The Vows & Wows Issue

Mar 18

A Two-Year Flashback of Wedding Magic In Italy

Two years ago, on March 20, 2023, Tim and I said "I do" in the enchanting town of Monza, Italy—a place that wrapped us in history, romance, and effortless beauty. But this wasn’t just any wedding. It was a celebration of love, family, and the serendipity of life’s most unforgettable moments.

What made it remarkable wasn’t just the stunning backdrop or the exquisite details (which, trust me, Italy handled with effortless charm). It was who was there. My beautiful sister, Cherie, stood by my side, celebrating with us despite having completed chemo just weeks before. It was a gift beyond measure. We also had the joy of reuniting with two exchange students my parents had hosted decades earlier—Enrico from Verona and Maya from Berne—who, along with their families, became part of our Italian love story. From dear friends who made the spontaneous decision to join (like Paul Rizzo from our promo world!) to our family, our children, and friends who traveled across the world, each guest added something extraordinary to our celebration.

As a planner by nature, I did something unexpected—I let Italy take the reins. And it did not disappoint. From the elegance of Hotel de la Ville and the warmth of its extraordinary planner to the music of our violinist, the artistry of our photographer, and the indulgence of unforgettable food, wine, and cocktails, every detail was effortlessly perfect.

This week, in honor of our anniversary, I’m taking you back to that magical day in Monza, sharing the moments that made it special, and—of course—bringing you inspiration for your own weddings and celebrations. Because whether your big day is in a grand villa in Italy or your own backyard, it’s the love, the people, and the unexpected magic that truly make it unforgettable.

Here’s to vows, wows, and weddings that leave a lasting impression.

💍 Angie 💕

Outside after the vows in front of a beautiful castle - of course

Angie H

La Dolce Vita

THE OWH Wants to Write it UP!

When the Omaha World Herald asked to chronicle our wedding - thanks to a tip from our friend Amy who was going to our wedding - we said - ‘Heck ya!” I mean, why not? - So here are the questions that were posed to us and here’s all our dirty details…. enjoy!

How you met:

We met at Two Fine Irishmen May 11, 2019. I was out with my sister listening to Lemon Fresh Day and Tim walked in the bar. Most likely, we noticed each other because we were taller than most of the other people in the bar. We kept eyeing each other. Soon I had a tap on my shoulder, he bought me a shot of patron, we talked, danced and quickly became inseparable.

Where/how he proposed:

Tim proposed at a restaurant that is part of the Marriott in Aruba called, Atardi. We had a beach-side table perfectly timed for sunset. I was completely surprised. This is an excerpt from the blog/story I wrote about our trip to Aruba, January, 2022:

A proposal. Totally unprepared. Talk about complete romance. “Yes!” This was the easiest yes I had ever said while being completely overwhelmed in the moment. Did I say, I was totally unprepared? Other than dressing up for the evening because we were headed to a romantic dinner at the Marriott restaurant, Atardi. Other than the waiter missing some of the proposal pix, we still had the perfect engagement. I was as confused as a fish out of water. We took a couple of selfies and when the waiter came to the table, Tim asked if he would take a couple of pictures of us. I was trying to get my hair just right in the breeze and prepare for my best sunset pose, while Tim was scrounging around in his fanny pack that was sitting in the sand by his chair. As I turned towards him from the sunlight, he was standing there smiling, holding this beautiful jewelry box. From there, the white sand welcomed him as he got down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” I was euphoric. His smile, his eyes, that ring, the sunset, the onlookers galore, the sand, the ocean, the faint music in the background. What could have been more perfect? Nothing. He absolutely made me feel like the most important person in the universe.

