Little did I know that when I walked into Gucci Garden, it would be a huge source of inspiration for my own blossoming brand. Located in the heart of Florence in the historic 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia, it’s part museum, part retail, and home to Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura. Creative director Alessandro Michele conceived it as aliving, collaborative space which expresses the evolving aesthetic and philosophy of the House.
Ideally its best to start on the third floor, and work you way downstairs to the retail boutique. The top floor begins with vintage Gucci pieces that will tantalize your eyes. The sumptuous colors and hand beading are simply beyond. I particularly loved all of the Chinoiserie inspired pieces.
This pink and black jacket screams Jackie O with a twist. The bold black trim and massive rhinestones drew me right in for a closer look. It’s beyond dramatic, and takes black piping to a whole new level.
Once downstairs in the boutique, I was fascinated by the beautiful use of fabrics and tassels in the displays. It made me think about my own wedding that I’d just designed. My instincts were spot on.
The biggest surprise in the boutique were the limited edition chairs. They start at $2600, and top out at $5500. The ottoman is $3500, and the tv / side tray is $1450.
I certainly couldn’t leave empty handed, so I purchased a new iPhone case in the bookstore. From what I understand, the phone cases are only available at this one of a kind boutique in Florence.
iPhone Case , Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi CortierRomi Cortier, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo; Recio Young
Gucci Garden Galleria is a real and imaginary place, the translation of a vision that stretches through the first and second floors and is filled with history, objects, anecdotes and geographies. A series of rooms unfolds from a story that begins in 1921, to today, ready to be reactivated, according to philosopher Walter Benjamin, ‘in future-rich constellations in which the past can meet the present’.
My idea for our rehearsal dinner on the Grand Canal started out as a simple meet and greet kind of concept. Something casual, low key, and intimate. A place where our guests could break the ice and get to know each other, before we were married the following day. However, things didn’t quite go in that direction.
Mandy Forrester-Jones, Viva Travel, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca.
Our wedding planner from Australia, Mandi Forrester-Jones of Viva Travel, was coming to LA for a few days on her way home from Italy. It was the perfect opportunity to get together for dinner, and to discuss how the plans were coming along. Besides working on travel accommodations for our guests, she was also working to help us find a small venue where we could have pizza and gelato near the waters edge. After weeks of emailing and contacting several small cafes, the options just weren’t coming together. It was either going to be a long walk from our hotel, or a venue packed with lots of tourists. It just didn’t feel right, so she suggested that I check with our hotel to see what options they might have.
Recio Young, Simona Miranda, Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
I reached out to Simona Miranda, our event coordinator at the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal. We’d had our initial interview with her during Christmas of 2018, while scouting wedding venues. We loved her, and we loved the venue, which is how we’d gotten this far. I emailed Simona about the idea of a cocktail party on the terrace. Time was running out, as there were only six weeks left until the wedding. After a few emails back and forth we decided that it was a go. She quoted me a price per person, gave me some food options, and then asked if I’d like a printed menu… a printed menu? for a cocktail party? Sure, why not.
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
I think something got lost in translation. When I arrived on the terrace about 20 minutes before the party, I was surprised to see a sit down event. It was complete with tables and tablecloths, candles, wine glasses, and a full wait staff ready to attend to our every need. And of course, there were those fabulous little menus, placed gently on the plates, along with the cocktail napkins I’d designed for the cocktail hour.
Ms. Taylor and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRomi Cortier and Ms. Natalie Marletta, Hotel Monaco & Grand Hotel, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Our guests began to arrive, all 35 of them. They were thrilled at the elaborate layout, as they too expected a simple cocktail hour. It was turning into the perfect Venetian evening. Glowing guests, a balmy 75 degrees, the full moon reflecting across the lagoon… you could feel the magic in the making.
Recio Young, Ms. Davis and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRomi Cortier, Recio Young and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMs. Young and Isaiah Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Everyone was so excited to finally meet the people whose faces they’d only seen on social media. Friends from Fiji and Australia got to meet our families from Chicago and Seattle. Our friends from Texas were introduced to friends from San Francisco. The wine was flowing, as trays and trays of appetizers glided onto the tables.
Ms. Bigelow, Ms. Puckett and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRecio Young, Jud Nichols and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Dinner entrees included a course of 3 types of spaghetti: vegetarian, seafood and beef, all made with the freshest Italian pasta. The flow of food and delicacies lasted for at least three hours and included an assortment of deserts, cappuccino and did I mention, more wine?
Ms. Chan, Ms. Harville, Ms. Forgue, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
True to form, Recio gave one of his epic toasts. He always knows the right emotional tone to hit. He’s generous in his praise of people, thanks to his astute observations of who they are. He makes friends for life and wants to see everyone become their best selves, and live their best life.
Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Guests, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
What started out as an idea for a casual evening of pizza and gelato, turned into the most amazing 5 hour evening of love, laughter, and celebration. It’s an evening we’ve come to value even more during this time of Covid, because in the end, Love Wins.
Romi Cortier and Recio, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Mandy Forrester- Jones can be reached at Viva Travel
San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk was the perfect backdrop for our wedding photos. After our nuptials in the Ridotto Ballroom, we hopped in a private boat with our crew of photographers, and sped across the famed lagoon.
The 16th-century Benedictine church, a basilica in the classical Renaissance style, can be seen from the gondola lined shores of San Marco. Its gleaming white marble has inspired artists for centuries. Think Claude Monet, Canaletto, and Francesco Guardi. Each of them have created multiple paintings capturing the magical and ever changing light in Venice.
