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Martha Stewart Weddings

A Romantic Destination Wedding in Tuscany

By Shira Savada
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veronica mickias wedding couple holding hands near trees
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

The weekend incorporated Italian flavors and scenery, Ethiopian traditions, and beautiful blooms.

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veronica mickias wedding couple holding hands near trees
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Veronica knew of Mickias since he was her cousin's best friend. They had crushes on each other but neither acted on it until Veronica was in college and persuaded her cousin to let Mickey reach out to her. They started dating long-distance and, a few years after the couple got together, Mickias popped the question on the beach during a vacation in Barbados. "Hiding the ring was a nightmare because I knew Veronica would use my carry-on for her things," says the groom. "Suspecting I was going to propose on this trip, I threw her off when I didn't react every time she opened my bag." On the eighth day of their trip she gave up thinking he was going to ask for her hand in marriage while they were abroad, but it was that night during sunset that he sprung to action.

A year and a half later, on June 17, 2017, it was in another picturesque setting—Siena, Italy—that the California-based couple tied the knot. They chose Borgo Stomennano as the venue for their destination fête. Since the bride's father hails from Italy and the mother-of-the-groom lives in Ethiopia, it was the perfect mid-point for their family and friends (there were 180 guests total) to gather. The 17th century mansion overseeing the landscape of Tuscany set the scene for the celebration, which was designed in soft, neutral colors and a romantic and classic style.

Watch Veronica and Mickias's wedding film by Matteo Castelluccia.

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The Invitations

veronica mickias wedding invitation and roses
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
Trending Now: Deckle-Edge Wedding Invitations

Letter Love Studio designed the invitations which featured gold foil on deckle-edge paper and incorporated a drawing of the villa where the wedding would take place.

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Welcome to Italy

veronica mickias wedding italy welcome bags
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
102 Welcome Bags from Real Weddings

Guests were given a map of the area that doubled as an itinerary for the weekend, a bottle of water, and a "do not disturb" sign to hang on their doors. Candy, chocolate, and bread was also tucked inside the stamped muslin bags that read "Ciao!"

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A Stylish Pair

veronica mickias wedding couple walking on path
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Veronica tried on about a dozen wedding dresses before choosing this Berta number, which was selected by her god mother. "The one thing I loved most about my dress was that I felt it went with the feel of the villa," says Veronica. "And I knew I wanted a Berta dress before Mickey even proposed."

Mickey sported a custom tuxedo and shirt by Tom James, Super Glamourous patent-leather loafers, and an ivory bow tie.

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Special Touches

veronica mickias wedding embroidered shirt cuff
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Mickey had their engagement photos stitched into the inner lining of his Tom James jacket, and their first initials embroidered on his shirt.

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Elegant Detail

veronica mickias wedding brides dress detail
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Veronica's Berta wedding dress was made from hand-crafted lace and had an illusion panel with additional leaf appliques on the back.

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The First Look

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
9 Tips for Making the Most of Your First Look

"The most memorable moment of the day for me was our first look," says the bride. "I felt as if I was meeting my fiancé for the first time. I was so nervous and excited." Though they had seen each other earlier during an Ethiopian tradition, Mickey and his male attendants "fought" their way against the bride's family to get into the room Veronica was in. Once there, Mickey bent down to kiss her parents' knees as a sign of respect.

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Here Comes the Groom

veronica mickias wedding groom during processional
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Mickey was all smiles as he and his parents entered the ceremony to the sounds of "At Last" by Etta James.

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The Stylish Processional

veronica mickias wedding party processional
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
The Processional Order Decoded

Bridesmaids wore blush Amsale gowns and were escorted down the aisle by the groomsmen, who sported sharkskin blue suits with soft pink ties.

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Here Comes the Bride

veronica mickias wedding groom and father embrace
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

"La Vie En Rose" was the soundtrack for Veronica and her father's entrance.

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The Ceremony

veronica mickias holding couple lighting ceremony candle
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
25 Creative Wedding Rituals That Symbolize Unity

Veronica and Mickey stood under a canopy in the garden where they exchanged vows. The bride's aunt and uncle recited readings during the customized ceremony, which incorporated various religious traditions in order to honor the bride's Catholic background and the groom's Greek Orthodox roots. The pair chose to personalize their wedding with the lighting of a unity candle and the blessing of hands ritual.

