Wedding | Amica & Kevin

Tell us a little about yourselves!

It was 2011 and we were 15 when a mutual friend introduced us at church—we haven’t spent more than 2 weeks apart since. —Amica.

14 years in a flash—high school, college, graduate school, and now careers starting, I got so lucky with love, fell for my best friend and guardian angel. —Kevin.

Amica (30), hailing from California’s South Bay Area, will be starting her career as a dental hygienist in San Francisco this fall. In 2018, she graduated from U.C. Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, earning a degree in Sociology. Two months before the wedding, Amica graduated from Foothill College with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.

Kevin (30) also hailing from the South Bay, is a lawyer at Cox Castle & Nicholson in San Francisco. Kevin graduated from U.C. Davis in 2018 with high honors, earning degrees in English and Philosophy. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Stanford Earth School in 2022.

What Kevin and Amica are most proud about, however, is being the parents of their 5-year-old Pomeranian, Sonia.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We were looking at venues in Sonoma and Napa, California to host the Tuscan-themed wedding we were dreaming up. None of them quite fit what we were looking for—that is, until we set our eyes on Italy! We found Villa Grabau on a list of wedding venues in Tuscany. One look at their lemon garden and we knew we had to have the wedding there. Villa Grabau also has four villas onsite where we were able to accommodate 50 of our closest friends and family for five days. We spent one week revelling in the Tuscan sun, exploring the ancient walled city of Lucca, and enjoying each other’s company amongst our closest friends and family.

How many guests did you have?

78 guests attended, the majority from California. We also had guests from Mexico, the Philippines, and Nigeria.

What was your budget? 

100k.

Tell us about your outfits.

Amica: When I was a teenager, I would religiously watch Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006) and relish in the movie’s decadence and ethereal indulgence—pausing scenes just to gape at Milena Canonero’s work—so delicate, yet sometimes extravagant, always highlighting Marie’s girlishness and youth. I wanted my outfits to callback my love for the film and highlight a romantic, coquette aesthetic. Watters has so many lovely budget-friendly designs. It was no surprise they had exactly the silhouette I was looking for—a simple bodice with a dramatic drop waist, like a ball gown for a princess.

My veil was my absolute favorite part of the bridal look, a delicate scallop lace edge ruffle veil by Karla Roble on Etsy. It complemented my gown with the most perfect touch of romance. My shoes from For Love & Lemons were the cutest little ballet pumps with a bow tie and keyhole detail.

By the end of the night, I couldn’t wait to get into the Ballet Russes gown by Mirror Palais. The silk bodice and airy, ruffled tiers made it the most perfect dress to dance, frolic, and end the wedding in. I’m such an ardent fan of Marcelo Gaia’s work as he brings to life so much of the media I loved growing up in his designs. I couldn’t see myself wearing anything else!

Kevin: I’m not a fan of ties—and knowing that Septembers in Tuscany typically run a little hot, it was an easy decision to leave them off and go for a softer, open-tie, undone-button look.

Ivory quickly came to mind, Amica helped me find a summer wool silk linen suit from none other than Suit Supply. They helped me piece it all together with brown leather loafers and silver jewellery ideas. I went with Vivienne Westwood and a simple cross bracelet.

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

Our family spends so much time prattling and laughing over feasts of food. In Filipino culture, food is always at the center, and there is always more than you can eat. We talk about food, we talk over food, we obsess over food, we scrutinize food, we’re always thinking about food, showing love through the art of cooking. Of course the food at our wedding had to be in excess, presented lavishly, and delicious! The food by Eventi & Cucina couldn’t have been more perfect. We still dream about the duck we had for dinner and how delicious our millefoglie cake was!

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

The team at Earth & Events incorporated drapery so beautifully to our ceremony aisle and tablescapes. I loved the the dimension and romance it added to make our wedding feel more intimate and stylish.

Having our baby girl, Sonia, there with us on our wedding day was also important for us. Villa Grabau welcomed her so warmly and we were so happy for their hospitality.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Get out of your head! Make your wedding what you want it to be, surround yourself with those who love you, and find vendors that dream up your day better than you can!

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

Alex and her team at Earth & Events are artists. Her eye for style and detail is unmatched, and she makes beautiful everything she touches. She made the wedding planning so seamless, and her team did so much to put our minds at ease and prepare us for our special day.

Sini & David from Sincerely, Sini are the most kind and inviting photographers a couple could dream for. They captured our friends and family, the orange Tuscan light, the tablescapes, the villas, fabrics, textures, little moments, and even our little Sonia with such care. Because of them, we get to look back on our day with so much pride.

Lastly, Ludovica & Rachele from our accommodations at L’Arancera di Villa Grabau welcomed our wedding party with so much love and made our stay so much more memorable. We look forward to the day where we can return to Lucca and reminisce our most beautiful day.

Photographer: Sincerely, Sini @sincerelysini | Planning: Earth & Events @earthandevents | Flora: Amour de Gitane Floral @amourdegitane | Content: Social Brides Collective @socialbridescollective | Ceremony Location: Villa Grabau @villagrabau | Reception Location: The Limonaia (onsite at Villa Grabau) @villagrabau | Celebrant: Yssabelle Cutchon (friend) | Rentals: Preludio Noleggio

 @preludiodivisionenoleggio | HMUA: Irina Kostenko @irinakostenko__, @weddingmuah_ | Cake, Catering & Beverages: Eventi & Cucina @eventiecucina | Stationery: (Design) by bride, (Printing) Duet Paper Co @duetpaperco | Entertainment: Fabio Mdj @fabiomdj.weddingdj.eventdj & Florence String Quartet @florencestringquartet | Wedding Party Accomodation: L’Arancera di Villa Grabau

 @aranceravillagrabau | Ceremony Dress: Watters @watters, @bywatters | Reception Dress: Mirror Palais @mirrorpalais | Suit: Suit Supply @suitsupply | Veil: Karla Roble @karlaroblebride on Etsy | Getting Ready Outfit & Shoes: For Love & Lemons @forloveandlemons | Engagement Ring: By Bonnie Jewelry @bybonniejewelry | Wedding Rings: Altana Fine Jewelry @altanafinejewelry | Earrings: Eterica Jewelry @etericajewelry | Reception Choker: Sweet Cat Jewelry | Sunglasses: (Bride) Bonnie Clyde

 @bonnieclyde & (Groom) Shevoke @shevoke | Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux @theblacktux | Bridesmaid Dresses: L’eau @shopleau, Melani the Label @melanithelabel, Malibu Friday

@shopmalibufriday, Billy J @billy_j_boutique, @billy_j_bridal, Babyboo Fashion @babyboofashion, Show Me Your Mumu @showmeyourmumu, Revelry @shoprevelry & Princess Polly @princesspolly