After reading this gorgeous bride’s description of her dream destination wedding in Tuscany, I can’t help but wish I were there. We’re talking about a super romantic ceremony followed by a five course meal under the stars, then dancing and singing well into the early hours of the morning. M&J Photography captured all the pretty details, including the all white dinner tables that we can’t stop drooling over. See even more right here.
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From the Bride… Mark and I got engaged last December in frosty London, overlooking the city in which we live and love. We got married nine months later in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Mark and I have had a bit of a love affair with Italy for a number of years now. We both love to travel, but each year, we have spent at least one week of our travel time exploring a region of Italia. Mark is South African and I am English, but we have family and friends around the world, so we figured that traveling Florence instead of London makes no difference when you’re halfway across the world anyway! The whole process of planning the wedding was so enjoyable. I think it helped that we agreed on everything from the outset (well, almost!). The core aspect was that this wedding would be FUN! We wanted to enjoy time with our loved ones for more than a day and so planned a three-day party for our closest friends and family. We wanted a beautiful venue with a laid-back feel — the views would be key, as would allowing us to party beyond the midnight hour! After looking at hundreds of options, we stumbled upon a complete gem: Villa Fontelunga. As soon as we arrived for our visit, we knew it had to be there. Phillip and Paolo could not have been more accommodating, enthusiastic and helpful. They even recommended our fabulous wedding planner: Rossana of Weddings in Italy.
We got married in the beautiful town hall at Monte San Savino and exchanged our own vows. Our guests gathered in the cobbled street outside and enjoyed a glass of prosecco and some gelato while we had some pictures taken in the stunning gardens at the back of the town hall by the amazingly talented Jonny and Morgane of M&J Photography. Choosing the photographer was probably most important decision for me, aside from the venue, and I loved M&Js relaxed style, beautiful use of light and soft colors. It was also a real bonus having two photographers, as we could capture so many more of those precious moments. They were professional, discreet and friendly throughout, and we highly recommend their services.
I wanted the decor to be simple. The beauty of the setting spoke for itself, so a simple color palette was all that was needed — light, bright and airy. We went with white flowers with some simple sprigs of olive in the bouquets and on the chair backs and place settings. The other accent color was a blush pink. We had a beautiful, authentic five-course Tuscan meal as the sun set over Villa Fontelunga, followed by a beautiful mille feuille wedding cake filled with cream, chocolate and strawberries. Then we danced late into the night under the stars. At 1 a.m., we had to take the music indoors. We hired a piano and our friend Sam played songs that we all know, love and sang along to for another couple of hours! I would say that it was the best day of our lives but that would be wrong — it was the best three days of our lives!
Wedding Photography: M&J Photography / Wedding Venue: Villa Fontelunga in Tuscany, Italy / Wedding Planning: Rossanna Sapori of The Knot in Italy / Wedding Stationery: Minted / Pompoms: Paperpoms UK / Wedding Dress, Veil + Earrings: Jenny Packham “Alessia” / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Ryan Wood of Hob Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy / Groom’s Suit: Dress 2 Kill / Men’s Ties: Hawes and Curtis