What could possibly be better than a wedding in Tuscany? How about a wedding in Tuscany with Peter & Veronika behind the lens. Yeah, we’d say that tops the charts. An al fresco celebration complete with gelato and the dreamiest tablescape we’ve ever seen, it’s all waiting for you to fan favorite in The Vault!
From the Bride…I never imagined I would be married at a spectacular Agriturismo in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my husband, it’s that life is always full of surprises. I met Ben while we were both studying at the University of Toronto. Born and raised in Munich, Germany, he thought he would only stay in Canada for one year. Fast-forward five years, and Ben was not only still in Canada, but we were also engaged with two cats. So why Italy as our choice of destination? We each come from two very different (but amazing!) cultures. I am proud of my Canadian roots; and Ben is equally as proud of his Bavarian heritage. We wanted to have our wedding somewhere that was ‘neutral’ – not overly Canadian, and not overly German. In 2014, we rented a car and explored the picturesque hills of Tuscany, and it was love at first sight. Amazing meals, great wine, balmy weather, and beautiful scenery…we knew it would be the perfect location for us to tie the knot! And we could not have been more right.
Our main inspiration was one thing: family. We wanted an ambiance that was warm and inviting, with long tables that were reminiscent of family-style eating. We pictured our guests having a long, luxurious dinner together, with plenty of wine and smiles (in true Italian style). When we first visited Montelucci, we knew it was the perfect venue for us. It was both rustic and elegant, with an interesting history and lovely managers. We liked the fact that it was a working farm that produced great wine and olive oil, and this passion for freshness and sourcing local food came across in their meal preparation. They also had a beautiful garden area, and we knew right away that we would have our dinner and dancing beneath the stars, with the Tuscan hills as our backdrop.
Our colour palette was meant to reflect late summer, with bits of greenery, blush pink, off-white, fuchsia, and deeper burgundy accents. We also wanted to stay true to our Italian theme with garlands of olive leaves and garden roses. My maid of honour wore a blush pink dress, and our mothers also wore shades of nude and light pink. I also stuck with the tradition of ‘something old, something new…’ and was given a beautiful family heirloom: a white opal ring that my father had given to his mother when he was 18 years old. It was also important for me to have something that was made in Canada, which I found through the beautiful gold hair combs I wore. They were handmade in Vancouver, and they were the perfect addition to my bridal ensemble.
In the end, we decided to do a four-day wedding weekend for all of our guests, as many were traveling over eight hours, either by car or plane. And we were so happy with that decision: it was an amazing feeling watching 85 of our closest friends and family relaxing, chatting, laughing and enjoying themselves. The venue was the perfect fit for all of us, and we love that we created a weekend that everyone will look back on with fond memories. Although planning and organizing a destination wedding had it’s trying moments, everything executed even better than expected. All of the vendors we chose went above and beyond to make our day perfect, and we couldn’t be more happy with the final result. It was exactly what we hoped for, and more. The warmth and love from everyone who was part of our celebration was breathtaking, and it really was the perfect way to start the rest of our lives together!
Photography: Peter & Veronika | Event Planning: Marry Me In Tuscany | Floral Design: Fiorista La Gardenia | Wedding Dress: Willow by Watters | Bride's Shoes: Anniel | Hair + Makeup: Lidija Malinovskaja | Lighting: Wedding Music And Lights | DJ: Simone Alinari | Car Rental: Zephyrus Sienna | Venue: Montelucci Country Resort | Decor: Preludio Noleggi | Hair Accessories: Davie & Chiyo | Vintage Gelato Cart: Class Ricevimenti | Violinist + Harpist: Alma Project