Three Kids and a Dog: Andiamo (Let's Go) to Tuscany 2024

And we did! We caught a flight from Zurich into Florence then went by private car to the Villa Petriolo in Tuscany. Our niece had booked the entire Villa which could only accommodate a max of 100 people so when we arrived it was only those attending the wedding that were there.

We checked in and then were driven to one of the many little villas that had just been renovated. The rooms were beautiful and the views were even better. We showered, ironed our clothes as best we could (Europe does not do well with putting irons/steamers in your hotel rooms) and made our way the downstairs portion of our villa where the weekend's festivities were set to kick off with welcome drinks. They had Italian Palomas, wine, Aperol Spritz and even more. From there the guests of honor - Lauren and Matthew - made their appearance and truly looked like the movie stars they work with. Lauren's dress that night might have been my favorite all weekend (although her wedding dress was classic and elegant and very old Hollywood.)

We made our way up the hillside to where a long table for 83 guests was set with a hand-painted tablecloth and adorned with different hand-painted plates. Fresh salads, pizza and snacks filled the tables along with red and white wines. A five piece band serenaded us as we ate over the Tuscan hillside as the sun was setting and we thought the weekend could not get anymore magical.

The next morning, we woke up to sunny skies and after breakfast in the main villa, embarked on our three hour e-bike tour of Tuscany with a private guide. You definitely needed an e-bike to get over the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. We saw the Medici mansion and visited the birthplace of Leonardo DaVinci. We stopped in a cafe for a "drink" and then pedaled on back with assistance!

Then it was a little pool time at our semi private pool at the bottom of our villa before showering and making our way to the pre-ceremony drink. This was probably the hottest part of the whole wedding - especially for the guys who had to wear full dark suits. It was sweltering and there was no air flow for this 30 minute or so part until we started walking up to where the wedding was set to take place - then there was a nice breeze and shade beneath the trees. There they had another string band playing music before their grand entrance. Lauren looked gorgeous and Matthew very handsome. The ceremony itself was short but sweet - having each written their own vows. Then they were married and the real party began! Back to the pool for more drinks and 2-hour appetizer hour. There was cheese, cheese and more cheese - literally bowls full of parmigiana, different breads and other passed hors d'oeuvres. We had to keep reminding ourselves that dinner was still coming! We then walked across the way to wear a long winding table had been set up for dinner. Once again, it overlooked the Tuscan countryside. We feasted on fresh salads, pasta, lamb and eggplant. Everything we ate was grown on this farm which was one of the things that attracted Lauren and Matthew to this place. After dinner, it was on to the dance floor which was set up a short ways away. More tables of alcohol and desserts were nearby. Lots of dancing and sweating and then we were called to the pool area (where Lauren had changed once again - she had many outfit changes during the wedding festivities) and they cut the Italian (Strawberry) wedding cake. And, as they fed each other cake, the sky lit up with our own private fireworks show! The wedding went until 4am but we retired at about 2pm. Another long but fun day!

The next day was all about sleeping in and we did just that but made it to breakfast before it closed at 11am. Then we got in a little workout (we needed one after all that eating) and then changed into our suits for the pool party at the main pool. There was a deejay, pool toys, open bar and then of course another huge lunch spread with great tasting paninis and fresh salads. We stayed until after 5pm and then went back to shower before the goodbye drink. The goodbye was again outside and there were small bites of food plus fresh pasta and lots more drinks (like we needed more of that!). We were one of the last groups there until about 10:30am before we thought it was smart to retire before our car came to pick us up at 4am for our early morning flight.

What a weekend though! Lauren and Matthew did an amazing job of not just planning their wedding but really planning a vacation for all of their wedding guests. We couldn't have had a better time! (And we were happy Hailey went to camp while Peyton spent a few days with Grandma Szurgot before she helped Austen hold down the fort at home. It was a much needed vacation. Ciao!