A Romantic Three-Day Celebration at Villa Catignano: Charlotte & Ceri’s Bridgerton-Inspired Tuscan Wedding

OneFineDayWeddingConsultants
6 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

There are weddings… and then there are experiences…

Charlotte and Ceri’s celebration at Villa Catignano, nestled in the rolling hills just outside Siena, was one of those weekends that truly captured the magic of Tuscany. A full three days surrounded by family, friends, music, and the kind of joy that feels timeless.

Day One: A Warm Tuscan Welcome

Guests arrived to the scent of the Tuscan countryside and sun-warmed stone, greeted by Charlotte and Ceri with the kind of warmth that instantly made everyone feel at home.

Their weekend began with a Welcome Pizza Party in the villa’s gardens, where wooden tables dressed with red and white checkered cloths were set beneath the trees, which twinkled with fairy lights as dusk fell and a gelato cart became an instant crowd favourite.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, a live musician played softly while guests laughed, mingled, and toasted the days ahead, the perfect start to a weekend that would only grow more unforgettable.

✨Planner Pro Tip: A relaxed welcome event is more than just an icebreaker, it sets the tone for the entire weekend. Keep the first night informal and joyful so your guests can unwind and truly arrive in Italy

Day Two: The Wedding

Charlotte’s vision was Bridgerton elegance meets Tuscan romance, and Villa Catignano could not have been a more fitting backdrop.

The morning began in a flurry of soft laughter and excitement as Charlotte and her bridesmaids got ready inside the villa’s sun dappled rooms — the sound of the string quartet rehearsing floating through open windows.

Once hair and make up was complete, Charlotte shared an emotional first look with her bridesmaids, followed by a touching reveal with her parents, filled with happy tears and pride.

Meanwhile, Ceri and his groomsmen enjoyed a quieter morning elsewhere in the villa, exchanging toasts and calm anticipation and an emotional first look with his Mum and Brother

Before the ceremony, Charlotte and Ceri met privately for a first look, a deeply intimate moment where they exchanged private vows, surrounded only by the stillness of the Tuscan hills.

✨Planner Pro Tip: Scheduling a private vow exchange before the ceremony can be one of the most emotional and grounding parts of the day. It allows you to be fully present and it photographs beautifully in the Tuscan light.

The ceremony itself was accompanied by the string quartet, setting an ethereal tone that carried through the day.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests moved to the gardens for a Tuscan aperitivo… a curated selection of cocktails and Prosecco, accompanied by local bites and typically Tuscan cuisine, all while the string quartet continued to play. It was the perfect moment to toast the newlyweds and savor the beauty of the villa’s sunlit gardens.

✨Planner Pro Tip: Even though it was a blazing hot day in June, we still had a fully curated wet weather contingency plan in place — a little reminder that thoughtful planning always allows you to relax and enjoy the moment, no matter what.

The evening continued in the villa’s open courtyard for dinner with long tables dressed in soft pastels, delicate blooms, and flickering candlelight beneath a canopy of overhead lights.

✨Planner Pro Tip: Overhead lighting is transformative for outdoor dinners — it not only defines the space but also enhances photos once the sun sets. Always plan for lighting that feels both functional and atmosphere.

After dinner, Charlotte and Ceri’s first dance took place on a dance floor positioned right by the courtyard tables, allowing guests to enjoy the romantic moment up close.

This beautiful moment transitioned into the traditional Italian cake show, where the couple helped create their Millefoglie wedding cake. Guests were then served the cake alongside grappa, limoncello, and coffee — a delicious nod to Italian tradition.

At this point, Charlotte surprised everyone with a chic twist — slipping out of her elegant gown and into a short, sassy party dress, ready to dance the night away. The outfit change perfectly captured her joyful spirit and the energy of the evening, leading seamlessly into the DJ-led after party indoors.

It was the perfect blend of sophistication, personality, and pure celebration.

✨Planner Pro Tip: If you’re planning an outfit change, time it between the cake cutting and the dance floor transition. It gives guests a natural moment to refresh, while you reappear ready for the party.

Day Three: A Tuscan Farewell

No one was quite ready to say goodbye, and thankfully, they didn’t have to… not yet. The weekend concluded with a relaxed garden BBQ, where laughter lingered in the air and stories from the night before were shared over glasses of local wine.

It was the kind of slow, sunlit afternoon that perfectly captured the heart of Tuscany — unhurried, joyful, and full of connection.

✨ Planner Pro Tip:

A farewell brunch or BBQ is the perfect way to close a destination wedding. Keep it casual, serve simple regional dishes, and let guests linger — those final few hours often become the most memorable.

A Weekend to Remember

Every guest stayed on site for the full three days, creating a true sense of togetherness, a private little world within the villa’s historic walls.

For Charlotte and Ceri, it wasn’t just about one perfect day. It was about presence, about creating space for connection, and about surrounding themselves with people they love most, all against the dreamlike backdrop of Tuscany in June.

And for us, it was an honour to bring that vision to life.