Describe your wedding day style/theme/vision:

The wedding was set at Hotel de la Ville in Monza, Italy. https://hoteldelaville.com/en/

This location was chosen because it is the home base for Jordan Larson, the former Husker, Olympian and pretty much my second daughter. She plays for VeroVolley Women’s Professional Team in Milan. We were fortunate to see one of her matches and all of the wedding guests attended with matching t-shirts to support her team on the Saturday prior to the wedding which was on Monday, March 20. The hotel handled all of the arrangements for the wedding ceremony, aperitif, reception and dance. A couple of phone calls with the recommended DJ, violinist, and photographer pulled it all together. The setting was perfect. We had a total of 25 guests. In addition to Jordan, 16 of came from the states, four from Verona, Italy and four from Bern, Switzerland. The latter eight guests are connected from years ago. My parents hosted nine exchange students through the years after I, as the youngest of my family, graduated high school. Enrico, from Verona was the first and became like a brother to our family. Maya, from Switzerland, came a few years later and feels like a sister. Both of them had become so close to my family, that they became family. It was extraordinary having them as well as their families join us. The wedding was shown on Facebook live at 8:00 am cst (2 pm in Monza) you can see the video on my daughter’s Facebook page (Cola (Svec) Henderson). We have had many views and so many wonderful comments from people that joined in to watch.

The vision for our day was simple. It is Italy after all. You kind of let Italy do it’s own thing. The guests that were there, the family watching from home, it was incredibly special. This may have been a second marriage for both of us, but, indeed, it felt like the only day in the world that has ever mattered. There was no rehearsal. Neither one of us saw each other until I turned the corner and walked down the aisle. Neither of us knew what the other one was wearing and we matched so perfectly no one would have believed that we didn’t plan it. Our friend, Tom, in his striking butterfly suit coat, performed the most incredible ceremony we could have dreamed of, my daughter, Cola, gave a prayer that should be shared with the world, and my niece, Jackie’s boyfriend, Brett, might as well take a seat by the finest of musical performers as his two vocal songs were beyond remarkable. Tim blew me away with his vows and together we pledged our fantastic love to each other forever. To say it was perfect and easy and touching and filled with laughter and happy tears is the only way to describe it. We took time to gather right after the ceremony for hugs and love and conversation, then took too the gardens behind the hotel for photos with everyone as well as Tim and I heading to the castle and gardens for more. (Our wedding was early so Jordan could head to volleyball practice in between the ceremony and the dinner.) Everyone had time to chill and talk. A priceless gift that Europeans know well and Americans could certainly heed. The aperitif featured local wines, beer and the signature drink Moscow mule with fresh ginger along with appetizers of exquisite tastes. The dinner was a customary two hours long featuring an incredible menu of Italian cuisine. We enjoyed conversation, laughter and fantastic music by the DJ along with a couple of solos by our talented guests. The gorgeous wedding cake was brought out after dinner with fresh flowers highlighting the large two layers of Chantilly cream with strawberries. The table service was unbelievably fantastic. Following the incredible flavors, we headed back to the lower level for the dancing. Jordan had surprised us with a gelato and dessert bar. The bartender continued the outstanding service of cocktails and spirits and added our favorite drink, the New York Sour. The dancing continued until midnight fueled with joy and heartfelt emotion. My sister, Cherie, being there with us was so amazing. Last October, she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (brain tumor).

Was there anything significant about your date of marriage?

We picked the date to fit into Jordan’s volleyball schedule and Tim’s 16 year-old-son, Peyton’s spring break. We chose a Monday to allow for easier scheduling and it was pretty cool to get married on a true palindrome 3-20-2023.

Is the bride continuing to use her maiden name:

My new married name is Angie Hauptman

Funniest wedding moment:

When Tim was asked if he he would take me as his lawfully wedded wife and he said, “I’ll think about it.” This was a line one of our waiters at a restaurant had said to us a couple of times when we asked for silverware and a box for our leftovers.

In addition, the dancing moves and karaoke attempts by some of the guests added for lots of laughs.

