Italy is known all over the world as one of the most beautiful and romantic countries, which is exactly why it remains one of the top destinations for so-called “destination weddings”, when a couple chooses to celebrate their wedding in a country different from the one they live in. For many international couples, getting married in Tuscany is truly the fulfillment of a dream, cause it means celebrating love in one of Europe’s most charming regions, surrounded by rolling green hills, Renaissance art, and a warm, welcoming culture that transforms every event into a memorable experience.
Jessica and Billy are an American couple who had long known there was only one place in the world they wanted as the backdrop to their most important day: Florence. Getting married in Tuscany, especially near a city like Florence, offers the perfect combination of architectural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class services. That’s how Jessica and Billy chose to celebrate their love at an extraordinary and exclusive wedding venue: Collegio alla Querce. This newly renovated 5-star luxury property is located just minutes from the city center and offers panoramic views over the Florence skyline, the perfect setting for their unforgettable celebration.
When planning a luxury wedding from across the world, it’s essential to rely on an experienced wedding planner and a trusted team of professional vendors who can take care of every detail, allowing the couple to enjoy their special day without stress or worry. Every aspect of Jessica and Billy’s wedding was planned and executed with the highest level of professionalism — as clearly reflected in their wedding photos and video — to turn their dream into a beautiful, tangible reality.
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Collegio alla Querce: when the venue makes all the difference
Now part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, Collegio alla Querce is a five-star luxury resort located just outside Florence, nestled on a quiet hillside overlooking both the Renaissance city and the rolling Tuscan countryside. From its elegant rooms, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the city and the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, while still being just a 15-minute drive from the international airport, a rare and valuable combination of accessibility and exclusivity.
Originally founded in 1868 by the Barnabite Fathers as a boarding school, the property later became an educational institution and has now been transformed into a refined and contemporary hotel. The Collegio still retains its historic charm — with original spaces such as the restored chapel and theater — while offering a modern and functional style. The property has 83 rooms, including exclusive suites and the spectacular Residenza la Quercia in the Palazzo Moderno, which features a rooftop pool and breathtaking 360-degree views of the Duomo. Collegio alla Querce offers a luxury experience where modern design and Renaissance art coexist in perfect harmony. The level of service and attention to detail is exactly what you would expect from a top-tier venue, every guest is made to feel welcomed and special.
Its Baroque gardens, five-tiered terraces, and outdoor pool surrounded by ancient olive and oak trees provide the perfect setting for both intimate ceremonies and grand receptions. Every space within the estate lends itself beautifully to events of all scales, from refined elopements to lavish weddings. One of the venue’s standout features is its exceptional culinary offering. If you want to treat your guests to the very best of Italian cuisine, here you’ll find fresh, seasonal local products prepared with care by expert gourmet chefs. The La Gamella restaurant promises an authentic gastronomic journey: the ideal complement to a high-profile wedding celebration.
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A fairytale wedding for Billy and Jessica in the magic of Collegio alla Querce
Billy and Jessica’s wedding day was both emotional and intense. The celebrations had already begun the night before with a welcome dinner to greet their guests, friends and loved ones who had traveled from all over the world to be part of this moment. During the evening, Billy and Jessica took a moment to personally thank everyone for making the long journey to be present for the most important chapter of their love story. The following morning started early for the couple, who spent the beginning of the day surrounded by their closest friends and family, sharing in the excitement, smiles, and touching emotions of the preparations.
They met for their first look on one of the panoramic terraces of Collegio alla Querce, a deeply emotional moment, with the breathtaking view of Florence’s rooftops and the iconic dome of the Duomo setting the stage for one of the most memorable highlights of the entire day. The ceremony that followed was intimate and elegant, held among the estate’s centuries-old olive trees, and was followed by a refined outdoor cocktail reception in the gardens.
In this relaxed and joyful atmosphere, the guests were suddenly captivated by the rhythmic echo of distant drums. To everyone’s surprise, two majestic Chinese dragons made their way through the crowd, performing a traditional dance whose vibrant music and vivid colors symbolized protection, prosperity, and good fortune for the newlyweds. This extraordinary moment marked the end of the aperitif, and guests were then invited inside the villa for dinner. The former chapel of the Collegio had been transformed with great care for the reception: an almost dreamlike atmosphere created by the perfect balance of soft lighting, elegant floral arrangements, and a beautifully curated tablescape.
