and

  MICAÉLA 

CHRISTOPHER

FLORENCE, ITALY



AUGUST 20, 2026

The Final Rsvp

The countdown to Florence is officially on.

We are so excited to celebrate with you at Villa Merlo Nero for a beautiful wedding weekend in Tuscany. Please complete the RSVP form below by July 1st, 2026 so we can finalize seating and catering arrangements.

Please complete one response for every member of your party so we can ensure everyone's needs are accommodated.

We cannot wait to celebrate la dolce vita with you in Florence.

Kindly respond below.

 Save the Date  

August 20th, 2026

We are so excited to celebrate together in Tuscany.

Consider this your official save the date for a beautiful wedding weekend at Villa Merlo Nero in Florence.

Formal invitations with full event details will be arriving in the mail soon. In the meantime, please use this page to explore the weekend plans and RSVP early if you already know you can join us.

We cannot wait to celebrate with you.

FLORENCE, ITALY

The Details

Everything you need to know for the weekend is right here.

From the celebration itinerary to travel details, accommodations, and helpful tips for visiting Florence, this section will guide you through the experience we’ve planned. We can’t wait to gather together in Italy and celebrate with all of you.

Our Next Adventure

Celebrating with the people we love means everything to us. If you would like to honor our marriage with a gift, we've created a Honeyfund to help us begin this next chapter together and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether it's a special date night, an adventure on our honeymoon, or building our future together, we are incredibly grateful for your love and support.

A MODERN LOVE STORY

Micaéla Verrelien & Christopher Sidwell

In a city of millions, two suburban kids somehow found each other. Micaéla from Massachusetts, Christopher from New Jersey, both creatives at heart, crossed paths in New York City and felt something familiar in the unfamiliar. What started as a spark quickly became a love story built on curiosity, laughter, and the kind of comfort that feels like home.

Food became their love language. Christopher, a passionate baker and chef, won Micaéla over one plate at a time, and she brought her own artistry through storytelling, content creation, and the way she sees the world. Together, they dreamed bigger than themselves and opened 
Sweet Fire Café , a project that tested them, stretched them, and ultimately strengthened the foundation of their relationship.

Three and a half years later, they’ve built a life filled with creativity, resilience, and a whole lot of good food. Now, they’re celebrating their fourth year together by exchanging vows in Italy, surrounded by the family and friends who have become their chosen community in New York City and beyond.

In a city where dating is notoriously difficult, they found something rare: a love that feels grounding, inspiring, and beautifully theirs.

The Intinerary

We are so excited to celebrate with you in Florence and have planned a beautiful weekend of festivities at Villa Merlo Nero. Below you’ll find the schedule of events so you can plan your time with us.

Please Note: While we adore your little ones, the wedding celebrations will be an adults-only experience. Due to venue limitations, we kindly ask that children under the age of 10 not attend the wedding events.

Thank you for your understanding as we create a relaxed and elegant atmosphere for the weekend.

August 19th

PIZZA PARTY

4:00 PM | Guests Arrive
4:00–5:00 PM | Cocktails & Mingling
5:00 PM | Wood-Fired Pizza & Italian Favorites Served
6:00 PM | Sunset Drinks & Lawn Games
8:00 PM | Evening Concludes

August 20th

WEDDING DAY

4:30 PM | Guest Arrival
5:00 PM | Wedding Ceremony
5:30 PM | Aperitivo & Celebration Begins
7:00 PM | Dinner Reception
9:00 PM | Dancing & Late-Night Celebrations
Until Late | La Dolce Vita Continues

Welcome Party Dress.

All White Summer Chic

Join us for an evening of wood-fired pizza, cocktails, and mountain views as we kick off the wedding weekend.

Guests are invited to wear all-white attire, embracing effortless elegance and relaxed summer style. Think breezy linens, crisp cottons, flowing dresses, tailored separates, and lightweight suiting that feels polished yet comfortable for an August evening.

Fresh. Sophisticated. Unforgettable.

