An Intimate Fall Wedding at Castello di Vincigliata in Florence, Italy

Saying “I do” at a 13th-century castle in Tuscany sounds too good to be true, but that’s just what Lindsay Cantrell (26 and works in sales) and Robert Samuels (45 and owner of Provident Jewelry) had in mind for their early-fall wedding. A quick Pinterest search led Lindsay to Castello di Vincigliata, just outside Florence, Italy, whose striking countryside and centuries-old architecture won the couple over immediately. “We wanted a destination wedding to cut down on the number of guests we would have, so when looking for a venue I searched ‘European wedding venues’ on Pinterest, and a beautiful 13th-century castle was one of the first pictures to appear,” Lindsay says. “I instantly fell in love.” The couple and 55 of their closest family members and friends ventured to Italy for the fall fete, where they were greeted by perfect weather and a stunning landscape of rolling hills and lush greenery. White rose petals ran the length of the aisle, leading to two stately stone urns overflowing with pale pink roses and hydrangeas. After exchanging vows, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed an alfresco cocktail hour on Castello di Vincigliata’s expansive terrace, followed by a reception inside the castle. Exposed stonework, twinkling bistro lights, warm candlelight and skyward-reaching arrangements of pink roses gave the space an undeniable air of romance. “We had perfect September weather in Italy and could see thousands of stars,” Lindsay says of the venue's open ceiling. To thank their guests for traveling to Italy to share their special day, the newlyweds gifted each guest with a few Italian treats, including limoncello, biscotti and olive oil. “We wanted to send them home with a little bit of Italy."—Libby MacCarthy