Some love stories start at the office. For Ama and Alley, being coworkers was just the beginning, but it took a mutual friend “accidentally” setting them up years later to really get things moving. (We love a happy accident!)

Fast forward to June 2025, and that setup led them all the way to the rolling hills of Tuscany for a celebration that was intimate, authentic, and incredibly scenic.

If you have Italy on your mind but want to avoid the massive crowds of Florence or Rome, you’re going to want to take notes on this one. Ama and Alley are spilling the details on how they secured their venue through Airbnb, navigated Italian logistics, and why you shouldn’t overlook Lucca.

Why Tuscany? (And Why Lucca?)

For Ama and Alley, the decision to host a destination wedding was easy—they wanted to combine their love for travel with a unique experience for their nearest and dearest. But narrowing down the location required a personal touch.

Since Alley’s family is Italian, the country was a natural choice. They landed on Lucca, a historic walled city that offered a mix of accessibility and charm.

“Lucca, while still a tourist destination, is less well known than some of the bigger towns in nearby Tuscany and we thought it would be a great place to explore.”

The Venue Hunt

Finding the right spot from across the ocean can be stressful, but this couple struck gold on a familiar app: Airbnb. They discovered Villa Gioma, a stunning property that allowed them to host the wedding and house their immediate family for the week.

“We found it on Airbnb! We were looking for places in Tuscany more broadly and when we came across this place, we were sold. The surrounding landscape was absolutely beautiful.”

Aesthetic & Details: Minimalist Style

With demanding jobs back home, Ama and Alley put their trust in their planner, Natalia Music Weddings, to handle the design. The goal? A natural, clean, minimalist look with authentic Italian touches—like a Limoncello stand with favors sourced from a local company.

One of the most creative details was the guest book. Natalia, who is also a watercolor artist, painted the venue for the couple.

“We used the matte of the painting as our guest book where guests could write well wishes… It is a very special, one-of-a-kind memento—something we can look at every day on our wall rather than a book that just gets stored in a box.”

A Family Affair

The ceremony was the emotional heartbeat of the trip. To make it truly personal, they kept it in the family.

“Alley’s mom is a priest so it was very important to us to have her as our officiant. It was very special to have her guide us through our ceremony. We also wrote our own vows, which were a highlight for both of us.”

Logistics & Advice

While the setting was idyllic, the logistics of the Italian countryside did present a challenge. Transportation to and from the villa was tricky, but the couple solved it by working with their host to create a partnership with a local taxi company—a vital move for guest comfort.

Ama and Alley’s biggest takeaway? Don’t be afraid to go slightly off the beaten path.

“Don’t sleep on Lucca! The town and the people were absolutely incredible. If you are looking for a place in Tuscany to have your wedding that’s a little more off the beaten path with a more authentic feel, check out Lucca!”

Vendors: Photographer: Xenia Minton; Wedding Planner: Natalia Music Weddings; Ceremony/Reception Site: Villa Gioma; Florist: Kvitea Flowers; Stationery: Natalia Music Weddings; Cake: Pasticceria Regina; Hair & Makeup: Madeline Baucia Bridal; Bride’s Clothing Designers: Favorite Daughter & Besa; Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: Birdy Grey; Music: DJ BeMy