A multi-day wedding set amongst the poetic olive groves and historic Florentine streets of Tuscany. Carla and Roman's sumptuous event at the organic Villa Petriolo estate, where lush gardens and breathtaking interiors combine natural elegance with understated sophistication. A color palette of whites and pastels, ceramic and crystal embellishments and simple yet elegant tableware became a unified symphony for the couple's Italian love story. The bride in her bespoke designer gown dazzled with her glamor, and the reception's unmistakably classic European decor created a unique atmosphere, culminating in dramatic fireworks and dancing all night. Find out the details of organizing a wedding in Tuscany and get exquisite inspiration with photos from our members, 515 Photo Co.
Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?
Roman and I met when we were about 19–20 years old through mutual friends. We would see each other at gatherings with friends and hang out in group settings. However, our timing never really aligned to enter into a relationship with each other until the spring of 2020, when Roman reached out to me to go for a drink. Within 4 months, we were living with each other, and within a year of that, we were engaged. Roman has worked as a police officer for Peel Region for over 10 years now, and I work in sales within the IT industry. We both absolutely love to be social and spend time with friends and family; I will say Roman perhaps a bit more than me, as I still love my self-quality time. However, I would say we are both extroverts and love to have a good time. We absolutely love to travel; Roman has visited over 45 countries alone. We love to have experiences together, whether that is locally here in Toronto, traveling to some of our favorite destinations in Europe, or discovering a new city or country together.
Can you share your engagement story?
Our engagement came as a complete surprise to me. It happened on the day of my 30th birthday, so everything Roman had planned, I just figured we aligned to the milestone birthday I was celebrating. It happened in September 2021, during one of our trips to Italy. We were in Positano, and I was aware Roman had rented a private boat with our own skipper for the day to sail around the Amalfi Coast. Once we got onto the boat the morning of September 1, 2021, we were one of the few boats left in the ever-popular and scenic Positano port, and in my true photography fashion self, I wanted a photo of myself on the edge of the boat with the scenic background. As soon as I turned back around to see if he was taking my photos, it took me a minute to realize he was on one knee with a box in his hand. I was in complete shock. Roman had also had our drone in the sky already and had been working with the skipped for months, so the whole proposal was on camera. It was truly so magical, and a day and feeling I will never forget. We spent the rest of the day sailing around the Amalfi Coast, sipping champagne and stopping to swim in the crystal-blue, clear waters of the sea.
Did you have any pre-wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower?
In lieu of a traditional bridal shower, we opted to host a pre-wedding celebration that both of us could enjoy with all our friends and family. We welcomed over 150 guests to Nodo in Liberty Village in Toronto, where we rented the entire space for the event. This celebration was particularly special as it allowed us to include guests who were unable to attend our wedding in Italy. Held about a month before the wedding in August 2023, the event featured an open bar, a DJ, and an array of immaculately prepared food that everyone loved. We decorated the space with bud vases and linens on the dining tables with fresh florals and elements that complemented Nodo Liberty Village's existing Italian-inspired decor. The venue was perfect for our gathering, playing into our Italian theme and providing fantastic staff to assist with coordination, as well as amazing food and drinks. We also had a separate Aperol Spritz bar, which was a hit with all our guests.
Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?
Our wedding venue was an organic villa estate located in the heart of the Tuscany region, called Villa Petriolo. We chose this venue as it aligned very closely with the main non-negotiable we desired for our wedding day: an opportunity for friends and family to spend time together exclusively and create an experience not only for ourselves, but for all of our guests that would be unforgettable. Roman and I have always had the desire since we got engaged to have our wedding in Italy, and choosing the region at first was challenging given all the beauty Italy has to offer across the country; however, with the Tuscan region, its proximity to one of our favorite cities, Florence, and the natural beauty that is offered, it was an easy choice. The romantic atmosphere Villa Petriolo provides with its lush gardens, stunning interiors and elegant rooms was another top reason we chose this venue specifically. It also provided us with an exclusive and intimate setting to celebrate all of our events in a private and serene setting. Combining this with the natural beauty of over 200 archers and their historical charm was the icing on the cake. It provided an amazing setting for our photos and videos, which was very important to us as well. The commitment Villa Petriolo provided to all of our wedding events was beyond our expectations, and we are so grateful for all the staff and event planners.
What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?
