Luxury Wedding in Florence at Villa Cora | Shahana & Ryan | Weddings in Italy

Shahana & Ryan – Romantic Luxury Wedding in Florence at Villa Cora

A wedding in Italy is often imagined as a dream wrapped in beauty, history, and romance. For Shahana and Ryan, that dream had a very precise shape, color, and scent: Florence — the timeless city where art lives in every corner and the golden Tuscan light seems to celebrate love itself. Their vision was beautifully simple: “We want our guests to experience three unforgettable days together, filled with Italian elegance, warmth, and joy.” And that is exactly what happened.

Traveling from the United States, the couple and their 75 guests chose to immerse themselves completely in one of Florence’s most iconic locations: Villa Cora, a five-star historic residence overlooking the city. All guests stayed together, sharing moments from sunrise to late night: a true Italian-style celebration of togetherness and amore.

Their wedding in Florence unfolded across three magical days. The welcome event took place at Villa Tolomei, with breathtaking views over the Florentine hills. The rehearsal dinner, hosted atop the Westin Excelsior rooftop, gifted everyone a panoramic sunset over the Duomo and the Arno. And finally, the wedding day at Villa Cora, the heart of this extraordinary experience.

The ceremony was held in the villa’s garden, surrounded by architecture, nature, and the ethereal sound of a string quartet. The atmosphere was incredibly moving: elegant yet emotional, refined yet spontaneous. As the sun softened into a Tuscan golden hour, guests enjoyed cocktails on the villa grounds while the couple captured unforgettable portraits.

Their reception in the Sala degli Specchi was nothing short of spectacular: a candlelit dinner inside one of the most sophisticated rooms in all of Florence. The couple opened the evening with their first dance and family dances before dinner, a unique choice that set the tone for an extraordinary night. After the cake cutting under the stars, the celebration moved to the villa’s legendary Pashà Room, where a DJ and saxophonist kept the dance floor alive until late.

It’s one of those weddings that make you dream, that make you whisper: “I want to get married in Italy just like this.”

Plan your wedding in Tuscany and experience the goodness of this bucolic land. Rolling hills, artful towns, medieval villages and thriving nature. Welcome to the most desired destination of the Italian Peninsula.

The vision

Shahana and Ryan' notes

Shahana and Ryan envisioned a wedding that felt timeless, elegant, modern, and deeply romantic: the perfect blend of minimalism and warmth. Their dream was to craft a refined Italy wedding experience infused with candlelight, softness, and emotional depth.

The design palette featured pale pink, white, and soft neutral tones, chosen to blend seamlessly with the historic beauty of Villa Cora without overpowering it. Candlelight played a starring role, creating a sensual, intimate glow that gently illuminated the ceremony, the dinner, and the night’s most heartfelt moments. This candlelit atmosphere became the emotional signature of the event — a warm embrace surrounding guests throughout the celebration.

Their priority was to ensure that each person felt welcomed, cherished, and enveloped in beauty. From the curated musical selections to the consistent design language, every detail was meant to stir emotion rather than impress through excess.

The Flower Designer brought this aesthetic to life with fresh, refined, modern floral compositions, while the musicians crafted a sound and lighting design that elevated each moment. Together, they created the perfect atmosphere for a sophisticated American destination wedding in Italy.

The vision was crystal clear: pure elegance, heartfelt emotion, and the unmistakable charm of an Italian wedding.

The five deal breakers

Stay all together in one exclusive venue
Elegant, modern aesthetic
Simple and smooth logistics
Iconic spaces for ceremony and dinner
Authentic Italian experience for all guests

The action plan

How did we pull it off

Bringing Shahana & Ryan’s vision to life required a blend of detailed planning, artistic sensibility, and the signature Italian approach to hospitality — warm, refined, and effortlessly stylish.

Planning & Logistics

The first essential step was choosing Villa Cora as the central hub for all three days. Because all guests were traveling from the U.S., it was crucial to simplify logistics while maximizing connection and comfort. Hosting the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all within the villa allowed us to design a seamless flow, where guests were guided naturally from moment to moment without the stress of transportation or transitions.

Design & Moodboards

Working together with the couple, we developed several visual moodboards to define the aesthetic direction: minimal, elegant, candlelit, modern. We selected textures, florals, stationery styles, and lighting concepts that reflected their taste while honoring the historical richness of the venue.

The challenge and beauty was creating a contemporary atmosphere inside one of Florence’s most iconic historic villas. The solution: soft hues, clean florals, low compositions, and a play of reflective surfaces inside the Sala degli Specchi, allowing candlelight to multiply and dance across the room.

Teamwork & Vendor Selection

Each vendor was chosen for their ability to bring this refined vision to life. We coordinated deeply with every partner to ensure a cohesive experience from start to finish.

The Wedding Day Flow

The wedding morning began in the villa’s grand salon, where Shahana prepared with her bridesmaids. After a light lunch and a final touch-up, the couple shared a private first look — one of the most emotional moments of the day. Group photos followed, and as guests arrived for pre-ceremony drinks, the atmosphere filled with anticipation.

The ceremony in the garden, accompanied by a string quartet, unfolded with grace. The processional included bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members before Shahana made her entrance with her father — a breathtaking moment.

Cocktails on the garden lawn led into dinner inside the Sala degli Specchi, where the couple performed their first dance and parent dances before the meal — a beautifully unconventional choice that set an intimate, joyful tone.

After dinner, the cake cutting in the garden illuminated by sparkling fountains created a cinematic transition into the Pashà Room after-party, where DJ and sax fueled a night of pure celebration.

This is what we call the true WeddingItaly style: beauty, rhythm, emotion, elegance, and unforgettable experiences.

Shahana and Ryan

Shahana & Ryan – Romantic Luxury Wedding in Florence at Villa Cora

Wedding planned by

The location

Shahana and Ryan' notes

How did we pull it off

Did you get inspired by this wedding story?