Black, white, and green details, an unforgettable dance floor, and a celebration that gave everyone time to slow down and savor Tuscany at their own pace—Rachel and John’s Dievole wedding was proof that sometimes the best weddings are the ones that don’t try to do too much.

Set at a place they first discovered during an early trip together, the day focused on great food, incredible music, and creating an atmosphere where family and friends could genuinely enjoy being together. Instead of adding endless activities or elaborate design moments, they trusted the setting and focused on what mattered most to them.

Rachel and John met on Hinge during the pandemic, and their first date took place inside a Brooklyn igloo. Before things got serious though, there was one very important introduction to make: their dogs. “We both had dogs before we met so them liking each other was critical to our success. Lucky for us, they loved each other and so did we.”

What We Love About This Dievole Wedding

• Choosing a venue that was already part of their story
• Keeping the color palette classic with black, white, and green
• Making a destination celebration feel approachable and low-stress
• Prioritizing good food, great music, and time together

Featured Vendor:
Giulia Alessandri Weddings and Creative Events

Using the Welcome Events to Break the Ice Early

Two nights before the wedding, they hosted a smaller dinner with family in a nearby town. Then the evening before the wedding, everyone gathered back at Dievole for a welcome dinner. “The restaurant at Dievole is so exceptional. We held an Italian BBQ and decorated with beautiful red fruits and vegetables.” The evening landed somewhere between a traditional Italian gathering and a casual dinner party with friends. “It felt authentically Italian but easy going and relaxed.”

Even with a smaller guest list, there were still plenty of people meeting for the first time. “It was a great way for everyone to meet and get to know each other!” The welcome event also allowed Rachel and John to greet everyone ahead of time. “We also used the event to do our rounds so we were able to enjoy the wedding day.”

Choosing a Destination Venue That Took the Stress Out of Travel

Rachel didn’t spend years searching for the perfect venue. The answer had already presented itself during one of their earliest trips together. “On our first trip together we stayed at Dievole and I knew that it would be the perfect place to get married.”

While the views certainly helped, practicality played an equally important role in their decision. They wanted people to arrive, unpack once, and spend the rest of the weekend enjoying themselves instead of worrying about transportation or bouncing between locations.

“It’s romantic and charming and allowed for the entire wedding to stay together. This was really important to us—we wanted a destination wedding but one that was as simple as possible for our guests.”

Their design choices followed the same philosophy. They landed on black, white, and green and trusted the setting to do the rest. “Set in the backdrop of the Italian countryside, we knew we didn’t need to fight the venue.”

Creating a Calmer Start to the Wedding Day

Neither Rachel nor John particularly enjoys being the center of attention, so they found their own way to settle any nerves. Instead of doing a traditional first look, John spent part of the morning getting ready alongside Rachel and her closest friends before heading off to spend time with his own group. “This actually meant a lot to us. Neither of us love being the center of attention so it was really nice to have some time with him to help calm some of the nerves!”

One moment Rachel will always remember came shortly after. “Walking down the aisle with my mom and dad meant a lot. I never imagined having a wedding, so it was really a sweet moment that I am glad to have had.”

The ceremony was officiated by John’s cousin, who also happened to be Rachel’s colleague. “He is a close friend and extremely funny. It was the perfect ceremony.”

Skipping Traditions That They Didn’t Need

Their approach to fashion mirrored the rest of the weekend: elegant without feeling overly formal. For the pre-wedding dinner, Rachel wore a white Khaite midi dress with light blue Jimmy Choo sandals while John chose a green linen Todd Snyder suit. On the wedding day, Rachel wore a two-piece silk Danielle Frankel gown with silk Jimmy Choo heels, while John opted for a custom tuxedo from Robinson Brooklyn.

One thing they intentionally skipped was having a bridal party altogether. “We did not have a bridal party because we wanted all of our friends to enjoy the weekend in what they wanted to wear!”

Rachel also kept her beauty look understated. “Hair and make up was easy—natural was what I opted for!” Nothing looked overly styled or prescribed, which matched the mood of the celebration.

Finding a Local Planner They Could Fully Trust

As New Yorkers with demanding schedules and no Italian language skills, Rachel and John quickly realized they needed someone local to help bring everything together. Thankfully, a friend introduced them to Junebug vendor Giulia Alessandri, and they knew almost immediately they were in good hands. “We knew right away that she was perfect for the job. Her attention to detail sold us right away.”

From that point on, she became the person connecting every moving piece behind the scenes. “We found Giulia through a friend and she handled the rest! She worked with us as our vision evolved ensuring that every detail exceeded our expectations.”

Spreading the planning over two years also made budgeting much more manageable. “Our key priorities were food, music, and making the trip as cheap and easy as possible for our guests.” Throughout the process, Giulia helped them stay focused. “Giulia was on top of it though—she kept us on track with the budget.”

Rachel admits handing over control didn’t come naturally. “I am a little bit of a control freak, so delegating everything to Giulia was a bit scary.” But once she allowed herself to trust the process, everything became much more enjoyable. “I would say find a great planner and try to let yourself enjoy it. A wedding should be fun!”

When a Last-Minute Change Turns Into the Best Outcome

Long before there was an engagement ring, Rachel had already chosen where she wanted to exchange vows. “There was a little cherub bench that I saw on our first visit and I knew it would be the perfect spot to say our vows.”

Because of their guest count, they initially planned to host the ceremony elsewhere. Then plans shifted at the last minute, and Rachel got exactly what she had hoped for all along. “I was truly thrilled. It was the dreamiest backdrop.” In the end, the spot Rachel had fallen in love with years earlier was exactly where she was meant to say her vows.

Afterward, everyone gathered on the veranda for cocktail hour and enjoyed “perfect Italian bites” overlooking the Tuscan countryside.

One Great Band Can Change the Entire Night

When Rachel thinks back to the reception, one thing immediately comes to mind. “The band was incredible! And all credit goes to John for that.” She admitted she didn’t have a strong preference between a DJ and a live band during the planning process, but John was determined to find the right fit. “John found the band and I’m so glad he did!” The decision paid off almost immediately because the dance floor stayed full all night.

One of their favorite keepsakes also came from the reception. “We had custom napkins made with our initials that we still have today! It sounds silly but they are a memento we will have forever!” Even forgetting her bouquet wasn’t enough to throw her off. “I needed both of my parents to help me get down the aisle with my veil and the stone path!”

From the very beginning, Rachel and John wanted Tuscany to feel accessible rather than overwhelming. By keeping everyone in one place and giving people plenty of time to connect, they created the kind of celebration that people could fully settle into instead of rushing through.