We love it when a couple plans a Jewish wedding that’s totally, 100% them – and that’s exactly what Anya and Kevin did in creating their swoonworthy three-day wedding weekend celebration in Italy.
The Charlottesville, VA-based couple found the perfect spot to bring their loved ones together for three days of music, food, wine, yoga, and, of course, lots of Jewish joy in Borgo Stomennano, where their magical garden dreams came to life.
Anya and Kevin opted to work with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Primavera Dreams to plan the festivities, and were thrilled at the way founder Luba helped them source fabulous local vendors and incorporate personal details. In Anya’s words, “Having a wedding planner was extremely helpful and took away so much stress. We are so glad that we worked with Luba. No matter how well you plan, something will always go wrong and it will never be what you think.”
The couple’s photographers, Studio AQUA, captured the whole day so beautifully – so do scroll down for more gorgeousness, plus all the details in Anya’s own words…
How We Met
Anya and Kevin were 12 years old when they first met on the tennis court in Manalapan, New Jersey. But their love story didn’t exactly start then. They went their separate paths for many years. After college, Kevin stayed in Charlottesville, VA, while Anya lived in Brooklyn, NY. Kevin found passion in entrepreneurship and music, and Anya in yoga and wellness.
On Christmas Day in 2018, their paths reconnected. Over hours of deep conversation, their connection was undeniable. Kevin asked Anya on a first date during a business trip to New York, and soon after, they spent their first unforgettable weekend together in Charlottesville.
Over the course of 9 months, many flights between the two cities, and a couple getaways to Hawaii and Mexico, their relationship blossomed. The values that they found in each other were exactly what they were looking for in a partner and in life. It was an easy decision for Anya to move down to Virginia in June of 2020. Kevin, Anya, and their Bernese Mountain dog, Alby, together have created a home and community in Charlottesville unlike any other.
A Wedding in Italy
Anya, the bride: We got married at Borgo Stomennano in Monteriggioni. We looked at local venues but nothing felt right. We needed a venue that allowed us to curate the perfect weekend. Anya did some research online and stumbled upon Borgo Stomennano. Immediately, we knew this the place. The views were so beautiful, the owners and management were so kind and supportive of our ideas, and it was the kind of place you can see yourself in 40 years later.
Wedding Weekend
We made our wedding about us in every detail no matter how small or big. We wanted to focus on a 3 day celebration with amazing music, food, wine, and yoga. Almost like a mini festival of love. We worked with an amazing wedding planner, Primavera Dreams, throughout the entire process that brought the glamorous vendors and we added details to personalize it.
Our ceremony was also deeply personal because we exchanged vulnerable vows and honored loved ones. We used colorful wildflowers, used bright colors for the table setting, created a custom label with our dog on it, selected personal songs for the ceremony and dance party, and more
One of our favorite memories is giving out flowers from our table settings to our guests on the dance floor towards the end of the night and we danced to ‘Innerbloom’ by Rufus du Sol surrounded by florals and loved ones.
Hair + Makeup
Cherie Spisso had so much experience, and cared about creating a beautiful natural look.
A Badgley Mischka Dress
My dress was the Carina Dress by Badgley Mischka. I bought it from Ava Laurenne in Fredricksburg, VA. I tried it on and I just knew. We already picked the venue when I was shopping for my dress so it was easy to envision myself living out my Italian wedding dream. I picked a style that made me feel confident and beautiful. I never saw anything like it before. This dress was so light, made of beautiful organza fabric, had a snatched waist, and long slit. I didn’t need anything extra.
Ceremony & Chuppah
Our chuppah had a perfect balance of tradition and personal touch. We did the circling together (3 led by Anya, 3 circles by Kevin, and then 1 circle together). We exchanged our vows just the two of us under the chuppah and then invited our parents for the marriage blessings. The chuppah was covered in wildflowers with an asymmetrical design. We created it together with our florist.
Our music choice
Ceremony: Kevin walked down to ‘I’ll Follow You Into the Dark’ by Death Cab for Cutie Anya walked down to ‘Heartbeats’ by Jose Gonzales After the chuppah, we walked back up the aisle to ‘This is the First Day of My Life’ by Bright Eyes During the cake ceremony, we had Ani Kuni by Polo & Pan Our first dance was ‘Technicolor Beat’ by Oh Wonder. Our Last Dance was ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ by Foreigner.
Our DJ was DJ Guinness and he was amazing playing all our favorite songs and euro dance hits. The afterparty DJs were Kevin and his friends and we rented the best equipment from Kaleydo Entertainment. They stayed up all night with us and helped us set up for our pool party the next morning.
Flowers
We chose colorful seasonal wildflowers. We used the same blooms for the bouquet, chuppah, a table setting. The table had mixed small vases and funny flowers spread out throughout the long table. We wanted it to feel like we were eating in a magical garden. The flowers were by Stiatti Fiori
Photographer and videographer
Studio AQUA, were the best photographers for our wedding. We wanted photographers that knew the venue and were able to capture every special moment. We didn’t receive our video yet, but we chose to work with Tiziana for the same reasons.
Honeymoon
We took a trip to Sardinia! We rented a car and drove from Alghero to Olbia, visiting wineries, taking boat trips to secluded beaches, and eating some of the best pasta and seafood. We can’t wait to go back and visit.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Having a wedding planner was extremely helpful and took away so much stress. We are so glad that we worked with Luba. No matter how well you plan, something will always go wrong and it will never be what you think. Our wedding was supposed to be amazing weather and for the first time in 10 years, the month of May was the rainiest and coldest it’s ever been in history. We had to make so many adjustments and in the end, the clouds opened up for our special day. Enjoy the day for the perfection it is and remember that it’s about you and your partner.
ANYA & KEVIN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Studio AQUA
Planner – Primavera Dreams {offers $350 discount on any package + a bottle of Champagne on Primavera Dreams to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – Borgo Stomennano
Videographer – Tiziana
Bride’s dress – Badgley Mischka from Ava Laurenne
Hair + Makeup – Cherie Spisso
Flowers – Stiatti Fiori
DJ – DJ Guinness
Afterparty DJ equipment – Kaleydo Entertainment
Ketubah – Ketubah LA
Smash The Glass Pouch – Smashing The Glass Etsy Shop {or join Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club and get one for free!}
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
The bride looks the happiest!