Today, we have a gorgeous, heartfelt wedding in the Tuscan countryside. This wedding might just have you pining for your own intimate wedding in Tuscany!

Rachel and Joseph said their I do’s in San Gimignano’s town hall, followed by a dazzling reception at  Casale Celli, a romantic Italian villa set amidst the untamed splendor of the Tuscan countryside. The perfect location for an intimate wedding, its outdoor reception area is surrounded by a mass of creeping bush pink roses and picturesque views of what is some of the most stunning natural scenery in Europe.

Here’s what wedding planners The Tuscan Wedding had to say about the day:

The wedding party gathered along two tables set with hand-made adornments, their chairs gracefully wrapped with foliage from the Tuscan countryside. They dined on traditional Italian cuisine and after the wedding cake had been served sparklers were lit and a wish made for the happy couple’s future. A wonderful end to a simply magical day to mark the beginning of the journey into a fulfilling marriage for Rachel and Joseph, who both agree that their decision to have an intimate wedding in Italy was the best choice they have ever made.

Kudos to Stefanie Kapra from Stefanie Kapra Photo for capturing this day so beautifully!

Rachel, 33 & Joseph, 28

Location: Florence, Italy

Wedding Date: May 21, 2015

Number of Guests: 60

Wedding Cost: $54,700 USD

Wedding Ceremony Location: San Gimignano (Siena) Town Hall

Wedding Reception Location: Casale Celli

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Joseph and I have family living all over the world and we wanted the people who are most important to us at our wedding. We decided that Italy which has always been a special place for us should be the location for our wedding as it is mutual territory as well as being a beautiful place. Also we both agreed that smaller weddings feel more personal and we would rather celebrate with those we love the most and have more time with them on our special day than having too many guests to entertain.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Because we planned a destination wedding it was a challenge deciding on a date that suited our guests as they all had to travel to be there. Our wedding planner Daniela however helped us to organise things and luckily because of her help sorting out flights and accommodation for them was made a much easier task!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

There were a few tough decisions we had to make but in the end we both agreed on having thirty guests each on the day so we had an equal number of our friends and family there and we still managed to have all of the people who we have close relationships with there on the day. It turned out to be the best thing we could have done.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

Joseph and I both had to choose between a few of the friends we wanted there the most. It wasn’t easy but after some soul searching and discussion we managed to make a decision that suited us and it worked out well in the end!

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

For me the highlight of the ceremony was walking down the aisle on my father’s arm who was so proud and supportive on the day. Seeing Joseph waiting for me and the expression on his face is a memory I will never forget. He looked so happy and it felt as if time stood still for a moment. I wish I could re-live that moment.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The highlight of the reception for me was just being among the people we care about the most who were so happy for us and being surrounded by the beautiful views of Tuscany. It really was special and lovely being able to celebrate with the people we love in such a stunning place, it felt like a dream come true.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It felt more meaningful to us having an intimate wedding because we knew everyone at our wedding were genuinely happy to be there celebrating our special day with us and we could fully relax and enjoy ourselves completely in their company. There were no need for niceties or small talk with any guests as we know them all so well. When we all sat down together for the wedding breakfast it felt like we were all having a big family meal all together.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Just to remember that your wedding day is about you as a couple, it is your day so if you feel it would be happier and more fun with less guests than go for it! It was the best decision we ever made and we were able to create our dream wedding at a location which amazed our guests. It felt nice treating the people we care about the most to the experience of being in Tuscany and meant we had more of a budget to go for all the details we wanted.

Vendors:

Ceremony: San Gimignano  -Town hall

Venue: Casale Celli

Photographer: Stefanie Kapra

Catering: Galateo – www.galateoricevimenti.com

Florist: Stiatt

Lighting: Almaproject

Wedding car: Drive in Style

Wedding planner: The Tuscan Wedding

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Winter is just around the corner, which means that winter weddings are on their way! To celebrate the season of snow, hot chocolate, and the romantic nuptials that follow suit, here are some of our favorite Etsy winter wedding dresses.

We couldn’t think of a better design to kick off this list with than this darling blue-tinted wedding dress by Milamirabridal.

