What a stunning and romantic wedding! Sarah and Ramez are a US couple who contacted our planners to get married in Florence with the Coptic rite. We recommended the Catholic church of Ognissanti (All Saints), a magnificent baroque church, with a simple structure enriched by masterpieces of the Italian art: a wooden crucifix by Giotto, and paintings of Botticelli and Ghirlandaio. We contacted the parish and they confirmed that the Coptic rite is possible in the church.
This church is so full of art that does not require much decoration. The impressive frescoes on the vaulted nave ceilings convey a sense of infinity, the appropriate background for a rite meant to unite a bride and groom with a forever lasting bond. With all these precious ornaments and stunning works of art, we suggested a simple decoration and only added candles in glass candle holders on the main altar.
After the ceremony, while the couple was having a photo session in the elegant streets and the most panoramic spots of Florence, the guests moved to the enchanting Villa di Maiano, a Renaissance Villa nestled on the hills of Fiesole, in the magnificent countryside surrounding Florence.
The Italian Garden was the perfect setting for the cocktail hour with buffet of drinks, appetizers passed around by waiters, a rustic corner with cold cuts and cheeses and a bread corner with a delicious selection of different kinds of bread.
Finger food (passed around by waiters)
- Tartlet with ricotta cheese, thyme and candied ginger zest
- Tartlet with raspberries jelly, pecorino cheese mousse and seeds.
- Brioches sweet bread with rosemary paté.
- Mini quiche with zucchini and zucchini flowers
- Small blinis with smoked salmon and dill
- Shrimp tails with aromatic herbs
Tempura (passed around by waiters)
- Fried shrimp
- Cinnamon Parmigiano cheese cubes
- Rice balls with pecorino cheese and truffle
- Sage leaves
- Zucchini flowers
Rustic Corner
- Cold Cuts: Raw ham, Tuscan salami
- Cheeses: Fresh pecorino cheese from Pienza, Saffron Pecorino with Saffron from San Gimignano, Pecorino with pistachios from Bronte, Ewe’s milk ricotta cheese served on the spoon
Served with: jams, honey and mustards, bitter orange jam, acacia honey, Mediterranean Mostarda from Cecchini butcher’s shop - Le Mozzarelle: Burrata from Andria, Bufala mozzarella cheese cherries, Fiordilatte mozzarella cheese small knots
Served with: tomato and basil jelly, Pachino, San Marzano, Perini, Insalatari tomatoes salad - Warm pappa al pomodoro (Tuscan bread salad with tomato and basil)
Bread Corner
- Hot Coccoli (Fried bread pasta) to be served with ham and cheese
- Buckwheat Tuscan bread
- White Tuscan unsalted Tuscan bread
- Tuscan Schiacciata with rosemary and salt
- Croccantelle dry bread in two flavours: Mediterranean flavor with rosemary and extra virgin olive oil; buckwheat flour
- Stone-baked focaccia in three flavours: green olive, tomato and oregano
- Carta Musica (crunchy, crisp and thin schiacciata)
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The wedding reception followed in the gardens in front of the villa, where long tables were set up and decorated each with a pergola full of flowers and greenery. The delicate colors of the floral decorations in pastel hues of white, pink and orange were complemented by white candles and small glass lanterns. A romantic glass chandelier was suspended above the top table. Impressive creation by the florists of Tuscany Flowers!
Menu for Wedding Banquet
First Course
Giant Ravioli with Pappa al pomodoro with asparagus tips scallion flavored and Pecorino cheese fondue
Second Course
Gemelli fresh pasta with Cinta pork meat sauce and porcini mushrooms
Third Course
- Beef fillet with Chianti Classico sauce
- Potatoes flan with marjoram
- Baby spinach with raisin and pine-nuts
Wines
- Falanghina IGT La Fortezza
- Rosso di Montepulciano DOC Dei
- Moscato D’Asti Il Bosseto
- Mandelli Brut Madonna delle Vittorie
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This couple and the guests really loved to dance! So we arranged for them a dancefloor near the top table, where they could dance between courses with pop and Arabic songs played by a DJ.
The wedding cake was actually two cakes! A red velvet cake with cream cheese filling and buttercream covering for the couple, which was featured at the cake cutting. And a large classical Italian cake, a millefeuille with chantilly cream and fresh fruit on top, which was prepared on spot and served to the guests.
After the dessert the party continued until 2 am: what an unforgettable night!
Enjoy the enchanting photo gallery by Katie Mitchell, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to plan the next fabulous wedding in Florence with Exclusive Italy Weddings!
Image Credits: Katie Mitchell ©.