Once we decided on the venue for our wedding, it was quite simple to decide and align on a vision and concept behind our wedding. Through thoughtful conversations with our photographer, Mike Caringi of 515 Photography, we would absolutely say is a dear friend to us both now, we were able to outline and design a beautiful weekend. Playing on the stunning background Villa Petriolo offered, we wanted to achieve a harmonious blend of natural elegance and understated sophistication. Embracing the venue’s inherent beauty, the concept focuses on enhancing, rather than overshadowing, its natural charm. Utilizing whites, creams and pastel hues for colors of our florals, table linens and decor. Our floral arrangements all used seasonal flowers and greenery native to the Tuscan region to create an organic feel while still being minimalist.
Our table settings incorporate materials like linen, burlap, and wood. Linen tablecloths in soft whites, wooden tables, and chairs add to the organic feel. We also used delicate, understated tableware – ceramic plates, crystal glasses, and simple yet elegant flatware. Our lighting for the evening of the welcome dinner was soft, warm string lights to provide an intimate setting for us to dance the night away. On the night of our wedding, it was very important to me that our dinner was held under only candle lights between the cypress trees, which gave such a romantic and cozy feeling to the gathering. All of these concepts also played into our attire for the weekend for both Roman and me, as we wanted to provoke timeless elegance in the Italian countryside.
For our ceremony, having a live string duo perform classic Italian Catholic Church music was very important to bring ambiance to the ceremony. Given the natural beauty of the ancient Florence church, we did not decorate the church at all, outside of two large floral arrangements at the altar that were stunning and used all the florals in the tones we then brought back into the reception at Villa Petriolo.
How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?
Our planning process began just over a year before our wedding date, and we did encounter what would look like a major setback. We were originally booked and set to get married on Lake Como. Unfortunately, our Lake Como venue did not do that for us. With the guidance and help of our planner, Mariana from Distinctive Italy Weddings, we were able to pivot and find our new location of Villa Petriolo in Tuscany. Although at first this was nerve-racking as we had complexity pivoted regions and locations of our wedding, working with our full team at Villa Petriolo, we instantly knew we had made the right choice. With less than 9 months now to plan the wedding at our new location, we definitely had feelings of stress and anxiety throughout the process. Ultimately, everything worked out better than we could ever expect at the end, and we are so grateful to everyone who helped us throughout the process and our friends and family for trusting us when we shocked them with this change of plans!
How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?
We had a total of 70 guests at the wedding. On our wedding day, we always envisioned a long imperial table setting where we, as a couple, could sit together with all of our guests. Villa Petriolo provided the perfect backdrop for this vision. We had one long harvest table set up amidst the beautifully lined property, surrounded by towering cypress trees. The tablescape was truly enchanting. Each guest had a personalized menu thoughtfully designed by my sister-in-law, adding a special touch to the dining experience. The table was adorned with a variety of different florals in a neutral color palette, creating a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere. The entire setting was illuminated by candlelight, providing a warm and romantic ambiance for our celebration.
Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?
I had many outfits for my wedding weekend in Tuscany — some might say too many — but as a fashion lover, I was thrilled to shop for bridal attire. My inspiration while choosing pieces was always to maintain a classic and timeless mindset, ensuring I would feel elegant and still love my photos 20 years from now. Though it was challenging to narrow down my options, given my passion for fashion, I am ultimately very happy with my choices. For our welcome dinner, I wore the Cassia Dress by designer V. Chapman. The moment I saw it, I fell in love. It perfectly encapsulated the look I wanted to achieve, incorporating lace, which I adore. Since I chose not to wear a lace wedding gown, I made sure to include this element in my bridal wardrobe. The dress fit beautifully and complemented our Tuscan-inspired wedding perfectly. To add a personal touch, I paired it with pearl and diamond earrings and a matching necklace that belonged to my late grandmother, making the look even more special. On the wedding day, I began with a handmade lace gown from a Ukrainian designer I discovered on Etsy, paired with a silk and lace lingerie set from a local Italian boutique. My main wedding dress, sourced from Superior Bridal in Toronto, was by Eva Lendel. Knowing my husband is Ukrainian and that Eva Lendel and her WONA concept line are Ukrainian, it felt like the perfect choice. The dress was a custom piece, combining the bust and top of one design with the skirt of another. It turned out beautifully, thanks to the wonderful team at Superior Bridal. I completed my look with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewelry from my mother, along with timeless pieces I owned. A simple cathedral veil added a touch of drama while keeping the focus on the dress, maintaining a classic and elegant vibe. For the reception, I changed into a simple and elegant maxi-length silk dress by House of CB. This look was fun and stylish, complemented by sheer pearl sleeves, making it perfect for our dinner and party.