For a classic winter feel, this wedding dress by LikhomanovaCouture is the perfect choice.

Daring and delicate, we can’t get enough of this open back wedding gown by CathyTelle.

All eyes will be on you in this winter-inspired, peach-colored wedding dress by CathyTelle

The thick lace in this piece by Milamirabridal is bound to keep you warm during your dream winter wedding.

For a bold, yet soft style, this wedding dress by CarouselFashion can’t be overlooked!

This two piece wedding dress by AnyaDionne is absolutely to die for!

We love this Victorian-inspired wedding dress by CathyTelle. The high neck and long sleeves will keep you warm during your romantic winter wedding.

Chanel your inner snow queen with this dazzling wedding dress design by Milamirabridal.

This high neck design by Milamirabridal is tied together perfectly with a sheer top and dazzled belt.

*This post contains Etsy affiliate links.

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To ensure that you don’t take your wedding planning too seriously, we decided to dedicate a post to some playful wedding accessories. From brightly colored bracelets, to funny thank-you cards, here are some of our favorite Etsy finds.

Release your inner cat lady with this amazing temporary tattoo by Tattoorary. What a great party favor for all of your girls!

We love this fun and classy cactus themed gold bangle by PassionflowerMade. Who says that plants are only for display?

Marquees and neon signs make any party much more exciting, so who could ever say no to this good vibes neon sign by MarcusConradPoston? Not us!

Bookworms unite with this absolutely amazing book tower guest book page by SaraAart. When everyone has signed, you could frame your guestbook and keep it displayed forever.

This amazing glow in the dark necklace by EpicGlows would be perfect as a thank you gift, or even as an accessory given to your bridesmaids to wear on your big night.  That way, you’ll be able to spot each other easily when your favorite song comes on!

Hours after the meal has been served and the drinks have been poured, your guests might still have a sweet tooth. No better time to take out trays of these cute midnight munchies bags by PressedCotton, filled with candy or popcorn for your guests!

Sometimes you need to get right to the point, and this “I like your face” card by hillarybird is the perfect way to give your sweetheart a little pick me up.

Nothing says true love quite like growing weird together, and the team at BespokeCountryWed understands with this amazing cake topper! 

Temporary tattoos are all the rage, so why not claim your bridal party as your very own Bride Tribe with one of these temporary tats by FancyThatLoved.

And finally, take your bridal party all the way back to golden days of high school with these awesome friendship bracelets by Fitzberries.

*This post contains Etsy affiliate links.

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The raw beauty of the B.C. wilderness provided the backdrop for Jakub and Jane’s summer elopement. The couple, who value spontaneity and creativity, had never visited Horby Island prior to arriving for their elopement.

” … we managed to explore the island and find everything we needed in the three days we had available to us prior to the wedding,” says Jane.

After saying their vows in a simple forest ceremony, the couple found a perfect spot for a sunset picnic on the beach.

“Right from the start of planning our elopement, it was liberating to have the freedom to do exactly what we dreamed of,” Jane explains.

Judging by the photos from photographer Jennifer Armstrong, the elopement was nothing short of magical!

Jane, 31 & Jakub, 35

Location: Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada

Wedding Date: July 21, 2016

Number of Guests: None (only 3 witnesses, 2 of whom we met for the first time only a half an hour before the ceremony and the other being the photographer Jennifer Armstrong).

Wedding Cost: $ 3,500 CAD covering most of the wedding essentials, but it’s hard to say what to include, as we incorporated the elopement into our holiday.

Wedding Ceremony Location: Helliwell Provincial Park, Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada

Wedding Reception Location: None, though we had a picnic on the beach at sunset at the location above.

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wished for a special day that would be truly unique and memorable, yet intimate and stress-free. As much as we love our families and friends, we couldn’t picture ourselves having a big formal or traditional wedding.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

There weren’t really many challenges apart from keeping it a secret from everyone around us for nearly a year and a half. But in fact, this challenge only made it even more special in the end, so was worth it by all means.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, since it was only the two of us, this actually made it quite liberating.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We kept it a secret from everyone, so no issues at all.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Reading out the vows and all the nice things we had written about each other. Loving the atmosphere of the moment, since it was just the two of us to completely focus on one another.

