Il Grande Prato, Tuscany Villa Wedding
A Destination Wedding at Il Grade Prato:
An Italy destination wedding; set in the gorgeous countryside of Tuscany, amidst the rolling hills of Castelfiorentino. The couple’s sleek and modern details contrasted the rustic natural beauty of the Italian family-run farmhouse.
Golden hour wedding photos on the tennis courts at Il Grande Prato are hard to beat.
The Couple:
Erica and Nick became clients of mine after photographing their engagement session back in 2024. They had chosen Parkwood Estates as their session’s setting, and whenever I get the chance to photograph there, I enthuse about its European architectural influence. Come to find out, their goal was in fact to celebrate their wedding one day in Tuscany. Some time after their engagement, they reached back out with the news that they officially booked their Italian wedding venue and had begun the planning process. And by some miracle, I was available. The feeling that a couple trusts your expertise, vision, and presence enough to bring you to such incredible places never gets less exciting. Erica and Nick embraced me into their circle with such warmth, and it’s clear that the love the two of them share leaps off the page (or, I suppose, the photograph). Their generosity and trust with including me in such a day felt like winning the lottery, and I will never forget it.
The Venue:
Il Grande Prato contains all the quintessential Tuscan countryside charm for a wedding. A family run business, and the matriarch Guilia was truly an absolute hero the entire week, managing staff and ensuring the day ran smoothly, all with her grandson on her hip. What they say about their property:
“Between Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra, and Chianti you can find the marvelous Grande Prato. We are a rustic, two century old farm, which since 1994 has become a place for people of all ages to love.
The rooms all have their original ceilings with old wooden beams and Tuscan brick. Every window and door open on to postcard views of Tuscany. From each spot you can see green hills, vineyards, olive orchards and medieaval villages clinging to hilltops in the distance. To the west, magnificent sunsets, paint every evening a different colour.”
The Wedding:
The Morning: Because Il Grande Prato is multiple buildings on one property, both the bride and groom were able to stay completely separate, yet each with their own uniquely designed spaces. They didn't opt to see each other before the ceremony, so this was perfect for me to be able to capture a few group photos of them with their bridesmaids and groomsmen prior to. One of my highlights from the morning was how much curation and intention was put into their chosen details and accesories. Erica had beautiful printed invites and delicate jewellery, while Nick and his groomsmen had these incredible ornate and delicate floral broaches in lieu of boutonnieres.
The Ceremony: There are multiple different angles to host a ceremony alter at Grande Prato, and E + N opted for a spot nestled in between trees, with the rolling Tuscan hills in the distance. The sun backlit them perfectly, and softed as the ceremony went on. The two had signed their legal papers in Canada before the trip, so that Nick’s dad could officiate the symbolic ceremony. A precious and sentimental touch.
The Portraits: This was the part of the day that truly felt like moving through a dream. With the sun entering golden hour post-ceremony, it made for the perfect setting to snap a few group wedding party photos and the “Just Married” portraits. In Italy, the sun seems glowier, the skies bluer, and the hills a richer green. Nothing matches it. We took advantage of the quintessential Tuscan trees, the sprawling vistas, quaint cottages on site, and of course, the tennis courts for a touch of editorial. I also shot a large portion of these portraits on 35mm for a more vintage feel.
The Reception: Dreamt up like the perfect dinner party, the couple and their approximately 40 guests dined al fresco with twinkling lights and the rustic villa behind them. It was mid October, and yet the temperature could not have been more mild. We dined on local wine, and pasta and meat courses that reminded me of my own Nonna’s cuisine. It felt like home, only thousands of miles away. Nothing tops the magic of Italy. xx
Vendors:
Photography: Cara Chapman Photography
Venue & Catering: Il Grande Prato and @chioscoairenai (Bar)
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Guilia and Taisia at Il Grande Prato
Dresses: Park & Fifth
Hair & Makeup Artist: @nelli_made (bridal), @sararomagnolimakeupartist (bridesmaids)
Florist/Decor: @fiorilefirenze
Jewellery and/or Rings: Gold Crest Jewellery
Cake/Desserts: Pasticceria Dei - Castelfiorentino