Tuscany offers many beautiful places to celebrate any wedding or elopement. As a wedding photographer, I cannot help but recall Florence, Siena, Lucca, but also the area of Chianti and Versilia among the best locations. Off the beaten touristic paths, there are little-known historical venues in where arranging a wedding might be a unique experience for you and your guests!
All these venues have:
- one or more spots for your symbolic or civil ceremony;
- accommodations within the property – or very close;
- many areas to host different stages of the reception;
- gorgeous backgrounds for your wedding photos;
- backup plan in case of bad weather.
A backup plan is essential if you wish to get married in Italy. All these venues provide areas alfresco as well as indoor. Choosing to celebrate your wedding in one of these means being safe from unexpected and unpleasant surprises! All of them have been tested over the years; they guarantee excellent results in all the weather conditions.
You can celebrate civil rites, as well as symbolic service, in all of them. A good wedding planner or anyone who knows the area can head you to many beautiful churches nearby.
Terme Tettuccio in Montecatini Terme
Terme Tettuccio is likely the less known. This venue is located in Montecatini Terme, a lovely town very trendy during the ’30s and ’40s. Lately, it has lost a bit of charm but, even now, it provides excellent accommodations. Terme Tettuccio is historical SPA. The interior is vast; there are style lounges and botanical gardens within its walls. The building was made almost entirely of travertine, in Liberty style, and it’s rich in mosaics, wells and fabulous spots for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions.
Terme Tettuccio is suitable for big weddings with more than 100 guests; the rental is very expensive, and you need to find a caterer in order to provide food to your guests. If you’re eloping or having a small wedding with a few guests, you can spend some hours there with your wedding photographer. You cannot miss it!
Montecatini Terme provides many facilities for your guests. There are almost 200 hotels and many other spas to visit, rich in history and charm. The town is only 30 minutes drive from Florence and 15 from Lucca.
Abbey of San Galgano
The Abbey of San Galgano is a roofless church close to Siena. It’s one of the most seen icons of Tuscany, although just a few know exactly what it is and where is located. The Abbey of San Galgano is the most impressive venue for civil weddings in Tuscany.
You can ask the civil officer to perform the service together with a celebrant. Just a few minutes away, on the hill, is the church of Montesiepi, suitable for religious ceremonies. In the case of inclement weather, the service is celebrated in the Sala Capitolare. Unfortunately, you cannot arrange receptions within the Abbey.
It’s essential to have transportation to reach the villas in the surroundings. The best resort in the area is Borgo Santo Pietro, less than 5 minutes drive from the abbey. The estate of Bichi Borghesi can accommodate receptions with more than 100 guests, in the small village of Scorgiano. Villa Podernovo and Tenuta di Papena are also suitable for small weddings, just a few kilometres from the Abbey.
It is strongly recommended to hire a wedding planner. The best one in the area is Tuscany Wedding Events. Francesca, the owners, perfectly knows the place and might also suggest you other beautiful venues, as well as florists, make-up artists and other wedding professionals.
Bagno Annetta Forte dei Marmi
Should you wish to get married on the beach, Bagno Annetta is what you’re looking for! The beach resort is located in Forte dei Marmi, an exclusive destination for summer holidays. Rich in green areas, luxurious villas and golden beaches. The sun sets over the ocean: water and light on one side, the majestic and impressive Apuan Alps on the other.
Bagno Annetta is lovely, tastefully decorated in blue and white nautical style. From the cabin doors, up to tables and chairs, everything is perfectly styled, timeless and chic. You can celebrate here beach weddings. The reception might take place in the central gazebo or inside the restaurant with a view in case of bad weather. Bagno Annetta also provides an excellent and famous home caterer.
Very close, the Hotel 1908 provides rooms and suites for guests’ accommodation. It’s recommended to book at least a year in advance.
Castello del Trebbio
The Castello del Trebbio is a little-known castle hanged on the hills above Pontassieve, the area of Chianti in the north of Florence. If you’re looking for an intimate, friendly and authentic wedding, you cannot help but consider this lovely venue. The castle was built in 1200, and it overlooks a stunning scenery. It’s part of an estate that produces excellent wine and oil.
The Castle of Trebbio is a great wedding venue as it offers everything you need to stage a fabulous event. Here you can:
- celebrate the wedding in the courtyard of the castle or on a patio with a view;
- enjoy the cocktail hour on the terrace of La Sosta del Gusto, the restaurant of the property;
- spend a few days relaxing by the pools of the villas in the surroundings.
The courtyard is perfectly framed by a beautiful ancient wooden door with Palladian arches, a typical loggia and spring well adorned with colourful plants. It is the perfect setting for your wedding photos!
Four steps outside and you will be stricken by the unique view of Tuscan hills. Here’s the best spot for family photos with guests – with your feet on the lawn, BTW! The restaurant’s terrace is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the wedding reception together with your friends. Here you can watch the sunset and drink great wine.
The staff offers exciting excursions and Slow Food tastings for a very relaxing experience. An internal wedding planner is at your disposal for any question or concern. The Castle is not suitable for weddings with more than 50 people.
Villa Grabau
Villa Grabau is one of the most beautiful villas in Tuscany, and it’s the best solution should you look for a garden wedding. It’s located few kilometres from Lucca, surrounded by acres of secular gardens. Here you can have civil and symbolic ceremonies, organise receptions and stay for the night(s).
The villa is equipped for any amount of guests. There are:
- A garden for the ceremonies, under the shade of an ancient tree surrounded by climbing ivy and a small fountain. Perfect for any service.
- The Italian garden for the cocktail hour. Just in front of the villa, there is a vast garden with a big fountain of floating plants where usually takes place the aperitif.
- The limonaia (conservatory) is the real highlight. Here are organised most of the receptions. Seven oval doors connect it with a terrace overlooking the garden; you have dinner facing a wall fountain with lots of lianas falling from the ceiling.
In the case of rain, the ceremony can be celebrated within the main villa, owned by the ancient family Grabau, otherwise closed.
At your disposal
For any requests or information, feel free to drop a line, and I’ll get in touch! I can also recommend the best wedding planners and vendors for your wedding in Tuscany.
