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March 01, 2016
Romantic Tuscany wedding at Castle Il Palagio
If you are planning a romantic wedding in a castle, a destination wedding in Tuscany is the perfect location to fulfill your dream. The wedding of Gabriella and Charles was one of the chicest events planned by Exclusive Italy Weddings last summer. I was eager to share it with you for many reasons: the elegant, refined style of both wedding and ceremony, the delicate all-white decors, the romantic setting in a medieval castle, and the funny Italian touches like the 500 vintage cars in the colors of the Italian flag, details that made the event truly personal and reflecting the couple’s story and personality.
Gabriella and Charles are a British couple who contacted us more than a year in advance to plan their wedding in Italy. They introduced themselves in this way:
The simple and elegant Romanesque structure of the Pieve of Santo Stefano was enriched with delicate decorations in the Baroque era. This sophisticated ceremony setting was decorated with natural arrangements combining olive and rosemary branches for a Mediterranean flavor, and all white flowers for an elegant touch: hydrangeas, avalanche roses and gypsophila, with simple gypsophila posies for the pews.
The bridal bouquet was in the same simple and elegant style: white stephanotis flowers tied with a silk ribbon.
The ceremony was accompanied by a string quartet playing classical airs of Vivaldi, Boccherini, Bach and Pachelbel, and Schubert’s Ave Maria sung by a soprano.
Gabriella’s parents are both Italian, they come from the region of Emilia Romagna, whose capital is Bologna, famous for its cuisine and good food, the cradle of worldwide renowned specialties such as Prosciutto di Parma ham, Mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Bologna is the hometown of tortellini, lasagne, tagliatelle and lots of other delicious recipes that are appreciated also outside of Italy. So it’s easy to understand why Gabriella’s family was particularly sensitive to the aspect of good food and wanted a perfectly curated wedding menu.
The starters were served in the Fountain Garden of the castle. The cocktail was accompanied by a string quartet. Near the cocktail area the bridal couple arranged a photobooth with a giant Polaroid frame.
For the sit-down dinner they chose the following courses:
first courses: risotto with zucchini, zucchini flower and saffron veloutè, potatoes ravioli with mugellana ragout;
sorbet: lemon sorbet;
main course: thinly sliced steak with rosemary flavored extra virgin olive oil.
Charles, the groom, is also part Italian, since his ancestors came from Italy too. His passion is another excellence of Italy: car races. So he named the reception tables after famous racetracks such as Monza, Imola, Nurburgring, Red Bull Ring, Oulton Park… The racetracks were designed on both seating plan and table cards. He also hired three 500 Fiat vintage cars in the colors of the Italian flag: green, white and red, with drivers for the six bridesmaids.
After the ceremony the guests reached the castle’s courtyard for the wedding banquet. The reception tables were decorated with tall centerpieces filled with gypsophila, forming a dreamy cloud never the tables, small vases with roses, hydrangeas and stephanotis, candles and scattered white petals for a romantic effect.
A century old cedar tree in the castle gardens was decorated with fairy lights and a spectacular glass chandelier: the perfect setting for the cake cutting. The millefoglie wedding cake was prepared in front of the guests and decorated with fresh berries and white roses. The guests lit their sparklers on and the air was full of magic while the bridal couple toasted with sparkling wine.
After the romantic first dance of the bridal couple on the music of Tom Odell’s Grow Old with Me, the party continued in the castle courtyard with dances and a midnight snack until 1 am.
The castle is surrounded by a large park and by an estate with olive groves, a perfect background for a romantic photoshoot with a Mediterranean atmosphere. The entire event was photographed by Sara and Silvia of Infraordinario Photo Studio: their delicate and dreamy style matches perfectly the wedding theme and I am happy to share these fantastic photos with you!
If you are planning a castle wedding in Italy please have a look at our renewed wedding website, we have a section called Castle Weddings in Italy with lots of photos, where you can see the fabulous venues with which we cooperate. Or you can contact me via our contact form to get an estimate based on your personal preferences.
Martina
CREDITS:
Photography: infraordinario studio ©.