It’s rare to attend a wedding where every detail resonates so deeply, and yet, Emily and Woody’s celebration at Castello di Ristonchi was one of those unforgettable experiences that left no guest untouched. With panoramic views of olive groves and soulful vows, followed by a dance party, the weekend was full of great moments and wonderful company. All are captured through the thoughtful lens of photographer Stephanie Klotz.
Location: Pelago, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Elegant, Romantic, Classic
Time of planning: 1 years
Number of guests: 70
Setting: Estate
Season: Summer
Emily and Woody first met on the Fourth of July at a beach house party in Los Angeles. What started as a summer spark turned into six years of shared adventures, including cross-country moves, new jobs, and countless trips to Europe. Woody’s proposal, however, took a bit of creative maneuvering. After his original Prague plan was accidentally derailed, fate offered a new path: a surprise New York engagement with friends hiding in bushes, fake contact names, and a Central Park moment filled with real emotion.
Welcome Day
From the very first evening, Emily and Woody knew they wanted a shared experience. As guests arrived at the estate and settled into their rooms, the terrace came to life with cocktails, laughter, and a hands-on pizza-making night that broke the ice and set the tone.
The wide stone walls and long Tuscan light made it feel less like a rehearsal dinner and more like the start of something unforgettable.
Wedding Day
Bridal Fashion
Emily’s dress, a vintage-inspired design by Luna Bea, had been in her heart long before it ever hung in her wardrobe. The flowing silk silhouette with elegant button cuffs and a breezy open back struck the right balance between timeless and relaxed. She paired it with pleated Loeffler Randall heels, cotton earrings, and a delicate bouquet of sunset-colored blooms.
Her hair, styled by Alla, was styled in a soft, curly low bun, framing her veil and letting the dress speak for itself. As a finishing touch, she wore Thin Wild Mercury perfume. Emily felt so beautiful and also comfortable despite the heat.
"The bride's mother gave her a vintage sixpence coin for her shoe from her great uncle’s antique collection. As the saying goes, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe."
Groom’s Fashion
Woody’s look paid homage to personal heritage and quiet confidence. He wore a deep green custom suit by Tailor’s Keep, paired with a bolo tie that once belonged to his grandfather. His boutonniere, an olive branch sprig, nodded to the surrounding landscape, while Woody’s ring, designed by Bloedstone, was another custom touch that made the day feel grounded and personal.
First Look
Before the ceremony, they met privately on a path edged by trees and overlooking the Tuscan hills. It wasn’t orchestrated or overly posed. Just the two of them, taking a breath before stepping into one of life’s biggest moments.
It was a quiet look, a shared smile, and the sense that everything was exactly as it should be.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place under a rustic wooden arch framed by olive trees, with rows of guests looking on from wooden cross-back chairs. Their friend Sophie, who had once helped orchestrate their proposal, returned to officiate. Her words set the tone for a deeply personal and emotionally resonant exchange.
The couple chose readings from both sides of their family and honored Emily’s heritage with Jewish traditions, including the tallit and the breaking of the glass. Still, it was their vows that truly marked the heart of the ceremony — words neither had heard before, and which left most of the crowd in tears.
"I was so moved by what Woody shared and the partner he vowed to be for me. I just remembered standing there taking his words in feeling overwhelmed with love and gratitude."
Private Moment
While guests enjoyed spritzes and snacks under the late afternoon sun, Emily and Woody slipped away into the olive groves. It was a chance to pause, just the two of them, before the party continued.
Stephanie Klotz captured these golden-hour portraits with subtlety and soul. She used both digital and film formats to create photos that feel like memories rather than snapshots.
Reception & Decor
As dusk fell, the reception unfolded on the lawn, framed by cypress trees and strung lights. Long wooden tables were set in a U shape, dressed simply with olive branches and white dinnerware atop terracotta chargers. Each place setting included a handwritten letter to the guest it welcomed.
Dinner stretched across several hours, with courses spaced to make room for heartfelt toasts, music, and sunset photos. The band, Quarto Podere, played live Italian sets and even led a spontaneous group singalong to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” that had the entire table swaying and singing between bites.
The couple shared their first dance to ‘Lady Mae’ by Tyler Childers. After dinner, a delicate millefoglie cake was served, and the celebration carried on with an afterparty that had everyone on their feet until late.
Dubbed the “rave cave”, the underground space came to life with a disco ball, DJ, and a surprise flash mob choreographed by one of their friends. Guests had secretly learned the dance via video tutorials before the wedding, and the moment of reveal on the dance floor was joyful and unforgettable.
Relax Day
By the third day, the mood had shifted into full relaxation. Guests made their way to the pool, where straw hats, floaties, and sunglasses created the perfect vibe for a laid-back afternoon. It felt more like a summer holiday than a wedding wind-down, which is exactly what Emily and Woody had hoped for.
The venue’s gelato cart rolled in with a chalkboard menu offering flavors like pistachio, lemon peel, and stracciatella. Later, the scent of an Italian barbecue filled the air, followed by a hands-on pasta-making class where guests took turns at the roller, laughing over flour-dusted hands and comparing tagliatelle techniques.
The day ended with that same spirit of togetherness that defined the entire weekend: unforced, joyful, and full of small pleasures.
"Emily and Woody's wedding weekend is one that will stay with me through the rest of my career. The beauty of the location, the splendor of the venue, and most of all, the love between the couple and all their loved ones. It was an experience unlike any other."
Advice from the couple:
• Plan as much as possible in advance and finalize all logistical details early, especially for destination weddings. Organizing things like international transportation can be tricky, so the sooner you get everything in place, the better!
PHOTOGRAPHER Stephanie Klotz Photography | VENUE Castello di Ristonchi | DRESS Luna Bea | SHOES Loeffler Randall | MUAH Alla’s Makeup and Hair | SUIT Tailor’s Keep | GROOM’S RING Bloedstone | BAND Quarto Podere | PERFUME Thin Wild Mercury
