Top Gun: Maverick’s Jay Ellis Marries Nina Senicar at a Garden Wedding in Tuscany

They worked with Jinane Kafrouny and Paolo Nassi of Regency Event Group to ensure the weekend would go as they envisioned and that COVID protocols were carefully followed. “Since we had so many people traveling from all over the world and the requirements to get in and out of Italy were pretty stringent, we sent out updates every few months with links to the Italian government’s COVID-19 response/protocol website,” Nina says.

From the start, Nina had an idea about the kind of dress she hoped to wear. “I wanted a simple off-white silk material without lace and sparkles, but at the same time something classic, timeless, and elegant,” she says. For that, she turned to Dolce & Gabbana. “Stylist Apuje Kalu helped me coordinate with Dolce exactly what I wanted and the team was amazing! They understood right away what I had in mind, and when I saw the sketches for the first time, it looked exactly as I’d imagined it. Apuje and I met with the Dolce team in Los Angeles for measurements and to look at color swatches and fabric samples. Then, we did two fittings in Milan with Lucio Di Rosa and the design team and one in Florence and the dress was ready. The big tulle that was under the dress was actually taken from their Alta Moda collection.”

For jewelry, the bride wore a pair of diamond studs that served as her “something borrowed” from her best friend. Her grandmother’s ring was “something old.” “It was like having her with me,” Nina says.

Jay and Apuje have worked together for many years, so right after the actor told the stylist about the proposal, the conversation immediately turned to creating a custom tuxedo. “We talked about a bunch of silhouettes, lapels, and looks, but I always knew I wanted to wear something in the bordeaux family,” Jays says. “Dolce sent over three sketches, and I immediately gravitated to the third one. The fabric on the lapel was sourced; they had never used it before. The piping on the lapel and pockets was a pitch by Apuje that I loved and the rest was the Dolce team being the best at what they do.”

Guests were asked to wear earth tones for the ceremony, which took place at sunset. As everyone entered the property, they were directed into the herb garden where they were met with specialty drinks. Then they were led by the sounds of a string quartet into a courtyard where they took their seats.

Jay made his entrance, followed by the best men, the couple’s closest family members, and finally, the couple’s daughter, who stole the show as a flower girl.

“There was a moment when I was standing there in front of everyone waiting for the giant wrought iron gates to open and to see Nina but the moment kept going and going,” Jay remembers. “So I yelled out ‘Baby, you coming?’ There was another beat or two after where Nina didn’t answer, so I turned to the crowd and said ‘I guess that’s a no, there’s a space up here if anybody wants to get married today.’ And in perfect timing as everyone laughed Nina yelled out, ‘I’m coming baby!’ Everyone laughed at us and then the gate opened and I was in awe when I saw Nina in her dress for the first time.”

Nina walked down the aisle with her father as the quartet played Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean. “I was very emotional and tried really hard not to cry,” Nina says. “Honestly, I didn’t see anybody else but Jay—I was so focused on his eyes and just being present.”

After the ceremony, guests moved to the pool area for cocktails overlooking the hills of Tuscany, while the couple took photos with their family along with one picture with everyone at the wedding. Following the group shot, everyone was led to dinner on the back side of the villa where the Jennifer Vargas Band was playing.

“At the very beginning of the dinner I asked all the guests to take a shot of Rakija,” Nina says. “It’s a famous Serbian drink that has been a traditional drink for over a hundred years.” That kicked off an all-night party.

“I am still processing everything, but I am beyond happy that all of our friends got together to celebrate our love,” Nina says. “We just really wanted everybody to have a good time and get to know each other. And most importantly, dance. We come from two completely different sides of the world, different cultures, and backgrounds, and it was magical to see how all of that got mixed together in such a beautiful and spontaneous way with the people we love the most.”

Now that it’s all said and done, the groom can’t help but find himself in need of a little R&R. “I just feel like we need a vacation after throwing the craziest three-day party ever,” Jay jokes. “But it was amazing. After everything that everyone has been through over the last few years to bring over 190 people together for three days in Tuscany and celebrate was surreal. Seeing all of our friends from different parts of our lives together smiling and laughing, connecting, forming their own friendships was such a huge part of what we wanted out of the weekend and the celebration. We wanted to create moments and memories that would last the rest of our lives.”