A love story across cultures

When Tina Mukasa stood in a Tuscan church wearing her custom-made wedding gown, she carried more than bridal dreams down the aisle.

She carried the memory of a mother lost to war, the strength of a family rebuilt in Shepparton after moving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the pride of her Congolese heritage woven into her marriage with Italian Gianluca Malquori.

Their wedding was not simply the union of two people, but the joining of two worlds.

However, before that special day in Tuscany on June 12, 2025, many significant cultural events took place first.

Because, as Gianluca found out, when you marry a Congolese woman, it’s not as simple as putting a ring on the finger and saying, “I do.”

“We met on Instagram and started chatting just as casual friends in 2023,” Tina said.

“We messaged back and forth for a week, and the connection between us was instant.

“When we finally met in person in Melbourne, I was instantly comfortable around him.

“I knew he was different — he brought out the best version of me, and I felt he could be my future husband someday.”

Gianluca remembers the early days just as vividly.

“When I started chatting with Tina, I knew she was special — her morals, ambition, and passion for her culture drew me in,” Gianluca said.

“Even though she lived three hours away, it didn’t stop me from pursuing her.

“I knew she was the one I would propose to and marry someday.”

Their relationship moved fast, fuelled by shared values and mutual respect.

A key milestone came on New Year’s Eve, 2023, when Gianluca officially introduced himself to Tina’s family in Mooroopna.

This was a vital step in Tina’s Babembe culture.

“We have a saying: he didn’t come through the window, he came through the door,” Tina explained.

“He brought a rooster as a symbol of respect, which my family accepted. It symbolised his acceptance into our family.”

In October the following year, Gianluca proposed to Tina in Docklands, Melbourne, on a gorgeous boat, which to Tina was a total surprise.

From this moment, she knew he was serious about spending the rest of his life with her, so next came the traditional dowry.

In Congolese culture, the dowry ceremony is a significant and vibrant tradition that marks the union of two families through marriage.

It’s deeply rooted in cultural values and is a celebratory event where the groom’s family presents gifts to the bride’s family.

In short, after this ceremony, the couple is officially married in Congolese culture, and this happened only a few short months after the proposal and was held in December.

Tina’s uncle officiated the public ceremony, with her brother translating the tribal language for guests — including Gianluca’s parents, who travelled all the way from Italy.

“Gianluca had to pay around 20,000 in cash, counted in front of everyone,” Tina said.

“Gifts were exchanged, family members from both sides joined in, and traditions were honoured.”

And there was laughter, too.

Gianluca nervously participated in a playful tradition where he had to guess which woman hidden under a cloth was his bride.

“It was fun and meaningful, and all about culture exchange,” Tina said.

“It was so lovely to meet Gianluca’s parents and family.

“They don’t speak a word of English, so they had a translator as well, but it was a really special day for us both and everyone who was there.”

But the journey didn’t end there, nor did the celebrations — because the following day, there was a Congolese traditional engagement party in Melbourne, and in true Italian style, a white wedding awaited in Tuscany.

“The Catholic Church guided us through strict preparation, while family travelled across continents to celebrate,” Tina said.

“My uncle, whom my Dad hadn’t seen in 20 years, was even there.”

Photographs of her late mother sat proudly on display, ensuring her presence was felt.

Her custom-made gown travelled nervously across the seas, arriving in Italy for the big day.

The setting was a Tuscan church, complete with sweeping views and timeless romance.

It was a wedding not just of two people, but of two cultures — a celebration of resilience, family and enduring love.

“It was the most beautiful day of my life,” she said.

“I still have to pinch myself — I can't believe it all really happened.

“To me, it’s like a fairytale.

“Spending time with all our families and then doing some travel afterwards, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do things my husband enjoys that I normally wouldn’t, was incredible. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

From Shepparton to Tuscany, from a childhood marked by hardship to a future filled with joy, Tina’s journey has been extraordinary.

Her love story with Gianluca is one of strength and tradition, where Congolese heritage meets Italian elegance, and where dreams, long imagined, finally come true.

And as Tina reflected on her path — from Shepparton to Tuscany, from a little girl with a dream to a woman living it — one thing is clear: love, in all its forms, is worth every step of the journey.

“We have started discussing how we want to raise our future children and the kind of environment we want to provide,” Tina said.

“We both value the importance of family, and it is something that attracted each other when we first met.

“We are so excited someday to travel with our children to Italy and Africa to connect with our cultures in the presence of our children.

“We want them to have the opportunity to emerge and learn from their cultural backgrounds and embrace it with pride, just like us.”