Sweetest moment:

The connection of this group was very deep, everyone felt the emotion of this moment. Being able to talk to my 90+ year old parents who watched from home right after the ceremony, dancing the first dance as a married couple, dancing with my sister, kids, and sharing time with Enrico, Maya and their families. Jordan had surprised us with Prosecco, chocolates and fruits when we arrived. Several people got up and gave toasts. Also, spending so much time with all of the guests!

Did anything crazy happen that threw you for a loop or was just totally unexpected?

When I came down the steps and stood on the bottom step before making the turn to walk down the aisle, my kids were walking in ahead of me and they both looked up with huge smiles and hearts of love. At that moment, I realized, that I had not come down to check the room, check the reception room, check with the wedding planner, the DJ, the photographer….nothing. I am a planner. I throw and plan parties and typically go beyond what is necessary and I realized I had done nothing. I had set aside any worry or care and let it all go - I just arranged it all from home, arrived and met briefly with the planner and then I handed over all the trust. And it was so beautifully perfect, I could not have imagined anything any better in a million years. I was so delightfully surprised by how seamless and gorgeous it all was. It was simply stunning.

Idea(s) worth stealing:

When it comes to a destination wedding, it is so crucial to be present in the moment of the day. You are spending more time with all of your guests than you would in your own home town. Savor those moments. Even if you are in a different country and don’t speak the same language, we all can speak with love. Let that love flow through your soul and allow the day to unfold from the plans you have already put into motion. The day should be for you as a couple to be immersed in the joy of every moment. Trust the process. Let someone who knows everyone in the wedding party/group assist the photographer with your list of photos to keep it all organized and timely.

Favorite wedding gift & why:

We were not about wedding gifts, nor do we expect any. However, the gift of Tom performing the ceremony, Brett singing and all of our guests that attended was truly beyond remarkable and the best gift ever. We did receive a unique gift from Maya and her family. They gave us a collectors Mission to Mars Swatch (red and white like the colors of Switzerland and Mars represents the month of March) along with Swiss Chocolates, a hand-painted plate from Switzerland and an Italian tradition of five candy covered almonds representing blessings for health, prosperity, happiness, family and long life.

Gifts you gave each other:

When we were in Venice, we had a piece of artwork created at a shop called iris galarie. They blend the colors of our eyes together with the writing, “And suddenly I saw, the future in your eyes” irisgalarie.com

What he says about her:

She’s beautiful, smart, funny and energetic. She always has a great attitude and can cheer me or anyone up in the room. She loves to travel, explore and try new things. We have been to lots of great places in the 3.5 years we have been together and can wait to spend the rest of my life and journey with her.

What she says about him: While Tim was initially reluctant about a wedding so far away in a country he had never visited before, he embraced the idea and once we had confirmed the date, he soon began the exploration to submerge ourselves into this Italian culture. His humor, curiosity and organizational planning for the entire trip while allowing for the spontaneity and serendipity that I love about travel were extraordinary. He is so thoughtful, considerate of others, patient and fuels my heart with his humor. He understands me and has a passion and love for me unlike anything I ever knew was possible. The look in his eyes when we shared our vows, his genuine kindness and the way he makes me feel like the most beautiful, brilliant woman in the universe is beyond what I could have ever imagined. I feel incredibly blessed to have a man to share my life with that makes me feel so worthy of love.

Best advice for brides-to-be: Regardless of the time of your life that you are a bride, there is a youthful part of your heart that is ready to dance your way down the aisle. Even though you are planning this grand event…a wedding….and you want it to all be as perfect as possible, this day is more than that. This is the start of your marriage and this celebration should be embraced. I never felt nervous, worried, stressed or any other word that could cause concern. We started the morning at a delightful outdoor restaurant where all of the guests enjoyed a beautiful brunch, headed back to the hotel and started getting ready in our suite with all the girls in my life. We laughed, we took photos, toasted with some Prosecco, and savored each moment. I did my own hair and makeup because I know how I like to do my hair and makeup, so why bother spending money on that. The whole day was simple and elegant. It is not a day to be selfish, it is a day to be filled with gratitude. Let go and love it all because it’s the long story that follows the day that will carry you forever.

