Nina and Alex, who currently reside in Redondo Beach with their golden retriever, Cali, met in neighboring Hermosa Beach. “We were introduced by our neighbors, David and Robin Lee, who invited us over to play weekly board games during the quietest days of the pandemic,” shares Nina. “We were friends and competitive game night enemies first, but we eventually became romantic after our first solo outing to Paddle House and Captain Kidd’s in Redondo Beach.”
The couple would re-create their first date weekend a bit later, filling the day with many of Nina’s favorite South Bay activities, including açai bowls at Cafe Bonaparte on Pier Avenue, a Strand bike ride to Manhattan Beach and paddleboarding with Cali. Alex also reimagined one of their other favorite moments: Paisano’s pizza on the beach at sunset. It was there that he proposed.
“I love Los Angeles, but New York pizza is the way to my heart,” Nina says.
The two knew they wanted Cali to be present at their wedding, no matter where in the world it took place. “Luckily, she’s a very well-traveled dog,” explains Nina.
After friends suggested tying the knot in Italy, the pair began seriously considering it. “We’ve both lived and studied there and love traveling there together,” notes Nina.
They planned a trip and went venue hunting in Florence and along the Amalfi Coast, but finally landed on a venue in Sicily, where Nina’s mom’s family roots lie. “I’m a travel editor who has been lucky to see much of the world,” says Nina, “but Sicily has long been my favorite destination.”
Alex, who hails from Wales, shared with his bride-to-be a clear vision of a long weekend where they could spend quality time with family and friends who traveled the distance to attend. “We planned a welcome dinner the night before and a pizza brunch and pool party the day after,” Nina says. “That was in addition to the time we spent with just our immediate families in Taormina for our legal ceremony a few days before. It was all so much fun.”
Knowing that a multi-event wedding abroad can have its hurdles, Nina and Alex hired a wedding planner in Italy: Simona Cappitelli of WTuscany Events. Plenty of online research also helped in securing the venue, Commenda di San Calogero.
As the couple was able to use the bucolic, country-meets-seaside estate for their event, they took advantage of the beautiful setting for different moments, including the ceremony in a golden wheat field decorated with fall florals. Through a dramatic aisle carved in the wheat, Nina and Alex—with Cali nearby—exchanged vows. The party then moved to the reception, where a long table shaded by olive trees greeted them.
After a delicious dinner by Chef Monica, guests indulged in delights that included a blood-orange vanilla cake, a gelato cart, and a cigar and whisky lounge under a blue pagoda. Once the couple danced to Andrea Bocelli, everyone joined on a dance floor set under the stars.
Alex recalls his favorite part of the day as the “first look” with Nina in front of a little white church with a blue door. Nina warmly remembers Alex’s speech, which clocked in at 20 minutes. “And I wouldn’t have wanted it any shorter!” she says with a smile.
