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Tuscany Was the Protagonist and Simplicity the Theme in This Poggio ai Santi Wedding

August 7, 2025 | justine

Some weddings are driven by color palettes or mood boards. For Federica and Riccardo, it was the land itself that shaped the celebration. Set at Poggio ai Santi, a scenic retreat where their relationship quietly deepened, their day unfolded among olive trees, rolling hills, and candlelit tables. With a guest list of just 60 and style choices that prioritized ease and refinement, their Tuscan wedding felt as natural as the setting that inspired it.

“We didn’t want anything over the top,” Federica shares. “Simplicity was the key word. But it had to be thoughtful, elegant, and true to who we are.”

From their venue choice to their fashion and flowers, every decision reflected that easy elegance—with Tuscany’s natural beauty leading the way.

What We Love About This Poggio ai Santi Wedding:

  • The dreamy setting where the couple once spent their first weekend together
  • Florals and candles in soft whites and greens, chosen to echo the natural surroundings without overpowering them
  • A minimalist yet detailed bridal look, including a Pronovias gown, pearl-detailed Vera Wang veil, and custom evening dress with fringe and sequins
  • A small, intentional guest list of 60, with all suites booked onsite 

Featured Vendor:

Riccardo Pieri

Picking a Venue With Personal History

For Federica and Riccardo, Poggio ai Santi wasn’t just scenic—it was symbolic. “It’s where we had our first weekend away together,” Federica says. “Everything tastes like home there, and every little detail is taken care of.”

With views of both the sea and the surrounding trees, the venue allowed nature to be the backdrop and the inspiration for the entire day. Candles and white flowers flowed through every space, while plant-themed tables added a touch of personality.

But it wasn’t just about the aesthetics. The staff at Poggio ai Santi played a major role in helping bring the couple’s vision to life. “They were like friends. They understood right away how I wanted the day to feel—simple, sophisticated, and full of heart.”

Honoring Tradition in a Church Ceremony

Federica and Riccardo exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony held in a serene Tuscan church. Surrounded by family and friends, the couple stood beneath a grand crucifix and soft candlelight, with the altar adorned in white lilies and silver chalices. The atmosphere was reverent yet warm, with meaningful glances, shared smiles, and quiet joy filling the space. It was a ceremony rooted in tradition, made unforgettable by the love in the room.


Minimalist Wedding Fashion With Maximum Impact

Federica’s approach to wedding fashion was all about elegance in the details. She wore a white mermaid Pronovias gown that featured a subtle front and a showstopping back and a long dramatic train. Her sheer Vera Wang veil, embroidered with pearls, floated beyond the dress, and Jimmy Choo heels with beaded ribbons completed the ceremony look.

Later in the evening, she slipped into a tailored blazer made from the same fabric as the gown, then changed again before the cake into a custom dress made of sequin fringe, paired with slingbacks by Stuart Weitzman.

“We danced, drank (too much!), and just had fun. That was the goal. Our dog was with us. Our friends, our family—it felt whole.”

A Sunset Reception at Poggio ai Santi

Set beneath a fabric canopy and string lights, the reception at Poggio ai Santi felt relaxed and intimate from the start. The long tables overlooked the Tuscan countryside and were styled with minimal florals, rustic glassware, and natural textures that matched the surrounding landscape.

Guests gathered at Il Sale for an open-air dinner, enjoying a laid-back evening filled with good food, conversation, and panoramic views. As the sun set, the atmosphere shifted into celebration mode—more laughter, louder music, and plenty of wine. From sharing toasts to passing around late-night bites, the night unfolded naturally and without fuss, just as the couple had hoped.

Why Prioritizing Guest Experience Was Worth It

The couple spent most of their budget on booking the entire venue and all its suites so guests could relax and connect throughout the weekend. With a pre-wedding welcome dinner and a ceremony that didn’t start until 4:00 p.m., there was space for slow mornings, shared meals, and truly meaningful moments.

“We offered a light Tuscan lunch before the ceremony for those who wanted it,” Federica shares. “It kept things relaxed. Everyone could take their time.”

Even the cake and food followed this theme—beautiful, local, and thoughtfully prepared. “Everything was delicious and looked incredible. But more than that, it felt right.”

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Looking Back With No Regrets

When asked what advice they’d give to other couples planning a wedding, Federica offers this:
“Live every moment. Everything will be fine. It’s a unique moment and deserves to be lived to the fullest.”

Federica and Riccardo’s Poggio ai Santi wedding proves that keeping things simple doesn’t mean holding back. It means making space for what really matters.

