because they felt generous, joyful, and true to the weekend we wanted to create. Rather than focusing on being unique or trend-driven, we prioritized moments rooted in warmth, place, and togetherness.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Take a step back and think about what you actually want your wedding weekend to feel like, separate from expectations or traditions that may not reflect you. Size, order of events, and even location are often treated as fixed, when they don’t have to be. It’s okay to break the mold if it allows you to stay true to your values and what matters most to you as a couple.

We were nervous to ask our parents for a smaller wedding, especially with large families on both sides, but being honest up front led to understanding and support throughout the process.

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

Our planning team! From the beginning, Alix wanted a planner who valued collaboration and partnership, working together to bring her vision and aesthetic to life. Marilena Zambelli and her team embraced that collaboration, encouraging ideas while ensuring every detail was thoughtfully structured for success. Their expertise and deep industry knowledge helped guide that vision and turn it into a seamless reality. Once the weekend arrived, they handled everything effortlessly, allowing us to be fully present. Their heart, passion, and round-the-clock dedication were evident throughout, and we couldn’t have asked for a more kind, committed, or capable team. It is truly fascinating how hard they work throughout the season and even the full year to execute at the level they do.

Photographer: Stefano Santucci @photosantucci | Planning: Marilena Zambelli @marilenazambelli_

wedding | Flora: Monfleur @monfleur.it | Videographer: Fabio Stanzione @fabio_stanzione | Celebrant: a friend of the couple | HMUA: Giulia Papke @giuliapapke_makeupartist | Catering & Beverages: F&B @ricci.eventi | Stationery: DIY by Alix | Entertainment: Linar Eventi, DJ Stefano Nannicini & Krystal Kuartet @linar_eventi @stefano.nannicini.dj @krystalkuartet | Dress: House of Flora @_houseofflora_ from Alice in Ivory @aliceinivorybridal | Veil: Ophelia from Grace Loves Lace @grace_loves_lace | Necklace: gift from Alix's grandmother