Wedding planning for Lauren and Naram began after they were already married, thanks to a truly romantic and spontaneous trip to City Hall. When it came time to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family, the couple set out to find a truly unique location and an unforgettable experience to match. Leaning on their vendor team, Lauren and Naram’s vision was brought to life through an extravagant wedding in Tuscany. The result was a sun-soaked celebration that seamlessly fused Italian romance with Middle Eastern heritage.
The Venue
Lauren and Naram wanted to plan an unforgettable experience and their love for pasta led them to Italy. They knew planning abroad would be a challenge so they leveraged all the help they could get by hiring planners at The Wedding Issue and trusting photographer, Cristina G, with the design concept.
There’s no shortage of stunning venues all across Italy, but they knew they found the right one when they saw Villa Pazzi al Parugiano just outside of Florence. It had breathtaking landscapes, frescos, an olive grove, and was close to one of the best cities in Italy! This way their guests could enjoy the countryside on their special day as well as the art and history of Florence during their stay for their wedding in Tuscany.
The Stationery
Lauren and Naram’s invitation suite truly leaned into the Italian influence by utilizing a rich color palette and gold detailing, and was complete with watercolor imagery of the Tuscan vineyards. It was a truly romantic suite that provided guests a small glimpse into elegance that would unfold at this wedding in Tuscany.
The Wedding Looks
On the special day of their wedding in Tuscany, with friends and family, Lauren wore a romantic lace strapless gown featuring a sculpted corset bodice and sweeping train. Naram and his groomsmen donned classic black tuxedos with bow ties, bringing a polished look to the villa’s relaxed Italian charm.
The Ceremony
Olives are pivotal to their Middle Eastern heritage, and Lauren and Naram knew having their ceremony in an olive grove would be perfection. Persian rugs lined the aisle as a nod to Lauren’s heritage, along with Italian lemons and local blooms to highlight the area’s natural beauty and help blend the two cultures. Set against the villa’s walls and olive grove, lush arrangements of white dahlias, garden roses, and greenery brought freshness to every moment.
Their Story
When Lauren and Naram were attending Lollapalooza in 2023, Naram shared an emotional moment with Lauren right before a Red Hot Chili Peppers performance. As the drums rang in, ‘Can’t Stop’ began playing, they both decided there’s no reason to wait any longer. They were married 48 hours later at City Hall and celebrated afterwards with an intimate dinner at Ever, a 1 star Michelin restaurant (a last-minute reservation thanks to the help of a dear friend who worked there!).
They both enjoyed the intimate moment they were able to share privately. However, they knew one day they wanted to celebrate with their friends and family. Lauren and Naram decided to keep their marriage a secret while planning the wedding on the exact same date a year later. It would be at their wedding in Tuscany where they would surprise their friends and family with the news. Lauren and Naram’s love story began with a spontaneous moment that set the tone for their forever. A year later, they surprised their loved ones with a “wedding” that was actually a celebration for their first anniversary.
Cocktail Hour
To start the night off right, guests indulged in an assortment of apertivo bites, before enjoying a vibrant Tuscan feast complete with local pastas and an assortment of meats. The food was mouthwatering and seemingly bottomless like the endless pours of spritzes and wine the bartenders kept on providing the entire night.
The Reception
When it came to decor, neither of them wanted ‘too much’. Instead, Lauren and Naram wanted to accentuate the natural beauty of the historic villa and gardens to shine. Photographer and event designer, Cristina G ran with this and brought the couple’s dream to life with a white, green, yellow, and gold color scheme.
What was delivered was a sun-soaked Tuscan wedding that fused Italian romance with Middle Eastern heritage. Lauren and Naram’s wedding reception was a fresh take on countryside sophistication, a blend of classic villa charm, olive grove serenity, and playful lemon-infused details. The design embraced an effortless balance of natural beauty and curated elegance, where every detail, from candlelit tablescapes to hand-tied greenery, felt organic.
The Celebration
Lauren and Naram kicked off the late-night festivities in true Italian fashion: by cutting into a giant heart-shaped mille-feuille layered with cream and fresh berries, surrounded by candles, greenery, and bright lemons.
Lauren and Naram also made sure they honored their Assyrian heritage with traditional dance as their entrance and throughout the night. A cousin who DJs even helped create a mashup of ‘Can’t Stop’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers and ‘Bride and Groom’ by Sargon Youkhanna (a traditional Assyrian wedding song) for their entrance.
Lauren and Naram’s Tuscan wedding was the perfect reflection of their love story. From the olive grove ceremony to the Middle-Eastern touches, and endless pours of spritzes, every detail came together to create a celebration their guests will never forget.
Dreaming of your own destination wedding?! Be sure to read A Limoncello Wedding Weekend in Florence Italy.
