Wedding | Brooke & Mitchell

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We're Brooke and Mitchell. We met during our very first week of college nearly 11 years ago, and immediately became fast friends. Before long, we had inside jokes, nicknames for each other in our phones, and even came up with what we called our "dirty martini meetings." Where we would meet at a tiny college dive bar, order dirty martinis, and spend hours talking about our lives, our dreams, and what we imagined our futures would look like (I still have the original calendar invites saved in my phone all these years later) Looking back now, it's funny to think we spent so much time talking about the lives we hoped we'd have, never realizing we'd end up building one together.

Although we never dated in college and our lives took us in separate directions after graduation, the invisible string did its magic and led us back to one another in a classic slow-burn, friends-to-lovers fashion. It didn't take long for us to realize we'd found our person. In fact, that feeling is so strong that we've always loved the little coincidences that seem to follow us. Our initials even mirror each other, BM + MB, and our birthdays do too, 4/1 and 1/4. Maybe it's just coincidence, but we've always thought it was one of those little reminders that we were somehow meant to find each other.

One of my favorite moments from our wedding happened during my maid of honor's speech. She surprised me with a memory I had completely forgotten. Years earlier, while Mitchell and I were still just friends, I had casually said, "I wonder if I'll be invited to Mitch Berry's wedding." Deep down, I think there was always a small part of me that secretly imagined being the one standing beside him. I just never admitted it out loud. Hearing those words again on our wedding day felt like everything had come full circle.

At our core, we're best friends first. We love traveling somewhere with almost no plan at all, dimly lit cocktail bars, going to the movies, playing gin rummy, ordering takeout, taking long drives, and laughing until we have tears streaming down our faces over literally the dumbest things.

After graduate school we both somehow landed our dream jobs in New York City, and that's where our relationship really took shape. We built a home there and made some of our best memories together. A few years later, Mitchell's family planned a trip to Puglia, and in true us fashion, we booked a last-minute trip to Greece beforehand. We booked it only about a month before we left, so I was completely convinced there was no way he was proposing. I had always told my friends I would know when it was coming, and I was so sure I even booked a ring try-on appointment for the month after we got home. Fast forward to our final night in Mykonos, we went on a sunset cruise and the captain in typical fashion invited us to the front of the boat to watch the sunset it was there where Mitchell got down on one knee. I was so shocked I nearly fell off the boat! To this day, I still have no idea how he managed to surprise me, but it remains the greatest surprise, and one of the happiest most beautiful moments of my life.

Today, we've traded New York for Chicago, where we live with our wonderfully chaotic golden retriever, Alfred. After two years of planning our wedding, we're excited to slow down for a little while and enjoy this next chapter together. We have no idea where life will take us next, but if our story has taught us anything, it's that the best chapters are usually the ones we never could have planned.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Travel has always been one of the biggest parts of our relationship, and over the years we've found ourselves returning to Italy again and again. Brooke studied abroad there during college, so Italy had always held a special place in her heart, and together we've made some of our favorite memories there. We always knew we wanted to get married somewhere in Italy. We just weren't sure where.

Then one day we came across Villa Aurelia, and every other option immediately disappeared. We both had the exact same reaction. We could instantly picture ourselves getting married there, and everything we had been imagining for our wedding just clicked into place. It had everything we were looking for. The secret gardens filled with lemon trees, breathtaking views overlooking Rome, and the villa's gilded interiors made it feel like we'd stepped into another era. There was something so romantic and cinematic about it. It was exactly the feeling we wanted our wedding to have, and we could instantly picture our closest family and friends there, bringing our entire vision to life.

One thing we really considered throughout the entire planning process was our guest experience. Asking our closest friends and family to travel all the way to Italy is a big ask, so we wanted it to feel like more than just a wedding. We wanted it to be an experience everyone could share together. The thought of having all of our favorite people in one of our favorite cities immediately made us excited. We loved imagining everyone wandering through Rome, discovering the most charming little cafés, having long dinners with one too many Aperol spritz, taking in all of the art & history, and then all coming together at Villa Aurelia. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate with the people we love most, and that's when we knew there was nowhere else we'd rather get married.

How many guests did you have?

110!

Tell us about your outfits.

For the welcome party, I really wanted to lean into the romance and drama of Rome. We kicked off the weekend in the beautiful gardens of Hotel de Russie, so I wanted my look to feel like it belonged there. My dress was by De La Vali, and from the beginning, I knew I wanted to incorporate a bridal headpiece because it just felt so Roman. It felt like the perfect opportunity to embrace a more fashion-forward bridal look while still feeling true to the romance of Rome. The whole look set the tone for the weekend and perfectly captured the feeling I wanted everyone to experience from the moment the celebrations began.

