Emmalisa and Hayden's wedding at the enchanting Villa Il Palagio in Tuscany was a fairytale celebration – intimate, romantic and full of timeless elegance. Set amidst the rolling hills and historic charm of a 16th century villa, their special day was a masterpiece of love, filled with unforgettable moments. The couple exchanged vows in the villa's fragrant Italian garden, accompanied by a four-piece string quartet. As the sun dipped below the Tuscan horizon, guests moved into a stunning courtyard reception, lit by shimmering chandeliers. The ambience was warm and inviting, with classic European-style table settings adding a touch of sophisticated charm to the evening's festivities. Emmalisa was a vision of grace and beauty in a timeless A-line gown with corset top, the epitome of bridal elegance. Together, the couple created a day that seamlessly blended romance and style, all captured on video by our talented member, Paramonova Movies
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Almost 10 years ago, Hayden and I met while working at a summer camp in Muskoka, Ontario. Although we had both spent previous summers there, our paths had never crossed. We often talk about how grateful we are to have met so early in our lives and to have already experienced so much together.
The Proposal
Even though Hayden and I had been together for six years before getting engaged, his proposal was a complete surprise. We had talked about our future together and marriage, but when the moment came, I had no idea, and it felt truly surreal. It was just the two of us when he proposed, the day before our sixth anniversary. We spent the next few days with one another before returning home to celebrate with family and share the news with friends.
The Engagement Ring
Hayden had gone shopping for the ring with my sister and dad, and like the proposal, the ring was a surprise too. We’d never gone to look at rings together and I’d only made a few casual comments about ones that I thought were pretty. Knowing he took the time to choose something he knew I’d love made it feel even more special!
Our Wedding
The Vision
With my family being from Italy, I had always dreamed of getting married there. We wanted our wedding celebrations to be intimate, romantic, and memorable. The Tuscan landscape and the style of the 16th-century Villa lent perfectly to this feeling. With our guest list under 100 people, we had our closest friends and immediate family to share this special time with.
The Location
The wedding events were all hosted at Villa Il Palagio, in Tuscany. The previous year we traveled to Italy to tour venues, but after visiting Il Palagio we knew that it was special. Everything about it felt welcoming and warm – perfect for the intimate atmosphere we wanted for our celebrations. We were also drawn to this spot because our immediate family could stay on property for the duration of the celebrations and nothing felt rushed.
The Ceremony
When we first visited the villa, I fell in love with its Italian garden, and I knew I wanted this to be one of the first experiences for our guests on the wedding day. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with champagne and had the chance to wander through the gardens before the ceremony started. Hayden and I wanted our first look to be as I walked down the aisle, and we’re so glad we chose that – it turned out to be one of our favorite moments. I remember being so nervous, but the moment I saw Hayden I was just overwhelmed with happiness.
We had a four-piece string quartet for the ceremony, playing renditions of our favorite songs. Exchanging rings and sharing our personal vows was incredibly touching. Hayden’s vows were so heartfelt and moving – it was so special sharing this emotional moment with our loved ones.
Our cocktail hour followed under this beautiful oak tree that we loved so much we even had our rehearsal dinner under it nights before. While Hayden and I took photos, our guests gathered under the tree to mingle, enjoy food and have some cocktails.
The Reception
The wedding reception took place in the villa's courtyard, beautifully lit by chandeliers and string lights. We’ll always remember the moment we joined our guests for dinner, stepping into the glowing courtyard filled with all the people we love. It was everything we had hoped for – a perfect blend of warmth, elegance, and charm. We enjoyed delicious food and wine from the villa’s vineyard as we shared speeches and listened to the band. Each part of the evening flowed perfectly, with pathways through gardens and olive trees leading our guests to the next location.
After dinner, we moved to the vista point for cake, a fireworks display, and dancing that carried us into the early morning hours. Having the dance floor separate from the dinner area kept everyone up and mingling. For those needing a break, we set up couches and garden seating around the dance floor under the olive trees, creating a relaxed space to pause and take it all in.
The Special Touches
One of the most special surprises is when my dad arranged for us to have a guest singer perform during our father-daughter and mother-son dances. He even had the lyrics personalized to include our names and memories, making the moment truly unforgettable. On the morning of our wedding, Hayden and I did something special for our families – we each wrote them letters, sharing our love and gratitude. We also reserved seats in honor of our grandparents, who are no longer with us, so that they were a part of our special day.
Our Favorite Moment
The moment that felt the most surreal to us was when we first arrived at our welcome party and finally saw the faces of everyone we loved waiting for us. Hayden and I felt incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such love. Celebrating with them over those two days and having the opportunity to stay at the villa with our immediate family are memories we will treasure forever.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
When I was bridal shopping, it was important that everything I wore felt authentic to me. For the ceremony and reception, I opted for a classic Alex Perry A-line gown with a structured corset top, carrying a mini bouquet of my favorite flowers, Lily of the Valley. I completed the look with a long veil and kept my jewelry simple, wearing my everyday pieces and a necklace gifted by my parents the night before. My second dress was a vintage silk slip dress I found in Toronto just weeks before leaving for Italy. Throughout the celebration, I wore a ring that belonged to my Nonna, making me feel as if she was with me in those special moments.
The Groom Look
For both looks, Hayden aimed for a classic style. At the welcome party, he opted for a relaxed vibe with a classic blue linen jacket and tailored pants. For the wedding, he chose a streamlined black suit paired with a bow tie.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Having a clear vision of what you want is essential, along with a few non-negotiables, but it’s important to remember that some things may change along the way. For us, the most important aspect was choosing the perfect venue. It was already so beautiful that we didn’t need to do much – the property and villa truly spoke for themselves.
For On The Day
Throughout the celebrations, Hayden and I made a conscious effort to carve out moments for ourselves and intentionally reminded each other to take in every experience. Remember, it’s just one or two days, and it’s one of the most beautiful experiences you’ll share with your partner and loved ones.
For Post-Wedding
We spent one more night at the villa after the wedding, enjoying a relaxing day by the pool with our family and reminiscing about the past few days. The staff at Il Palagio were incredible, making us feel so comfortable throughout our stay. The night before we left for our honeymoon, we had a beautiful dinner overlooking the vineyard from a lookout point. It was the perfect way to wrap up the celebrations. 
Vendors
Photography: Angelika Dupuis
Videography: Paramonova Movies
Venue: Villa Il Palladio
Florist: Floralia
Cake & Catering: Guidi Lenci Catering
Celebrant: Alessia Tedone
Hair & Makeup: Alena Bezrodna
Style
Bridal Dress: Alex Perry
Bridal Boutique: White Toronto
Bridal Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Bridal Purse: Chanel
Bridal Jewelry: Tiffany & Co, Cartier
Wedding Ring: Cartier
Groom: Harry Rosen, Ferragamo
Bridesmaids: V.Chapman
