Location: Tuscany, Italy
Setting: Wine Resort
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 115
How long did the couple plan the event: 1,5 years
Wedding theme/style: Effortless and ethereal outdoor wedding.
Evan and Stephanie, a Canadian tech couple who met at a Toronto bar, relocated to London in 2018 to dive into the international market. After several unsuccessful proposal attempts disrupted by Covid, Evan finally proposed at the iconic Tower Bridge in London. After years abroad during Covid, their ultimate wedding wish was to unite all their loved ones in Italy for an unforgettable weekend with great food, wine, and perfect weather.
The couple created a memorable wedding weekend for their family and friends: “We stayed at the venue with our wedding party and close family for four days, which made the experience very intimate. We kicked off the weekend with welcome drinks at a Polo Club down the street, followed by a sunset rehearsal dinner on the terrace at Villa La Selva. Saturday morning started with yoga for the girls and tennis for the boys on site, followed by the main events. And, the evening before, we had a sing-along with the entire crew at the grand piano, where my husband’s dad played for us well into the evening.”
When it came to her wedding day look, Stephanie wanted something that would feel effortless but was also fitted and romantic. She shares: “I’m generally indecisive so finding a dress wasn’t easy. In fact, I never really had the “this is my dress moment,” but I did gravitate towards Australian designers. Made with Love’s Elsie checked every single box! It was a dream come true wearing this dress in the Tuscan countryside. The detachable bows will forever be my favorite fashion accessory.”
Evan shared his wedding morning with family and friends. He looked sophisticated in his dark suit paired with a bow tie.
Stephanie and Evan exchanged vows in a picturesque Italian garden surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, with their loved ones by their side. The couple also included traditional Italian elements in their wedding, including having a celebrant from the local town of Bucine conduct the ceremony in Italian with an English translator. It was a magical moment for them in their dream wedding location in Tuscany.
The newlyweds were delighted to have their loved ones celebrating with them. They wanted everything about their wedding to feel effortless and for guests to be transported to a magical place.
The vibe of the whole wedding was effortless and ethereal. Stephanie and Evan drew much inspiration for the wedding from the landscape surrounding the venue. They didn’t want to compete too much with the venue’s natural beauty: “We mixed some traditional and rustic pieces such as wine barrels and woods, with some elevated glam like peonies, lace, and twinkling lights to make everything feel very romantic but not too overdone. For this reason, we also chose soft-toned florals and lots of greenery.”
The couple placed a lot of importance on choosing their vendors for their romantic wedding in Tuscany. Finding the perfect photographer to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the wedding and the entire weekend was a top priority for them. They chose Paulina Weddings, who not only met but exceeded all their expectations. With her professional approach, she beautifully documented the magical outdoor winery wedding in the heart of Tuscany, the delightful rehearsal dinner filled with fun moments, every detail during the celebration, and, most importantly, the love and adoration between Stephanie and Evan.
The celebration was truly memorable for the newlyweds and their guests who shared that the day was special because it reflected their authentic selves as a couple. Tuscany was chosen for couple’s Italian roots, with every wedding decision made aligning with their values. They prioritized the menu due to their love of good food and wine and crafted a playlist specifically to each part of the wedding, reflecting the groom’s musical talents.
The lovebirds and their guests were also amazed by the cake experience: “We chose a traditional Millefoglie cake but with a spin! Instead of having the cake pre-made, the caterers made it in front of our guests as everyone was enjoying champagne and espresso. They even let the bride & groom and our parents put some crema on the cake ourselves! It was such a fun and magical experience for us and our guests!”
The celebration lasted until the early morning, and Stephanie shared: “I can even say that I saw the sunrise on my wedding day!” The wedding weekend was exceptionally memorable for the newlyweds and their loved ones, creating lasting memories for all.
Advice from couple:
• With COVID hiccups and a language barrier, while planning our wedding, the only advice we can really give couples is to have a vision but not to be afraid if things don’t go 100% to plan. At the end of the day, if your favorite people are all together, things will still be perfect no matter what!
PHOTOGRAPHY Paulina Weddings | VIDEOGRAPHY 4events | VENUE Villa La Selva | FLORAL DESIGN Flowersliving | MUAH Lara Navarrini | BRIDAL DRESS Made With Love Bridal | SHOES Jimmy Choo | MUSIC Love Beats Band
