How it works
“How do we plan a wedding in a country we don’t live in?” You don’t have to live here. I do.
Wherever you are
From your couch to the aisle, step by step
i.It starts with a call
A relaxed video call, no commitment. Tell me what you’re picturing: the kind of celebration, how many guests, what matters most, and the budget you’re working with.
Ask me anything, too. It’s how you find out how I work, and whether we’re a good match.
ii.Find the place together
There’s no catalog of venues to pick from. We start from what you care about: a view, privacy, old-world elegance, centuries of history, a villa in the countryside, a castle, somewhere the dog is welcome too.
Some of the best venues in Tuscany aren’t the famous ones. I research the options, tell you honestly what each one can and can’t do, and help you weigh them against your style, your priorities and your budget.
iii.How things work here
A wedding in Italy is more than a venue and a list of vendors. Local rules, venue restrictions, a different way of doing business, logistics: plenty of it isn’t obvious when you’re planning from the States.
I’ll walk you through how things work here and what to expect from Italian vendors. If you want your marriage legally recognized, I can guide you through the requirements and the paperwork, and point you to the right professionals or offices when it’s their turn.
iv.Vendors, and a common language
Catering, photography, flowers, music, hair and makeup: I’ll help you find people who fit your style, your priorities and your budget.
Not every vendor here speaks fluent English. Some are completely at ease, some need a hand. I’m your main point of contact: I make sure your ideas come across, explain every proposal, sort out the details, and keep everyone on the same page from start to finish.
v.Plan from home, visit if you like
You don’t need to fly to Italy over and over. We talk ideas through, review proposals and decide together, and I put together a detailed wedding plan (design proposals, setup layouts, logistics) so you can picture the day long before it arrives, even from thousands of miles away.
Some couples come over during the planning, and we visit venues and meet vendors together. Others land the week of the wedding. Either way works: I plan as if you won’t come, and I’m happy when you do.
vi.The big day
After all those months, this is the part where you get to enjoy it. My team and I take care of the setup, the vendors, the timeline and your guests, and handle whatever comes up along the way.
Your job that day? Be there, take it all in, and feel every bit of it.
Good to know
What every couple wants to know
Can we legally marry in Italy if we’re not Italian?
Yes. Foreign couples can marry legally in Italy with a civil ceremony or, in some cases, a religious ceremony that’s also legally recognized. Or you can choose a symbolic ceremony, which skips the legal paperwork: plenty of couples make it official at home and celebrate in Tuscany.
For a legally binding marriage, the documents and steps depend on your citizenship and your situation. I’ll explain the general requirements and point you to the right offices or professionals for the paperwork that applies to you.
How far ahead should we start?
Twelve to eighteen months is the sweet spot: enough time to explore venues, find the right vendors and plan without rushing, especially for the busy months of June, July and September.
That said, I’ve pulled off wonderful weddings in three months. Really.
A lot depends on how flexible you are, how many guests you’re inviting, and what’s still available. So if your date is sooner than you’d like, reach out anyway and we’ll see what’s realistic.
When’s the best time of year?
May, June and September are the favorites: usually mild weather, and the countryside at its best.
July and August can get really hot, so I usually suggest an outdoor ceremony late in the afternoon. April and October have their own charm, cooler days, and often more flexibility from venues and vendors.
Prices change with the season too: some venues and hotels charge different rates depending on the month.
And keep in mind that a destination wedding is rarely just one day. Many couples and their guests stay several days, exploring the countryside and nearby towns or planning things to do together, and the warmer months make it easy to turn the trip into a real vacation.
There’s no perfect month for everyone. It depends on the celebration you have in mind, your budget, your guests, and what you’d like to share with them.
Do we need to visit before the wedding?
Not necessarily. Almost everything can be handled remotely: video calls, email, messages and detailed planning documents.
That said, a trip to Tuscany before the wedding can be a highlight. You see the venue in person, do the menu tasting, and have your hair and makeup trial. Those are the usual reasons couples come over, and some of the most fun parts of planning.
A hair and makeup trial is always a good idea if you can manage it. If not, we send your beauty team detailed references and preferences ahead of time.
