Natasha and Jake, Castello Il Palagio, Tuscany

Tasha and Jake decided to be adventurous, and get married in a castle, on a vineyard, in rural Tuscany, in an intimate service with 40 of their closest friends and family.

I knew Tasha and Jake were my type of couple from our initial skype. Their little sausage dog Darcy was trying to demand all of the attention on their end, my kittens were running riot wanting to get involved - plus they told me how much they loved my style, and had already checked on available flights from Manchester for me, organised much!? They told me how Italy was their favourite place and that they go a few time a year, they love the culture and the food (obviously!) so it felt natural for them to get married there.

Fast forward to the big day!

When they arrived in Italy at the start of the week, the weather had been horrendous and there had even been mudslides in Tuscany. So they were a little bit concerned! However the weather was beautiful at the end of the week for their wedding. This was an intimate wedding, with their 40 closest friends and family. I love intimate weddings, they feel so personal and special, it's really lovely to share your day with only the people that mean the absolute most to you.

Tasha and Jake had booked the gorgeous Tenuta Di Sticciano in rural Tuscany as their accommodation for the week for themselves and their guests, and as their prep for the wedding morning. Tasha had the bridal suite in the main farmhouse, which at the top had a beautiful 360 window! I loved this venue for prep, lots of gorgeous window light and rustic details - they even host their own destination Italian weddings here. When I arrived, Tasha, her bridesmaids, her mum and Jakes mum were having their hair and makeup done, whilst dancing around to the BEST wedding morning playlist. This is definitely one of my best wedding morning tips - get your playlist ready and decided in advance, a mixture of absolute bangers and some emotional ballads will get you set for the day! Jake's accommodation was in another farmhouse, just down the round from the bridal suite - this is so convenient, and perfect for photographers covering both preps!

The ceremony and celebrations happened at the incredible Castello Il Palagio, in the Chianti region of Tuscany. This was a real live castle and vineyard Italian wedding venue, which was just perfect. It felt so authentically Italian, beautifully rustic, and complemented the elegant details organised by Tasha, Jake, and their planner Weddings in Tuscany by Imperial. If you don't speak Italian, don't know where to start with suppliers, but desperately want a destination wedding in Italy, then a wedding planner is exactly what you need!

Tasha and Jake wed in an outdoors ceremony, behind the castle overlooking the vineyards, with a floral backdrop. It was REALLY hot! So Tasha and Jake had provided fans for their guests to keep themselves cool throughout the ceremony. Jakes reaction to seeing Tasha for the first time is one of my absolute favourites ever! He teared up and was emotional throughout the ceremony, which was just lovely to watch - I really can't blame him either, Tasha looked stunning in her intricately beaded gown.

After the ceremony, a huge grazing board of antipasti and bruschetta was served outside as canapes. For the guests to serve themselves, whilst enjoying the music from the harpist across the courtyards. Whilst their friends and family relaxed in the Italian sun, myself and Just by Michael (the videographer, who I cant recommend enough!) whisked Tasha and Jake off for some portrait time. We used the front of the castle, and the vineyard for some quintessential Italian wedding couple portraits. I could shoot here over and over and not get bored - I love the rural Italian landscape and the way the soft afternoon light hits the cypress trees - one of my favourite views.

The set up for the wedding breakfast was inside the courtyard of the castle, surrounded by the historic castle walls, but open air with fairy lights twinkling. They opted for long trestle tables, in a U shape. Tasha had done her own table plan and order of service for the day, which matched her laser cut place names- learning to do your own calligraphy seems to be a big wedding trend! Obviously pasta was on the menu, as well as gelato which was served from a Piaggio.

If you're planning your own destination wedding in Italy, take a look below for the ultimate Italian wedding inspiration. I cant recommend Castello Il Palagio enough for your wedding venue, and Weddings in Tuscany by Imperial were faultless all day.


