You will see more than one wedding gown featured in this lovely Tuscan inspired wedding photo shoot. Although quite different from each other, the designs suit a Tuscan setting. Natural, flowy dresses that leave you in comfort on your special day – that’s the ideal scenario!

Details for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

A Tuscan inspired wedding is one that appears to be set in Old World Italy, with vineyards nearby. The wedding ceremony is a sophisticated one, featuring an arch decorated with greenery as well as lots of pink or neutral coloured flowers. Many times, there will be oversized lanterns filled with tea light candles as an integral wedding decoration.

There may be potted plants, pampas grass, and other native Italian floral accents. Wedding favours may even be related to olive oil. Wine is likely to be in abundance at the reception, and the ceremony may be held indoors, but outdoor venues are typically fitting for a Tuscan inspired wedding.

What to Look for in a Venue for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

The temperate weather of Tuscany typically calls for an outdoor wedding venue, but the Tuscan inspired wedding can also be held indoors (particularly if you’ll be saying “I do” in an area that offers hot and humid summer temperatures).

An outdoor venue might be one that features beautiful gardens – the more foliage the better! However, olive groves might be appropriate for an outdoor venue as well. If the outdoor venue is more of a tree-lined forest area, you can still bring the floral decor and greenery with you!

Indoor venues should offer chandeliers and lots of places to set up candles. A place that allows you to hang these lanterns is a plus.

Colour Palettes for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

Natural colours – beige, antique white, ivory – are all appropriate for a Tuscan inspired wedding. Even the flowers for the big day should be neutral tones. Soft pinks can be matched with the slightest hint of gray for a Tuscan wedding colour palette. However, you can pepper in a few darker pinks for a splash of colour.

Another great colour to throw in the mix of a Tuscan inspired wedding is sage green. This colour may be utilised in small ways – in napkins, in a sash in your bridesmaid dresses, even the ribbon in your bouquet! Pair sage green with forest green to really play up the lighter colours of your palette.

Food for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

In Tuscany, the Italian custom is to provide an extravagant feast. After all, food is one of the key benefits of visiting Italy! However, the Tuscan menu is one that offers you lots of variety in a wealth of really simple foods.

To really go traditional, you’ll need to plan a menu that goes from “apertivo” to dessert. The reception meal typically begins with a welcome drink and apertivo snacks, including olives, salted almonds, or even capers. Next, “warm” dishes are served; this includes risotto or perhaps mini bruschetta. Up next is a starter, often a stew. The main course is usually pasta, such as a ravioli. Salads may also be served during this portion of the meal.

The traditional Tuscan dessert is a millefoglie, a giant cake of thin layers of pastry, fresh fruit, and powdered sugar.

Wedding Dress and Accessories for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

One consideration for brides planning a Tuscan inspired wedding is the typical weather for your wedding date. If you’re planning a summer wedding, you’ll likely want a gown that is fashioned from lightweight material and breathable fabric. Ironically, sometimes this involves a fuller gown made from materials such as organza.

Uncovered shoulders, plunging necklines, and empire-waist designs are all quite appropriate for a Tuscan wedding. Keep in mind that a Tuscan wedding invokes images of both elegance and femininity.

At the same time, gowns embossed with lace, sequins, crystals and rhinestones are also fitting for a Tuscan inspired wedding. Long skirts in layers of fabric only add to the romantic ambience of the day.

Menswear for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

The groom and his attendants have a lot of leeway in their wardrobe choices for a Tuscan inspired wedding. The groom may opt for a traditional tuxedo, complete with a vest for the nuptials. The look can be updated by swapping the traditional jacket for one in velvet. At the same time, the groom and his attendants can opt for ditching the jacket altogether and simply wearing the slacks and tailored vest

The groom and his attendants might decide on a lightweight suit in linen. This material is perfect for Tuscan temperatures; it is breathable, too. Still, other grooms and the members of their party will choose Sunday slacks and a dress shirt.

Bouquets and Boutonnieres for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

Greenery is an important part of the decor for your Tuscan inspired wedding, and potted plants are totally acceptable, particularly for seasonal flowers.

However, the bouquets and boutonnieres will need special attention for your big day. During the spring, carnations and orchids, as well as peonies, are all in abundance in Tuscany. These flowers are all perfect boutonniere choices. Simply add a little greenery, and those boutonnieres are done! Carnations are also blooming during the summer as are hydrangea, again, perfect for the boutonnieres. During the fall and winter, great boutonniere choices include the chrysanthemum.

For your bouquet, the calla lily blooms during most of the seasons of the year, and this flower is great for a simple bouquet. The amaryllis is abundant in summer and fall, and the tulip is available for spring weddings.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

While it’s not a traditional Italian cake, you may consider the Italian Cream Cake for your wedding dessert, particularly if you wish for something a little different on the big day. Buttermilk and coconut are signature ingredients in this dessert, and the cake can be made into layers slathered with a cream cheese frosting. All of these ingredients are sure to make a nontraditional dessert a tasty way to wrap up the reception.

We’ve already introduced the idea of the millefoglie as well, which is the traditional Tuscan wedding cake. This cake is actually inspired by French cooking, and it may be more tolerant of the warm Tuscan temperatures. This cake is layered as well, but the layers are thin. The exterior of the cake is covered in a whipped cream frosting, which may be situated more inside the layers than on the outside.

Ceremony Decor for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

Imagine a Tuscan garden in Italy. The green vines trickling down old stone walls are the epitome of an Old World European wedding. You can aid in evoking this feeling by using cascading floral arrangements throughout the ceremonial area.

One of the most important pieces of decor for a Tuscan inspired wedding is the candle – lots of candles, actually. Long tapered candles are the best ones for evoking an Old World European feel, and they should be in tall candelabras or in lanterns. However, thick pillar candles in vintage wooden holders are also acceptable.

Reception Decor for a Tuscan Inspired Wedding

The long tables are only one part of the Tuscan inspired wedding look at a reception venue. You’ll want to add benches rather than chairs, and the linens themselves will look a little different from traditional ones. They should be light and airy fabrics that will easily cascade down the sides of the table. Some decorators will layer these fabrics on top of one another for a romantic look.

Look for seasonal greenery and potted plants to place throughout the reception venue. Floral arches with cascading arrangements are appropriate for the Tuscan inspired wedding reception.

Tuscan-inspired bridal session

Today’s stunning bridal session inspiration shoot from Victoria Austin Designs and Jennifer Pharr Photography breathes fresh air into Southern bridal portraits. A darling and unique venue in Alabama, Pinzone’s Italian Village is a little slice of Tuscan beauty!

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More from Victoria – “When adding the vintage veil, we had in mind the timeless bride who treasures her family history and heirlooms. By adding the delicate, handmade belt, we had in mind the timeless bride who adores romance and a little glitz. And lastly, by adding an organic floral and greenery crown, we had in mind the timeless bride who is endearing and whimsical.

Each of these bridal styles are so unique from each other, but all are inspired by the same effortless, Tuscan-style venue. We are so trilled to share these beautiful images!”

Credits:  Photography: Jennifer Pharr Photography // Styling, Design, & Florals: Victoria Austin Designs & Mary Kendall Butler // Wedding Dresses: SAJA and Joanna August from Bella Bridesmaids // Bridal Accessories: Lacielle Roselle // Venue: Pinzone’s Italian Village in Fairhope, Alabama.