After guests reluctantly returned to their hotels, it wasn’t long before they would be back again for the wedding. The ceremony was at 4pm so everyone would be as comfortable as possible, since, although it was October, the weather was still really warm. It was great to have the wedding party together on the day as they were able to relax into the events ahead, starting with breakfast and then having hair and make up in the bridal suite. Suze’s room was beautiful with doors that opened up onto Juliet balconies and the stunning views of the countryside.
One person who was key to this day was Roberta, Suze and Andy’s wedding planner and florist. She was simply wonderful and dedicated to the smooth running of the whole wedding. She even helped to translate points during the ceremony, which is a legal requirement, and stayed for the entire day so she was on hand to help with anything.
The venue was also dedicated to fulfilling Suze and Andy’s wishes and were even able to construct a canopy of lights above the banqueting tables on the morning of the wedding, which absolutely set the scene for the wedding breakfast. It was stunning.
While Suze and her bridal party finished getting ready, the fun buses had arrived with guests who, after mingling, excitedly made their way to the outdoor ceremony area, a beautiful spot with olive trees for some much needed shade and breathtaking views of the valley below. Andy had decided to walk down the aisle with his mum by his side, which was really lovely. This was followed by their niece, who was the most conscientious flower girl – picking the petals up after she’d thrown them – and Suze’s beautiful bridesmaids. The beam on Suze and Andy’s faces when they saw each other was so lovely and set the vibe for the whole ceremony.
They had decided to incorporate ‘warming of the rings’ which is a tradition whereby each guests is handed the wedding bands to warm and bless with good wishes for the couple. I love this tradition and you could see how loved Suze and Andy are by all their family and friends. Once the rings were returned, Suze and Andy had also decided to place their vows in a box with a special bottle of wine, which could be opened on their anniversary. Wine was an important theme here as the local Mayor also gifted Suze and Andy two bottles, as is tradition, and as a surprise for them. Lovely!
The ceremony finished with confetti, made of olive leaves, covering Suze and Andy as they made their way down the aisle as a married couple. Greetings from guests, drinks and canapés followed before we headed down to the olive groves and by the cypress trees during golden hour – the most beautiful soft light – to have a few couple and group portraits. Suze and Andy then joined their guests, relaxing in the gardens, surrounded by stunning views and just being cool, before heading to the patio area to enjoy an amazing alfresco dinner and wonderful speeches from family, and the groom, under thousands of twinkling lights.
Everyone was able to relax here, enjoying themselves before heading to the outdoor dance floor just below where the Italian band thoroughly entertained everyone throughout the night and even into the wee hours as guests headed upstairs to the mezzanine of the restaurant for the DJ. They were great and would play anything and everything from The Killers to Proud Mary – they even taught Suze’s sister The Passo Doble! This wedding weekend was truly wonderful and I was so lucky to be a part of it and to capture the celebrations for Suze and Andy. A very lovely couple and an amazing wedding in the Tuscan countryside which no one wanted to end.
Kind Words
Thank you for everything you did for us over our wedding weekend, we couldn’t have wished for a better photographer, you captured it all so perfectly! xx
Suze & Andy
Get in touch
If you are planning your wedding day, be it destination, a micro wedding, elopement or full-day celebration, then I would love to help. For more wedding day inspiration, you are welcome to take a look at my journal page. Here you will find some amazing venues, suppliers and ideas to get you thinking! If you would like to chat about your plans so far, I am more than happy to! To get in touch, you just need to fill out my contact form which you can find here. I’d love to hear about your plans so far and we can go from there. Looking forward to hearing from you!
You can find a full list of the wonderful suppliers that helped to make Suze and Andy’s destination wedding so perfect for them at the end of their gallery. I hope you enjoy this little glimpse of a chic, laidback Italian wedding.
