Nicole Koman and Palmer Steadman were in the same friend group at business school at the University of North Carolina but didn't go on their first date until his final week of school. "He was a year ahead of me and neither of us was looking for a long-distance relationship, but over sushi that first date night, we talked for hours," she recalls. "I pushed back my flight home to California three times before leaving, and Palmer spontaneously booked a flight to visit me that summer."
After four years together (one spent doing long-distance), Palmer proposed in Tuscany. He suggested they watch the sunset with a glass of wine at their hotel, Borgo San Felice. "We headed to the vineyards, and he started hiking down the rows of grapevines. I didn't realize he was rushing to a specific spot," Nicole laughs. "I suggested a self-timer photo, and he was struggling to set up my phone on the vines, so I yelled, 'What is going on over there? You're going to miss the sunset!' He later told me his hands were shaking. As I lifted my wine glass to twirl for the content, he got down on one knee."
Once engaged, the couple decided to return to the spot of their engagement to say, "I do." Hosting all their guests in one spot was so special, but another perk of the property was the cold plunge. "
a hard to find amenity in Tuscany and an activity Palmer and I like to do together," Nicole explains. "The morning of our wedding day, we met at the spa and cold-plunged together, both too excited for the day to complain about how cold we were. It was one of my favorite memories of the day."
Aesthetically, Nicole and Palmer worked with Over The Moon The List Planner Shannon Leahy Events to bring their authentic vision to life: "a little California modern, a little Charleston traditional, and a lot Tuscany!" The bride adds, "We mixed beautiful Italian Ginori china and Murano glass chandeliers with chic, modern neutrals and classic silver pieces overflowing with our favorite blooms, a special nod to my Mom’s talent for flowers." Over The Moon The List Photographer Greg Finck captured every delicate detail and special moment of the weekend, while Em Paper set the tone with an illustrated invitation suite.
The relaxed welcome party marked the beginning of the wedding celebrations with delicious Italian fare. To the first event, Nicole wore a Frame dress, paired with Manolos and Arunashi opal, sapphire, pearl, and diamond drop earrings.
The next day, the bride got ready with Allison+Artists and put on her textured, strapless Vera Wang wedding dress with Danielle Frankel block heels—with the help of dresser Maisie-Kate Style. "My mom wore Vera Wang at her wedding, and I loved that we wore the same designer on our wedding days," Nicole smiles. Equally sentimental was her late grandfather's wedding ring that was sewn into the bodice of the dress. "Before he passed, we promised each other that he would be at my wedding—and he was, in spirit."
On September 27, 2025, a light rain accompanied guests as they made their way into a tiny chapel. A priest who was new to the area and who sported a heavy accent officiated the ceremony. "The service had a few glitches, but it didn’t affect the love in the chapel," Nicole remembers. "And Palmer having to ask, 'Can I kiss her now?' was very sweet. As we walked out of the chapel doors, the rain stopped."
During cocktail hour, a double rainbow showed off its magic for everyone—a favorite moment of the day for the bride. The reception was a lively scene in the glasshouse with gorgeous florals by Chiara Sperti Studio and local band La Dolce Vita keeping the energy high. Nicole and Palmer shared a first dance to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. "I’ve always loved the song, and Palmer was adamant about taking dance lessons," the bride says.
Nicole's parents welcomed everyone with a tasty toast. "Our family spends a lot of time in Napa and we all have a deep appreciation for good wine," the bride explains. "We created a family wine blend that is bottled and named, Kru—a spin on the word crew but with a K for our last name, Koman. My dad shipped a case of Kru for our first toast."
And after cutting the cake, the bride changed into a set by Undone by Kate with Alexandre Birman heels to keep the party going. "The dance floor merged with the stage, and half our guests, including Palmer and me, ended up dancing behind the DJ booth for most of the night," Nicole shares. At one point, the bride surprised her groom with a saxophonist, which he'd previously requested but never got confirmation on. Needless to say, it was a hit.
The day ended with espresso martinis, mini burgers, and lots of fries. "We hosted our friends on the patio of the honeymoon suite and didn’t want the night to ever end!" Nicole exclaims.
The following week, the newlyweds went to Capri and Amalfi for their honeymoon. "My favorite part of the week was standing on our patio overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in our bathrobes and reciting our vows to each other," Nicole reveals. "It was emotional, raw, and one of my favorite moments we have shared together."
