Embarking on the Wedding Planning Journey

Embarking on the Wedding Planning Journey

At first, Tina Bai and Joe Rodonis simply wanted to sit down and plan their big day. They were determined to have their wedding in a place rich with story and history. "We truly love spaces filled with historical significance," Tina shared. Living in New York, the couple initially thought about searching for a venue in the northern regions, where many grand old estates are located. However, considering that many guests would be flying in from afar, especially Tina's family from Shanghai, they felt it was a bit much to ask everyone to travel further from New York.

Ultimately, they decided to look for a location that might lie somewhere between East and West, where they could find the atmosphere they desired. "The rural landscapes of Italy have always captivated us," Tina laughed.

A Unique Wedding Venue

And so they discovered a venue with a unique history in Sovicille, near Siena, Tuscany, surrounded by stunning scenery; lush cypress trees and rolling hills. Here, Tina and Joe shared how they organized their dream wedding with the help of a secret wedding planner who made it all happen.

The wedding weekend took place in the gardens of Villa Cetinale, located just outside Siena, and this dream became a reality thanks to a planner who understood their vision for a distinctive venue. That planner was Alessia Angelotti.

Finding the Right Planner

The couple began their journey not by choosing a venue or a specific area in Italy, but by searching for a planner. They interviewed several candidates, hoping to find someone who could interpret their ideas while respecting their budget. "I wanted someone who could bridge the gap between working with you and providing feedback based on their experience," Tina explained.

Eventually, they found Silvia Bargagni, a planner from Magnolia Wedding Planner in Florence, who "knew the right people, had reliable vendors, and also had great taste," Joe noted. When it came to selecting vendors like catering and transportation, Silvia offered around four options for each category, along with her insights from previous experiences. Looking back, they felt that choosing the right planner was the most crucial decision throughout the entire process.

A Venue Steeped in History

Historically, they chose a place with a deep past: Villa Cetinale, a 17th-century Baroque estate. It was originally owned by Fabio Chigi, who later became Pope Alexander VII in 1655, and was inherited and completed by his nephew, a cardinal. Designed by the famous Italian architect Carlo Fontana, a student of Bernini, this estate is located about seven miles from Siena and boasts gardens so beautiful that Edith Wharton once wrote about them.

The villa has also been used to film grand wedding scenes in the third season of Succession. Today, Villa Cetinale serves as a private event space, unashamedly sharing stories about its origins, including a rumor that a pope once hid there after eliminating a rival. This property is an ideal event venue, featuring various gardens perfect for weddings and receptions, along with statues and portraits scattered throughout.

Always Make Quick Decisions

Booking the wedding required renting the entire space, which includes 13 bedrooms and three separate villas on the property, where family and the bridal party would stay. The rest of the guest list was booked at the Grand Hotel Continental Siena. The allure of Villa Cetinale prompted the couple to make quick decisions – it was indeed a bit of a gamble. "When I emailed, they were fully booked for the next two years," Tina recounted. "Another couple wanted the same date, and they said whoever put down a 40% deposit would get it." The couple decided to take the plunge based on the videos and images they had seen of the venue. Their planner did most of the legwork for them, and a year before the wedding, they had the chance to visit for final decisions.

Simplicity with Elegance

At home in New York, Tina and Joe highlighted the historical details in their pre-war apartment, such as classic moldings and imperfect walls. They loved vibrant colors but restrained themselves for this wedding style. "We wanted a timeless feel, so not too many bright flowers, but something that complemented the space we had booked," Tina shared. Their flowers, provided by Silvia Mattera, featured shades of blue and white with a rich texture. White roses, geraniums, hydrangeas, and lily of the valley were the main blooms in the bouquets for the bride and her bridesmaids.

The tables for the outdoor reception were adorned with exquisite blue and white patterned tableware and delicate white candles in tin holders. Above, a series of glass chandeliers were suspended from standing racks. "The idea was to make the space stand out," Tina said. The long dining table on the wedding day became a focal point – guests left the cocktail hour in the back garden to eat and then returned to this area, which transformed into a dance floor.

Casual Planning

The wedding events took place from Sunday to Tuesday over Labor Day weekend, entirely on the villa grounds. Each day featured a different color theme inspired by the Italian flag. The welcome event was red – a pizza party held in the villa's backyard, where pizza makers tossed dough and baked pies in an outdoor oven. The dining tables were dressed in checkered cloths and decorated with vibrant red flowers. The wedding day was themed white, and the final day featured a blue theme from a barbecue with no set start or end time, allowing guests to pop in and enjoy a variety of grilled meats while lounging by the pool.

Starting the Wedding Day Right

Since Joe is a personal trainer and they actually met at the gym, he wanted to host a yoga session on the morning of the wedding. He and the groomsmen jogged around the sprawling 165-acre grounds, including running up and down the villa's stone steps and lifting weights before preparing for the ceremony. Although Tina was a bit envious of her husband’s exercise plans to ease his nerves – "bridal parties have to get up early for hair and makeup!" she laughed – the timing of the events was arranged so that both could enjoy a cheerful breakfast before the wedding.