An Italian villa on a hilltop, an olive grove cocktail hour, and a candlelit garden dinner made Jessica and Gaelan’s Tuscan wedding feel like a dream summer escape. Casale de Pasquinelli set the scene for an intimate celebration with 40 guests, where film photography by Emmylou Kelly, live music, and handwritten details came together in the golden Tuscan light.
Location: Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Classic, intimate, refined
Time of planning: 1,5 years
Number of guests: 10
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Jessica had a secret crush on Gaelan back in high school, but it wasn’t until college, through a few mutual friends, that they finally met. Eight years later, on her birthday, Gaelan proposed in one of their favorite parks, a quiet place they often walked through together. “It was sentimental, simple and absolutely perfect,” Jessica said.
Welcome Dinner
The day began with a quiet walk through the grounds of the villa. Jessica wore an ivory silk one-shoulder dress paired with gold hoop earrings and soft, pulled-back hair. Gaelan matched the relaxed elegance in a light beige suit and brown loafers. As they strolled past olive trees and tall cypress-lined paths, the morning felt unhurried and peaceful—just the two of them, taking in the stillness before the celebration began. There they had a private vow reading. “We kept it just between us because our vows were super personal, and we really wanted that moment to be ours alone,” the couple shared.
Later in the afternoon, guests gathered on the lawn outside the villa. White wrought-iron garden tables were scattered across the grass, with friends chatting over aperitifs as the hills turned golden in the sun. The evening continued under a curtained gazebo, where long tables were set for dinner beneath chandeliers. As the sky deepened into blue, the atmosphere turned cozy and full of joy—glasses clinked, toasts were shared, and the night unfolded with laughter, conversation, and a sense of being exactly where they were meant to be.
Bridal Morning
Jessica spent the morning getting ready inside the villa, surrounded by soft light pouring through the shuttered windows. She didn’t have a wedding party, so it was just her mom, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and future sister-in-law by her side. The energy in the room felt calm and grounding, and with only her closest women there, the morning unfolded slowly and meaningfully. “I remember feeling surprisingly relaxed,” Jessica said.
Her dress was designed by Palazzo Bridal, made to pair with a Martina Liana overskirt she had originally fallen in love with. The final look was clean, structured, and modern, with sculptural neckline lines and a fitted silhouette that transformed when she added the full detachable skirt. She wore Alexandre Birman heels and sapphire earrings gifted by her mom, and carried a petite white bouquet of sweet peas. Her makeup and low sleek bun, styled by BLBS Management, added the final timeless touch.
"There was this beautiful energy in the room—and having my family with me was so grounding and made the whole day feel even more meaningful."
Groom's Fashion
Gaelan started the morning by the pool with friends, keeping the mood easy and light before heading inside to get ready with his brother, dad, and best friend—who would also be the one to officiate. He wore a classic black shawl-collar tuxedo from J.Crew with a boutonnière of white blooms and greenery. His cufflinks were engraved with “I love you” and “I love you more”—a phrase they always shared—and he wore the Tissot watch Jessica had given him as a wedding gift. The look felt formal but personal, just like the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on a hilltop lawn with panoramic views of the Tuscan valley stretching out behind the couple. The aisle was lined with clouds of white florals—delphinium, lisianthus, and baby’s breath—that framed the natural beauty without overpowering it. Jessica wanted something timeless and unfussy, and the grounded floral design delivered exactly that. Guests sat beneath white paper parasols, the breeze gently lifting them as live harp and violin music by Giulia Ermirio played in the background.
One of Gaelan’s best friends officiated, bringing laughter and emotion to the ceremony in equal parts. The couple had saved their first look for the aisle, and Jessica walked down with her dad as Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens played—“The second I heard the music, I started crying,” she shared. The setting, the view, and the people they loved made the moment feel surreal. After exchanging vows, they kissed in front of the sweeping valley and led their guests down the steps toward cocktail hour, hand in hand.
"It was one of those moments that felt deeply emotional, and all at once."
