[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
White, Black, Green, Creams
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
This Tuscany garden wedding is characterized by its romantic, rustic, and charming atmosphere. The design, vibe, and vision for such a wedding aim to capture the essence of the picturesque landscapes and timeless, classic beauty of Tuscany, Italy.
From the Bride… “Selecting La Foce as our venue was an easy decision—it simply captivated us with its undeniable charm and breathtaking beauty.
Planning a wedding in Toronto presented several challenges. Between the soaring costs of living (and weddings!) and the post-COVID scramble for prime dates extending into 2024, we decided to broaden our horizons. Our search led us overseas to France and Italy, two countries dear to us as we have family residing in both.
That’s when we enlisted the help of our fantastic wedding planner, Charlotte. Based in London, she’s fluent in both Italian and French, making her the ideal liaison between us and our dream destination.
Stefan and I were intent on creating a unique experience for our guests. We sought a venue where everyone could stay together, within a two-hour drive from an international airport, and equipped with amenities that our predominantly North American guests would appreciate—like air conditioning and private washrooms.
La Foce, steeped in rich history and unparalleled beauty, met all these criteria. At the heart of our relationship, Stefan and I share a profound love for history, a deep admiration for prolific European architecture, and an appreciation for stunning natural landscapes. La Foce and the Val D’Orcia region encapsulate all of this and more with their incredibly rich heritage. It felt truly special to intertwine our story with such a historic site, creating memories that we’ll cherish forever.”
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]In the words of the bride, Justine, “Stefan chose to propose during a moment that was quintessentially us – walking our dog, Stark, through the historic St. George campus of the University of Toronto, where I did my MBA. This part of the city holds many fond memories for us, and we’ve always been drawn to its stunning Victorian architecture and picturesque scenery.
Stefan did his best to keep the whole thing a secret, but let’s just say subtlety isn’t his strong suit! He enlisted a friend to set up a surprise – a bottle of champagne and flowers – in front of one of the oldest buildings on campus. She was even stealthy enough to capture the entire event on video.
In retrospect, one of the funniest parts of the day was watching footage of a stranger discovering the hidden setup and snapping photos, literally seconds before we arrived. It was a close call, but it all added to the fun of the day. “[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
From the Bride… “My main dress was a stunning piece from Galia Lahav. I first laid eyes on it at a Galia Lahav trunk show, and I instantly knew it would be a top contender. The moment I put it on, I was hooked. The gown was originally designed with stunning, ultra-feminine tuile sleeves, which looked incredibly angelic, but didn’t resonate with my personality and personal style. Throughout my life, I’ve always leaned more towards bold, less traditionally feminine styles. For my wedding, I wanted to add a touch of edginess to my look. The sheer illusion of the gown, coupled with the custom-designed pointed sleeves that were created in lieu of the tuile sleeves, struck the perfect balance between unexpected edginess and the soft romanticism you’d expect from a Tuscan garden wedding.
For my other outfits, I enlisted the help of Canadian stylist Rachel Dunford. She curated outfit recommendations for the welcome dinner, reception dress, and civil ceremony, cleverly incorporating both new items and pieces I already had in my closet. Rachel made sure each look was a perfect fit for the venue, event, and most importantly, me. Her expertise gave me the confidence that all my looks would be spot-on, allowing me to focus my energy on other aspects of the planning process.
Overall, it was super fun to wear such a stunning creation that so many people had put in so much hard work and love into making, and it was such a perfect reflection of my personality and style.
I was also super excited to finally show Stefan the dress. We’ve lived together for years and we typically bounce ideas off of one another for our day-to-day style, so having him not see the dress prior to the first look was a big build-up, especially as he had known there was a lot of effort (and stress!) that went into the customization of the sleeves.
His reaction at the first look was perfect – he immediately exclaimed “this is the coolest dress I’ve EVER seen” – that will forever be a core memory for me.”
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Tuscany is famous for its simple yet flavorful dishes that celebrate fresh, high-quality ingredients. Aperol sprtiz and a gelato bar were of course provided to guests. Guests enjoyed the following:
Bruschetta: Grilled bread rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with fresh tomatoes and basil.
