Set against the golden hills of Tuscany, Taylor and Mathieu’s wedding at Conti di San Bonifacio unfolded like a beautifully directed film: sunlit, stylish, and full of soul. From fashion-forward choices to a heartfelt ceremony under olive trees, every scene felt personal. Captured with cinematic warmth by Michel Films, the weekend wasn’t just aesthetically striking — it was alive with love, laughter, and thoughtful moments woven into every frame.
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Style: Organic, Contemporary, Romantic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 80
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Taylor and Mathieu’s story began nearly seven years ago in New York City, where a classmate set them up on a blind date that turned into something real, fast. After two years together in the city, the pandemic nudged them toward California, followed by another leap to Charleston. Through it all, their relationship grew alongside Taylor’s career in wedding planning. When the time came to plan her own, she approached it with the same creativity and intention she gives her clients and perhaps even more excitement.
Their engagement took place on a summer night in Monaco, Mathieu’s hometown. While walking along the port, he proposed, and they celebrated at the American Bar at Hôtel de Paris. In a twist of beautiful fate, the band performing that night would later be the same one playing at their wedding.
Welcome Dinner
The weekend began with a breezy and joyful welcome BBQ on the villa grounds. Friends and family arrived from across the US and Europe, greeted by sunset views and Italian wines. The setting was relaxed yet refined, echoing the couple’s style, and the energy was contagious.
Taylor wore a custom two-piece look by River & Rose Design, which instantly set the tone for the fashion-forward weekend to come. The groom opted for a white Prada linen shirt, tailored slacks, and suede loafers—stylish and perfectly suited for the golden-hour gathering.
With vineyard views and summer air wrapping around the tables, it was the perfect way to begin a wedding that would blend elegance with ease.
Fashion
For the wedding day, Taylor wore the “Café de Flore” gown by J. Andreatta, sourced from Spina Bride in NYC. With intricate beading and a silhouette that felt timeless yet strikingly modern, it was a piece she had saved on Pinterest long before they were engaged. She paired it with satin slingback Loriblu heels and delicate floral drop earrings from Anthropologie.
Her beauty look, styled by Valeriya Beauty, was natural and elegant, a subtle ode to the romance of the Italian countryside. Taylor’s bouquet was organic and sculptural, featuring soft whites and olive branches that echoed the surrounding landscape.
As a planner, Taylor always emphasized fashion as a storytelling element, and for her own wedding, it was no different. She created a visual dress code for guests, guiding women to wear yellow, green, or blue to complement the design palette, and men to opt for tuxedos or chic European tailoring.
Mathieu wore a linen tuxedo from Suit Supply for the ceremony, crisp and classic with a touch of European ease.
Ceremony
Rather than choosing a traditional ceremony site on the property, the couple decided on something entirely unique — the front entrance of the villa. Framed by olive trees and warm stone, it was the first time any wedding had taken place in that exact location. Dome Florals created a sweeping floral arch that organically embraced the villa’s doorway in whites and soft greenery, allowing the Tuscan backdrop to shine.
Mathieu’s brother Richard officiated a ceremony that felt equal parts heartfelt, laid-back, and deeply personal. Since the legal wedding had already taken place in the US, this celebration allowed them to focus on connection and meaning.
Despite the soaring August heat, guests were thoughtfully cared for with scented towels, parasols, infused water, and fans — small touches that made a big difference. As Taylor and Mathieu exchanged vows, Artur at Michel Films captured the gentle breeze, the emotion in their voices, and the stillness of the moment with cinematic clarity.
"The ceremony will always be my favorite part of the wedding! Everyone in the audience played a specific role in our journey to becoming husband and wife. It felt so genuine to who we are as a couple, and we will always cherish sharing that moment with our closest friends and family."
Cocktail Hour
Following the ceremony, guests moved poolside for cocktails under umbrellas, with the hills rolling out in the distance. The atmosphere was vibrant but unhurried. Aperol spritzes and rosé glasses clinked in the golden light, conversations spilled into laughter, and music floated in the air.
The newlyweds mingled effortlessly, basking in the joy of their people all in one place — many meeting for the first time.
Decor & Setting
The design was guided by the villa itself: earthy, intimate, and surrounded by nature. Working with Erika from Array Creative Design, Taylor brought her tabletop obsession to life by starting with linens she adored from Theoni Collection. She loved them so much that she flew six suitcases full from California to Italy. The soft stripes and botanical tones tied together the tablescapes, the stationery by Ofelia Botella, and even subtle fashion details.
Beatrice from Dome Florals created arrangements that felt like an extension of the land: creamy blooms, foraged textures, and arrangements that never overpowered but always delighted. From the floral arch to the escort card table adorned in full white blooms, each setting felt like part of a bigger visual story.
Reception
With the ceremony backdrop transformed for dinner in just under an hour, the space in front of the villa became an al fresco dream. “Shoutout to the best vendor team!” added the couple. Long tables stretched across the lawn, framed by vineyard views and the fading Tuscan light.
The London Soul Section, the same band from the night of their engagement, returned to set the soundtrack. Their music flowed in between the four dinner courses, encouraging guests to get up and dance between bites. It wasn’t long before napkins were twirling in the air and the lawn became a dance floor.
The energy was unmatched: intimate, but uninhibited. No strict timelines, just celebration at its best. The couple’s first dance was met with cheers and laughter, and toasts brought happy tears.
Every moment felt fluid, joyful, and very personal. “Some people only spoke French while others only spoke English, yet we were all dancing and drinking together by the end of the weekend,” added the bride.
Pool Party
The next day, guests traded gowns and suits for bikinis and board shorts. The pool party was exactly what everyone needed: a relaxed, sun-soaked gathering with Aperol spritzes, slices of watermelon, and the Tuscan countryside as the backdrop.
Every splash, laugh, and sun-kissed smile was perfectly documented by Monika Frias and Artur at Michel Films, whose work added a storytelling layer even to the most spontaneous moments.
It was the kind of party where sunglasses stayed on all day, conversations lingered, and no one wanted it to end. Just good food, good drinks, and a warm breeze — a perfect end to a wedding weekend that never stopped being a celebration.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t stress over things that you can’t control! Our wedding weekend ended up being one of the hottest weekends of the year and I was so anxious about it. We did everything we could to help with the heat (cold scented towels, parasols, fans, water stations, etc.) but in the end, our guests were such troopers! Were we all hot and sweating? Yes, of course! But we had so much fun that no one even mentions the heat when looking back on the weekend.
VIDEOGRAPHER Michel Films | PHOTOGRAPHER Monika Frias | PLANNER & DESIGN Array Creative Design | VENUE Conti di San Bonifacio | MUAH Valeriya Beauty | FLORALS Dome Florals | DRESS J. Andreatta, River & Rose Design | SHOP Spina Bride | BAND London Soul Section | DJ Ellie Sax | LIGHTING & SOUND Alma Project | STATIONERY Ofelia Botella