Bride and Groom photograph Italian destination wedding in Tuscany
Bride and groom photograph outdoors at Castelo Il Palagio destination italian wedding in Tuscany
Photograph of bride having her makeup done at Italian destination wedding in Tuscany
Person in white attire preparing for a special occasion in a warm-lit room.
Wedding details with white bridal shoes and floral bouquet on wooden windowsill.
A getting ready scene from a wedding morning with hair and makeup preparations in warm lighting.
An ornate lace wedding dress hangs elegantly on a wooden hanger against a dark wardrobe.
A wedding dress hangs in a dimly lit doorway next to a floor lamp creating a romantic ambiance.
View of rustic tile roofs and countryside hills in a Mediterranean landscape.
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Hair styling session captured in warm, vintage-toned photography.
Makeup application session captured in moody, dramatic lighting.
A formal grey suit jacket hangs on display in warm, ambient lighting.
Wedding day portrait in formal attire by a window in warm lighting.
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Final touches of makeup being applied in an intimate pre-wedding preparation moment.
A person in white holds a champagne flute while sitting in moody lighting.
Makeup artist applies finishing touches during wedding preparation in warm lighting.
Final touches of makeup being applied to a bride wearing a sparkling lace dress.
A bride in an elegant lace gown examines her reflection in an ornate wooden wardrobe.
A groom in a light beige suit stands confidently in a warmly lit hallway.
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Wedding preparation scene with attendants helping style the bride in a lace dress.
Two groomsmen in light colored suits share a moment during an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Musicians perform with a harp and cello during an outdoor garden event.
A wedding processional moves through a garden setting in warm natural light.
Groom and groomsmen in light colored suits stand at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
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Bridesmaids in blush dresses hold bouquets while seated at outdoor ceremony.
Emotional moment during outdoor wedding ceremony under trees and natural lighting.
Intimate outdoor wedding ceremony moment with light colored attire against natural backdrop.
Couple exchanges vows during rustic outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by guests.
Close-up of ring exchange during outdoor wedding ceremony with guests in background.
Newlyweds share their first kiss at outdoor ceremony with bridesmaids in blush dresses watching.
Welcome sign with greenery decoration at wedding featuring blush and white calligraphy.
Elegant wedding appetizers and hors d'oeuvres displayed on wooden serving platters.
A rustic outdoor table setting with place settings and decor against a stone wall.
Two people in light colored suits share a tender moment in front of an arched wooden door.
A romantic moment captured against a stone archway with flowing white dress and floral bouquet.
An intimate wedding portrait featuring white florals and flowing veil against stone architecture.
A tender wedding moment captured against historic stone walls and wooden doors.
A small child in casual attire stands against a rustic wooden door.
Wedding guests gather in a garden setting with stone buildings and trees in warm sepia tones.
Elegant place setting with white plate and delicate floral decor.
Castelo Il Palagio Italy destination wedding in tuscany
Wedding reception table with elegant place settings and greenery garland centerpiece.
Wedding party gathered in a stone archway entrance in warm lighting.
Guests gather at an elegant wedding reception table adorned with floral arrangements and candles under ornate columned archways.
Wedding reception guests share laughter around an elegantly decorated table with white floral centerpieces and candles.
Wedding guests celebrate with joyful expressions during a reception dinner at an ornate venue.
Wedding reception attendees share laughter during speeches at a decorated dinner table.
Wedding guests react with enthusiasm during reception speeches at an elegant venue.
Wedding party in blush gowns poses together on a scenic outdoor terrace.
Wedding party in light suits and dresses poses together outdoors on rustic grounds.
Couple poses under romantic hanging floral installation at outdoor wedding venue.
Romantic sunset portrait of couple embracing in vineyard setting during wedding celebration.
Couple walks hand in hand along rustic path through olive grove in wedding attire.
A romantic sunset moment between newlyweds in a lace gown and light suit standing in a vineyard.
Intimate wedding couple portrait at golden hour with bride in backless lace dress.
Wedding couple shares tender moment in vineyard during sunset photoshoot.
Intimate wedding portrait in vineyard with couple embracing at dusk.
Bride holding white bouquet poses with groom in vineyard during sunset.
Newlyweds share cake cutting moment under hanging lights at reception.
Wedding couple laughing while feeding each other cake at reception under string lights.
Wedding party celebrating and dancing during evening reception.
Wedding celebration with group dancing and laughing at night reception.
Wedding reception candid moment with guests gathered around food station.
Wedding party celebrates on the dance floor during a lively reception celebration.
Couple shares their first dance under arched columns at an elegant venue with string lights.
Couple dances beneath string lights in a historic venue with stunning stone architecture.