An Old Hollywood-Inspired Wedding With Multiple Live Dance Performances in Rome

Jasmin White and Tom Moulton like to say that their love story began in Italy—but really, it began in Portland, Maine, where they crossed paths working in real estate. “We first connected via e-mail in 2016 and met for happy hour, but our busy lives led us in different directions,” Jasmin remembers. “Almost one year would pass before we would see each other again. This time, Tom asked me out on a date and we met at Solo Italiano, a local Italian restaurant, for an aperitivo. We ended up talking for hours. Four hours felt like four minutes.” Over the next three years they became inseparable—and they did eventually take their romance to Italy, exploring Sicily for the first time together. 

Tom proposed in early December 2020 and, since the uncertainty of the time made it unclear how long they’d have to wait before saying “I do,” they decided to legally marry a few weeks later on Christmas Eve. In 2022, the couple finally got the wedding of their dreams. Of course, Italy was the natural choice for their destination wedding locale.

“Our vision was to have an authentic Italian experience with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour,” Jasmin says. “I dreamed of a luxurious and sparkling destination wedding in the heart of Rome, and wanted our guests to experience Italy with all of their senses through traditional Roman food, cocktails, music, and atmosphere. Italy is where you can slow down and experience life to the fullest, la dolce vita.” 

While selecting the destination was easy, the logistics were a bit trickier. “We booked our venue at the beginning of 2021, when strict Covid restrictions were still in effect in Italy,” Jasmin recalls. “We weren’t able to visit the venue in person until May 2022, but upon seeing photos of it online it was love at first sight. Villa Miani is a pristine white villa atop one of Rome’s historic hills, with unparalleled architecture, panoramic views of the Eternal City, sparkling chandeliers, and painted frescoes.”  

The couple headed across the pond to bring their Italian romance full circle on September 17, 2022. Read on to explore all the big-day details, as planned by Sanda Pandza Luxury Events and photographed by Rossini Photography.

"Momental Designs created a custom stationery suite for us and completely exceeded our expectations by hand painting the villa and beautiful white florals on the invitations,” Jasmin says. “It really helped set the tone for the style of our wedding.”

The couple went shopping together at Giorgio Armani in Boston to outfit Tom for the entire wedding weekend, selecting a classic black and white tuxedo for the wedding day. Jasmin gifted him with the perfect scent to complete the look: Valentino’s Born in Roma.

“I always envisioned that I would get married in a gown full of embellishments, but when I tried on this classic satin Badgley Mischka gown I fell in love with how simple and elegant it was,” Jasmin shares. “The word that came to mind to describe it was ‘regal’; I knew it was absolutely perfect for our venue.” The look was timeless, with added drama from detachable puff sleeves and a cathedral-length train. 

Her accessories, too, added drama. “I wore a diamond necklace gifted from the groom and my engagement ring, a canary yellow marquise-cut diamond.” She chose a pleated Loeffler Randall clutch to match her shoes, and classic ballerina-pink nails with pearl accents. 

A pair of flower girls wore handmade dresses found on Etsy, with white flower crowns. “They were so precious and adorable,” Jasmin says. “Watching them walk down the aisle made for a very tender and sweet moment.”

Though initially against doing a first look, the couple was convinced by their photographers and found the moment to be surreal. “I don’t think I have ever smiled like that in my entire life!” Jasmin says. “We also shared a laugh because Tom had no idea what my dress looked like, and when he saw me in a ballgown with a cathedral train, he looked panicked and asked how we would dance the waltz we had been practicing. He breathed a sigh of relief once I told him how the bustle works. We laughed. We kissed. We were feeling so much love."

“I wanted my bridesmaids to look very glamorous, Jasmin says. “They wore long gowns in pale gold by Jenny Yoo. For the men, we were aiming for a James Bond look. They wore handmade black and white tuxedos from a local shop, Sartoria Misano.” The black-tie dress code for guests followed suit. “I wanted everyone to feel like they were at a red carpet event but with an Italian twist, of course.”

