Destination Wedding in Florence

Everything in this inspirational wedding shoot is divine – from the lovely couple to the incredible wedding reception table setting. And how could a destination wedding in Florence be anything but?

Let the images taken at Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence inspire you when creating your wedding magic, no matter where your nuptials will take place.

Details for a Destination Wedding in Florence

Florence, Italy is known for its breathtaking views, and hosting a destination wedding in Florence is the ultimate romance for the big day. Florence is rife with beautiful villas (many of which make awesome wedding venues). Adding to that, Florence is filled with a rich cultural history and picturesque architecture. Of course, good food and fine wine are also a major part of visiting this historic city!

Whether you plan to fly your guests out for the ceremony or you enjoy a multi-day cruise, hosting a destination wedding in Florence, Italy is sure to make your nuptials memorable for everyone involved.

What to Look for in a Venue for a Destination Wedding in Florence

Villas aren’t the only venues available to host a destination wedding in Florence, but they are plentiful. Plus, they add a bit of Old World charm to the wedding day. Some villas offer simplistic architecture with beautiful garden settings. They are perfect for a small wedding party or larger events that involve multiple guests. Most of them overlook the sea and offer brides a wedding venue that is simply unforgettable.

Considering a venue that is even more historic? Florence, Italy also offers a few castles as wedding venues. Like the villas, there are areas on the grounds for both an inside or an outdoor ceremony.

Food for a Destination Wedding in Florence

For a Florence, Italy destination wedding, local Italian food at the reception is a must. Italy is a country known for producing tasty, healthy food year-round, especially wines, cheeses, and vegetables.

Begin the reception meal with the Aperitif, which is like a cocktail hour. Guests will be able to mingle and enjoy hot and cold appetizers; you might want to offer food stations rather than have waiters serve guests. One great idea is a mozzarella bar, where bufala mozzarella or Fiordilatte cheese is offered.

The first course always consists of a pasta dish such as risotto or ravioli. Next, the main course is served, and lamb, beef, or pork is the main dish. Finally, desserts will be presented.

Budget for a Destination Wedding in Florence

Crafting one’s budget for the destination wedding in Florence means gathering multiple options for getting guests to the ceremony, and deciding what is the most important to the bride and groom.

Many venues will work with the couple to provide a package for the destination wedding. This could include travel expenses as well as accommodations in addition to the cost of the venue itself. Always be sure to inquire with venue representatives about what is included in the price of rental – it can save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Some couples invite close family and friends, and they may provide travel in the form of a multi-day cruise or they fly the invited guests to the destination location.

Wedding Dresses and Accessories for a Destination Wedding in Florence

When first choosing your wedding attire, consider the time of year you plan to wed. Florence, Italy has temperate weather much of the year, which is why the area is so conducive to growing produce. However, there are times when the weather is hot and humid.

You can choose a long, sleeveless dress and sandals for the big day if the weather promises to be warm, or a long, flowy dress for the hotter months. Because of the landscape of Florence and the abundance of fresh flowers,you may choose to decorate your hair with flowers rather than a veil or a bridal tiara.

Menswear for a Destination Wedding in Florence

Certainly, the groom will want to consider the weather when choosing his outfit for the big day. His groomsmen will also want to wear an outfit that isn’t too heavy and allows for breathable material on hot and humid Italian days.

Some grooms and their attendants will wear a formal suit vest and pants with an optional tie. Consider choosing a suit in light colours, such as tan or beige. Furthermore, fabrics such as linen are often much easier to wear when the weather is hot and humid. Linens look dressy without being heavy, plus they allow the skin to breathe.

Bouquets and Boutonnieres for a Destination Wedding in Florence

When considering a destination wedding in Florence, Italy, be sure to check out the numerous florists who are happy to assist with your big day. Florence is home not only to beautiful vineyards and breathtaking seaside villas, but it is also the perfect place to find fresh flowers for destination weddings.

Most Italian weddings offer certain flowers during certain times of the year. During the cooler months, the amaryllis and the calla lily as well as the dahlia are all perfect flowers for a destination wedding in Florence bridal bouquet. The rest of the year, bouquets and boutonnieres for a destination wedding in Florence may range from cherry blossoms, anemones, lilies, and orchids.

Wedding Invitations for a Destination Wedding in Florence

The outside of the your Florence wedding invitation may depict one of the villas in the city, or you can choose to highlight something else associated with the area, such as the many vineyards. You’ll want to include an RSVP card and the traditional ceremony invitation.

However, with a destination wedding, you’ll need a few extra cards to include. An insert card should offer extra information your guests need for the trip, including hotel options (or whether you’re providing accommodations), venue maps, and the time, date, and location of the nuptials and reception. Invitations for a destination wedding should be sent at least three months in advance so that guests can make arrangements to be there.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Destination Wedding in Florence

The traditional wedding cake of Italy is called a millefoglie. This is a special kind of pastry that actually originated with the French. The millefoglie is one tier, and it is made of smaller layers of flaky, crispy pastry. This is covered with whipped cream icing. Many times the pastry has alternating layers of chocolate, lemon curd, and fresh berries between the layers of the cake.

Although you may really want to get into the spirit of Florence and Italy, keep in mind that this cake is a little more difficult to cut than other types of cake. Another type of Italian wedding cake is Crostata di Frutta. This is a fruit tart, and it is covered in fresh, seasonal fruits.

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for a Destination Wedding in Florence

The weather in Florence, Italy is beautiful most any time of year due to the temperate weather. Fortunately, if you are looking for an outdoor wedding ceremony, you won’t have to look far, nor will you need to do much in the way of decor!

Smaller ceremonies might take place on a restaurant rooftop, and there are many venues that cater to just this type of wedding. In fact, the ceremony and reception can take place all in one location. Use the garden area of a rented villa as an outside wedding ceremonial area. Once again, you’ll need little in the way of decor as Mother Nature is already your decorator.

Destination Wedding Inspiration in Florence

With a certain something that only Florence, Italy can provide, today’s wedding, editorial from Matthew Ree Photography is simply dripping with beauty. Before you look though be sure you’ve seen part one of this two-part editorial here… the engagement!

I love how these wedding pros let the beauty of their venue and the city shine through everything they created. The bride looks absolutely breathtaking and there’s an air of romance that is strung throughout – from the way it’s all beautifully photographed to the gorgeous colour palette.

Credits: Photography: Matthew Ree // Event Planning: Eventi Gaia Di Gaia Cinotti // Floral Design: Jardin Divers // Wedding Dress: Atelier Aimee Florence // Catering: Federico Salza // Hair & Makeup: Consuelo Cardella // Venue: Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence, Italy.