Favourite italian venues & why we love them
we love an italian wedding…
If you know us, you know that we love an Italian wedding. The rolling hills, the food, the ambiance – it’s such a magical experience. This past fall, we got to return to Italy for yet another gorgeous, over the top, take your breath away wedding and we thought it was no better time than to compile a list of our favourites, including venues we’ve had the pleasure creating and working with and resorts we got to stay at to vet for our future Lovebirds couples (maybe it could be you!). Alora, let’s begin…
La Pescaia
La Pescaia is set on a centuries old villa-farm that has been meticulously restored to offer all the amenities of modern day living while still staying true to the properties original roots. Surrounded by acres of olive trees - which are harvested seasonally to produce their organic olive oil - this resortlike property focuses on the highest quality of food offerings and first class hospitality services. The venue is home to an organic, free range farm which grows all the produce served in their on-site restaurant, as well as a horse riding school where guests can take lessons, and miles and miles of garden trails to explore.
Located in the heart of Grosetto, La Pescaia is 2hrs from the Rome airport and 1hr 52min from the Florence airport.
Accommodations:
La Pescaia accommodates 44 guests across 22 rooms, ranging from single suites to muti-room apartment style accommodations; a great option for the groups who want to stay close in proximity but still have their own space.
Amenities:
On-Site - pool (created from the ancient "pescaia" pools), restaurant, bar, bocce ball, horseback riding centre.
Off-Site - sailing (private charters available for single or multi day excursions), golf course (take advantage of their neighbour discount!), day trips to the many surrounding Tuscan towns and local wineries.
Who is this for:
The couples who are looking for a luxury level stay with none of the hassle. La Pescaia is truly a one stop shop for weddings.
Why we love it:
La Pescaia’s sprawling grounds offers multiple event locations throughout the property; from an alfresco long table seated reception set against an ancient stone villa, to a Tuscan BBQ arranged in front of beautifully refurbished horse stables, to a lush courtyard garden ceremony under a centuries old cedar tree, you’re able to curate multiple event designs without leaving the grounds. Additionally the property is meticulously run by two sisters (and you know we love a women run business); one of whom operates an organic flower farm right on the property. If florals are your thing you can’t get a more seasonal or locally grown selection than this.
Design & Planning: Lovebirds // Venue: La Pescaia // Florals: Dome Florals // Photography: Carissa Marie Photography // Custom Linens: Two Pines Event // MUA: Makeup Firenze // Catering: Guidi Lenci
La Foce
The iconic estate of La Foce is located in the sprawling hilltops of Siena. Just over 2hrs from the Rome airport and a 1hr 45min from the Florence airport.
La Foce has a long and significant history, dating back to the villa's creation in the 15th century, but its main selling point today is the famous gardens - which are open to the public on certain days but fully privatized for estate weddings and celebrations.
Accommodations:
La Foce offers several villa rental options across the property. The most popular being Villa Origo, situated directly beside the gardens and main pool, which can sleep up to 24 guests. The other villa rental options include B&B Palazzolo (sleeps 14), Belvedere Piccolo (sleeps 5), Belvedere Grande (sleeps 8), Fontalgozzo (sleeps 8) and Montauto (sleeps 10).
Amenities:
On-Site - pool (there are pools at each villa, with Belvedere Piccolo & Grande sharing one), La Foce gardens.
Off-Site - restaurant (located 5 minutes down the road), local wineries and medieval Tuscan towns.
Who is this for:
The couples who live for the drama, the luxury, and over-the-top opulence. If you’re looking for a showstopping ceremony entrance you won’t find anything better than the dual sided stone staircase leading down to the artistically hedged gardens where your guests await. There is no shortage of photo worthy backdrops at La Foce.
An added bonus is having the bragging rights of getting married at a Succession featured property (see below).
Why we love it:
La Foce is truly one of a kind. Every inch of the property has been meticulously curated and maintained to create an architectural masterpiece. It’s one of those rare venues that needs not one lick of decor and would still provide a spectacular backdrop to your wedding day.
If you’re a fan of the HBO TV show Succession (episode 8, season 3 to be exact) the famous La Foce gardens served as the set to the wedding of Lady Caroline - the mother of Kendall, Shiv and Roman Roy. As avid Succession watchers and fans we definitely had a few pinch me moments while producing our Lovebirds wedding here back in October. We can confidently confirm, the gardens and villa truly are as spectacular as they appear on tv. If you want to avoid an iconic Kendall Roy breakdown, make sure you hire us beforehand!
Design & Planning: Lovebirds // Love Story Italy // Venue: La Foce // Catering: Galateo Ricevimenti // Florals: Mainardi Fiori
Photography & Video: Paramanova // Stas Moiseev // MUA: Nikys Beauty // Hair Artistry: Ally (Frida Beauty) //
Locanda Rossa
Locanda Rossa is a restored, environmentally focused farmhouse property that spans over 50 acres and offers all the amenities you could possibly want.
