Ellie and Patrick dreamt of a beautiful wedding escape, which came true when they found the enchanting Villa Podernovo. This special place immediately won them over with its irresistible charm, becoming the perfect setting for their big day. They wanted a wedding that showed who they were, with a calm and easygoing vibe in the countryside, surrounded by nature and their loved ones. With all the ingredients of a timeless celebration—a classic color palette, lush florals, and chic fashion–their dream Villa Podernovo destination wedding turned out just the way they wanted, making all their wishes come true and more.
The couple envisioned a quintessential Tuscan wedding with a stunning backdrop of rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards. Their outdoor ceremony, framed by beautiful ground arrangements, turned into a heartfelt moment as they exchanged vows, officiated by Junebug member Tuscan Pledges. The festivities continued with a charming garden reception, where a long table was adorned with a lavish display of flowers, greenery, and candles, all beneath the warm glow of twinkling lights.
On their special day, the couple seamlessly combined timeless elegance with their unique personal touch, creating a celebration that reflected the best of both worlds. Luckily, Aleisha Edwards was there to skillfully capture every beautiful detail and memorable moment of their enchanting soiree. Keep scrolling to relive the beauty and charm of their wedding day.
The Couple:
Ellie and Patrick
The Wedding:
Villa Podernovo, Tuscany, Italy
The Evolution of a Dream Dress From Pinterest to Reality and Complementing It with the Perfect Natural Bridal Look
My wedding dress was custom-made by Darb Bridal Couture in Brisbane, Australia. I always wanted a halter neck dress, which is hard to come by. I took some inspiration from other dresses on Pinterest and the floral style we chose for the ceremony. We nipped and tucked as we went along to perfect the shape and floral placement. Once the dress was complete, I knew I didn’t want a second dress. I loved it so much and wanted to wear it the entire wedding day. Again, I wanted it to complement the venue and wedding style. I wanted my hair and makeup to be as natural as possible, to look like myself and not too glamorous. My sister helped with both. It made the morning very stress-free. Going back to basics was key.
From Down Under to Tuscan Bliss: How They Brought to Life Their Villa Podernovo Destination Wedding
We wanted something that felt authentic to us. We are both from the country in Australia, so we wanted something surrounded by nature with a rustic charm. Something peaceful and relaxing as most guests were enjoying their traveling holiday. Villa Podernovo was that and so much more. It was also the right size for our 25 guests—16 stayed in the villa, and an accessible area to other vendors. The owners and coordinators were also fantastic. We needed to work with people we related to and trusted, as we did all the planning via video calls and email. Once we had locked in our venue, the overall vibe and style of the wedding became quite clear. Villa Podernovo was not only a beautiful venue, but it was also full of character and charm. We wanted everything to compliment it, so we opted for a classic, neutral style with a little Tuscan country feel. As we traveled to Italy from Australia, we wanted to ensure everything felt authentic to Italy.
A Week of Wedding Bliss at Villa Podernovo
We had 25 people in total, andour immediate family stayed in the villa for a week, while other friends were stayed in Monticiano, which is a 500m walk. We hosted our welcome dinner, wedding, and pool day recovery at the villa, which was so much fun. It felt like our home for the week. We also toured the area, including seeing local wineries, villages, and thermal baths. There was so much for our guests to do in the area. We celebrated our wedding over the entire week instead of just one day. We have so many unforgettable memories, not just from our wedding day but all the activities we were able to do together.
Navigating from Afar: The Importance of a Wedding Coordinator
Invest in a wedding coordinator if you are traveling a long way to a different country. We used Villa Podernovo‘s on-site coordination and were not disappointed. We could only see the venue after we arrived due to the distance from Australia, so having someone help coordinate vendors was terrific, especially when it came to language barriers. It made the whole experience enjoyable and stress-free.
Creating a Homey Italian Feel with Family-Style Dining
We decided on a family-style set wedding menu. This was because we wanted a variety of traditional Tuscan meals to get that authentic Italian feel. It was also lovely to pass food around the table—to feel like you’re at home sharing with those you love the most. The table setting was so beautiful. The food was outstanding! Sitting under the lights, on a table lined with candles and flowers, with the villa lit in the background, was magical. We shared it with our immediate family and some of our closest friends. Everyone laughed and cried over speeches and shared funny stories of their travels. It was also a time when we could all sit together, relax, and truly enjoy our surroundings.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Aleisha Edwards
Event Planning + Venue – Villa Podernovo
Floral Design – Barbara Becarelli
Catering – L’Aurora Catering | Siena e Toscana
Officiant – Tuscan Pledges
DJ – Audio Dress + Musica Evento
Wedding Dress – Darb Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – M.J. Bale
Transportation – Slow Hills
Congratulations to Ellie and Patrick on their timeless all-white Villa Podernovo destination wedding. Thank you to Aleisha Edwards for capturing every stunning detail and memorable moment of their magical celebration. And a special thank you to Tuscan Pledges for officiating and sharing this beautiful wedding with us. To see more weddings they’ve officiated, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding vendors.
This wedding beautifully illustrates the profound impact a chosen venue can have on shaping the entire celebration. As you plan your own special day, remember that the venue holds great significance. For valuable insights and advice on selecting the perfect location, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide. Your journey toward a dream celebration begins with choosing the ideal backdrop!
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