Risotto with Saffron: Creamy risotto flavored with saffron, a spice often used in Tuscan cuisine.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina: A famous Tuscan T-bone steak, typically grilled and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Fagioli all’Uccelletto: White beans cooked with tomatoes, garlic, and sage, Arugula salad with shaved Parmesan, dressed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]A white and green wedding floral theme, especially in the gardens of La Foce, complements the natural beauty and evokes a sense of timeless elegance. Adding chandeliers to the outdoor setting can further enhance the romantic and enchanting atmosphere. The couple chose a unique table formation in the shape of an “X” with a set of abundant, tall chandeliers in the center. Chandeliers seemingly suspended from tree branches adds a touch of glamour.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The cake was kept small, simple and classic. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]
From the Bride… “The music throughout the day was a mix of our individual and shared favorite songs. One particularly special aspect of our wedding music was the live performances – my cousin, who’s more like a brother to me, is a professional cellist based in Florence. He collaborated with his friends and colleagues to create an unforgettable musical experience for our wedding.
He generously devoted his time and energy to personally arrange some of our favorite songs for the string quartet. After playing in the ceremony, he handed off his spot in the quartet to another musician so he could join the celebration. His personal touch on the music added a special layer of meaning, not just because he’s family, but also because it allowed us to incorporate unique musical elements into our day.
For instance, I’ve been a huge fan of Taylor Swift for nearly two decades (yes! seriously!). Thanks to my cousin’s hard work and creativity, we were able to include beautiful string arrangements of some of my favorite Taylor Swift songs that we couldn’t find already arranged for string quartets online.
Our first dance was to “And Then Some” by The Arkells, a song that holds a dear spot in our hearts. We first heard it together at a live concert years ago—it was a significant event as we have vastly different musical tastes and had never attended a concert together until then. Stefan has known one of the band members since childhood, so we really had no excuse not to go. I wasn’t very familiar with the band at the time, but the moment we heard this song, we both knew it would always hold special significance for us. In fact, we declared right then and there that “And Then Some” would be our first dance song. And true to our word, it was!”
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]La Foce is a historic estate located in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, Italy, known for its stunning gardens and picturesque landscapes.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]
From the Bride… “The most special part of the day, without a doubt, was having all our friends and family gathered in one place. Stefan and I have loved ones spread across the globe, and we belong to several different friend groups due to living in multiple cities and attending different universities and grad schools. So, bringing everyone together to celebrate with us was truly the highlight of our wedding.
It’s a rare and precious experience to have so many people you love in one place, sharing in your joy—it’s a gift beyond compare. We feel incredibly fortunate to have shared this momentous occasion with our favorite people.”
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]
From the Bride… “Without a doubt, the best decision we made was to tailor our wedding in a way that truly reflected us as individuals and as a couple.
Instead of following trends or adhering to a specific theme, we examined every element of the day and decided what felt right for us, and what told our story. We didn’t include any wedding traditions “just because,” nor did we succumb to pressure to conform to trends that didn’t resonate with us. For instance, we skipped the traditional wedding cake—a moment we never really connected with—and instead opted for a champagne tower and toast to kick off the dancing.
Our Australian Shepherd, Stark, who is quite literally the center of our universe, couldn’t make the trip to Italy but was very much present in spirit. He was featured in our officiant’s speech, our vows, and even inspired our cocktail hour. We traded the conventional his-and-her cocktails for playful variations based on his personality, dubbing them “Stark the Good Boy” and “Stark the Sassy Boy” cocktails.
By focusing on our intentions rather than themes or traditions, we were able to shape the day into a beautiful blend of all the things that define us—our backgrounds, values, and favorite things. This included honoring Stefan’s Serbian roots with traditional sprigs of rosemary for our guests and selecting a team primarily composed of women-owned and led small businesses from parts of the world that hold significance to us or our heritage. A prime example of this was our stationery, designed and made in Scotland, where my father’s family hails from.
In essence, we crafted a celebration that wasn’t bound by tradition but was deeply meaningful and personal to us. And looking back, we wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/915756690 600 338]
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Photography: Theresa Kelly | Event Planning: La Fête | Floral Design: Stiatti Fiori | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Invitations: Laura Elizabeth Patrick | Catering: Delizia Ricevimenti | DJ: Diletta | Beauty: Lara Navarrini | Bridal Styling: Rachel Dunford | Drinks: Brinda Pino | Location: La Foce | Music: Amelia Sharpcello | Video: Gattotigre - Destination Wedding Videography
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