Karen and Zach looked through nearly 100 villas before finding the one that made them stop searching. Set in Italy’s Piedmont region, the centuries-old estate—with its Roman arches, gardens, and historic architecture—already had the atmosphere they were hoping for, so candles, flowers, and vintage-inspired fashion simply complemented what was there.

After nearly seven years together, they invited just 20 guests to spend the weekend with them at the villa. A welcome dinner, a ceremony written by the groom, and plenty of unhurried time together gave the celebration a relaxed rhythm that reflected the couple just as much as the setting did.

What We Love About This Villa Wedding

• Just 20 guests staying together for the weekend at a centuries-old Italian estate
• A surprise a cappella performance from the couple’s wedding planner after the welcome dinner
• Karen wearing the same hat her mother wore on her wedding day nearly 40 years ago
• A ceremony written entirely by the groom

Featured Vendor:
VB Wedding Studio

Skipping Traditions Gave Them More Time Together

Many couples are warned they’ll barely see each other on their wedding day. Karen and Zach planned around that from the very beginning.

They shared a private first look and private vows before the ceremony. There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no formal entrances, and no tightly packed timeline. Because everyone was staying at the villa, there was no rush between events. Guests shared meals, wandered the gardens, and settled into the weekend together.

“We did everything you could do to make a formal ceremony casual and that pretty much exemplifies who we are as a couple.”

Writing Their Own Ceremony Made It Personal

Rather than using a traditional ceremony script, Zach wrote the entire ceremony himself. “It was a beautiful and unique story about the foundations of family and marriage. Of course I loved it but I think everyone else did too because it’s also a reminder that every person at that wedding has had and will continue to have a role to play in our lives and our marriage.”

It reflected the atmosphere Karen and Zach had created all weekend: one where the people gathered around them weren’t simply guests but part of the story they were continuing together. It was another detail that made their villa wedding feel unmistakably personal.

Vintage Wedding Fashion With One Family Heirloom

Fashion was one of the ways Karen and Zach tied the entire day together. Zach wore a custom black tuxedo by Harry and Nikki at Bhambis Custom Tailors in New York, pairing oversized lapels with a vintage-inspired ruffled shirt, black bow tie, and antique brooch.

Karen chose a classic silk satin gown, adding gloves, a scarf, and carefully selected jewelry inspired by the canary diamond Zach designed for her engagement ring. The accessory she treasured most, though, had been in her family for decades.

“My favorite piece was the hat I wore. It was given to me by my mother and it was actually the hat she wore on her wedding day nearly 40 years ago.”

A Planner Who Matched Their Pace

Neither Karen nor Zach describe themselves as especially organized planners, so finding someone who could keep everything running smoothly without making the day feel overly scheduled mattered just as much as finding the right venue.

“It would’ve never come to fruition if it wasn’t for the guidance of our wedding planner. It’s easy to dream up the look and feel you want for the wedding but I never appreciated how many decisions it takes to actually translate that dream to real life.”

Their caterer introduced them to Junebug vendor VB Wedding Studio, who then recommended nearly every other vendor they worked with. More importantly, her calm approach fit exactly what they were hoping for.

Searching Nearly 100 Italian Villas Was Worth It

Wedding planning began with one clear priority. They wanted a place where everyone could stay together and where the ceremony could happen without asking guests to move from one location to another.

Italy quickly became the focus of their search, and after looking through close to 100 villas, they found the one.

The estate’s architecture, gardens, gazebos, and Roman arches immediately stood out. Rather than introducing a completely different design direction, Karen and Zach chose flowers and candlelight that suited what was already there.

A Welcome Dinner That Ended in Song

The night before the wedding, everyone gathered for dinner at the villa. Since several guests had only arrived that day, it gave both families and friends a chance to spend time together before the ceremony. Then came a surprise.

Without Karen and Zach knowing beforehand, Valentina and her a cappella group performed classical Italian songs for more than an hour, including one of the couple’s wedding songs. “It was such an impactful and beautiful memory that I guarantee most of us will never forget.”

Their Best Advice Is to Leave Space in the Schedule

Karen says the quiet moments they intentionally left in the schedule are some of the memories she values most. “Plan so much time throughout the day for you both to have some private moments. You may have invited everyone there but they are there because they love you. It’s okay to take some time just the two of you to soak it all in. The memories of those little moments will last you forever.”

She has one more recommendation for couples planning a villa wedding—or any wedding, for that matter. “Get a wedding planner. They will save your sanity.” After watching months of planning become a relaxed weekend shared with the people they love most, it’s advice Karen doesn’t hesitate to pass along.