Coding God and I had our legal wedding last month, but we still have our celebration in Italy coming up in July. I thought I’d share a few of our wedding plans and ideas with you guys. 🙂
The Venue
I think finding the venue was the most stressful part of the wedding. First, we had no idea what country we were going to do it in! We went back and forth between California (my home country) and England (Coding God’s home country). Then finally I said, “Fuck it. Let’s pick a third country.” So that’s how we settled on Italy!
Even after we got the country narrowed down, it still took a long time to settle on a venue. I felt like we were searching for one pretty last minute (at least compared to other couples). Many people book these things 12-18 months in advance, but we were booking only about 6 months in advance! A lot of places were completely full.
Finally, we found an amazing place: Villa San Michele in Florence, Italy! Check out some of these gorgeous photos:
The Photographer
Finding a great photographer was a high priority for me. I love photography and as such, I feel like I can spot the difference between an “okay” photographer, a “good” photographer, and a “great” photographer. So naturally, I wanted a great one!
I found Jules Bower. Jules is an Englishman who lives in Tuscany. That was an immediate plus! HE SPEAKS ENGLISH!!! LOL. But also, he has a fabulous website. Here’s why I chose him:
- He uses WordPress. (I’m not even joking—I love this.)
- He has a very extensive frequently asked questions page.
- He goes into detail about what equipment he uses. I love that, because I know camera equipment so I know what lenses/bodies are epic and which are not.
- He provides clients with a flash drive of all the images he takes. The clients have a license to use all the images in whatever non-commercial manner they wish.
- He has a blog. I think it’s great that he’s active online.
- His portfolio kicks ass.
Obviously the last one (portfolio) is the most important, but it’s really the other bits that caused me to choose Jules over another photographer.
Check out some hot pieces from his portfolio:
Wedding ideas and inspiration
Below are just a few pins from my wedding board on Pinterest. You can see some of the ideas I have for the wedding! Not all of them are going to happen (like the hanging light bulbs), but it gives you an idea of the style I’m going for. As you can see, coral is my wedding colour. 🙂
The most amazing mom ever!
And honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to get as far as I have without my mom! She’s been a total rockstar in helping me with the planning. Thank you, mom!
So friggin exciting and I love the venue. Your ideas from Pinterest are lovely. The look is soft and romantic . I would be walking on clouds.
That all looks so great! 😀 That venue is amazing! 😀
Sounds really exiting! I love to hear all these details!
Such a petty color! 🙂 I love the location and the pictures from the photographer look amazing. I really like the first picture from the bottom row.
The place in Italy looks absolutely spectacular! It’s like a dream come to life. Ahahaha, I love how you get a kick out of the photographer using WordPress! It really does show professionalism though so a good portfolio is always key. 😉
Oh my!!! This is really going to be a princess wedding!!! The place is gorgeous… And Florence is one the most beautiful city in Italy! I wonder how you get all your family and friends to come to Italy? I mean you’re going to need half a Boeing!!!!! 😀
That venue is perfect! It’s the sort of venue I’d choose for myself, if I could afford to. I love the soft, romantic look you’ve got going on. It’s so beautiful, and magical. It will be beautifully captured, especially with such a talented photographer!
Oh my gosh that venue looks gorgeous! Your wedding is going to be amazing! I need to go to Italy before I die. Bucket list item for sure. I’m actually trying to plan a Mediterranean cruise for next summer so hopefully that will happen. *crosses fingers* Anyway, good luck with all your wedding planning! I hope it all goes smoothly for you!
Sounds like fun! The venue was the hardest part for us as well as deciding what state to do it in. We book our venue about 4 months out.
Congrats on the wedding. It all looks so beautiful.
omg I’m SOOOO excited for you! I went to a winery in Florence and the view was absolutely beautiful and your venue is gorgeous. Also yay for finding a great photographer the photos are also as equally gorgeous and I know you’re gonna have a great wedding! <33
It’s a neat little coincidence that you mentioned camera equipment and knowing the difference between a good and a great photographer because I’m at a journalism convention right now. I went with one of my friends to a photography critique session this morning. We both received compliments and good feedback about our photos, but there was this one guy that was amazing. Every single one of the pictures he showed off had impeccable composition.
Planning the wedding ceremony seems so exciting! Those hanging delightful are just darling 🙂
That venue is STUNNING! Italy is such a romantic place to get married and I love the coral theme you’ve got going in your Pinterest pins! This really makes me want to get married again 🙂
OMG, Jules’ profile does kickass!!! You found the perfect guy. And that place, I am speechless. It’s so breathtaking. I always wanted to visit Italy. If your wedding looks like any of those pictures it’s going to be the most amazing wedding I have ever seen.
Side note: I just realized I am not receiving your blog emails. Is there a problem on your side or should I be looking at my side?
I’m sure everything will be amazing! The setting and all your ideas are so pretty and romantic. Best wishes!
AAAH! I am so excited for you Asheybaby! That’s going to be so special! I hope we get to see pictures! (And the one of your dress! :D) Planning events like this is so much fun!
This is so the way to do a wedding – wow! Beautiful location!! Super exciting that you got a photographer that will give you rights to all the wedding pics – that’s a treat! So many of them won’t do that. Loving the updates, can’t wait to see the final event pics 🙂
Oh I love that soft soft pink. God everything is gorgeous! Congratulations!
OMG there is so much pretty in this post that I am jealous! You are going to have an amazing and beautiful wedding!
Beautiful! I just got engaged myself and boy is this whole wedding planning thing crazy! It makes sense now why people hire wedding planners…love your wedding color. It’s a color that I might not normally like but in the context of a wedding, it truly is pretty. One day I’ll decide on my colors! 😉
Congratulations!!!! 😀 Enjoy the wedding planning, but don’t let yourself go crazy 😉
Congrats on deciding on the venue and photographer! Wedding planning seems like it’s stressful but I’m sure it’ll be worth it! I’m super in love with your photographer’s photos and I’m sure your’s will turn out great, too! Loving that romantic vibe going on!
I am so in love with your color choice. If I’ll be married, I’ll choose the same color as well. Preserve Flowers Utah