There’s something timeless about Tuscany, the way the late summer light falls over rolling hills, the smell of wood-fired pizza and the quiet Italian way of life. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, to breathe, and to feel.

When I first photographed B & J in Australia for their engagement session, their connection was quiet, unspoken — two people completely comfortable in each other’s presence. So when they reached out asking if Linden and I would travel with them to Italy to capture their intimate destination wedding, it felt like the most natural continuation of their story.

An intimate Tuscan wedding week surrounded by family, love, and homemade pizza

The beauty of slowing down and creating a day that feels like you

B & J decided early on that they didn’t want a large, traditional wedding. Instead, they chose to bring their closest family to Italy and to rent a rustic villa surrounded by olive trees and endless views. We helped them find one of the most stunning villas and it was perfect!

The week leading up to the wedding was filled with all the simple joys that make life in Italy so beautiful. The night before, everyone gathered to make pizzas together and on the morning of the wedding, they visited the local market to pick up fresh bread, cheeses and flowers. Surrounded by their family, they created their own bouquets and buttonholes, adding a personal, handmade touch to the day.

It wasn’t rushed or structured. Just slow, easy moments that built toward something quietly unforgettable.

Getting ready in the golden light of the Tuscan countryside

A morning of calm and anticipation

The morning began in soft, dappled light streaming through the villa’s shuttered windows. Bec got ready downstairs with her mum and best-friend. Her dress was a vision of layered tulle, light as air and almost cinematic when she walked, the kind that floats behind you in a breeze and catches every ray of sun. It was the perfect contrast of modern against the old cobblestone streets.

Upstairs, Jared sat by the window, writing his vows in a small notebook. There was this wonderful stillness about him — quiet excitement, the calm before everything begins.

They were both in their own worlds, but you could feel the anticipation growing with every minute.

A moment of stillness before the adventure begins

At the bottom of the staircase that connected their two getting ready rooms, Bec and Jared shared their first look. When Bec stepped out and Jared turned to see her, everything paused. There were no grand reactions — just quiet emotion and that unmistakable look two people share when everything feels right.

It was one of those moments you can’t plan or pose; it simply unfolds. And as a photographer, you just hold your breath and let the magic happen.

A stroll through a medieval town

Gelato, cats and cobblestone streets

After the first look, we took a short drive to a nearby medieval hilltop town, where the narrow cobblestone lanes glowed in the afternoon light. Bec’s tulle dress swept behind her as she and Jared wandered hand in hand through ancient archways, locals pausing to smile and offer “auguri!” — congratulations.

They shared a gelato under terracotta walls, laughing at cats that resembled their own back home, and for a moment it felt like a scene from an old Italian film. This was the beauty of their day — no rush, no tight schedule. Just two people exploring, soaking in every moment.

The ceremony overlooking the hills

A symbolic ceremony filled with meaning and family

Back at the villa, their 12 guests gathered under the late-afternoon sun for the ceremony. The view stretched endlessly, rows of olive trees, golden fields, and even a castle on the horizon.

Bec’s father walked her down the gravel path, and Jared’s dad officiated the ceremony, making it deeply personal and heartfelt. There were tears, laughter, and quiet smiles shared between family.

As the couple read their handwritten vows, the sun dipped lower, turning the countryside gold. It was the kind of ceremony that reminds you what weddings are truly about.

Golden hour in the Tuscan hills

After the ceremony, we wandered through the villa’s gardens as the light turned to pure gold. Tuscany has a way of holding onto the sun — the way it wraps around everything and turns even the smallest moment cinematic.

Bec and Jared danced between olive trees, her dress catching the wind, the light tracing the edges of her veil. These are the moments I live for, when the world feels like it’s holding its breath, just for them.

Dinner Under the Stars

A long table, fairy lights, and handmade pasta.

As twilight settled, everyone gathered around a long table strung with fairy lights, overlooking the hills. The air filled with the sound of clinking glasses and Italian music playing softly in the background.

Platters of handmade pasta, fresh tomatoes, and local wine were passed around. Stories were told, laughter echoed through the night, and Bec and Jared sat surrounded by the people who’d travelled across the world to be there.

It wasn’t a grand affair, it was something better. It was real, grounded, and full of joy.

Why intimate weddings in Tuscany feel so special

It’s not about grandeur — it’s about presence

There’s a magic that comes with small weddings in Italy. The pace, the food, the way the light moves, it all encourages you to slow down and truly connect. Tuscany, in particular, has this way of blending history, beauty, and warmth so effortlessly that every moment feels like a memory in the making.

For couples like Bec and Jared, it wasn’t about perfection or performance. It was about spending a week surrounded by family, eating good food, exploring together, and promising forever in a place that felt like a dream.

And for me, as their photographer (and Linden, who filmed every quiet, golden moment), it was a privilege to witness something so genuine. It reminded me, once again, that the most meaningful days are often the simplest ones.

Planning your own Tuscan villa wedding

If you’re dreaming of your own intimate destination wedding in Tuscany, imagine a week where your family becomes part of the experience — cooking, exploring, celebrating together. You don’t need a crowd; you just need intention, connection, and a place that feels special.

If that sounds like your kind of day, I’d love to help you bring it to life, from finding the perfect villa to crafting an experience that feels authentically you.