WHITNEY       sHAUN

"After nearly two years of planning, Shaun and I arrived in Florence for a few days of fun in the city before heading off to the Tuscan countryside for three days of rest and relaxation with our friends and family. During the planning process, Shaun and I were able to fly to Italy on a venue scouting trip. Our original intention was to pick a venue inside Florence proper, because we love the city so much. Among the venues we saw, Sara insisted we take the trip out to see Borgo Stomennano. She even drove us herself! Being the stubborn girl that I am, I was not too thrilled about seeing a venue 45 minutes from Florence, but once we drove up the driveway lined with cypress trees and saw the gorgeous villa just beyond the gates, we knew our city wedding had turned into a Tuscan countryside dream. Borgo Stomennano not only was to be the location of the wedding events, but also served as accommodations for the majority of our 35 guests. We reserved the villa for three days and spent our time swimming in the infinity pool, staying up late laughing and drinking wine, and enjoying the surrounding views of the Tuscan hills and the medieval town of Monteriggioni, where we held our rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.

Once wedding day arrived, it was as everyone says, and they day flew by so quickly. Rain threatened the entire day, and it was stressful in those first few hours making the decision to keep our plans of an outdoor wedding. But once the decision was made, I can’t remember another part of the day where Shaun and I didn’t have a goofy grin on our faces—except when my sweet groom couldn’t keep his tears at bay during practically the entire ceremony. Our ceremony was short, but meaningful as we said our vows among the olive trees. We concluded the ceremony by jumping the broom, one of our favorite parts of the day. After pictures with family and the bridal party, and strolling through the olive grove hand-in-hand for our portraits, Shaun and I were able to join our guests during the aperitif held in the gorgeous Italian gardens at the front of the villa. We will never forget when the sun settled beneath the clouds and cast the most amazing glow in the sky, with Monteriggioni in the background. Magical doesn’t even begin to describe the moment!

After the sun set, we moved to the back of the villa were the dinner table was laid out. We set the mood with chandeliers in the trees, many candles, soft and inviting music and incredible florals by La Rosa Canina. Shaun and I love good food and Shaun is a bartender who makes the most amazing craft cocktails, so the food and drinks had to be phenomenal. Galateo Ricevimenti worked with us to craft a perfect menu that included pesto lasagna, risotto with duck, filet mignon with Chianti Classico sauce and various Tuscan wines. We ended the meal by serving a traditional Italian wedding cake, millefoglie. The layers of puff pastry, Chantilly cream, and berries were assembled in front of the guests, and this moment turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole day. After the meal, we ended the evening by dancing the night away poolside and munching on a midnight snack of gelato and various Italian cookies."  - Whitney, Bride Tuscany Italy 

Venue- Borgo Stomenanno
Planning & Coordination - Chic Weddings Italy
Event Design - Chic Weddings Italy
Gown -  Essense Of Australia
Bridal Boutique - Betsy Robinson Bridals
Hair & Makeup - Giulia Cresci 
Cinematography -  East West Productions
Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo
Groomsmen Attire - The Black Tux 
Invitations & Calligraphy - Betsy Dunlap 
Save The Dates - EIGHT21 Studios

Catering - Galateo Ricevimenti
DJ - Francis Jay 
Quartet -  Firenze Classica
Grooms - J. Hilburn
Veil - Jennifer Behr
Shoes - Valentino
Florals - La Rosa Canina