Set in the hills of Maremma and surrounded by olive groves, Locanda Rossa is located 1hr 30min from the Rome airport and 2hr 30min from the Florence airport.
Accommodations:
A mixture of rooms, suites and villas sleep around 95 guests comfortably. The multiple accommodation layouts, including four 3 bedroom villas, offer plenty of options for families who prefer to stay under one roof while still having space to themselves.
Amenities:
On-Site - 3 pools (2 outdoor and one indoor), a spa, tennis court, padel court, restaurant, bar, fitness room, events centre, kids playground, jogging paths, bike rentals
Off-Site - Proximity to the sea (less than a 20 minute drive to the nearest beach club), golf courses, wine tastings & tours (can be arranged through their concierge), natural thermal springs, day trips to surrounding medieval villages and towns
Who is this for:
Couples with a higher guest count who want alllllll the amenities. This property is perfect for those who want to keep their friends and family together, while still offering privacy, a comfortable stay, and plenty of on-site activities for guests to self-entertain. If you’re wanting your destination wedding to feel less like work and more like a vacation, this one's for you.
Why we love it:
With beautifully updated and furnished buildings there isn’t one bad guest room on the property. The staff are experts in hospitality; each Locanda team member is more than willing to assist in enhancing your stay. The beautiful on-site bar and restaurant serving local and seasonal fare are top rated (which I can confirm after cancelling an off-site dinner reservation to get in one last meal at Locanda before I left during my last stay here). Locanda Rossa is truly a Tuscany hidden gem - for now!
Casa Newton
Located just outside of historic Pienza, Casa Newton is a boutique hotel combined with a winery, Fabbrica Pienza, conveniently located next door to one another. Sitting between the medieval towns of Montelcino and Montpulciano, this property is a 1hr 30min drive from the Florence airport and 2hr 20min from the Rome airport.
An original Tuscan agriturismo dating back to 1846, Casa Newton has been fully renovated by a team of world renowned architects and designers. The result is an intentionally curated home away from home, blending world class design and hospitality.
Accommodations:
Casa Newton sleeps between 40-50 guests across 9 rooms and suites and 2 private villas. With a focus on maintaining an intimate environment for guests, this venue is best suited for micro weddings and smaller guest lists.
Amenities:
On-Site - pool, restaurant, bar, gardens, winery (with tour and tasting options!), bike rentals, pasta making and cooking classes, olive oil tastings, bocce ball
Off-Site - day trips to the surrounding towns and hamlets and all their offerings.
Who is this for:
Couples who crave an intimate, 5 star experience shared with only their closest friends and family. Casa Newton is made for those who appreciate the little luxuries in life; from a welcoming committee who will personally transport your luggage from car to room, to a bartender who will whip up your favourite cocktail and hand deliver it to you while you relax on their terrace overlooking Val d’Orcia - the staff here go above and beyond every time.
Why we love it:
Casa Newton operates at the highest level of hospitality. Every staff member is incredibly pleasant, professional and attentive, curating a warm and welcoming hotel stay. The concierge is available to assist with arranging local day-trips, dinner reservations and transportation bookings. If you’re searching for a place where you and your guests will receive 5 star treatment, look no further.
Terre Di Nano
Dating back to the 19th century, Terre di Nano sits perched high on top of the rolling Val d’Orcia hills, offering breathtaking views from every angle on the property.
Centrally located in one of Italy’s protected UNESCO world heritage sites, this venue is only a 1hr 30min drive from the Florence airport, and a 2hr 25min drive from the Rome airport.
Accommodations:
This country estate can accommodate 30 guests across a mix of single, double and apartment style rooms - providing multiple options for pairings of couples, families or singles.
Amenities:
On-Site - restaurant, winery (with tastings), pool, vespa rentals, horseback riding, cooking classes, bocce
Off-Site - Visits and day trips to the surrounding Medieval towns, with a local favourite being the famous natural thermal springs at Bagno Vignoni
Who is this for:
Coupes who crave a slower paced, authentic Tuscan experience. While the villas have been renovated and are spacious and comfortable, the owners have stayed true to their roots, keeping decor and furnishings in the traditional Tuscan style. Their food and beverage program keeps with this theme; the restaurant serves only seasonal dishes made from local ingredients, and their wines are made from grapes harvested directly on the property. The 360° views of the surrounding valleys offer several locations to host your event, all with gorgeous photo backdrops.
Why we love it:
The Italian charm here is undeniable. From the adorably friendly dogs who greet every new guest arrival, to the morning breakfast spread that is noticeably homemade (in the best way possible), Terre di Nano feels more like a home than a hotel. The staff are lovely and accommodating, and knew our coffee order by the second morning (cappuccino followed by another cappuccino - duh). Their obvious care and pride for the property just made us love it more.