It was a space that amplified the emotional impact of heartfelt speeches by friends and family, and served as the perfect stage for another captivating performance, this time by two luminous stilt-walking artists, dressed as glowing butterflies, whose ethereal movements left everyone in awe. After cutting the cake, the couple opened the dance floor, officially launching an unforgettable party. Music, laughter, and warm embraces filled the night and continued until the early hours, bringing to a close a truly one-of-a-kind celebration.
Read also: A Dreamy Wedding in Tuscany at Sting’s: Il Palagio Estate
The magic of Florence as added value for your wedding in Tuscany
You can’t talk about a wedding near Florence without dedicating a few words to this extraordinary city. As the capital of Tuscany and universally recognized as the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is truly an open-air museum, where every corner tells a story filled with art and love. Its cultural and artistic heritage is renowned worldwide, but what truly captivates those who visit is the city’s ability to combine historical grandeur with the charm of a modern, comfortable and human-scale lifestyle. Walking through its cobblestone streets, you move from architectural masterpieces like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio to quieter, more authentic neighborhoods where the true Florentine spirit is still alive.
Florence is a city that moves at a slow and graceful pace, where every corner is picture-perfect and every sunset over the surrounding hills feels like a moment suspended in time. For couples who choose to get married nearby, Florence offers several important advantages. Guests can easily turn the wedding into a long weekend filled with art, fine cuisine and high-end shopping. Museums such as the Uffizi or the Accademia Gallery are must-sees, but so are the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district, historic cafés and gourmet restaurants. Thanks to its proximity to the airport and its excellent rail connections, Florence is also a perfect logistical hub for welcoming guests from all over the world.
Choosing Florence as the setting for a destination wedding is for giving yourself and your loved ones a complete experience, where the celebration of love intertwines with the very best Italy has to offer — art, history, beauty and hospitality.
Read also: From Florence with Love: Begin Forever in Tuscany
Destination wedding: when flawless coordination makes all the difference
Do you think that choosing an exceptional venue is all it takes to plan a luxury wedding in Italy and ensure everything goes smoothly? Not quite. Especially when couples are coming from abroad, there are many factors that can complicate things (the language barrier being one of the first). That’s why hiring a professional wedding planner is always the winning choice. Behind every beautifully coordinated detail of a wedding lies a long process of planning, logistics and expert management, and only highly experienced professionals can deliver that kind of seamless execution.
In this case, the entire event was managed with exemplary precision by wedding planner Brenda Babcock, a true pioneer in the Italian destination wedding world and one of the most competent professionals we’ve ever worked with. She handled every aspect of the wedding — from the guest logistics to the timeline and vendor coordination — with extreme precision. Nothing was left to chance. Everything unfolded smoothly and according to plan, fully meeting the couple’s high expectations and delivering a truly first-class experience for all guests.
What’s most impressive about Brenda is how she blends her international fashion background with her deep knowledge of Italian culture, resulting in a unique combination of glamour, creativity and efficiency. Her team was attentive and proactive, always present but never intrusive, constantly one step ahead to prevent any possible issues. The result? A flawless day in every sense.
Completing this dream team was the talented photography duo from Tozzi Studio, who worked alongside us throughout the day. With their natural and editorial style, they captured the essence of the event with authenticity and elegance, contributing to the storytelling alongside our video work. In events of this scale and complexity, working with professionals who share the same vision and mutual respect makes all the difference. With them, everything felt easy, natural and genuinely enjoyable.
The wedding video story of an unforgettable day
Telling the story of a wedding like Billy and Jessica’s, celebrated at a venue as unique as Collegio alla Querce, requires a sharp and sensitive eye, one capable of capturing the essence of the day through images that speak for themselves. The venue, with its terraced gardens, views over Florence and Renaissance architecture, gave us the perfect backdrop for an elegant and immersive visual narrative. But the real magic happened in front of the lens, in the couple’s glances, in the traditions honored with joy and respect, and in the genuine fusion of two worlds that, while different, were in perfect harmony.
One of the most memorable moments was without a doubt the spectacular dragon dance, which brought the reception to life with vibrant colors and overwhelming energy. Capturing a scene like that was a powerful storytelling opportunity for Billy and Jessica’s wedding video, because moments like these are where culture, identity and love come alive through movement and sound. Our drone shots allowed us to highlight the scale and beauty of the venue, while handheld footage gave us a more intimate view of the event, the caresses, the smiles and the honest emotions.
A good wedding video should be much more than a chronological recap of the day. It should tell a story, capture the atmosphere and allow the couple — even years later — to relive those moments with the same intensity. That’s exactly what us wedding videographers set out to do: create a memory that’s not only beautiful to watch, but meaningful to feel. Because every wedding is unique, and deserves to be told with the same care with which it was planned and lived.