What has been the biggest adjustment in your married life?

Changing my name on all the things. Yikes. What a process:) But, seriously, we have been living together for almost four years, so I wouldn’t say we have to adjust to things. We have talked through the things that you don’t want to always talk about, finances, faith, future, etc and we fill each other’s gaps, we champion each others mission and we dream big together. We also do an incredible job of challenging each other with great respect. We are both very good listeners.

Both finish this sentence:

Angie’s response:

Before marriage, I never knew that my spouse …

would fall in love with Italy and could dream of moving there to start a restaurant. But, before I embraced life with Tim, I never knew that he would be so generous to be there for me through absolutely anything. I mean anything. His love is so deep, I didn’t even know I deserved such love.

Tim’s response:

Before marriage, I never knew that my spouse …

Was out there. I had a rough first marriage and was planning on never being married again until I met Angie. We clicked from the day we met and have not been apart much since the day we met. We understand each other and trust each other and to me those are a few of the most important parts of a successful marriage.

Was any part of the day especially rushed? The entire day was so chill, nothing felt rushed. It was perfectly timed. They don’t rush in Italy, they savor.

Other wedding day details worth sharing. We decided to splurge a bit on a violinist and it was worth it. He was exceptional! Also, having people you love involved in the ceremony is so special. Also, with a wedding so far away from home, it was absolutely one of the best things we did to have Cola setup the tripod and phone with a Facebook live so friends could watch from home. It was so awesome!

What areas of your wedding did you spend the most money on:The main cost was the food and drinks. We kept the florals simple to a bridal bouquet and a groom corsage along with five floral centerpieces on a huge table where all of the guests sat together. The photographer, videographer and DJ were incredibly reasonable compared to USA.

What element was most important to you in your total spend: We wanted the entire experience to be beautiful and tasteful and absolutely a fun and exciting time for everyone. This was not just for Tim and I , this was for all of us! To make that happen, we simply looked through the process and made our decisions. We could not have had a meal like we had back here in Omaha for what we paid in Monza. It was incredibly reasonable. We decided to spend money on the entire trip rather than extravagant decor and details for the wedding. The entire trip and experience is where we put our investment.

How many people were on your guest list: Our total guest list invited was about 130. We had 25 attend and will be seeing most of our guests at a followup, very casual, wedding celebration and dance on the 5th of May was held at H&H Lawn & Landscape.

Photographer: Photo27 - Diego Taroni

Wedding date: 3.20.2023

Rehearsal dinner: No rehearsal dinner, however, we shared brunch together the morning of the wedding

Ceremony & Reception at Hotel de la Ville - Monza

Bridal gown (shop and designer): The wedding dress is from Black Tie White Satin in Fremont.

Accessories (Shop and designer): My jewelry was from Dillards and my feather wrist cuffs from FancyGirlBoutiqueNYC on Etsy. My feather shoes were from Sam Edelman. Marabou Teal, Feather Bridal Stole, from TopKnotTiaras in the United Kingdom via Etsy. Feather garter from Glitz and Garters on Etsy.

Hair stylist: I styled my own hair, but, my color and cut prior to leaving were at Touch of Class in Fremont

Makeup artist: I did my own makeup

Bridesmaid dresses: No bridesmaids

Men's attire: Tim wore three-piece suit in a British Tan color with a vibrant purple tie

Rings: Angie’s ring from Malashocks, Tim’s ring from Wood Rings by Lux (Etsy)

Event coordination and design: Elisa Radice, Hotel de la Ville

Florist: Handled by the event coordinator

Cake: Handled by the hotel restaurant

Ice cream: Gelato and desert bar by the hotel restaurant

Caterer: Hotel restaurant

Rentals: N/A

Music: Victor Music