Planning an unforgettable Wedding Weekend in Italy – from Welcome Dinner to Farewell Brunch
Today, weddings are no longer just a single-day affair.
Over the past few years, they’ve evolved into a full weekend of experiences: two or three days of celebration, shared moments and memories. And if your guests are traveling from afar (which is often the case with a destination wedding), why squeeze everything in a few hours?
A wedding weekend is more than a celebration of love: it’s a chance to spend meaningful time with your guests exploring the beauty and culture of your chosen destination. And what better way than by creating a multi-day event that truly reflects who you are as a couple?
As a wedding planner in Florence and Tuscany, I often guide my couples through designing every moment of their celebration. Let’s explore together the essentials for a perfect wedding weekend in Italy: the Welcome Dinner and the Post-Wedding Brunch.
The Welcome Dinner: start things off in style
The welcome event is often more relaxed and flexible, giving you the perfect chance to set the tone for the celebration in a way that feels personal and effortless
The goal is simple: gather your guests, break the ice and offer them a first taste of the atmosphere (and flavors!) of your chosen location.
Whether you want to keep things low-key with an Italian aperitivo – think Aperol spritz, local wines and finger food – or go all out with a cocktail night and live jazz, the possibilities are endless.
For Allison & Andrew we designed a rustic-chic Pizza Party inspired by the warm, welcoming vibe of an Italian trattoria: long wooden tables dressed in checked linens, fresh baked pizza and homemade gelato – the perfect Italian style.
Photo credit Kristine Grinvalde
Stephanie & Justin decided to go for a destination wedding in Florence, and they envisioned a casual and effortless event with a spectacular view to welcome their guests. For them, we designed and planned an aperitivo on the Arno river bank, right across from Ponte Vecchio – a laid-back yet refined picnic party atmosphere.
Photo credit Stephen Liberge
Whichever event you decide to throw for kicking off your wedding weekend, with the powerful combination of a stunning location, good Italian food and drinks, great music, friends and family, you can never go wrong.
And, as your wedding planner in Tuscany, I’ll be right there to bring it all together.
The Post-Wedding Brunch: a sweet farewell
After the celebration winds down, there’s one part that’s never easy: saying goodbye. A farewell brunch the next morning can transform those goodbyes into a final moment of connection: a chance to share a few more smiles, hugs and memories before everyone heads home.
Our favorite? The elegant wedding brunch in Florence we curated for Alessandra & Sina at Villa Cora: an assortment of cheeses, artisanal cured meats and fresh breads, paired with a variety cakes, croissants and sweet pastries – a little something to please everyone. The vibe? Warm, laid-back and elegant, just the right way to close a beautiful wedding weekend in Tuscany.
To make it extra memorable, you can incorporate a pool party, a cooking class, or a wine tasting experience.
We have just one rule: no early wake-ups! Let your guests sleep in and have a slow morning after a night of dancing and celebrations!
Photo credit Lisa Poggi
More than a celebration
A wedding weekend goes beyond the single events. It’s about creating space to enjoy each other’s company and making memories that go deeper than just one day, every toast, every laugh and every slice of pizza will become part of a shared story.
