A Very Chic Destination Wedding in Florence, Tuscany – Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda, Artimino
We often say you can’t plan your wedding around the weather – and even in sunny Florence, Tuscany this nugget of wedding wisdom still rings true! Luckily when the rain began to fall on Hasitha and Suranee’s ceremony set up in the stunning landscaped gardens of the Villa la Ferdinanda, their wedding planner Elena Naldi had everything under control. The Sri Lankan born bride and groom married in the first Buddhist ceremony to be held in the villa, and on the first ever poruwa (‘altar’ or ‘stage’) to be built in Florence. The bride wore a traditional gold and white sari for the ceremony, with all the beautiful intricate accessories that go with it, and transformed into a chic city bride for the reception in a beautiful and understated Giorgio Armani gown. The groom looked stylish and hansome in a bespoke two piece black suit handmade in Florence. We swooned at photos of the bride and groom walking hand in hand the rain-soaked streets of historical Florence and we’re delighted to be able to share this stunning destination wedding in Italy with you all today.
“The reception was relaxed and simply Tuscan. With such beautiful surroundings, so much history and mystique, there was no need for anything more.”
Length of Engagement: 11 months | Wedding date: 7th March 2013
Wedding location: Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda – www.artimino.com
Wedding Planner: Elena Naldi, Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda, Artimino
Our wedding theme… We had a traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist ceremony, followed by an Italian civil service. We used neutral colours, white florals from the villa’s affiliated florist, and olive leaves (that the bridal party gathered the day before, from the surrounding area!). The reception was relaxed and simply Tuscan. With such beautiful surroundings, so much history and mystique, there was no need for anything more.
My ceremony dress… The saris for the bridal party were all found and created by an amazingly talented family friend in Sri Lanka.
“We had planned to have the ceremony outside, on the beautiful lawn in front of the villa. But the wet weather meant moving it indoors.”
Our ceremony… Our ceremony was quite unique – the first Sri Lankan Buddhist wedding held at the Villa, and also was the first time a poruwa (the wedding ‘stage’ used in a traditional ceremony) was built in Florence. We had planned to have the ceremony outside, on the beautiful lawn in front of the villa. But the wet weather meant moving it indoors. The beautiful hall with its tapestries and windows, decorated with candles, flowers and olive leaves gave it a Tuscan touch, even indoors.
Our favourite part of the wedding day… It’s hard to pick a favourite part, but we truly loved the Italian civil service. The officiant from Carmignano was so thoughtful and genuine. He made all of us feel connected and despite the language difference, he even recited a poem that everyone found so touching. It was lovely.
Our stay in Tuscany… The hotel was so accommodating to our guests. Everyone had a relaxed and comfortable stay, which was one of the things we really wanted to ensure. We had a mixture of bookings in the hotel and the apartments, and there were all kinds of last minute requests but everything ran smoothly.
Our reception… We had open bar at our reception which was great. Everyone was so relaxed and really got into the music once the open bar began. And once the reception finished up, we all walked across and had an after-party in our apartment. It was such a happy night for us – we didn’t want it to end!
My advice to brides planning a destination wedding… When it comes to a wedding, you need all the help you can get! We organised ours whilst travelling across Europe, so we had a lot on our plate. The team at Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda were fantastic and really made a difference. They were on top of it all – sending us detailed emails, lists and reminders of what needs to happen and when. It made it easy for us to handle all the little things that had to get done.
We had heard horror stories about how difficult it was for foreigners to have a legal marriage in Italy, but with Elena’s help, we knew what was required and how to get it done. She also arranged the translator, appointments with the Town Hall and handled the payment paperwork for us.
Which just goes to show, with the right kind of team on your side, anything can be done!
“We had heard horror stories about how difficult it was for foreigners to have a legal marriage in Italy, but with Elena’s help, we knew what was required and how to get it done.”
Wedding Vendors
Wedding Planner: Elena Naldi, Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda, Artimino
Reception Venue: Villa La Ferdinanda – Artimino – Tuscany
Accomodation: Artimino Resort – Hotel Paggeria Medicea
Photographer: White Fashion Wedding Photographer
Videographer: Riflessi Films – Vito D’agostino
Flowers: Il Bouquet – Alba Cinotti
Make up and hair style: Valentina – Metamorphosys
Music: Piero Dj