To start the wedding morning, I got ready in a vintage 1950s Vanity Fair peignoir that I had spent a long time sourcing. For this look, I wanted to lean into an old glamour feel, and wearing a beautiful vintage piece felt like the perfect way to begin the day.

For the ceremony, I wanted something that felt timeless but still had a modern edge. My ceremony gown was the Cassia by Watters, which I customized with a longer train to add even more drama. I fell in love with its structured corset bodice and dramatic Basque waist, which created such an elegant silhouette while still feeling effortlessly modern. The clean satin let the shape of the gown speak for itself, and extending the train gave me the sweeping bridal moment I had always imagined.

In my head, I always pictured a dress that felt like I could run through the gardens to my own Mr. Darcy, and somehow this gown captured that feeling perfectly. Even before I found my dress, I knew the veil would be one of the defining elements of my bridal look. I had always imagined a dramatic veil, and I wanted it to be the moment. I also knew I wanted to incorporate lace, so I paired my custom Karin Shemesh veil with lace gloves. The lace felt perfectly at home against the architecture and gardens of Villa Aurelia, tying the whole look together in a way that felt romantic, timeless, and true to the setting. For me, the veil was always the star of the look, and seeing it trail behind me as I walked down the aisle was everything I had imagined.

Each look represented a different chapter of the weekend, and for the after-party I wanted a complete shift in energy. I wanted something glamorous, and made for dancing, while still feeling undeniably bridal. I wore the Talia dress by ILA, and the feather detailing brought so much movement and energy to the dance floor. It was the perfect way to end the night.

For the ceremony, Mitchell wore a custom black tuxedo that felt timeless and classic. He had always wanted to change into a white dinner jacket for the reception, and it quickly became one of his favorite details of the weekend. It was such a fun way to mark the shift from the formal ceremony into the celebration while still staying true to the classic black-tie feel we envisioned.

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

Above all else, the most important aspect of planning our wedding was creating an experience rather than simply planning an event. We pictured every moment through the eyes of our guests, asking ourselves how we wanted them to feel from the moment they arrived until the very last song. Every decision came back to creating an evening our guests would never forget.

From the moment guests arrived at Villa Aurelia, we wanted them to feel completely immersed in the beauty of the venue. We carefully thought through how the evening would unfold, guiding everyone through the gardens, terraces, and villa in a way that allowed each space to have its own moment. We wanted every transition to feel seamless, with each part of the celebration naturally building on the last.

Dinner was at the heart of that experience. We wanted the design to feel artistic and sculptural, where every detail added to the atmosphere rather than simply decorating the space. Inspired by the history and artistry of Rome, the florals felt more like installations than traditional centrepieces, weaving together dramatic drapery, sculptural blooms, and seasonal Italian fruits and vegetables into the tablescape. The serpentine tables, layered linens, towering candelabras, and candlelight created exactly the sense of drama we had envisioned. Watching our guests walk into the courtyard for the first time and seeing their reactions is one of our favorite memories from the entire day.

Beyond the visual design, the music and culinary experience were just as important in creating the atmosphere we wanted our guests to feel.

Looking back, what mattered most wasn't any one detail. It was seeing all of those thoughtful choices come together and watching our family and friends become completely immersed in the evening. Watching it all unfold was one of the most surreal and rewarding moments of our lives, and we're forever grateful to our incredible planners at Moments Lab, Giulia and Marina, for bringing that vision to life

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

Every creative decision came back to one feeling: we wanted the evening to feel cinematic. We wanted every detail, from the music to the design to the way guests moved through Villa Aurelia, to feel like scenes unfolding in a film. Working alongside our wedding planners, Giulia and Marina we spent countless hours refining that vision, making sure every creative choice contributed to the same feeling from beginning to end.

One of the biggest design inspirations was the rich history, architecture, and artistry of Rome. We wanted the décor to feel less like traditional wedding florals and more like an art installation. From the statue bust seating chart to the dramatic drapery and sculptural floral installations framing our ceremony, every element was designed to complement Villa Aurelia's incredible architecture. For dinner, we layered rich burgundies and deep plums with soft ivories, fresh greens, silver accents, towering candelabras, and candlelight, while incorporating seasonal Italian fruits and vegetables throughout the tablescape. We loved the idea of food becoming part of the design itself, blurring the line between florals, food, and art.