The garden ceremony overlooked Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica. White roses and hydrangeas were imported from Holland for a custom rectangular arch and to line the aisle. The 80 white iron garden chairs completed the romantic look.

Walking out of the villa and down the aisle was the highlight of Jasmin’s day. “Seeing my handsome groom at the altar, all of our loved ones gathered together in this special place, the amazing florals, and the stunning view of Rome was so emotional and completely took my breath away,” she says. It was special for another reason, too. “To honor both my biological father and my stepfather, who has been in my life for a very long time, we decided to do a split walk. My stepfather walked me out of the villa and to the aisle, where my father was waiting to walk me down the aisle to Tom. It was really beautiful to share this moment with both of them. I will cherish it forever.”

The couple wrote their own vows—nearly two years ahead of time. “We actually recited the same vows we wrote and presented to each other privately in December 2020,” Jasmin says. “Tom’s vows were so emotional and heartfelt as he told how our imperfect love story led to this perfect day. I mused at how caring, loving, and kind my husband-to-be is. To close my vows, I quoted my beloved nonna who passed away in 2016 with a phrase she used often in Italian, ‘Io ti amo con tutto cuore,’ I love you with all my heart.”

“While guests were enjoying aperitivo, we went to the villa’s terrace to do our newlywed shoot just as the sun was setting,” Jasmin says. “It was all so surreal to be witnessing this magnificent sunset with the love of my life in one of the most extraordinary places in the world. It was overwhelmingly gorgeous and romantic." Of course, the right photographer was crucial. “We chose Rossini Photography because their work is timeless and elegant, and they aim to capture images full of beautiful light. We can relive the happiness felt through the smiles they captured that day.”

Meanwhile, guests saw the same sunset from the villa’s side lawn, where they enjoyed a live pasta station, Aperol spritzes, and the smooth sounds of a saxophone. "Small bites were served by ladies dressed in flowing white dresses with large flower hats.”

“Tom and I both work in real estate and so naturally we have an appreciation for beautiful architecture,” Jasmin says. “Choosing Rome as our wedding city meant that we would be surrounded by beautiful and historical architecture all week long, including the magnificent Villa Miani.”

The space was lit up with warm amber light, and decorated with towering floral table arrangements and a glossy monogrammed dance floor. “A floral runner was placed in front of the imperial table lined with tall glass candles and the villa’s impressive arches as the backdrop. A single, fresh white rose decorated each place setting, and name cards were placed in wine cork holders. Beyond the stage, you could see the glow of St. Peter’s Basilica and the villa’s pond lit up in the night.”

Jasmin bustled her gown and removed the puff sleeves for the reception. To Tom’s delight, their first dance went off without a hitch. They chose a classic song, Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” for their waltz.

Between each dinner course, dancers performed. “In keeping with our glamorous Old Hollywood vision, the dancers came out in different costumes for each set: all-white dresses with oversized hats, white beaded mini dresses with large feather fans, and black and white Chanel-esque dresses with pearl sunglasses and handbags,” Jasmin says. “However, the surprises didn’t stop there! One of my best friends and bridesmaids, Tess Collins—an international jazz singer with a residency at The Carlyle in Hong Kong—gave a surprise performance of ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys.”

Jasmin got her embellished dress, after all. For the reception, she change into a fully beaded light blush Stephen Yearick Couture sheath with cap sleeves and a sweep train. “My makeup team turned up the glamour with sparkly eyes and lots of shimmer, and I opted for a two-inch silver kitten heel so I could dance the night away comfortably," says the bride.

After dinner, guests moved to the villa’s second floor terrace for cake cutting, and then into the ballroom for dancing. “The ballroom was set up to be reminiscent of a Miami lounge, complete with DJ booth, dance floor, white leather couches, white florals, and a gold bar,” Jasmin says. “Tom’s best man Kenny Rogers—a Hollywood lighting director and Elvis impersonator—changed into a white-and-gold Elvis costume and gave a fun performance to kick off the afterparty! From there, the drinks were flowing and the DJ took over. We danced past 3 a.m.—no one wanted the night to end.”