An Intimate, Stylish Destination Wedding With Fireworks at Abbazia di San Giusto in Central Italy
Karina and Kurt’s meet-cute was virtual, with their dating profiles matching while Kurt traveled past Dallas on his journey back to Louisiana. Texas was home for Karina, but the two still connected through FaceTime dinners and long conversations before they finally met in person. And for the two travel lovers, it was only fitting that they got engaged during a trip. Kurt surprised his bride-to-be with a trip to the Tree of Life in Audubon Park while in New Orleans, getting down on one knee under the tree’s sprawling ancient branches. “[I]n the quiet of the moment, he asked me to marry him. It was a private, magical proposal and a memory I’ll cherish forever,” Karina says.
For their wedding, the couple planned an intimate, destination affair in Italy. Inspired by both their love of travel and the beautiful landscapes of Tuscania, they created an itinerary for a weekend-long celebration with their loved ones with the perfect venue in mind: Abbazia di San Giusto. The venue fit their romantic theme and dreamy aesthetic, but the historic abbey was also centrally located, giving guests the ultimate experience in the Italian province.
The wedding weekend began with family staying on-site, which Karina described as more of a shared retreat than a one-day event. Since activities were scheduled throughout, the couple found a creative way to prepare their loved ones for the fun. “[W]e greeted our guests with custom welcome bags as they arrived, each filled with local treats and a Newspaper-style itinerary, dubbed the ‘Wedding Times.’ This itinerary detailed the weekend’s events and included fun photos from our courthouse marriage ceremony, giving guests a peek into our love story,” Karina says. At this welcome party, everyone was allowed to cook their own wood-fired pizzas for a classic Italian feel.
They also organized an excursion in town, saying, “We took our guests on a tour of the picturesque town of Tuscania, giving them a chance to explore its stunning streets and immerse themselves in local culture. Guests got hands-on with traditional pasta-making [later that day], and it was a fun and interactive way to share a piece of Italian culture with everyone.” This cooking class was led by the chefs for the wedding inside the Abbazia di San Giusto’s dining hall. Over 40 guests learned how to make three types of pasta—fettuccine, pappardelle and tagliatelle – and classic sauces in red (marinara), white (Cacio e Pepe) and green (pesto) in honor of the Italian flag.
With guests enjoying the on-site bed and breakfast at the abbey, the wedding day was in a soft and natural color palette to match the serene countryside atmosphere. “[T]hink sky blue, white and natural greenery,” Karina says of the decor. That meant incorporating a lot of natural and DIY elements, with flowers playing an important role. To enhance the venue’s natural beauty, Karina adds, “We chose a mix of white and blue hydrangeas, roses, and baby’s breath, which tied together beautifully with the countryside backdrop. These soft, serene blooms created a romantic and timeless atmosphere that complemented both the ceremony and reception.”
A floral arch in the historic chapel served as the focal point, with its hydrangeas and green foliage, and the aisle was lined with arrangements of baby’s breath that led to the candlelit altar. Karina walked down the aisle in a gown she described as both “elegant and timeless, something that would capture the romance of our Italian setting.” The form-fitting, Italian-lace mermaid gown by Randy Fenoli was one he specially helped the bride select for the big day. It even had custom detachable sleeves, which she removed for a more modern look at the reception. Kurt brought a classic and chic look with his Calvin Klein tuxedo in a sleek black, with a satin stripe down the pants for some added luxury.
Though initially, the reception was meant to be outside, a sudden rain shower required a change of plans. “[Our coordinator] set up a stunning long table in what used to be the Monk's Quarters – a grand, historical room with soaring ceilings. The space was transformed with a plethora of candles and flowers, creating a warm, intimate ambiance that felt almost cinematic,” says Karina of one of the most memorable parts of the couple’s day. This space was adorned with the same floral theme from the ceremony, with blue and white hydrangeas and baby’s breath in low vases with the candlelight’s warm glow.
Eventually, the party moved outdoors with a Prosecco tower and a live jazz quartet to create a “magical atmosphere” around the historic space. The couple injected more personal touches into their reception decor by bringing their two golden retrievers into the mix. They represented Dante and Lilo at the cocktail bar with drinks in their name and through the wedding cake toppers. “As we cut the cake, fireworks lit up the sky, making that moment feel incredibly special,” Karina says.
And having the right coordinator to help pivot during the day’s unexpected rain proved invaluable for the newlyweds. Their coordinator, Ippolita, turned what could’ve been a stressful moment into something both the couple and their guests described as one of their favorite parts of the day. Karina’s last bit of advice for couples planning their own wedding day is to embrace flexibility and do as the Romans do…so to speak: “Our biggest recommendation for couples is to take the Italian approach to wedding planning: stay relaxed, go with the flow, and remember that this will be one of the most special days of your life. Things won’t always go perfectly, and that’s okay – it’s often the unexpected moments that make the day so unforgettable.”