Very fond memories!

As I prepare to launch our new web site, we have asked all the wonderful photographers to send over some of the photographs from weddings we have worked together on over the years.  Today I received a batch of photos from Edoardo Agresti and was transported back to Megan's wedding, which was such a wonderful wedding, it has brought back very fond memories! 

The hard part now, as I look over weddings I have had the honour to organise, is selecting only a few of them for the website! 

Thank you Edoardo for sending these photos over to me and I can not wait to see the rest of the photos from this beautiful wedding in Florence and from all the other weddings we have had so much fun working together on. x 

Romantic Tuscan wedding....

This evening I received a package from the talented David Bastianoni, with the raw photos of Jennifer and Ally's Wedding in Tuscany last month.

Jennifer looked beautiful and they both looked so very happy.  I cannot wait to see the post production photos, but for now enjoy this great photo preview of Jennifer and Ally's civil wedding in Italy!

Drink of the Gods...

Enoteca in Greve in Chianti

"If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul." --- Clifton Fadiman

Tomorrow is the start of the Chianti Classico Wine Festival held in Greve-in-Chianti, in the heart of the cypress-lined rolling countryside. Indulge in the flowing nectar of  Chianti, meet the local producers who are real characters, taste the typical Chianti cuisine, sway along to the live music and enjoy all of the many different aspects to this festival. We recommend you book somewhere locally to stay of arrange for a taxi to take you if you plan to partake and sample some of the finest Chianti on offer!  


When thinking about hosting your wedding in Tuscany, you might want to think about one of the many wine festivals in the area for a fun day out with your guests...


The Greve festival is held every year on the second weekend of September and the following Thursday and Friday.  (8th to the 11th September 2011) The festival starts on Thursday at 5pm and on Friday and the weekend at 11am closing around 8pm. 

Vintage wedding in Cortona

When Kyla and Justin first contacted us here at The Italian Wedding Planner asking if they could get married in Italy with less than 3 weeks to plan and prepare all the documents I thought 'I do think this is possible.' It was later that Justin told me that he had contacted several wedding planners on the same night that they decided to get married while on holiday in Italy and we were the only ones who stood up and said lets try! 

Cortona

Although at one point we all thought this might not happen, especially as they are both Australian citizens resident in the USA and trying to get all of the documentation together was at one point a stumbling block. However with their pure focus they took up the challenge to obtain the Australian Nulla Osta and legalising it as soon as they touched down in Rome. 

Town hall of Cortona

Meeting me for the first time, other than on Skype video chats, on a rainy day in Amalfi they handed me the precious document and I hot footed it to Cortona in Tuscany. 

Cortona town hall were fantastic and with the nulla osta in place all we needed was to arrange the witnesses and obtain the Atto Notorio! (Required by law for Australian and American citizens wishing to get married in Italy.) 

The day before their wedding we met with 4 witnesses in front of an official of the state and obtained the Atto Notorio, the wedding was on for the next day less than 3 weeks since the first e-mail! 

Kyla looked amazing in her vintage 60's style wedding dress and her absolutely fantastic shoes! Arriving at the town hall of Cortona, we were all grateful that the sun had come out to shine on this very romantic  Bride and Groom! 

The ceremony was extremely special, the Mayor of Cortona, who's romantic side was brought out by Kyla and Justin holding tightly on to each others hands, obviously very emotional as they took this new step forward together.  It was hard for everyone to hold back the tears of joy as they said their vows to each other. 

The picturesque Tuscan hill town of Cortona, I hope will always have a special place in their hearts. I for one was very touched by their wedding and I shall always have very special memories of their wedding day.

Wishing you both much love and happiness. 

Kelly x

Wedding location: Town hall of Cortona

Photographer: Edoardo Agresti (We can not wait to see the official photos, all photos on the blog were taken by Kelly Hayes)

Florist: Nadia Stiatti 

Hairdresser: Located in Cortona

Translator: Kelly Hayes

Witnesses: A big thank you to Maria and Nathalie who were the witnesses for the Bride and Groom

Two brides counting down the days till their wedding at the end of April...

London gets ready for the Royal wedding

There are just nine days to go until HRH Prince William of Wales ties the knot with Catherine Middleton, and no doubt pre-wedding jitters have well and truly set in.

My lovely bride, Cassandra, has been watching the run up to the Royal wedding being advertised on every television channel, newspaper, Internet site and even sweetie wrappers with I am sure a slight flutter in her chest as her wedding is the very next day...

San Giovanni di Valdarno prepares for the wedding of Cassandra and Sean!

As Kate and William walk down the aisle on the 29th April, Cassandra and Sean's guests will be flying in from all over the globe!

