My husband is Italian, but I'm American and we had our wedding there. We used a good friend of mine, Annie Adair. She's been running her own company for years and her contacts in Tuscany are unbelievable! Her husband is from two old noble families of Siena and Volterra. Likely due to their connections, they have access to some amazing villas and old abbeys that other companies can't offer. Her company is called Tuscan Tour. Annie is highly educated and so is her husband, Francesco. Both are historians, turned entrepreneurs and a lovely young couple who know their business inside and out! http://www.tuscantour.com/weddings/

Annie comes highly recommended from major international travel experts, such as Rick Steves and via TripAdvisor too.

Hope it all works out for you. If you need a photographer, drop me a line. The one Annie uses is phenomenal, but he's rude. I have two other suggestions if or when you get to that point, one who just won international recognition in the US for his photography. I can give you their emails, phone numbers, websites, etc.

Buona fortuna!!

Castello di meleto. They can also arrange long tables outside that have he same vibe you describe.

We have a few friends who are from Aus and did this, but to avoid the challenges of the Italian paperwork separated the legal marriage from the ceremony, using a stand in celebrant. Depending on how religious they are, this works wonderfully and for all the weddings I have seen, has meant a great friend or family member steps in to act as a celebrant and it is very special. Also, it gives you two weddings which from experience is loads of fun. We had our official wedding at the Chelsea registry, with a party overseas. Weddings go so quickly, and having one quite casual one is great fun for the bride and groom... Or a great opp to wear the dress twice or get another (shorter!) one.

I am struggling to remember the names of the reception venues that I went to in tuscany, but suffice to say, they were exactly as you describe she is looking for.

YES! I got married there in 2011 to an Australian man... Speak to www.joellemarie.co.uk - an English girl living in Italy, our wedding was totally perfect! Also, we had a lot of red tape to wade through but Joelle basically walked us through it all - she was amazing..Good luck xx

Try Montegufoni near Florence! We've been there to a wedding in 2009. Beautiful!!!

I haven't myself but sounds like a dream!

Get in touch with Anna from bride and glory who is a wedding organiser.. She has organised heaps of weddings and events abroad! I used to work with her and can viuch she is an excellent event organiser!!

http://www.brideandglory.co.uk/

Hello

An english friend of mine living in Sydney wants to get married in the summer in Tuscany. So, she has asked me if anyone gone through this process and also does anyone have any recommendations of places in that area where she could have a reception afterwards. She is thinking of a long lazy lunch, going on into the evening, children playing, nice food.... I think you get the idea. Anyway, any ideas would be welcome.. Also, any advice on the process/contacts would also help..

Thankyou v much