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A Wedding in Tuscany

August 8, 2016 by Mary 38 Comments

Our recent trip to Poland and Italy is one that storybooks are made of. It was full of visiting family and friends, discovering family roots, amazing food everywhere, renewing friendships and partaking as family in a Tuscan wedding.

Are you jealous?

Let me tell you about the wedding in Italy first as Poland deserves a whole other post.

Our oldest son did his university semester abroad in Arezzo, Italy some ten years ago and lived with an Italian family in a gorgeous modern house (as only the Italians can do), high on a hill overlooking Arezzo in Tuscany. Here is the view from their house.
View of Arrezo from the Bonechi's home.

The family, Tiziana and Andrea, have a girl and a boy, sandwiched between our two boys in ages with their boy being the youngest. While our son was there, we went to visit him with Zach and both families hit it off splendidly!! Tiziana was interested in having her family learn English better and of course our son needed to learn Italian. Now I really need to learn some Italian!

During the past ten years our boys have been back with their girlfriends to visit the family in Arezzo and their daughter has come to visit us many times, sometimes escorting a Prada bag but always with some Parmigiano and Pecorino cheeses and some olive oil from the olives that grow on the trees in their front yard.

I know. Aren’t I lucky?

Hotel pool in Tuscany overlooking Arezzo.

Our hotel view and pool! The driveway leading to the hotel was bordered with deep beds of lavender – the smell was intoxicating!

So a wedding took place and our whole family (our boys with their fiancées) met up in Italy to celebrate this joyous occasion and let me tell you, this was one big spectacular visit and wedding. Tiziana and Andrea are so very gracious hosts and they insisted our boys with their girls stay with them as Tiziana thought, “Our bride will be much more relaxed if her American brothers stayed there.” And we stayed nearby in a gorgeous hotel while they provided one of their cars for us so we could get around.

It was just so good to be back and visiting and really, it was like no one missed a beat, it certainly did not seem like 10 years had passed since our first meeting.

I got to spend the day with Tiziana on Friday catching up and shopping for cheeses, last minute vegetables and flowers for the family party that evening at their house. Tiziana Bonechi and Giancarlo Canti.Here is Giancarlo Canti, who makes world renown, award-winning cheeses, with Tiziana. Canti Cheese with huge wheels of Parmigiano.Look at all of the Parmigiano!!

Agata and Tiziana preparing the appetizers.

Agata and Tiziana preparing the appetizers.

Andrea Bonechi carving a Porchetta.

Andrea slicing the delicious porchetta.

 A Tuscan spread of appetizers at sunset, overlooking Arezzo.

Part of the appetizer table at sunset.

We all helped in preparing the two pasta dishes and an amazing porchetta was delivered and carved at the table. The cheese, the wine, the prosecco, the sausages, the pasta, the prosiutto, bresaola, were all to die for. Tiziana buys all of these meats as large pieces and slices them on a meat slicer that holds a permanent and prominent space on her kitchen counter.

While here in America, rehearsal dinners are common on the Friday night before a wedding, that is not the case in Italy. It is usually just the immediate family having a quiet meal at home, getting ready for the big day. So Tiziana, in throwing this party for 50 of their closest friends and out-of-towners broke tradition in the most beautiful way as getting to know  their close friends before the big day was so special.

The wedding took place in a gorgeous church, the Basilica of San Domenico especially renowned for housing a crucifix painted by Cimabue, dated 1265, which is considered an authentic masterpiece of art.

Guests waiting outside the church for the wedding to begin.

The very fashionable guests wait for the bride and groom to arrive.

Tiziana Bonechi and Steve in conversation.

My husband with Tiziana. She is holding the rings!

1974 red-orange Porsche convertible.The groom arrived in a 1974 red-orange Porsche while White convertible Alfa Romeo car with a bride and her father.the bride arrived with her Dad in a ‘70’s white Alfa Romeo. Isn’t this just so cool?

The Mazur family in Tuscany.

Here’s our whole family!

Santa Maria a Pigli at the start of the wedding reception.The reception was held at Santa Maria a Pigli which is a beautiful outdoor venue with an amazing cocktail time with various different tables featuring oysters and crayfish, sushi, tempura vegetables, cheeses, smoked meats, tripe sliders, and cocktails smoking dry ice. The dinner started with risotto, then a traditional pasta and then Florentine steaks grilled on an open flame with roasted vegetables.A wedding in Tuscany - the meal.
All luscious and delicious and best of all, leisurely paced, which was so nice. Dinner and some dancing ended around 11:30 and then the real dance party started in another tent that lasted until about 5:30 am!! We left at around 3:30 as we were danced out, even with switching out of heels and into flip-flops. Our boys were there until the very end and then watched the sunrise back at their house.

It was an amazing, beautiful, perfect party!!

Tiziana and Christina with another pasta dish.

Tiziana with BFF Cristina!