The Wedding Team:

Photography + Videography – Riccardo Pieri
Venue + Catering + Cake – Poggio ai Santi
Makeup + Hair Styling – Giulia Papke
Wedding Dress – Pronovias
Bridal Accessories – Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Apparel – De Santis
Groom’s Shoes – Church’s Shoes

 

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This Magnolia-Themed Wedding at the Mill and Mine Blends Southern Tradition with Whimsy

What started as a playful group scroll through Hinge ended with a walk down the aisle—and a magnolia-filled celebration at the Mill and Mine. Hannah and Ben’s wedding journey began during the peak of the pandemic, sparked by unexpected moves and long-distance dates. Years later, their January wedding in Knoxville brought everything full circle. Designed with whimsy, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, the day blended family traditions with floral creativity. Proof that winter weddings can be just as vibrant and deeply personal as spring or summer.

What We Love About This Mill and Mine Wedding:

Featured Vendor:

Whitney Bowman Events

Blending Personal Traditions Into Their Ceremony

Held at a local Episcopal church and officiated by a longtime family friend, their ceremony was both sacred and intimate. “We actually chose to do communion during the rehearsal instead,” Hannah shared, explaining they wanted to keep guests comfortable during the ceremony itself.

One of her favorite moments? A spontaneous shout of support from a bridesmaid after the ceremony reading. “It was hilarious and totally distracted me from my nerves while I was standing at the altar!”

The Mill & Mine Checked Every Box

Having attended weddings at the Mill and Mine in the past, Hannah already knew it had the right feel. But it was the combination of beauty, space, and location that sealed the deal. “We loved that everything—from the church to the reception to the hotels—was so close together. That made logistics really smooth. If guests wanted to walk, they could!”

And since her sister had recently held her own reception at a different Knoxville venue, Hannah appreciated having a distinct location to call her own. “I didn’t want it to feel copy-paste,” she added.

Building a Vendor Team They Could Trust Completely

With Whitney Bowman leading the charge, vendor selection was less about stress and more about synergy. “She’s been in the business over 25 years, so she knows what works,” Hannah said. “Every single person she brought in, from our photographer Ashley Spangler to our videographer Coley Spencer and our paper goods team Little Postage House, was easygoing, authentic, and helpful.”

Hannah credits much of her relaxed energy on the wedding day to that strong support system. “I didn’t have big opinions about a lot of the details, and Whitney was honest with her input, which I really appreciated. She just knew what would work best.”

Designing a Winter Wedding Without Sacrificing Color or Creativity

Planning a wedding in January meant that Hannah had to rethink her original vision of a French garden with colorful florals and trellises. But with help from Junebug planner Whitney Bowman and florist Wither and Bloom, she transformed those ideas into a design that was just as bold, crafted to suit the season. “I wanted something traditional, but with creativity woven in,” she shared. “The last thing I wanted was a ‘frosted pastel’ winter wedding look.”

Together, the team created something stunning: handmade magnolia trees—an elegant nod to Hannah’s East Tennessee roots—that brought warmth and richness to the industrial beauty of the Mill and Mine. “I’ll just never get over it,” she said.

Infusing the Reception With Meaningful, Playful Touches

The reception at the Mill and Mine was filled with intentional details that reflected who Hannah and Ben are as a couple. Their first dance—“Sweet Symphony” by Chris Stapleton and Joy Oladokun—brought tears to guests’ eyes. “The lyrics felt like wedding vows, and the fact that it was a duet made it even more perfect.”

From Ben’s signature Old Fashioned to Hannah’s mule made with hard-to-source huckleberry vodka, even the cocktails told a story. “The Mill and Mine team went above and beyond to make that drink happen,” she added. And to end the night? Pepperoni pizza, Ben’s favorite.

Final Thoughts and Advice for Couples

Looking back, Hannah wouldn’t change a thing. “It was absolutely perfect. My biggest advice is to stay relaxed and actually eat on your wedding day! I was eating a Pub Sub and drinking a Miller Lite right before walking down the aisle. It helped me feel grounded and enjoy every moment.”

Turns out, planning a January wedding filled with magnolia trees, pizza, and a huckleberry mule is all about trusting your gut—and your planner. Hannah and Ben’s Mill and Mine celebration was proof that winter weddings can be bold, meaningful, and seriously fun.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Ashley Spangler
Event Planning – Whitney Bowman
Ceremony Venue – St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reception Venue – Mill and Mine
Floral Design – Lauren Stovall
Videography – Coley Spencer
Invitation Design – Loly Orozco
Makeup Artist – Claire Balest
Wedding Dress – Nardos Design

 

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White Swan Castle Brought This Fairytale Wedding to Life

August 3, 2025 | justine

When Admire and Toya first met in an Intensive Care unit in California, what began as polite greetings quickly bloomed into something unexpected. “Something felt different,” they recall. Quiet walks, coffee dates, shared books, and finally, a proposal on Valentine’s Day at their favorite Napa Valley restaurant, Auberge du Soleil—set the tone for the journey to their White Swan Castle wedding.

