Delicate Romantic Elegance with a Summery Palette of Bold Beauty and Soft Florals

By Kevin Harson7 January 2026

I wanted the palette to feel summery, bright, and floral to complement the beauty of the venue. My family wore shades of pink and orange, which brought so much warmth and joy to the whole atmosphere. I loved how everything felt vibrant but still soft and romantic.

The overall vision was delicate romantic elegance. I wanted everything to feel soft and timeless, but with touches of bold beauty. The regal setting of the villa brought a natural sense of grandeur, which was balanced by the lightness and softness of the florals. It felt elevated but intimate, and completely true to us.

Oleg proposed at our getaway home out east in Long Island the night before New Year’s Eve. He knew how much it meant to me to have family involved, so he planned a perfect private moment in our backyard, just the two of us. Afterwards, we got to celebrate with our closest people. It was thoughtful, intimate, and exactly right.

I wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown paired with classic Manolo Blahnik heels. Oleg wore Ralph Lauren from head to toe, and he gifted his two groomsmen matching Ralph Lauren bow ties. Both our mothers also wore Oscar de la Renta, which felt so special and elegant. My matron of honor, who is also my sister, wore a beautiful dress by Bernadette, and my cousin, who was my bridesmaid, wore a gown by V. Chapman. Every look felt personal and intentional, and it all came together so naturally with the setting.

One of the best parts about having a wedding in Italy is, of course, the food. We had classic Italian dishes throughout the night, from beautiful meats and cheeses to fresh pastas, panzanella salad, and Florentine steak. We also had two signature cocktails that made the night feel even more personal. The Hughie Spritz was a Hugo Spritz inspired by our golden retriever, and the Double O Seven was a dirty martini, which is Oleg’s favorite, and a little nod to both of our names starting with O.

Flowers were one of the most important elements to me, and they turned out even more beautiful than I imagined. We had the most stunning arrangements outside the church in shades of pink and lilac with soft hints of green, which set the tone perfectly. Florals carried throughout the day, from cocktail hour to the reception, where they adorned all the tables and the band stage. For the overhead decor, we kept it whimsical with fairy lights strung around the entire outdoor reception area. It created such a romantic and magical atmosphere once the sun went down.

For dessert, we had the traditional Italian wedding cake, which was such a fun moment. My husband and I actually assembled it ourselves on the dance floor in front of all our guests, and it was such a joyful and memorable part of the evening.

This celebration unfolded over three unforgettable days — beginning with an Italian-inspired welcome dinner, followed by the wedding day itself, and closing with a chic pool party that brought everyone together one last time.