What were the highlights of the reception? 

Well, we didn’t actually have a reception, but the picnic we had on the beach at sunset was truly magical.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Right from the start of planning our elopement, it was liberating to have the freedom to do exactly what we dreamed of. We both have an independent nature and love an element of spontaneity and creativity in everything we do. Therefore, the idea of an intimate wedding gave us the opportunity to incorporate most of the detail at last minute. We arrived on Hornby Island with a marriage licence and our wedding outfits and rings in our backpacks, having booked a photographer, a marriage commissioner and accommodation in advance. Despite this being our first time visiting Hornby, we managed to explore the island and find everything we needed in the three days we had available to us prior to the wedding

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

You’ll have lots of flexibility to play with, so have fun being creative and make sure to incorporate enough time throughout the wedding for just the two of you. Also, it’s great to leave some element of surprise in the air, so you don’t have to plan everything to the last detail. Trust your gut feeling, play along with the atmosphere of the moment, enjoy yourselves and you’ll have an amazing day!

Vendors:

Photographer: Jennifer Armstrong Photography

 Location: Horby Island

Guest house: Cute Cozy Cabin

Flowers: Alina Milek

Wedding dress: Kelsey Genna

Bride’s shoes: Selected

Groom’s shirt, belt and shoes: Ted Baker

Groom’s trousers:  Next

 Groom’s bow tie: Fox & Brie

Bride’s hair styling: Arlene McIlroy

 Rings:  Glasswing Jewellery

Mead: Middle Mountain Mead

 Pottery and all other goodies from Hornby Island.

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This year has been a beautiful year for small weddings! We couldn’t think of a better way to finish off the year than to create a round-up of some of our favorite weddings from 2016, starting with weddings under $10,000. Click on the photos below to view the full weddings.

When it came to planning their wedding day, both Brittany and Cameron agreed that they wanted to keep things simple. While Brittany wanted to elope on the beach,  Cameron wasn’t quite on board with the idea. The couple compromised and opted instead for a small wedding at one of their favourite spots – Yahoo Falls – with just their closest family and friends by their sides. (Photographed by Brandi Potter.)

For Ashley and Kyle, having an intimate wedding meant not having to sweat the small stuff. Because there wasn’t a large guest list to impress – just their immediate family and few close friends with whom they could laugh off any mishaps – the couple didn’t let the threat of impending rain or a reception venue change rattle them; they simply focused on the most important task at hand; getting married! (Photographed byRed Boat Photography.)

With a breathtaking venue, adorable flower girls, and a red velvet cake to die for, Jacqueline and Andrew’s rustic Pointhouse wedding was a dream come true. Best of all, was the fact that the couple pulled it off (with the help of their wedding planner) without breaking the bank. (Photographed by Coco Photography.)

Caitlin and Shawn originally set out to have a big traditional wedding, but as their anxiety over the idea of a large guest list grew, they opted for an elopement instead. For the bride, however, the thought of not having her father walk her down the aisle was too heartbreaking a notion to even consider. So, in lieu of a traditional elopement without any guests, the couple chose to invite their immediate family to join them in Kauai, Hawaii at the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens. (Photographed by Sealight Studios.)

Like many couples who choose to have an intimate wedding, Chelsea and Jared simply wanted to share their  special day with those closest to them – their family and a few friends – while keeping the focus of their nuptials on each other and their loved ones. (Photographed by Micahla Wilson.)

Sarah and Reese didn’t even bother to make a guest list when it came to their wedding day. From the beginning, the couple knew that they only wanted to celebrate with their immediate family – the same people that would still be by their sides in 30 years. (Photographed by Wesley and Emma.)

Not wanting to share their wedding day with 200 guests – and knowing they couldn’t invite one cousin without inviting all of them – Ashely and Nick quickly decided that their’s would be an immediate family only affair. With only 30 guests  – including a handful of their closest friends – the bride and groom were able to have the kind of stress-free and budget-friendly wedding they were after with a quick, casual ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts and a fun relaxed reception catered by Tacolicious at the bride’s best friend’s apartment. (Photographed by Milou and Olin Photography .)