Wedding Day Dress.

Inspired by the golden light of late summer in the mountains, we invite guests to embrace a palette of sage, olive, sand, champagne, butter yellow, sky blue, chocolate, and warm sunset tones.

Think flowing fabrics, elegant silhouettes, and tailored suiting that feels polished yet effortless. Lightweight materials such as linen, silk, chiffon, and cotton blends are encouraged to keep you comfortable throughout the celebration.

Refined, romantic, and inspired by nature.

The Venue

Villa Merlo Nero

Via Benedetto Fortini 49/51
50125 Firenze, Italy

Our celebration will take place at Villa Merlo Nero, a historic Tuscan villa nestled in the hills just minutes from the center of Florence.

Surrounded by gardens, olive groves, and sweeping countryside views, the estate offers an intimate and romantic setting while still being close to the vibrant energy of the city.

The villa's historic architecture, lush grounds, and iconic Italian garden maze create the perfect setting for a Tuscan celebration with friends and family.

Getting to Florence

There are several easy ways to arrive depending on where you are traveling from.

Florence Airport (FLR)
The closest airport, located about 25 minutes from the villa.

Pisa International Airport (PSA)
Approximately 1 hour from Florence by car or train.

Bologna Airport (BLQ)
About 1 hour away via Italy’s high-speed train.

International travelers may also arrive through Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP). From either city, the easiest option is to take Italy’s high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo) directly to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Florence’s main train station.

The Location

Our wedding will take place at Villa Merlo Nero, a historic Tuscan villa located just minutes from the center of Florence, Italy. The villa sits in the hills above the city and offers beautiful gardens, sweeping views, and a peaceful setting while still being close to Florence’s historic center.

Florence is one of Italy’s most iconic cities, known for its art, architecture, incredible food, and vibrant culture. We are so excited to welcome you here for a weekend celebrating together in Tuscany.

Florence offers a beautiful range of places to stay, from historic hotels to charming villas tucked throughout the city.

To make planning your trip easier, Micaéla and Christopher have organized a small selection of hotel room blocks near the venue with preferred guest rates. These options offer convenient access to the celebration while allowing you to enjoy everything Florence has to offer.

Rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking early.

Where to Stay

Hotel Grifone

26 minute walk / 11 minute drive to the venue

A modern hotel located along the Arno River offering comfortable rooms and easy access to central Florence.

PRICE STARTING AT: €99+ per night depending on room type

DISCOUNT: 10% off

BOOKING CODE: WEDDING

BOOKING WINDOW:
August 17 – August 22, 2026

TO BOOK:

Reservations must be made through the hotel’s official website linked below.

Hotel Villa Olmi

45 minute walk / 11 minute drive to the venue

A stunning countryside-style estate just outside Florence with gardens, historic architecture, and a peaceful Tuscan atmosphere.

PRICE STARTING AT: €259+ per night depending on room type

DISCOUNT: 10% off

BOOKING CODE: Micaela and Christopher (note: no accent on the e)

BOOKING WINDOW:
August 15 – August 21, 2026
Minimum stay: 3 nights

TO BOOK:

Reservations must be made through the hotel’s official website linked below.

USEFUL INFO :

Guests are welcome to stay anywhere in Florence if they prefer. If you plan to rent a car, we highly recommend staying in the Oltrarno area near Porta Romana, which offers easier driving access to the villa and surrounding countryside.

Please note that much of central Florence is part of the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), a restricted traffic zone where driving is not permitted without special authorization. If you are arriving by train or not renting a car, staying in the historic city center near the train station is a great option, as taxis and local transportation are readily available.

***For updates regarding transportation, event timing, and additional details, please be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below so you receive important information as the celebration approaches.***

Traveling to Italy for a wedding is part of the adventure. So to make things as seamless as possible, we’ve gathered helpful information about travel, transportation, and the wedding celebrations in Florence.

As we finalize details for the weekend, this section will continue to evolve with additional recommendations and guidance.

A Few Helpful Details