Five amazing Tuscan villas to host a wedding
Castello del Nero
Who doesn’t love the idea of a Tuscan destination wedding? The romantic scenery, food, wine, light, weather and numerous villas make Tuscany a prime spot to host destination weddings from large to small. This corner of Italy is filled with sprawling villas and borgos (country villages) converted into luxurious hotels and wedding venues. If the idea of hosting your entire party of your nearest and dearest for a multiple day wedding celebration at a stunning, exclusive property in a remarkable place tickles your fancy… you’d do well to start your search here.
As destination wedding planners with clients of discerning taste, we’re looking for certain criteria that suits the desires of our clients and their guests for all their wedding and travel needs. We look for tastefully developed and decorated boutique hotels and villas that can be rented/ bought out for privacy, full service capabilities, distinctive spaces to host festivities, culinary expertise and convenient proximity to airports and cultural hubs. Here are five of our favorite places to host a wedding in Tuscany and why. Enjoy!
Castello del Nero:
“Hidden among the rolling hills of Tuscany lies COMO Castello Del Nero, Tuscany — in easy driving distance of the Renaissance cities of Florence and Siena. At the heart of this historic 740-acre estate is a twelfth-century castle layered with Renaissance frescoes and contemporary design, with interiors by Paola Navone. The resort offers Michelin-starred dining experiences with estate-to-table Tuscan produce, as well as meaningful wellness therapies at COMO Shambhala Retreat.”
This beautifully redesigned estate hotel, owned by COMO Hotels, has fifty rooms and ample amenities on its tastefully manicured grounds. It has tennis courts, a spa, restaurants, terraces, vineyards, a pool, formal gardens, a wedding chapel, views of olive groves and cypress trees, and services including childcare, yoga, pilates, and car + vespa rentals.
Il Borro is a large hotel and estate in the heart of Tuscany, owned by the Ferragamo family, and surrounded by unspoiled nature and beauty. It’s one hour from Florence, but is also close to Siena and Cortona. This Relais & Châteaux member property offers various types of accommodation for up to 147 guests: from elegant suites located within the medieval village to luxury villas dotted around the estate. .
The property still maintains much of its historic country town layout with the the manor house, additional villas, village, vineyard, gardens, fields, etc only the buildings have been updated to accommodate modern needs and tastes. It currently boasts a spa, wine shop, artisan workshops, a gym, yoga, restaurants and more. If a wedding is what you have in mind, there are numerous spaces in which to host the nuptials and peripheral events including: an amphitheater, lawns, patios and internal spaces.
Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel in Florence blends modern luxury with Renaissance splendor. The hotel, nestled in the hills around Florence, was once a former medieval monastery turned villa that has once again been redesigned to accommodate guests from the far corners of the world. The architecture of the villa blends 14th century neoclassical style (the building’s facade is attributed to Michelangelo), Renaissance grandeur, timeless Tuscan elements and modern luxury. The hotel is surrounded by the wooded hillside and terraced gardens, but the most striking element of the grounds is the spectacular views of Florence and the hills of Chianti.
The boutique hotel with its forty-five rooms, terraces, cooking school, gardens, and luxury service offers an intimate experience for destination weddings.
Villa La Massa is an impressive country estate that was built in the 13th century for an aristocratic Florentine family. The villa sits on the banks of the Arno River, only a few minutes from Florence. This 5 star hotel’s architecture maintains that regal Renaissance aesthetic with a modern appeal on a 25 acre park with manicured gardens, vineyards, and views of the countryside with olive + cypress trees for miles around.
There are fifty-four rooms available on the property, divided between the different buildings and villas. The hotel is full service with shuttles to Florence’s city center (only 15 minutes away), a spa, library, jogging track, pool, multiple bars, gym, restaurants (including the only fine dining terrace restaurant in Florence on the Arno), gardens and even a private chapel where David Bowie and Iman married.
Torre a Cona is one of the best-kept secrets of Tuscany. Immersed in the Florentine hills (only 30 minutes from Florence), with an unforgettable view of the countryside, the charming eighteenth-century villa makes an immediate impression. Surrounded by olive groves, verdant vineyards and sturdy centuries-old walls, the estate has been restored with loving care and elegance. This family owned property is not only a top notch estate grown winery notable for their fine Chianti, but is just about to launch as a boutique hotel as well.
Torre A Cona has numerous self contained apartments throughout the property, rooms in the main villa and can accommodate up to 84 guests overnight. All rooms feature original details including: antique doors, wooden beams and terracotta floors. While the new hotel rooms boast original Tuscan details, the aesthetic feels more modern country chic.
The property has not previously been open to the public for weddings, but due to our relationship with the Rossi di Montelera family, we’re privileged to be able to plan and design weddings at this exclusive estate. There are numerous beautiful spaces on the grounds that would be ideal to host weddings and smaller events including: the Italian garden, courtyard, pool area, reception room, restaurant patio and the large terrace lawn with sweeping views of the olive groves.
We hope you enjoyed this exclusive Tuscan venue roundup!
XO- The GATHER Girls