Claudio × Konami

OUR STORY

A long way around to Italy

We met at a dinner in the UK in November 2023, introduced by a mutual friend. Sports brought us together. The world kept us moving.

For two years our relationship was held together by airports. Konami based in Tokyo, Claudio working out of Riyadh, we made it work the only way two stubborn people could: by getting on a plane every few weeks. Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, the UK, Spain, Italy, Guam, each trip its own short chapter, none of them quite a destination.

Somewhere in there Claudio asked Konami to marry him, and instead of buying rings we made them ourselves, by hand, at a workshop in Osaka. They're not perfect. That's the point. We were legally married in Tokyo on March 3, 2026.

September 6 is the celebration with the people we love, three continents converging on a 17th-century villa in Friuli for an evening of food, drinks, dancing, and a much shorter trip than usual.

THE DAY

Sunday, September 6, 2026

A 17th-century Friulian villa. Symbolic ceremony in the garden, dinner under the stars, dancing until late.

13:00

Arrival

Welcome at Villa Merlo Dragoni

~14:00

Symbolic ceremony

In the villa garden

~15:30

Aperitif

Themed buffet islands · Mimì Street Catering

~17:30

Dinner

Plated, in the folador or under the stars

~22:00

Cake & open bar

The party kicks in

02:00

Last call

Hard close, end of the night

TRAVEL & VENUE

Villa Merlo Dragoni

A 17th-century Friulian villa in Lovaria (Pradamano), 10 minutes from Udine city center, 1.5 hours from Venice, near the Slovenian border. Stone walls, frescoed rooms, an enclosed garden, and the atmospheric folador with exposed beams.

Open in Google Maps ↗ · Catering: Mimì Street Catering ↗

Nearest airports

Trieste (TRS), 50 min · Venice Marco Polo (VCE), 1h30 · Treviso (TSF), 1h45

By train

Udine station is well connected from Venice and Trieste. Taxi from the station ~15 min.

Parking & access

Large on-site parking from the provincial road. Step-free access from Lovaria village center for guests with mobility needs.

Where to stay

We'll share accommodation suggestions closer to the date. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us directly for recommendations.

RSVP

Will you be there?

Please reply by July 1, 2026. The catering and seating depend on knowing by then.

Don't fill this out if you're human:

Your name Email

Will you attend? Adults in your party (you included)

Children in your party Children's ages (if any)

Preferred language for the day Plus-one name (if applicable)

Dietary needs / allergies (anyone in your party) Anything else? (song requests, notes, jokes welcome)

FAQ

Useful to know

What kind of ceremony is it?

A symbolic ceremony in the villa garden, not religious, not civil. We're already legally married (March 3, 2026 in Tokyo). September 6 is the celebration with people we love.

I'm coming from abroad. What should I plan?

Closest international airports are Venice Marco Polo (1h30 to the villa) or Trieste (50 min). Most international guests stay in Udine, 15 minutes by car from the villa. We'll share a few hotel suggestions closer to the date. If you're driving in, the villa has plenty of on-site parking.

When do I need to RSVP by?

By July 1, 2026 please. The catering and seating depend on knowing by then. Paper invites will follow as a keepsake, but the website RSVP is what we use for planning.

What is the dress code?

Elegant, weather-appropriate. The ceremony and aperitif are outdoors, so layers and comfortable shoes for grass and gravel are a good idea.

Are children welcome?

Yes. There's a dedicated kids menu, and several children will be there. Just let us know in your RSVP.

What about dietary needs?

Mimì Street Catering is celiac-association certified and very attentive to allergies and special diets. Please flag any needs in your RSVP.

Will the day be trilingual?

Italian, English, and Japanese speaking guests will all be there. The ceremony and key moments are designed so everyone can follow along.

Are gifts expected?

Your being there is the real gift, especially for those of you flying across continents. For anyone wanting to mark the day in another way, we'll share a few thoughts closer to it.

When does the night end?

We have until 2am. Plenty of time for dancing, eating, drinking, and making it a memorable day.