Tell us a little about yourselves!
We've been together for over nine years, having met in the French Alps where we were raised by French and Italian parents. Growing up in a ski resort fostered our deep connection to the mountains and nature. Our love for travel has always been a significant part of our lives.
Now residing in Geneva, Switzerland, we live to the rhythm of our travels and cherish every moment spent with family and friends, always accompanied by good wine and good food.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We discovered Tuscany on a trip in 2021. Everything about it is incredible: the people, the landscapes, the food, the wine, the art and many other things. We felt at home there from our very first visit, leading to many more.
We wanted to share this enchanting region with our family and friends. Italy already held a special place in our hearts, as Stéphane's maternal family is Italian. It was important for us to get married in Italy to honor and maintain a link with this cherished heritage.
How many guests did you have?
We invited 100 people to our wedding, and 80 joined us. This was the perfect number of guests to truly enjoy each other's company during the celebrations. 50 were close friends and the rest were family.
What was your budget?
Our budget was around 50K EUR.
Tell us about your outfits.
Stephane chose to buy his suit from Lanieri, a web based Italian company known for its tailor-made suits. He has trusted them for years to produce his work outfits.
Sophie turned to Hera Zürich, a wedding dress boutique in Zürich. The variety of dress brands in their showroom influenced her decision, as she didn’t have a precise idea of the dress she wanted. This gave her the opportunity to try on many different cuts and shapes to find the perfect one, with the precious help of Rahel from the Hera boutique and her very good advice.
Sophie selected a dress from Halfpenny London, enhancing its simple elegance with a veil. She added a personal touch with earrings sourced from the Notting Hill market, purchased with her best friend during a trip to London, and completed her look with shoes by Jimmy Choo.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We grew up cherishing hospitality, so creating an intimate atmosphere for our friends and family was essential. We focused on providing excellent food, wine, and music, as they were key elements.
However, the location was paramount, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Villa Il Pozzo was a stunning venue that required no extra embellishments. Its breathtaking view is something everyone will always remember.
It was also important for us to spend quality time with everyone, so we arranged a three-night stay at the Villa, hosting over 30 of our guests. This allowed us to enjoy precious moments together. We also organized a wine and olive oil tasting, taking advantage of the Villa's own production, making the experience even more memorable for everyone.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
Those close to us who were already married warned us about how quickly the day would pass and how difficult it might be to spend time with everyone while trying to enjoy it as much as possible.
We brought our friends and family from far and wide, so it was important to let them know how much we appreciated their presence and how happy we were to share the day with them. To show our gratitude, we took the time to print a photo of each guest with either the groom, the bride, or both, and wrote a personalized note on each one. These photos were placed on the dinner table for our guests to read before the meal and take home as a souvenir.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Our best advice to couples is to be actively involved in the planning process. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing your guests enjoy the wedding you've meticulously crafted, from the creation of invitations, the choice of flowers to the selection of wine and food. We dedicated time to creating our vision together, just the two of us, and it resulted in a wedding that brought us immense happiness.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
It's always challenging to organize a wedding from afar, especially when it comes to choosing food and hoping your guests will enjoy it. Even more difficult is ensuring the quality of service, which is hard to gauge until the big day. While online reviews can provide some insight, certainty only comes with experience.
Paolo from Tuscan Excelsia exceeded our expectations, managing the day with calmness and kindness. He truly was like an orchestra conductor, leading a highly professional team. The service was even better than we could have imagined.
Photographer: Maelys Izzo @maelysizzo | Planning: by the couple | Flora: Giovana Romagnoli
@romagnolipiantefiorieventi | Ceremony & Reception Location: Villa Il Pozzo @villailpozzo | Celebrant: Friends of the couple | Makeup: by Sophie's Bridesmaid | Hair: Karina Makeup & Hairstylist @karinamakeupcreative | Catering, Beverages & Cake: Tuscan Excelsia @tuscanexcelsia | Stationery: Mont Studio Chamonix @mont.studio.chamonix | Dress: Halfpenny London from Hera Zürich @halfpennylondon @hera_zuerich | Suit: Lanieri @laneriofficial | Veil: Hera Zürich @hera_zuerich | Engagement& Wedding Rings: 77 Diamonds @77diamonds | Shoes: Crockett & Jones @crockettandjones_official (Stéphane) / Jimmy Choo (Sophie) @jimmychoo | Jewellery & Earrings: Notting Hill Market | Party Dress: Sezane @sezane