Wedding | Valentina & Sahil

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We first met on a dating app in Dubai, with our first date at the cinema. Since Sahil is Indian and I’m Italian, we thought it would be fun to lean into the contrast, so Sahil picked the most exaggerated Bollywood film he could find to see if I could last three hours. He also smuggled in canned Negronis, our favorite drink. When I saw him walk in with a paper bag, she thought: “If there are Negronis inside, I’m going to marry this guy.” She was right.

Day to day, I’m an architect working for Dior Beauty, designing and opening stores across the Middle East. Sahil is a restaurant operator in Dubai, founder of Rare Brasserie & Bar. Together, we are obsessed with good design, food, travel, and making sure light switches are never crooked. We finish each other’s sentences and often know what the other is thinking before it is said aloud.

Our friends would describe us as stylish chaos: Sahil sabering champagne, cutting his finger open, and me swooping in to save the day.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

The Sala del Concistoro in Siena felt perfect, historic, powerful, and true to who we are. We knew immediately that we did not want the cliché vineyard wedding. When we walked into the Hotel Certosa for the first time, we both felt it. Casual and approachable, yet extremely chic.

How many guests did you have?

48 guests. Immediate family and lifelong friends. Keeping it intimate meant we could spend time with every single person who came, appreciating the effort they took to be there.

What was your budget? 

We kept it focused on what mattered most: food, wine, music, and design. We made decisions carefully, balancing simplicity with impact.

Tell us about your outfits.

I wore a sculptural Vivienne Westwood gown, rebellious yet timeless, with movement, drama, and ease, so me! I paired it with Miu Miu shoes, modern Magda Butrym and Simone Rocha accessories, and a surprise tennis bracelet gifted by Sahil on the day. Later in the evening, I changed into a short embellished party dress, perfect for dancing, a true gem from Asos found on Vinted.

Sahil wore a custom ivory dinner jacket from Suit Supply, paired with a handcrafted Marinella pocket scarf embroidered with the words “You will forever be my always,” as my wedding gift. Understated, elegant, confident.

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

We are perfectionists, so everything mattered. Food, music, photography, design. Each element had to blend seamlessly, without looking staged.

We wanted the day to feel authentic, but an honest reflection of us. That meant prioritising atmosphere: food that told a Tuscan story, music that brought people together, styling that felt natural rather than forced.

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

We wanted to keep everything simple yet refined. White calla lilies and peonies made up the bridal bouquet, and the styling was designed to complement the beauty of the spaces rather than compete with them. Both the Sala del Concistoro and the Certosa were breath taking on their own.

Every detail was shaped around our personal taste and the comfort of our guests. One of the highlights was an impromptu aperitivo we organized just two days before the wedding. After the ceremony, we guided everyone across Siena’s piazza to a local café bar, where Aperol Spritzes and light bites awaited. Locals and tourists paused to watch, adding to the festive atmosphere, while our guests loved the spontaneity of the moment.

Food and beverage were also a cornerstone of the celebration. We curated a menu from the Certosa’s restaurant, ensuring every guest received a personalized menu that included their dietary preferences.

The wine selection featured Nicola Gatta’s Spumante Metodo Classico Extra Brut “Quattrocento,” Billecart Salmon Brut Réserve in magnum, La Nascosta Chard O Chardonnay, and San Felice Bell'Aja. Negronis flowed generously, mixed with Tanqueray, Campari, and Antica Formula.

Guests especially appreciated the thoughtful touches, from menu customization to arranging babysitters so parents could fully enjoy the evening.

Any tips for couples getting married?

If you are organising from abroad and not using a planner, get a coordinator for the day. No matter how detailed your instructions, someone will still call you with a question. Save yourself the stress. And do not forget to actually have fun along the way.

The morning after, we were ready to do it all over again.

If there is one takeaway for Anti-Bride readers, it is this: do not lose sight of joy. Make it stylish, make it you, but above all make it fun.

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

We were so lucky to have an incredible team around us. The team of Certosa, Gianna and Michelle, kept everything seamless and stress-free. 

Martina Boggian, our lovely photographer , captured every emotion so beautifully.

Filippo, Hair stylist concept store, my trusted hairdresser for years, knew exactly what I wanted.

Giovanni Gargini & The Suits Jazz Band, who set the tone from ceremony to dance floor.

Matilde Sacconi from Matimisú, who baked the perfect ending to the night. Best cake ever!

We couldn’t ask for any better. Each one went above and beyond, and their passion truly showed in every detail.

Photographer: Martina Boggian @martinaboggianph | Flora: Agriflor @agriflor.siena | Videographer: Daniele Cribari @danielecribarivideographer | Ceremony Location: La Sala del Concistoro, Comune di Siena @museocivico_siena | Reception Location: Hotel Certosa di Maggiano, Siena @certosadimaggiano | Makeup: Olympia @olimpya_mua | Hair: Hair Stylist Concept Store

@hair_stylist.levane | Cake: Matimisu @matimisu_ | Entertainment: The Suits Jazz Band @talking_ties | Dress: Vivienne Westwood @viviennewestwood | Suit: Suit Supply @suitsupply | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Cara Jewellers Dubai @carajewellers | Shoes: Miu Miu @miumiu | Accessories: Magda Butrym @magdabutrym  & Simone Rocha @simonerocha | Second Look: Asos @asos by Vinted @vinted