When it comes to weddings and honeymoons in Europe, Italy continues to be the number one choice and most of the weddings are focused in Tuscany, “the Renaissance Region”.
We have interviewed a Senior Wedding Planner of Regency San Marino which is one of the leading companies in this field, to discover all the secrets of this trendy business especially about Weddings in Tuscany.
What are the first things you tell someone in order to help them decide on choosing Tuscany for their wedding in Italy?
Think of a Medieval Town Hall for your Wedding in Siena or a tiny little chapel with frescoes for your Wedding in Florence... Imagine your reception lunch in the beautiful park of a villa, under a porch covered with vines where you can enjoy the typical home Tuscan cooked cuisine accompanied by excellent wines for your Wedding in Chianti. “We are here to make your dream come true! Let us plan your memorable Wedding in Tuscany”.
Why is Tuscany the preferred wedding spot?
Tuscany is couple’s favourite spot because it has some of the best that Italy has to offer!
Its climate as well as its landscape, varies very much from one city to the other. If you take the area of Siena for instance, the hills around it are gentle and smooth (according to the light, it reminds of us the desert dunes). It is also the Region of the thermal water baths, or thermal SPA, where brides and their bridesmaids love to spend a day before the big event!
Is it possible to have a relaxing vacation at the same time?
One of the key attractions is to combine romantic cities such as Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa and many others, with a few days of relaxation and most of the time, the Wedding in Tuscany is followed by a spectacular honeymoon down South; the Amalfi coast… or Sardinia, Sicily just to give a few examples of romantic places for couples to enjoy.
How about the couple’s budget?
More and more travel agencies as well as specialized wedding planners, introduce customized wedding packages for all kind of budgets. For a luxurious wedding and honeymoon in Tuscany, couples don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune. In fact, many future couples travel abroad, in order to have a smaller reception and lower the expenses. Nevertheless, it is most important to have a good knowledge of the sites and last but not least, a good relationship with the private property owners.
We have the advantage to have several wedding planners based in Tuscany and we are in the business for over 20 years now. It’s such a pleasure to realize that people remark this aspect by seeing how familiar we are with them and how they can trust us.
What are the couple’s most common comments following the event?
“Thanks to our wedding planner, our wedding was so stress free and special; it was more than we ever expected…It was the best day of our life. We couldn’t be bothered in organising our wedding reception at home. It was impossible to keep everybody happy and it would have been far more expensive! Our wedding planner has been the most amazing organizer and has turned into a friend for life!”
Where are Civil Weddings performed?
If their wish is to have a Civil Wedding Ceremony in Tuscany, it’s good to know that the rooms where the wedding is staged in most of the local Town Halls, often retain many features of its Renaissance past.
A Wedding in Siena Town Hall which is right in the main Piazza del Campo (where the famous Palio takes place every year) is held in the beautiful Sala del Concistoro.
A Wedding in Florence Town Hall; ceremonies are celebrated by the mayor in the magnificent Sala Rossa of Palazzo della Signoria. Its gilded mirrors and brocade covered walls will take you back to Renaissance days and brides just love to feel they’re a princess for a day!
In Certaldo, a smaller city in the middle of the Tuscan countryside overlooking San Gimignano, the wedding takes place in the cloister of Palazzo Pretorio. The breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape together with the background of the medieval towers of San Gimignano, are a must for their photography service.
Do Weddings in private locations guarantee the civil validity as well?
Sure, they can have their dream wedding in Tuscany without having to move from “home”! The most fashionable thing in fact, is to rent a rustic farmhouse or a luxury Villa. Regency is proud to be one of the few companies able to organize Jewish and Protestant weddings in private locations (i.e. villas, castles, gardens) with instant legal validity. This has the great advantage that allows couples to have a more intimate and charming ceremony. They can have the music they prefer, the flower set up that they love. They can personalize the ceremony text with their own vows or poems.
Is it easy to find suitable venues?
Everywhere in Tuscany you can find a multitude of suitable venues.
You just have to decide which city you would like to be close to. Whether you think of Lucca, Siena, Florence or Arezzo the choice is immense. Lucca has the characteristic of being in a strategic position. It is surrounded by the hills of the Garfagnana (where you can also ski); at only 15 mts drive you can reach Pisa, Viareggio, therefore if their wedding – honeymoon is in the summer, they will also be able to enjoy the beautiful and lively sandy beaches along the coast there.
Do English tourists still consider “Chianti Shire” a place to make them leave their own country?
Well, that is indeed, still one of the evergreen and not only for the English!
When the Chianti region is not used for the whole wedding event, it is a must to at least plan a tour through the vineyards of Tuscany. I think it is really something special. The olive oil and wine tastings are often organized in the cellars of a castle or a farm next to it, illuminated by candle light and torches. It is so fascinating, people love it! Tables are set between the barrels. Typical cheese (pecorino) is served together with “prosciutto toscano” and typical roasted Tuscan bread (bruschetta). Sometimes on request, they also organize a proper lunch with the typical vegetable and bread soup, the popular “ribollita”.
What kind of other specialties are mainly required for the perfect wedding party?
Good question, everyone’s wish is to have the perfect event. The best day of their lives. They expect to be original, yet they ask you what other couples do…They definitely wish for their guests to have a marvellous time. Reminding our clients that the Italian sunshine and Italian food are already a fantastic start!
Many couples love fireworks and choose the venue for their Wedding in Tuscany according to having the suitable spot for that. Many brides can live without a rich bouquet, but would never live without a vintage car for their big day!
However, my colleagues and I think that what makes this job so special, is the fact that every time a new request comes in, it is unique and deserves the maximum attention. The tailor made wedding is a must.
I invite you to visit our web site Weddings in Italy by Regency and see for yourself our client’s references or contact us at: from Europe + 378- 0549- 941108 and from US 011-378- 0549- 941108.