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Just Married

veronica mickias wedding bride and groom pronouncement
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

After being declared husband and wife, the couple walked back up the aisle to the sounds of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life."

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Drink Up

veronica mickias wedding guest with cocktail
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
25 Cocktail Hour Ideas from Real Weddings

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed appetizers and cocktails, including this Campari Lambrusco spritz that came alive thanks to dry ice.

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Hanging Escort Cards

veronica mickias wedding hanging escort card display
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
Outdoor Escort Cards That Won't Fly Away

Escort cards from Minted were hung from flowering bushes with champagne-colored satin ribbons.

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The Reception

veronica mickias wedding table decor with gold accents
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

When it was time for dinner, guests moved to the back of the villa. Tables were set with gold vessels holding a mix of candles and floral arrangements in a muted palette of soft pinks and ivory. "I wanted a romantic, ethereal garden theme with a feeling of old Italy," Veronica says of the ambiance.

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The Place Settings

veronica mickias wedding place setting and menu with seal
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Menus topped with the couple's wax seal outlined the meal prepared by Delizia Ricevimenti—which began with a mozzarella pudding with truffle cream and basil emulsion. "I chose the blue-patterned plates to add a little fairytale feel," says Veronica. Adds event planner Fallon Carter, "The antique plates acted as our 'something blue' for the day."

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One Romantic Evening

veronica mickias wedding outdoor reception
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas from Real Celebrations

As the sun set over Tuscany, strands of lights over the tables provided a warm glow throughout the space.

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An Italian Wedding Cake

veronica mickias bride and groom cutting cake
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

The traditional Napoleon-style wedding cake was prepared live. "It was like we were watching a show," says Veronica.

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Written in Lights

veronica mickias wedding outdoor bar projection
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography
This Monogram DIY Project Helps You Show Off Your New Initials in Style

The couple's monogram was projected over the bar, which really popped once the sun set.

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Time to Dance

veronica mickias wedding guests dancing
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

After the newlyweds danced to John Legend's "Stay With You," it was time to cut loose on the dance floor, which was by the pool.

Before the reception ended, chairs were lined up for the elders of the family to sit on, and the bride and groom knelt down to kiss each elder's knee—a custom in the Ethiopian culture. "It's a rite of passage to thank them for raising us and getting their blessing," says Mickey. "And it is my most memorable moment of that special day."

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Sources

veronica mickias wedding couple embracing candid
Credit: Lisa Poggi Photography

Photography, Lisa Poggi Photography

Location, Borgo Stomennano

Event planning, Fallon Carter Weddings

Catering, Delizia Ricevimenti

Flowers, Jardin Divers; Frey Dagnew (bouquets)

Videography, Matteo Castelluccia

Stationery and Calligraphy, Letter Love Studio

Music, Wedding Music and Lights; DJ Dawit DK

Rentals, Happy Days

Bride's gown, Berta

Bride's shoes, René Caovilla

Hair, Yene Damtew

Makeup, Lidija Malinovskaja

Bridesmaids' dresses, Amsale

Groom's tuxedo and shirt, Tom James

Groom's shoes, Super Glamourous

Lighting and AV, GB Audio

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 21
    2 of 21 The Invitations
    3 of 21 Welcome to Italy
    4 of 21 A Stylish Pair
    5 of 21 Special Touches
    6 of 21 Elegant Detail
    7 of 21 The First Look
    8 of 21 Here Comes the Groom
    9 of 21 The Stylish Processional
    10 of 21 Here Comes the Bride
    11 of 21 The Ceremony
    12 of 21 Just Married
    13 of 21 Drink Up
    14 of 21 Hanging Escort Cards
    15 of 21 The Reception
    16 of 21 The Place Settings
    17 of 21 One Romantic Evening
    18 of 21 An Italian Wedding Cake
    19 of 21 Written in Lights
    20 of 21 Time to Dance
    21 of 21 Sources

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