From the start, they knew their special day would be about more than just the two of them. It would be about family, history, and shared milestones. With loved ones traveling from across the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, and the UK—many meeting for the first time—the celebration became a meaningful reminder of how love brings people together, across cultures and generations.

What We Love About White Swan Castle This Wedding

  • A stunning castle backdrop that elevated both the ceremony and reception without overpowering the intimacy of the day
  • Intimate guest list under 100, allowing for genuine connections and heartfelt moments.
  • Intentional photography that captured not just the beauty, but the emotional weight and quiet moments throughout

Featured Vendor:

Pastushak Photography

Choosing a Venue That Set the Tone for the Day

Admire and Toya knew they wanted a wedding that felt magical, meaningful, and elegant. From the moment they arrived at White Swan Castle, they knew they had found the perfect place. “The grandeur of the venue took our breath away,” they shared. “The castle itself seemed straight out of a fairytale.”

the setting had a sense of timeless romance that shaped the entire celebration. Every corner felt intentional—from the castle exterior to the interior decor—making it an unforgettable backdrop for their intimate day of under 100 guests.

An Elegant Ceremony in Front of the Castle

Admire and Toya exchanged vows on the steps of White Swan Castle, with its striking white stone exterior and ornate golden doors as their backdrop. Rows of white chairs faced the front of the castle, where floral arrangements in soft white tones framed the entrance and lined the aisle, adding a touch of softness to the dramatic architecture.

The tone of the ceremony was warm and personal. Their pastor, who knew them well, brought a sense of familiarity that helped everyone settle in. A few quiet laughs and emotional glances between the couple made the moment feel honest and present. It was simple, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of atmosphere they had hoped for.

Working With a Planner Who Understood Their Vision

When it came to the planning process, Admire and Toya credit their planner, Andrey Kazak, for making everything feel easy and enjoyable. “He was instrumental in bringing our vision to life,” they said. From vendor sourcing to timeline coordination, Andrey took the lead on every detail and even served as host during the reception, making guests feel welcomed and cared for.

“Our wedding planner was the glue that held it all together,” the couple emphasized. “He allowed us to focus on enjoying the day, knowing everything was taken care of.”

Building a Vendor Team That Made It All Possible

Admire and Toya were intentional about choosing vendors who aligned with their values and vision. One of their top priorities? Finding the right photographer. “Pastushak Photography didn’t just take stunning pictures—they captured the raw emotion, the little moments, and the beauty of the day in ways we couldn’t have imagined.”

Their officiant—also their pastor—brought deep spiritual meaning to the ceremony. The DJ kept the energy high, the bartender ensured everyone was having a good time, and the decorator transformed White Swan Castle into a warm, inviting space. “Each vendor played a part in making our wedding feel as unique and special as our love story,” they shared.

Designing a Reception That Felt Warm and Welcoming

After the ceremony, guests moved indoors for the reception—held inside White Swan Castle’s bright, spacious hall with high arched ceilings and soft, natural light pouring through tall windows. Admire and Toya made their entrance hand-in-hand to cheers and applause, greeted by a room full of smiling faces and raised glasses.

The space was styled with white floral arrangements and gold accents, adding polish without feeling overdone. Tables were set with floating candles and soft blooms, creating a warm, welcoming setting for the evening’s celebration. The sweetheart table, surrounded by flowers, offered the couple a moment of calm to soak it all in together.

Advice for Couples Planning Their Own Fairytale

If there’s one thing Admire and Toya hope other couples take away from their experience, it’s this: surround yourself with people who will make your day feel like you.

“Before you start planning your wedding, find the right planner who can bring your vision to life, and the right photographer who will capture every meaningful moment,” they advised. “These are the people who will be by your side throughout the day, shaping the atmosphere and your experience.”

Their White Swan Castle wedding was the perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling, intentional design, and community love—and proof that fairytales really can come true.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Patushak Photography
Event Planning – Andrey Kazak
Venue – White Swan Castle
Floral Design + Rentals – Kash & Co Party Rentals
Catering – Best Food Catering
Cake – Baking With Passion
DJ – DJ Essence
Videography – Joshua Sepanski Media
Photobooth – Perfect Match Photobooth

 

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