While the Royal wedding reception  is being celebrated, our bride and groom to be will be clinking glasses and getting stuck in to a rustic Tuscan pig roast at their welcome dinner and while Kate and William, along with all their guests, are recovering after what I am sure will be an amazing day,  Cassandra and Sean will be experiencing their own amazing day in a beautiful Cathedral in San Giovanni di Valdarno in Tuscany and party in their own castle! (For the weekend)

I am so excited and honoured to witness Cassandra and Sean's wedding day!

Top cities, towns and villages in Tuscany part 1

Getting married in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most popular destinations for a wedding in Italy. With stunning landscape, beautiful architecture, mouthwatering delicacies and great weather the hard part is where do you chose for your wedding in Tuscany?
For my first instalment of favourite location for weddings in Tuscany we have...

Siena

When passing through one the historic doors of the city, you seem to be immersed in another time. Every stone has hammered a piece of history within itself. Arriving at the Campo Square, we can only relive the Sienese Republic and all the fights they endured to defend independence.

Built over an area that was once an open field, hence its name ‘campo’, Piazza del Campo is one of the world’s finest examples of secular architecture and is the precise meeting point of the three hills on which Siena is built. The earliest documented mention of the area dates back to 1169, today Palazzo Comunale (or Palazzo Pubblico) is the city of Sienas town hall where weddings are celebrated.

 

Getting married in the town hall of Siena



After the wedding the bride and  groom step out in to il Campo, the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, is at the heart of  Siena and is famous for hosting the Palio horse race twice a year.



Kelly translating at the wedding of Janine and Ashley in Siena



Siena is perfect for wedding with around 100 guests as there are limited seating inside the town hall and some of your guests would have to stand, but there is something so magical about Siena that it is worth organising the transport to bring your guests to this great city and then back to the villa where your reception is being hosted. 

Lorna and Steve just married in Siena Town hall

 Siena is also perfect for small intimate weddings, bursting with many restaurants where you can stroll to via the narrow streets to the chorus of well wishers.



This is one of my favourite images of newlyweds walking round il Campo after their Civil wedding in Siena.

For part two in our list of top cities, towns and villages in Tuscany please see 

A wedding for two or 200 hosting your wedding in Florence, Tuscany part 2.

Wedding in Tuscany: Laura and Chris

Depending on your religion or type of additional ceremony you would like to celebrate your marriage, you may have to get married in the town hall before your church or symbolic ceremony.  

Laura and Chris hosted their wedding in Tuscany, celebrated with two ceremonies, giving the bride a wonderful opportunity for two beautiful wedding dresses (one she made herself!!)  before a fabulous reception at Il Borro.

Photography by Patrick from Butler Madden Weddings, who {by the way} is fluent in Italian, so perfect for your destination weddings.

Laura and Chris celebrated their  civil ceremony on the  Friday at Commune di Arezzo followed by a ‘traditional’ wedding ceremony and reception on the Saturday at Il Borro, both in northeast Tuscany, Italy

Please click this link to view Part 2

Their beautiful was captured by Patrick from Butler Madden Weddings
Also featured in Before the big day



SAVE THE DATE CARDS!

WINSLET SAVE THE DATE CARDS BY EB1 WEDDING INVITATIONS

Sending out 'Save the Date' cards to your guests are a wonderful way to generate excitement and, most importantly, allow your loved ones plenty of time to make arrangements to share in your special day. Especially important for friends and family who will be traveling to your wedding in Italy, Save the Dates encourage travelers to take advantage of travel deals, book flights, and make any other necessary plans sooner than later.

If your wedding date falls on or around any holidays, or if it's taking place at a popular vacation or destination spot, you should consider sending out your Save the Dates at least five months in advance. In these situations, your guests will likely be thinking of your event as a vacation and will appreciate having the time and information to plan accordingly.
When should Save the Dates be sent?


Think of your Save the Date cards as a preliminary invitation to your wedding. They should be sent at least four months before the wedding date. Your wedding invitations should follow about two months later.
If you are asking guests to travel a great distance, take time off work, or travel during peak seasons, the sooner you can let them know the better! In these circumstances, it's not uncommon to send Save the Date announcements as much as twelve months in advance!!

Wedding in Siena

Janine and Ashley were married in a beautiful ceremony in Siena followed by a lavish reception in a Tuscan castle... 

Janine and Ashley were married on a beautiful summer’s day in my favorite Tuscan city of Siena.

Watched by 120 of their closest friends and family they exchanged their vows. The wedding ceremony was translated to them by Kelly Hayes from The Italian Wedding Planner, who after months of working closely with Janine and Ashley felt honored to be asked to perform this service inside the wedding hall of Palazzo Pubblico.

Photographs by Edoardo