The serpentine table became the sculptural centrepiece of that vision. Beyond its design, we loved how it encouraged connection. The winding shape naturally allowed conversation to flow, while the surrounding round tables kept everyone feeling part of one shared dinner. Even with more than 100 guests, it created an atmosphere that felt intimate, warm, and connected.

The culinary experience was just as important. We wanted guests to enjoy the slow rhythm of an Italian celebration, from the live meat and cheese station during cocktail hour to a beautifully choreographed multi-course dinner. Later in the evening, guests wandered through a dessert display filled with our favorite Italian desserts, endless gelato, an espresso bar to keep the celebration going, and even a cigarette station for anyone wanting to fully embrace the European spirit of the night. Whether guests were dancing or relaxing on the terrace overlooking the lights of Rome, we wanted every space to feel like part of the experience.

Music became one of the biggest storytelling elements of the day. Rather than choosing traditional ceremony music, we leaned into a darker, more cinematic sound. My bridesmaids walked down the aisle to the instrumental version of I Put a Spell on You, and I entered to Ludovico Einaudi's Experience, which immediately set the tone for the ceremony. As the evening unfolded, the music evolved with it. Dinner transitioned into a James Bond medley before our saxophonist took over, leading everyone into the cake cutting. For the after-party, we worked closely with our band to curate a setlist that built energy with every song, transforming the evening into the European-style celebration we had imagined and keeping the dance floor packed until 2 a.m.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Try to soak in every part of the planning process because as strange as it sounds, you're going to miss it! When the wedding weekend finally arrives, be as present as you possibly can. Take a moment to pause, look around, and take it all in. More than anything, remember that at the end of the day, you're in a room surrounded by every person who loves and supports you. That feeling is incredibly special, and it goes by far too quickly. Above all else, have fun. The little things you spent months worrying about won't be what you remember. You'll remember how it felt to celebrate with the people you love most.

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

CMADER Studio (Wedding Stationery) brought our vision to life in a way I truly don't think anyone else could have. Every piece was hand-painted and thoughtfully designed to reflect the romance, history, and artistry of Villa Aurelia. From our invitations featuring a hand-painted illustration of the villa, to the lace welcome sign greeting guests upon arrival, the illustrated ceremony programs finished with silk tassels, our Roman bust-inspired seating chart, menus, table numbers, matchbooks, and every small paper detail in between, each piece felt like a one-of-a-kind work of art. Rather than simply creating stationery, she created an entire visual story for our wedding, and every detail felt incredibly personal.

Moments Lab (Wedding Planners) were the heart of it all. Giulia and Marina understood our vision from the very beginning and somehow elevated every idea beyond what we thought was possible. They made the entire planning process enjoyable, and on the wedding day we were able to be completely present because we knew we were in the best hands.

DOSMASENLAMESA (Photography) captured our wedding exactly the way we had hoped. We wanted a blend of editorial portraits with candid, documentary-style moments, especially throughout cocktail hour, dinner, and the celebrations with our guests. They have such a gift for capturing genuine emotion, and every time we look through our photos, it truly feels like we're stepping back into the weekend.

Aurelia Film (Videography) was equally incredible. They made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera that we often forgot they were even filming. They also captured so many beautiful little moments that we never even realized happened, giving us memories we'll treasure forever.

Federica Ambrosini (Florals) completely understood the artistic direction we were hoping to achieve. From the sculptural floral installations and dramatic drapery to incorporating seasonal Italian fruit and vegetables into the tablescape, she created something that felt less like traditional wedding florals and more like an immersive work of art.

Photographer: DOSMASENLAMESA @dosmasenlamesa | Planning: Moments Lab @moments_lab | Styling & Flora: Federica Ambrosini @federicaambrosini | Videographer: Aurelia Films @aureliafilms | Ceremony & Reception Location: Villa Aurelia @villaaureliagianicolo | Celebrant: Best Friend of couple | Hire: Preludio @preludio_classe_catering, Florental @florentalevents | HMUA: Inna Loshak @inna_makeup_italy_ | Catering, Cake & Beverages: California Catering @californiacateringrome | Stationery: CMader Studio @cmaderstudio | Entertainment: Shanti and Songs @shantiandsongs_

entertainment | Welcome Party Dress: De La Vali @delavaliofficial | Ceremony Dress: Watters @watters | Suit: Custom Tux | Custom Veil: Karin Shemesh