A wedding cake lost in the mail, a couple of uninvited ceremony guests in the form of a bear cub and its mama bear, and one spontaneously chosen, not to mention stunning, ceremony site are just a few of the wild highlights from Julia and Jeff’s wedding in Sequoia National Park. The most meaningful highlights, however, came in the form of the memories they were able to create and share with their 19 guests, each of whom had a part in leading a portion of the wedding ceremony. (Photographed by Helena and Laurent Photography.)

For Olenka and Mykola, having an intimate wedding didn’t just mean having a small guest list, it meant organizing a private family-oriented affair that included their guests in every aspect of their special day – from planning and decorating the venue, to celebrating together. (Photographed by Nickolay Debelinsky.)

When it came to their wedding day, Madelene and Peter knew exactly what they didn’t want – a stiff, traditional church wedding. Instead, the couple gathered up their friends and family, hired an officiant (complete with traditional Swedish garb), put a bow tie on their adorable pup, and got married on the beach in the rain. (Photographed by Photo by Betsy.)

Securing a rambling Victorian home for four days, Iain and Althea designed a mini-holiday that teased conversations and intimate moments beyond the constraints of a reception. From their entrance announced by bagpiper, to a beer and rib reception, they remained authentic to the rhythm of the life they’ve created together, and their weekend with a wedding in the middle. (Photographed by This Rad Love.)

Surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast and beauty of its redwood forest, Kaitlyn and Matt chose Limekiln State Park in California to begin the next chapter of their lives together. (Photographed by Paige Nelson Photography.)

With its unspoiled natural beauty, Michigan’s Drummond Island was the perfect backdrop for a late afternoon sparkling Prosecco toast to Celina and John’s union. Drummond Island & Conference Center, which is a remote retreat tucked offshore at the top of the state, was the ideal location for the couple’s casually elegant wedding on the island. (Photographed by Bryana Riutta of Riutta Images.)

Anna and Awad wanted to keep their wedding as low-key as possible. While they weren’t interested in drawing lots of attention to themselves with a large wedding, they still wanted to celebrate with those nearest and dearest to them. An intimate ceremony and small reception was the perfect fit! (Photographed by Callie Manion.)

Harley and Joseph were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first born son when they decided to ‘officially’ become a family in front of their nearest and dearest in Sedona, Arizona. (Photographed by Dan & Erin PhotoCinema .)

Lauren and John were almost convinced that eloping would be the only way they’d be able to have the intimate wedding they so badly wanted. Their beloved friends and family were very opinionated about the guest list, and no matter how they swung it, they knew they wouldn’t be able to please everybody. So they forged ahead with the wedding THEY wanted, knowing that ultimately their wedding day was about the two of them making a lifelong commitment to one another. (Photographed by Laura K. Moore Photography.)

With the groom’s family residing in Scotland, and the bride’s family in America, Marlo and Allan knew immediately after they were engaged that an intimate wedding suited them.  (Photographed by Lola Grace Photography.)

Emily and William wanted to be immersed in nature and surrounded by their closest family and friends on their wedding day. They also didn’t want to have to sacrifice wedding decor or location because of a tight budget. Their solution? An intimate wedding in their own backyard! (Photographed by LIONLADY Photography.)

Using the help and many talents of their family and friends, Anneke and Cameron’s destination wedding in Nova Scotia was a truly collaborative affair. Travelling from all across the country, their guests helped transform the Second Paradise Retreat into the wedding venue of the couple’s dreams, and celebrated the couple as they exchanged their vows by the bay. (Photographed by Nicole Payzant .)

Kansas couple, Mariella and Kyle, had an intimate destination wedding in the Olympic Mountains of Port Angeles, Washington. Although they had to give up some traditional wedding day elements because of their decision to have an intimate wedding, the couple was rewarded with a slower paced wedding that allowed them to savour each and every minute of their celebration with those they love the most. (Photographed by Adrien Craven.)

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