Years after Kennedy Schmidt, a luxury account manager at The Real Real, and fashion designer Brody Schmidt first connected through mutual friends in college, they found themselves both living in Florence, Italy. “I packed up my things and left Los Angeles and moved to Florence to pursue a new career opportunity,” Kennedy explains. “Little did I know, Brody Schmidt would move down the street in Italy the same week.”

Brody eventually made the first move, and the couple shared their first date two months later. “We spent the rest of our time living in Florence, falling in love, traveling all throughout Europe, creating, and dreaming together,” she shares.

After six months together, Brody proposed in their New York City apartment. Once a month Brody planned an extravagant date for Kennedy—they once ended the night in a castle in Italy. Needless to say, she was unsuspecting when Brody mentioned that he wanted to spend the evening exploring New York, capturing all of their favorite spots on film. At the end of the night, he simply looked at Kennedy, got down on one knee and wrote “Will You Marry Me” in red lipstick on their window. 

“We wanted a wedding that felt true to us. We wanted to incorporate our creativity and love for fashion and travel as much as possible,” the bride-to-be says of the aesthetic. When the two came across Domaine Rocabella in the seaside city of La Pradet in France, they thought this must be the place. 

“The villa truly made our dreams come true, every room was beautifully designed with a mix of modern and French culture. Our favorite rooms were the massive light pink foyer and the green room with a beautiful pink mural floor and big sea view windows,” Kennedy notes. Soline Barathon of The Yes Maker brought her vision to life, while Nicole Plett captured the magic on camera and RomaVera filmed every beautiful memorable moment.

On June 12, 2023, Kennedy and her wedding party gathered for a mid-morning garden party before the ceremony. The bride looked elegant in an ​​AKNVAS ruffled minidress and an ever-so-chic sun hat.

Alongside arranging the delicate florals for the ceremony, Tepee Sauvage sourced the perfect pastel shell martini glass for the occasion. “The garden party was definitely a highlight of the weekend,” Kennedy recalls. “We danced around the garden, drank Champagne, and shared sweet tears and prayers together.”

Meanwhile, Brody and his groomsmen spent time by the pool sharing a few cocktails. Then, both parties headed off to get ready for the ceremony, and the bride enjoyed a sweet first look with her dad. “I will never forget the first look with my dad, my biggest hero, and the coolest person I know.”

“I custom-designed my wedding dress, and The LG project constructed it for me. I wanted something that felt true to me and have always been inspired by Brigette Bardot and all of her corset curvy dresses that she has worn in her movies,” she says. Brody looked dapper in a vintage Dior suit that he found in Paris. 

That afternoon, guests sat in the garden in view of the Mediterranean Sea, and Kennedy met Brody before an arrangement of pastel florals. “We waited until that once-in-a-lifetime moment to see each other,” the bride recalls. “It was the sweetest moment locking eyes for the first time. Tears were flowing.”

The pair wed in a Christ-centered ceremony, receiving communion. “We had our friend Grace Hazelgrove from our church in Paris lead the ceremony and share our crazy story of God bringing us together all the way across the world to Florence, Italy, and intertwining our lives in the most beautiful and powerful way.” 

Everyone tossed flower petals, as Brody and Kennedy left the ceremony as newlyweds. The two drove off in a Retrocab vintage car—a moment inspired by all of their favorite French films—and headed to dinner. Guests welcomed them into an illuminated open-air space as the sun set. Tablescapes featured notes that read: “A memoir of your Mediterranean summer.”

Afterward, the newlyweds danced to Tom Rosenthal’s “Go Solo” and a Brody’s Super 8 film played. He had chronicled the couple’s relationship all around the world sharing special moments in Paris, Copenhagen, and Florence. “We truly felt like we were in heaven, dancing there together to the most beautiful song,” Kennedy remembers. “The lyrics actually say exactly how we fell in love.”

The energy was matchless. Le Frenchie DJ set the tone, and everyone spent the night celebrating, creating unforgettable memories with the couple, surrounded by neon lights. Kennedy concludes, “After the reception, we ran off in our vintage white convertible getaway car and off to our honeymoon.”