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour took place beneath the olive trees, where guests gathered in the dappled shade sipping Aperol spritzes and Italian wines. Wicker chairs and café tables created a relaxed, rustic lounge feel, and Tastn’ Sax played live between the trees, adding rhythm and energy to the scene. Jessica and Gaelan moved through the grove hand in hand, sharing hugs, laughs, and drinks with their friends. After the emotional ceremony, the mood shifted to full joy—sunlight flickering through the leaves, clinking glasses, and music floating through the air.
"We couldn’t stop smiling, talking about the ceremony, my dress, and just how surreal it all felt—we kept saying, “Can you believe we pulled this off?"
Private Moment
After the ceremony and cocktails, Jessica and Gaelan slipped away for sunset portraits on the villa’s balcony, overlooking the Tuscan hills. The light was soft and golden, and the moment gave them space to pause and take it all in—just the two of them, wrapped in the quiet after the celebration. Emmylou Kelly captured these portraits with her signature calm and intimacy. Her film work turned the scene into something even more tender, preserving not just how the moment looked, but how it felt.
"From the start, it felt like we were working with a friend. Emmylou Kelly made us feel super comfortable all day, and we loved her candid style and dreamy film work. Some of our favorite photos from the day are the film shots—there’s just something so special about them."
Decor & Setting
For the reception, two long tables were set beneath strings of café lights and framed by cypress trees and valley views. The decor stayed true to the couple’s refined and relaxed style: white linens, gold flatware, crystal glassware, and clusters of tall taper candles in clear glass cylinders created a soft, glowing atmosphere as the sun set.
At each place setting, guests found handwritten name cards and personalized menus with tassels, all designed by the bride herself. Floral arrangements echoed the ceremony, with baby’s breath and white blooms spilling off the table ends, keeping everything cohesive and understated.
"For dinner, I always imagined a cozy, candlelit setting—and it turned out exactly how I pictured it."
Reception
As the sun dipped behind the hills, dinner began with a warm, easy energy. Guests filled the tables, passing wine, sharing stories, and pausing for heartfelt speeches that had everyone laughing and tearing up. Jessica and Gaelan sat in the middle, surrounded by their closest people, taking in each toast with hand squeezes, head tilts, and full attention. Every moment felt personal, never rushed—just a long, slow dinner with candlelight flickering between plates and glasses.
Later in the evening, the couple cut their cake—a millefoglie layered with cream and berries, dusted with powdered sugar. The cake table was surrounded by rose petals and lanterns, creating a soft golden glow around them. They kissed before the first slice, then shared bites and smiles as guests gathered around. It was one of those quiet, joyful moments that didn’t need much more than good dessert and the right people nearby.
Party
Jessica and Gaelan opened the dance floor under the gazebo, swaying together for their first dance surrounded by candlelight, hanging paper lanterns, and the glow of disco ball lights. Their connection felt quiet and close, set to a soft rhythm as guests watched with smiles. Later that evening, Jessica changed into a satin halter dress and silver platform heels, adding a playful shift in energy just as the party picked up speed.
The DJ-saxophone set kicked off the night, filling the air with rhythm and movement. Guests packed the dance floor, singing, spinning, raising glasses and phones while the disco balls flickered across the ceiling. There was a looseness in the air—jackets off, ties undone, everyone fully in the moment. Jessica and Gaelan danced with friends until late, slipping away only when it was time to leave the party behind, still hand in hand.
"It honestly turned into such a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Advice from the couple:
• Plan a wedding that truly reflects you and your partner. Focus on what feels meaningful to both of you—and let that guide everything else.
PHOTOGRAPHER Emmylou Kelly | VIDEOGRAPHERS MadeInVideo | VENUE Casale de Pasquinelli | PLANNING, FLORALS & CATERING Wedding & Co | DRESS Palazzo Bridal | MUAH BLBS Management | CEREMONY MUSIC Giulia Ermirio | RECEPTION MUSIC Tastn’ Sax
