A Fresco-Filled Florence Wedding Straight Out of a Fairytale

beautiful sweetheart table inside italian wedding venue

Kiley and Max’s love story started somewhere unexpected… behind the counter of his family’s seafood restaurant on Cape Cod. What began as a teenage summer friendship between lobster rolls and fried clams slowly turned into something that lasted far beyond tourist season. Through college, first jobs, and even years of long distance between New York and Los Angeles, they always found their way back to each other.

So when it came time to choose where to say “I do,” they knew it had to be somewhere meaningful. Italy was the obvious answer, at Villa Corsini a Mezzomonte- planned with the help of Tuscan Tours and Weddings and captured by Elisa Rinaldi.

The Setting

watercolor wedding invitation suite

Kiley had studied art history in Florence during college and first learned about Villa Corsini in her coursework. Max had studied abroad in Venice, and both had fallen deeply in love with Italy’s culture, history, and beauty. Florence felt like destiny. Although they still joke that if Tuscany hadn’t worked out, they might have just gone back to the seafood restaurant and served lobster rolls instead of Chianti.

black and white photo of wedding couple walking through italian gardens

What made the celebration even more powerful was who was there. Kiley’s family is rooted on Cape Cod. Max’s family is split between Cape Cod and Florida. Neither side travels far from home, which made gathering everyone in Italy feel monumental. For many guests, this was a once in a lifetime trip. It was not just a wedding. It was an adventure.

The Fashion

bride and her bridesmaids holding champange and wearing silk robes and pjs

wedding flatlay with bridal accessories along with the invitation suite

bride in robe putting on lipstick in mirror bride spinning in vintage wedding dress

close up of bride's long sleeve wedding dress with orchid bouquet

shot of bride's heels which are jeweled and beaded

Kiley’s gown delivered two looks in one. For the ceremony, she wore a lace jacket layered over her dress. For the reception, she transformed it into a strapless silhouette. At dinner, she added classic gloves from Cornelia James, the storied British maker known for crafting gloves for Queen Elizabeth II. The finishing touch felt regal in the best way.

The Details

With a background in the commercial art world in New York City, working between auction houses and galleries, the creative process came naturally to her. She hand painted everything. The entire stationery suite. Every piece of signage. Menus. Day-of paper goods. Parasols. Tambourines. Accordion fans. What started as designing her own wedding ultimately inspired her to launch a wedding stationery business that is now thriving.

wedding ceremony sign honoring loved ones who have passed

fun pink and whte striped wedding straws statue head holding oranges

wedding guest book sign framed in vintage gold frame

Heirlooms added even more meaning. The ring bearer’s pillow was sewn from Kiley’s great grandmother’s wedding dress. The rings were carried in a WWII era brooch that belonged to her great grandfather. Guests signed a postcard guest book made up of thrifted vintage postcards from every place the couple has lived. Throughout the night, friends and family flipped through them, spotting Cape Cod landmarks, recognizing boats, and pointing out familiar faces. It felt like walking through their love story in paper form.

hand painted wedding favors that are tamborines

wedding guest holding hand painted ceremony fn

The Florals

The florals were layered with symbolism. Hydrangeas honored their Cape Cod roots. Orchids nodded to Max’s Florida upbringing. Bridesmaids carried hand painted parasols and got ready in vintage Oscar de la Renta nightgowns Kiley had sourced over months. The groomsmen skipped traditional boutonnieres and wore heirloom or thrifted brooches instead.

stunning shot of bride holding bouquet of orchids and soft pink roses

wedding florals mixed with lavender roses, hot pink garden roses and green and white hydrangeas bride and bridesmaids standing on stairs of a castle holding their white umbrellas

bride and groom doing their first kiss during their wedding ceremony

The Reception

Inside Villa Corsini, frescoed halls and Tuscan gardens created the dreamiest setting for a candlelit dinner beneath soaring arches. Tables were layered with citrus, hydrangeas, and orchids, glowing under warm light. For a couple who bonded over art, culture, and history, it felt perfectly aligned.

outside looking in to romatic lit reception space

bride with white gloves sitting and about to eat her caprese

water color painted wedding table number with grapes

In the end, Kiley and Max’s wedding was more than beautiful. It was intentional. Every flower, heirloom, brushstroke, and brooch told part of their story. And having loved ones who rarely leave home travel across the world to celebrate alongside them turned it into something unforgettable.

bride and groom doing a traditional italian cake cutting with cold sparklers