Italian Storybook Wedding in a 13th Century Tuscan Estate

Fittingly, Kenzie and Julien’s Italian storybook wedding was inspired by food, family and a shared love of travel. We can’t think of a more romantic destination than the Tuscan countryside, and it looks like they sure did hit the jackpot with this 13th-century estate featuring a terraced landscape of olives and vines. The light shone on this couple like a godsent glow, and we love the way they created a whole weekend experience to share with their guests – pizza, prosecco, gelato and all!

From Jennifer Adams of Lace & Luce:
This wedding was absolutely everything couples dream about when planning a destination wedding in the Italian countryside. Lovers of travel Kenzie & Julien decided to bring all their beloved family & friends to their favourite travel destination of Tuscany, for an entire weekend of celebration. Renting out the entire Villa Catureglio, Kenzie & Julien chose to focus on their celebration on amazing food, music & dancing and loved ones. It was a weekend to remember!

From the bride: Julien and I were introduced while attending college in Boston. The story on how we met differs depending on which one of us you ask, but the story ends the same. After a few years as friends, we dated for six years and adopted our amazing dog, Charlie, before Julien popped the question. 

We both love to travel and it has become an important part of our relationship. We knew right away we wanted to do something unique for our wedding and bring our family and friends on vacation with us to a place that holds a special spot in our hearts. Tuscany was the first international trip we took together – its beauty providing us with a romantic backdrop to fall even more in love with each other. As soon as we decided on Tuscany, everything else just seemed to fall into place. I found the venue, Villa Catureglio, on Instagram of all places. It is a thirteenth-century villa in the mountains of Tuscany, sleeps 40 people on site, and is covered in olive trees.

We knew that we wanted to use the weekend not only to celebrate our love but also to share our love of Italy with our friends and family. Julien is an avid travel planner and made an amazing website for our guests to help them plan their trip. We also kicked off the weekend with a Pizza and Prosecco party for the guests – complete with a traditional Italian band and tarantella dancers. It was a scene pulled right out of a movie.

The wedding itself was nothing short of magical. After a morning spent with our family and bridal party, we walked down the aisle hand in hand toward our future together while being serenaded by two of the most talented musicians we have heard. The ceremony was conducted beautifully by one of our best friends, with readings from friends and family, and concluded with a Prosecco toast to all of our guests who traveled halfway around the world to celebrate our love.

Being a cookbook author, it came as no surprise to those that know us that food and music took center stage on our special day. From a giant prosciutto carving station at our aperitivo, to an incredible Tuscan feast accompanied by our favorite love songs – all topped off with a personalized gelato cart in place of a cake. The evening culminated in an epic party in the villa barn, complete with impromptu rap battles, incredible dance moves and, of course, a midnight snack! 

It was a weekend we want to relive a million times over.

Italy will always be at the top of our list for romantic wedding destinations, though we can’t get enough of weddings in Mexico or weddings in Marrakech either!

Wedding Vendors:
Photography: Lace & Luce
Planner: Kate and Rose Weddings
Venue: Villa Catureglio
Groomswear: Indochino
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridal Jumpsuits: Show Me Your Mumu
Wedding Dress: Wtoo by Watters
Hair: Alina Parducci //
Stationery: Alexa Nelson Prints