When Tina Bai and Joe Rodonis began planning their wedding, they established one non-negotiable requirement: the venue must have historical significance. "We really love being in a space imbued with history," explains the bride. The New York City-based couple initially explored historic estates upstate, but logistical considerations led them to reconsider. With many guests traveling long distances to attend—Tina was born in Shanghai, and numerous loved ones are based in China—requiring additional travel beyond New York seemed impractical. Seeking a location accessible to both Eastern and Western guests, they turned to Italy. "Obviously, the Italian countryside has always appealed to us," Tina reflects.
Their search led them to a venue with remarkable provenance in Sovicille, near Siena in Tuscany, featuring the quintessential Tuscan landscape of cypress trees and rolling hills. Here's how Tina and Joe successfully orchestrated their destination wedding in Tuscany, including insights about their instrumental wedding planner.
Selecting the Right Wedding Planner is Critical
The couple's planning process began not with venue selection, but with finding the ideal planner. After interviewing several candidates, they sought someone who could navigate a delicate balance: "I wanted someone who could bridge the gap between working with you and being respectful of your budget, while also providing guidance based on their expertise," Tina explains. They found their match in Silvia Bargagni of Magnolia Wedding Planner, based in Florence, who "knew the right people, knew the right vendors, and had exceptional taste," according to Joe.
Silvia's approach involved presenting approximately four carefully curated options for each vendor category, from catering to guest transportation, while sharing her professional insights and past experiences with each. Reflecting on their experience, the couple considers choosing the right planner their most crucial decision. "The purpose of hiring a planner is to delegate responsibility and simplify your lives. You shouldn't be managing your planner," Tina emphasizes, comparing the selection process to finding personal compatibility. "You essentially enter a partnership with them. Trust is paramount."
Making Bold Venue Decisions
Their venue selection delivered exceptional historical significance: Villa Cetinale, a 17th-century Roman Baroque villa originally owned by Fabio Chigi, who later became Pope Alexander VII in 1655. The property was subsequently inherited and completed by his nephew, a cardinal. Designed by renowned Italian architect Carlo Fontana, a student of Bernini, the villa is situated seven miles west of Siena. The estate features gardens so magnificent that Edith Wharton documented them in her writings. The property also served as the filming location for the Italian wedding sequence in Succession's third season finale.
The current owners, who operate Villa Cetinale as a private event space, readily share intriguing historical anecdotes, including rumors that the Pope initially used the property as a refuge after allegedly murdering a rival, and later utilized it both as a retreat for his mistresses and a venue for horse racing.
The property proved ideal for wedding celebrations, offering multiple garden areas suitable for ceremonies and dining, adorned with statues and busts throughout the grounds. Wedding bookings require exclusive use of the entire property, including 13 bedrooms and three detached villas, which accommodated immediate family and the bridal party. Additional guests were provided a room block at Grand Hotel Continental Siena.
The desirability of Villa Cetinale necessitated swift decision-making with limited advance viewing. "When I contacted them, they were already booked two years in advance," Tina recalls. "Another couple wanted the same date, and they specified that whoever submitted the wire deposit of 40% of the total minimum and booking fee first would secure the venue." Based solely on videos and photographs of the property, Tina and Joe committed to the substantial deposit. Their planner conducted most preliminary site visits, and the couple finally visited the venue one year before their wedding to finalize details.
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