What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?
Our first dance song was a cover by Hailey Reinhart of "Can’t Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley. We love the message of the song g, and this cover specifically really enticed us. We did have some loose choreography planned out for this song (that I must admit a few YouTube tutorials were watched for) but when the song started, it went all out the window and we just danced.
Did you have any special performances or entertainment?
For our wedding day, our ceramony at church was accompanied by live music from a harpist and singer, playing traditional ceremonial songs including "Ave Maria," "Mozart Ave Verum" and "Hallelujah." On our wedding night following dinner, we had music from DJ Magherita who was absolutely fantastic, playing hits from Roman and Is's favorite artists and songs, as well as music that everyone, regardless of age, including our guests, enjoyed. Everyone was dancing all night until after 2 a.m. The beautiful and another reason why the setting of Villa Petriolo was perfect was that we could play music as long and loud as we wanted all night long! In addition to DJ Magherita, we also had Dido Sax, a live saxophonist who played in conjunction with our DJ. A very cool and unique element to our wedding as well was that prior to the reception dancing and drinking starting, we brought everyone to the dance floor, and Roman and I helped make our traditional MilleFoglie wedding cake in front of everyone. It was such a cool experience, and it was all topped with a beautiful fireworks show that was put on by Villa Petriolo. In true Italian fashion, there was a "late night" pasta passed around at midnight that was such a fun treat. As a gift, each of our guests went home with organically produced bottles of olive oil that were made onsite at Villa Petriolo.
What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?
I will never forget the moment of my walk into the church, where it was just me and my father in the middle of a piazza in Florence, filled with tourists starting at me and taking photos. My walk-up to the stunning church through the piazza on my father’s arm and the doors of the church opening to us walking down were truly so special. Seeing Roman at the end of the aisle brought me to tears, and that is a feeling I have never experienced before.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
I would say that 515 Photo Co. is more than a vendor; it is truly a team of kind, thoughtful and caring individuals. Through Mike's guidance and assistance and truly caring for Roman and me, I do not believe we would have come close to executing and presenting the wedding that we did. He was an amazing resource who not only focused on photography but also made himself available to discuss any and all aspects of the wedding. We had numerous calls about the wedding, where he guided us and provided thoughtful and different perspectives. We are forever grateful to Mike and the full team; they are the best of the best, and their quality of work is truly unmatched. From guiding us prior to our wedding to providing advice to coordinate us on our wedding weekend, we are forever grateful to Mike and the full team.
What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?
Go with your gut and trust your instincts! If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. This applies to everything from choosing the venue to selecting vendors. Schedule a call or meet with each vendor. Speak with them, and get to know them as people. This will tell you if they’re the right choice for you. Put your wants first. While it’s important to consider our guests throughout the planning process, it was important for us to come back as this is our special day. Make decisions based on what will make you happy and create the wedding you envision. Everyone will have an opinion, so do not be worried about making "unconventional" decisions. This is your day, and this is your vision. The budget is a real thing, but make sure you maintain room for entertainment. Having that live music performance, the flair bartender, a dance act or whatever you guys enjoy really spices up a party and provides a special and fun memory for everyone.
Were there national/religious traditions at your wedding and how did you implement them?
We wanted to honor our tradition by holding our ceremony in a Catholic Church. Chiesa di San Felippe Neri, located in the heart of Florence, was our chosen church. While Villa Petriolo would have provided a beautiful setting for our ceremony, it was important to us that our commitment to each other be recognized by the Catholic Church, in alignment with our values, culture, and religion. We arranged transportation for our guests from the villa to the church in Florence, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Photographer: 515 Photo Co.
Ceremony Venue: Chiesa Di San Filippo Neri
Reception Venue & Catering: Villa Petriolo
Wedding Planners: Distinctive Italy Weddings
Videographer: Aberrazioni Cromatiche Studio S.N.C.
Florals, Stationary and Decor: Fiore all'Occhiello
Bride's Dress: Wona Concept by Eva Lendel
Brides Welcome Dinner Dress: V Chapman Studio
Bridal Shop: Superior Bridal
Groom's Suit and Groomsmen Attire: Armatura Bespoke
Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie
Welcome Dinner Band: The Tuscany Folk Band
Wedding Day Reception: DJ Margherita
Wedding Day Reception: Dido Sax
Vintage Car: Slowhills Vintage Cars
Brides Hair and Makeup: Jen Hathaway
