Wedding | Josephine & Niels

Tell us a little about yourselves!

The story started long before our wedding — back in our student days. I was working as a trade show consultant in the Automotive industry. Niels was somewhere nearby — always part of the same world, but never quite at the same time.

For us it wad the wrong timing, over and over. One in a relationship, the other not, then the other way round. Life moved on, careers took off. Still, we kept orbiting each other — until one day, it finally clicked.

We're both business-minded, ambitious, always on the move — but never too serious to laugh until it hurts or to throw a great party. Work hard, play harder — that’s always been the vibe.

Our wedding wasn’t the beginning of our story.It was the moment everything finally made sense.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We chose Tuscany for a simple reason: it’s breathtaking. The kind of beauty that doesn’t need much — rolling hills, golden light, olive trees swaying in the breeze. It gave us everything we wanted: a stunning setting, our favorite people, and space to just be.

Good food, good wine, one long table, and nowhere to rush — it felt like La Dolce Vita, but personal. Less “wedding” and more like the perfect holiday in Italy with everyone we love.

Simple, honest, beautiful.Exactly how we imagined it.

How many guests did you have?

Around 60 — just our closest friends and family and Raissa and Simon, who captured our day. We wanted it to feel intimate, like a shared weekend rather than a big event. Every face meant something to us. That made all the difference. 

Tell us about your outfits.

We knew from the beginning that we wanted an elegant, timeless look – nothing too frilly or glittery. Clean lines, classic cuts, and understated sophistication were key. The glow came naturally, especially through the statement puff sleeves that added just the right touch of drama.

Since I didn’t want to change outfits three times throughout the day, I chose a versatile combination look. The base was a sleek A-line dress – simple yet refined. For the ceremony, I added a structured coat, which gave the look a more extravagant and formal feel, perfect for the church setting.

Later, for the reception, I clipped on detachable puff sleeves made from raw silk, adding softness and a modern twist. And for the party, I removed the sleeves entirely, turning the dress into an open-back, sleeveless silhouette – effortless and ideal for dancing the night away.

Niels wore a traditional white tie for the ceremony, perfectly in line with the church’s formality, and switched to a classic black tie for the dinner – timeless, sharp, and perfectly aligned with the overall style of the day.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

For us, it was all about creating a familiar and stylish atmosphere – elegant, but without the fuss, only with our loved ones. No over-the-top décor or extravagant show elements. The most important part? Our guests. They were our favorite and most beautiful “detail” of the day.

We wanted the whole celebration to feel relaxed, warm, and full of joy – like a vacation with friends that naturally turns into one big party. And that’s exactly how it turned out: effortless, full of love, and centered around the people we care about most.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

To have enough time with our loved ones and one long table and dinner shared and to enjoy good company and good music.

Any tips for couples getting married?

If we could give one piece of advice to couples planning their wedding, it would be this: Don’t hesitate to get help. Having someone to support you with the planning – whether it’s a professional or a super-organized friend – makes all the difference. It takes off so much pressure and allows you to actually enjoy the lead-up to your big day.

Also, don’t be afraid to lean on your friends and family. Most of them are more than happy to be involved, and it makes everything feel even more meaningful.

And on the day itself: Make sure there’s someone in charge of keeping things running smoothly. We had an MC someone from the venue, and our best man and maid of honor all playing a part. That way, we didn’t have to think about timing or coordination – we could just be present and soak it all in.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Yes – two in particular made a lasting impression. First and most importantly: Lieben Ehren Achten. They were responsible for my bridal look, and I couldn’t have imagined it turning out more perfectly. I only gave them a few ideas and inspirations, and somehow, they translated that into a look that felt completely true to me – elegant, effortless, and exactly what I had dreamed of.

And of course, the setting: Villa Podernovo. From the impeccably maintained grounds to the flawless execution of every detail throughout the day, it was more than just a venue – it was the most magical place we could have ever hoped for. Truly the perfect backdrop to celebrate our love.

Photographer & Videographer:  Raissa and Simon @raissa_simon_fotografie | Second Shooter: Corina Beha @corinabeha | Planning: By the couple with the help of Villa Podernovo @villapodernovo | Styling: by the couple | Flora: Villa Podernovo @villapodernovo | Ceremony Location: Abbazia San Galgano | Reception Location: Villa Podernovo @villapodernovo | Celebrant: Mayor of San Galgano | Hair & Makeup: by Josephine | Catering, Beverages & Cake: arranged by Villa Podernovo @villapodernovo | Dress: Lieben Ehren Achten@lieben.achten.ehren | Suit: Suit Supply @suitsupply | Sunglasses: Adler Brillen @adleraugenoptikdarmstadt | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Gelber Diamonds

 @gelberdiamonds | Shoes: Zara @zara & Scarosso @scarosso | Statement Ring: Falco Marx