And if the trip just isn’t possible, that’s fine. Part of my job is being your eyes on the ground in Italy, working with people I trust and helping you feel sure of every decision from thousands of miles away.
Coming over first is an option, not a requirement. Distance should never make you anxious about your wedding.
What does a wedding in Tuscany cost?
There’s no one number, because no two weddings are alike. The guest count, the venue, the season, the vendors and the experience you want all shape the total.
And the obvious line items aren’t the whole story: furniture rentals, lighting, transportation, extra staff, accommodations and the venue’s own requirements can change the budget a lot.
That’s why I like to talk about budget from day one. It’s not only how much you spend, but where it goes. I’ll help you see what’s realistic, make informed choices and put the money where it matters to you, so you always know what you’re paying for.
And if your wish list and your budget don’t line up, I’ll tell you up front rather than let you fall for something that isn’t realistic.
Will everyone speak English?
Not always, and that’s normal with local vendors in Italy.
Some are fluent, some less so, and some prefer Italian. None of that makes them any less excellent at what they do.
I’m your main point of contact: I help you get your ideas across, understand proposals, clear up details and avoid misunderstandings.
What matters is that you feel free to ask anything and know exactly what you’re agreeing to, whatever language your vendors speak.
What if it rains?
I wish I had a crystal ball. We can watch the forecast and the seasonal patterns, but no one can promise sunshine.
Between June and September a full day of steady rain is less common in Tuscany, though the weather can always surprise us.
That’s why I recommend picking a venue with a real Plan B from the start, and not just a room to move dinner into: the ceremony, the cocktail hour and every other part of the day need one too.
A gorgeous outdoor venue isn’t the right one if its indoor options don’t work for your wedding. That’s something to check before you sign, not the week of.
Once the backup plan is set, you know what happens if the weather turns, and so do your vendors. No last-minute guesswork.
And honestly? Rain doesn’t have to ruin a wedding. With some flexibility, good organization and the right attitude, the unplanned moments often become the ones everyone remembers.
The goal isn’t to control the weather. It’s to be ready for it, so you enjoy your day no matter what.
Can we choose our own vendors?
Of course. I don’t have a fixed list you have to pick from.
Over the years I’ve gotten to know many talented professionals, and I’m happy to recommend the ones whose work, approach and prices fit your wedding.
But if you’ve already found a photographer you love, a florist, or anyone else you want on board, that’s great too. Same with the venue: if you’ve already booked it, you can still bring me in to plan the rest.
What matters to me is the right team for you, not just the people I already know. I’ll help you compare options, read proposals and make sure everyone works well together.
Venue coordinator, wedding coordinator, wedding planner: what’s the difference?
It’s one of the most common questions, and the roles do overlap, which makes it confusing.
A venue coordinator works for the venue. Their job is everything to do with the property, its facilities and the services in your venue contract. They’re a key part of the team on the venue’s side, but they answer to the venue, not only to you.
A wedding coordinator usually comes in close to the date, once you’ve planned the celebration and booked your vendors. They pull it all together: a detailed timeline, the professionals coordinated, the day itself run, so you can relax instead of managing it.
A wedding planner is with you for the whole process: finding the venue and vendors, developing the design, handling logistics and details, and running the wedding day.
In short: the venue coordinator takes care of the venue, the wedding coordinator brings your plans together, and the wedding planner builds the whole celebration with you from the start.
Exactly what each one covers depends on the person and the services included.
Can you help with hotels and transportation for our guests?
Yes. With a destination wedding, the way your guests experience the trip is part of the celebration.
I can help you look at places to stay, whether you’d like everyone at the venue or would rather suggest hotels, villas and rentals nearby.
I can also help organize getting around, from airport transfers to shuttles between the hotels and the venue. In the Tuscan countryside that matters: without a car, getting anywhere isn’t always easy.
We’ll figure out what makes sense for your venue, your guests and your budget. You don’t have to book and pay for everyone’s room and ride, but it pays to think about these details early.
Let’s begin
Tell me about your wedding
Your date, a rough guest count and a budget are all I need to get started. You’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