Recio Young and Romi Cortier, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
This Palladian landmark was designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Begun in 1566, it took nearly 50 years to complete. Palladio was inspired by the formal classical temples of the ancient Greeks and Romans, focusing on symmetry. He adhered to the principles of classical Roman architecture, based on mathematical proportions and an absence of rich ornamentation.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRomi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRomi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
The first church on this island was built in 790. In 982 the island was given to the Benedictine order by Doge Tribuno Memmo. The Benedictines founded a monastery there, however, all of the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1223. The church and monastery were rebuilt after the earthquake.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
In the photo above, you can see the Doges Palace on the shores of San Marco, as seen from the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The water ways have been an essential part of Venice’s history. The 11th century was Venice’s first golden age of maritime power, reaching its peak in the 17th century with nearly 190,00 citizens. By the 18th Century, all of that had changed. 1797 marked the Fall of the Republic of Venice at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte and Habsburg Austria.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
It’s difficult to comprehend a civilized island with a 1300 year history… but here we are. We are beyond thrilled and blessed to have experience such a beautiful moment in the long arch of history in Venice.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Dusk at San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
When is a gay wedding more than just a gay wedding? When your husband to be has had a 30 year dream of getting married in Venice, Italy since the age of 11. Love means you’ll do just about anything to make it happen. After all,isn’t that what love is about, making your fiancésdreams come true. Our worldly guest list included friends from Chicago, Texas, Washington, California, Fiji and Australia. Yes our peeps flew half way around the world for us. #Blessed
After our glorious nuptials under the baroque fresco, we wanted to give our guests a fun photo op while the Ridotto Ballroom was being redressed for dinner. We’d designed our own step and repeat and had it installed in the adjoining Crozzola room. We added a prop table that included an assortment of Venetian masks and Chinese fans. ‘Dynasty poses’ are something we adore doing in our photo ops. Strike a pose, throw in a little attitude, and viola!
David Stanko and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingFirst Lady of Fiji Natalie Marletta and Husband Ben Tedrick, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMr. & Mrs. Forgue, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMr. & Mrs. Rod Lee, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMr. & Mrs. Taylor, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMs. Davis, Ms. Bigelow, Mrs. Bigelow, Mrs. Puckett, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMs. Beyne, Mrs. Beyne, Ms. Chan, Romi Cortier, Recio Young, Ms. Reyes, Ms. Harville, Ms. Davis, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Once the Ridotto was reset, our guests flooded back in, found their tables, and prepared for the continuation of the festivities. Recio and I burst into spontaneous dance as we re- entered the ballroom and made our way to our table. Recio decided to throw in a little twerking, and our guests went wild.
As the evening progressed We had many of the traditional moments. Our first dance, speeches from our best men, our personal speeches, a champagne toast, and the cutting of the cake.
The cutting of the cake was a moment that we couldn’t wait to share with our guests, because we had a little surprise in store for them. We, yes Recio and I, were the cake topper. My best man David Stanko had taken us to Doob 3D as a wedding gift. In their photo studio we held a pose in a round room, filled with 75 cameras. A single flash gave them a digital 3D file. Six weeks later we received our little statue in the mail. It was a total show stopper!! After the big reveal our guests were jockeying to take photos of it, especiallywith the two of us standing behind it. Even the Hotel staff lost their minds when they pulled it out of the box… I’d forgotten to mention that it was literally ‘us’ as the cake topper. Thank you David for one of the best moments of the evening, and for helping us make this a spectacular gay wedding.
Well… our moment has arrived. After nine months of planning, it’s finally time to enter the Ridotto Ballroom and join our hands in marriage. We ascend the stairs and join our families. Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major plays, as we’re escorted to the stage, me by my aunt and Recio by his mom.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMs.Bigelow and Romi Cortier, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy, #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingMs. Young and Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
We join our guests under the baroque fresco with our celebrant, Fabio Moresco. We’re joined on stage by my two sisters, and my best man, David Stanko. Recio’s son Isaiah is his best man, and his brothers Evan, Dillan and Jonathan are his groomsmen.
Recio Young and Romi Cortier, Wedding Ceremony, Ridotto Ballroom, Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Fabio greets our guests and begins our ceremony: This meeting and this love are what bring us together today. The uniting of these two friends to establish a new family is an important and memorable event. It brings together two separate families and backgrounds and creates a union that is a sign of hope in the midst of a troubled society.
Celebrant Fabio Moresco, Recio Young and Romi Cortier, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Traditionally, the passage to the status of married couple is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are symbols of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
And now, Romi and Recio have declared before all of us that they will live together in marriage. They have made special promises to each other. They have symbolized it by joining hands, taking vows, exchanging rings and by signing their wedding certificate.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
By the authority vested in me by the State of ITALY, I now pronounce that you are HUSBAND and HUSBAND. You may kiss each other!
Recio Young and Romi Cortier, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
The room explodes in applause and we exit the stage to our favorite song… the DYNASTY theme song. There may have been a few laughs too.
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
We are so grateful to all of our friends and family who traveled half way around the world to join us, bearing witness to our nuptials. As it turns out, our wedding was the first gay wedding held in the Ridotto Ballroom. As I mentioned earlier, this was the first casino in all of Europe where famed ladies man Casanova gambled and smoked opium with courtesans, before being tossed into jail for not paying his gambling debts. It was was also the seat of the French embassy after being conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797, and lastly a glamorous ballroom during the Austrian Empire. Therefore, we were a historic wedding, in a historic space. Love wins is not just a hashtag, but a way of being. Thank you Venice for treating us so beautifully and making us feel like family. You will forever be in our hearts.
Ms. Bigelow, Ms. Puckett, David Stanko, Romi Cortier, Fabio Moresco, Recio Young, Isaiah Young, Evan Beyne, Dillan Beyne and Jonathan Brewster, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWeddingRomi Cortier and Recio Young, Ridotto Ballroom, Venice, Italy #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
