An intimate Tuscan villa was the perfect location for Ashley and Saurab to say I Do in a multi-day, multicultural celebration that blended Italian and Indian wedding style! Destination wedding planner The Tuscan Wedding helped the Chicago-based couple plan their wedding from a distance, selecting a stunning villa venue with a view of Florence that made for amazing wedding photos by Purewhite Photography! They made the most of their wedding weekend with events and celebrations that their guests would never forget!
While Ashley and Saurab knew they wanted a destination wedding to celebrate with family and friends over a long weekend, they weren’t as decided on where the destination would be. They began interviewing event planners in Italy and France after attending a friend’s destination wedding, and their experience with The Tuscan Wedding guided them to choose Florence for their wedding! The venue at Villa Medicea di Lilliano provided an exclusive venue for their two-day multicultural wedding, surrounded by the beauty of the Tuscan countryside!
Once the ‘where’ was decided, the biggest challenge was designing two separate days with multiple events, and keeping the decor unique to each of them to celebrate both Italian and Indian wedding style. For their ceremony on the first day, the couple kept the styling rustic and minimal, adding a pop of bold color from the bride’s bohemian bouquet by Flowers Living. Shades of hot pink and bold orange with pastel purple, blue, and yellow came together in a beautiful blend of colors that accented the bride’s simple open shoulder wedding dress from Floravere.
She found her dress at a Sample Sale in New York, falling in love with the first one she tried on. The sapphire ring the bride wore her right hand was a piece that Ashley’s mother purchased for her when she was a baby, and saved for her wedding day.
Ashley chose softer shades for her bridesmaids, with watercolor inspired floral print maxi dresses and greenery bouquets that were inspired by local foraged foliage.
The gardens provided ample color of their own, with peach roses and potted lemon trees adding sweet citrus shades against the vibrant green hills of the Italian countryside.
Saurab boarded the color train with his wife-to-be, styling a bold blue three piece suit from Zeglio with a patterned blue tie and and orange boutonniere. The joyful colors of their wedding attire could not have been more stunning against the breathtaking views of Florence in the distance.
A formal luncheon was set for guests following the early ceremony. The decor was styled in fresh shades of white, green, and tan to keep the details light and simple as there was still more to come!
The long farm table was dressed with a greenery garland over a simple linen runner to keep the tones and textures of the country. White china, tan linen napkins, and gold place cards finished off the table with beautiful and effortless details. Guests enjoyed an al fresco luncheon before the rest of the celebrations!
After the cocktail style wedding reception, guests moved to the terrace with views of the Tuscan hills and Florence in the distance. A henna artist prepped guests for the second day, while attendees helped construct a carnation garland that was made with well wishes for the bride and groom and would be used in their Indian wedding style mandap decorations for the next day!
The chefs at Galateo Ricevimenti constructed a traditional Italian wedding dessert in front of the guests! The millefoglie was layered with chocolate chips and candied almond pieces between pastry and cream, then topped with fresh berries and powdered sugar. Guests were treated to a beautiful display as it was created in front of them, as well as a delicious dessert!
Purewhite Photography was still in place for day two of the festivities, with a traditional Indian marriage ceremony. A late spring rain shower pushed the ceremony into the villa, where they set up a mandap decorated with the carnation garland and blessings from the day before!
The colorful flowers and bright jewel tones were echoed in the bride and groom’s attire. The groom’s mother purchased the bride’s sari and bridal jewelry in India, and she chose lehenga from New York shop Bombay Bridal. The couple dazzled in red and gold with carnation garlands!
For their second day dinner, the colors shifted to vibrant and playful, with pastel yellow runners and napkins accented in jewel tones of amber, coral, and plum.
After dinner, guests were treated to a gelato cart and a dance party that lasted well into the night! The couple loved the intimacy of having their family and friends gathered together for a longer celebration, and having the opportunity to spend quality time with them throughout the weekend.
They focused their wedding priorities on a planner who could help them with international details and keep their weekend running smoothly, amazing food to take advantage of all Italy has to offer, and time to enjoy their guests’ company.
WEDDING VENDORS –
Photography: Purewhite Photography | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Villa Medicea di Lilliano | Event Planning: The Tuscan Wedding | Florist: Flowers Living | Wedding Dress: Floravere | Groom’s Attire: Zeglio | Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Indian Wedding Dress: Bombay Bridal | Groom’s Attire: Manyavar | Bride’s Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Jewelry: Facets Fine Jewelry | Makeup: Erica Mehndi | Catering: Galateo Ricevimenti | Gelato: Miss 500 | Lighting: Almaproject | DJ: Leonardo Martera | Submitted via: Matchology
How cool this subject, a mixture of two different peoples, the ceremony was very beautiful, where I loved the bride’s dress and ring