And Sunday, was lunch at the hotel, Prada store with Cristina Steve Mazur and Christina having coffee a the Prada shop. – here’s my husband having coffee with Cristina at the Prada café and then another great dinner at Tiziana and Andrea’s. 
Looking at wedding pictures the next day in Tuscany.And here we all are, oohing and ahhing over all the pictures.

It was an amazing, awesome trip and we are hoping that Andrea and Tiziana will be coming to our home for Thanksgiving! 

I hope you enjoyed this story and photos as much as I enjoyed putting it together and sharing it. ☺

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Comments

  1. Jovina Coughlin says

    August 8, 2016 at 8:39 AM

    What a wonderful post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
    Jovina Coughlin recently posted…An August Dinner For TwoMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 8, 2016 at 8:44 AM

      Sooo happy to hear Jovina!! Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Suzanne says

    August 8, 2016 at 9:07 AM

    Glorious and beautiful Mary Frances and yes I am sooooo jealous!!
    Suzanne recently posted…ShumaiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:49 PM

      I know Suzanne – you would have LOVED it!!

      Reply
  3. Nadia says

    August 8, 2016 at 11:37 AM

    Yes, I am sooo jealous.
    That sounds like the perfect wedding. How wonderful for you and all your family to be there.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:49 PM

      So true Nadia – it was my dream come true to be there.

      Reply
  4. Gerlinde/Sunnycovechef says

    August 8, 2016 at 12:02 PM

    Aren’t weddings wonderful! Thank you for sharing this beautiful wedding with us.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:51 PM

      Yes! Weddings are so wonderful – I am so happy to share and so glad you enjoyed it, Gerlinde!!

      Reply
  5. Cristina Lorini says

    August 8, 2016 at 12:48 PM

    Wow!! Great , fantastic pictures!! It was great to meet all of you!!!
    XXXXXXXXXX

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:52 PM

      Cristina!!! You are the BEST!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxox, Mary

      Reply
  6. ChgoJohn says

    August 9, 2016 at 12:44 AM

    With so many beautiful photos to share, the actual holiday must have been truly special, a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thanks for taking us along.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:53 PM

      You’re right John – it was a once-in-a-lifetime event and wait until you hear about Poland!!

      Reply
  7. Debbie Spivey says

    August 9, 2016 at 12:35 PM

    Absolutely Jealous!! 😉

    Thanks for sharing such a special time. The bride is stunning!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:55 PM

      Thanks Debbie!! The bride is stunning but more importantly she is a very lovely lady.

      Reply
  8. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    August 9, 2016 at 8:39 PM

    What a FUN post! Love the pictures! And what a neat experience. Really enjoyed this — thanks so much.
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Vicious Virgin CocktailMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:56 PM

      Thanks John!! It was truly an extraordinary experience!!

      Reply
  9. Liz says

    August 9, 2016 at 8:57 PM

    Oh, my gosh, what an experience of a lifetime! I love Tuscany—my parents spent a few summers in Cortona, and I was lucky enough to visit!
    Liz recently posted…Chocolate Marshmallow FudgeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 9, 2016 at 11:57 PM

      Ah Cortona – so lovely too!! Weren’t you lucky?!!

      This truly was the experience of a lifetime!!!

      Reply
  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    August 10, 2016 at 3:37 PM

    Oh my goodness, looks like THE perfect wedding!! I have never been to Tuscany, but it is definitely at the top of my dream vacation wish list! How fortunate that you and your children have been so many times! I am jealous for sure! Glad you all had a wonderful time! Thank you for sharing! Cheers!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Southwestern Honey BBQ Chicken Quinoa SaladMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:06 AM

      Thanks Cheyanne!! You really must go – it is so beautiful!!

      Reply
  11. Rocky Mountain Woman says

    August 10, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    How beautiful! I’ve wanted to visit Tuscany for ages and your photos have made me think I need to plan a trip sooner rather than later.

    Lovely…

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:06 AM

      Yes – it’s so lovely – go now! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Ami@NaiveCookCooks says

    August 12, 2016 at 12:04 AM

    Mary everything about this post is intoxicating!! I feel I am in some movie, walking on pebbled streets, drinking wine, eating cheese..ahh!! hehe love love your post and glad that you had a great time!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:07 AM

      Thanks Ami – so glad you enjoyed this!! You’re right – it was like a movie!

      Reply
  13. Zainab says

    August 15, 2016 at 10:25 PM

    WOW! Just beautiful. What a beautiful couple and a wonderful celebration.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:08 AM

      Yes!! Completely Zainab!

      Reply
  14. Amanda says

    August 16, 2016 at 10:26 AM

    I definitely am jealous. The view from your hotel was fantastic. What a great trip!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:09 AM

      Yes!! Thanks Amanda!

      Reply
  15. Eva @ Eva Bakes says

    August 17, 2016 at 9:10 PM

    Awesome photos! I’d love to attend a wedding in Tuscany someday. Jealous!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:09 AM

      Thanks Eva!!

      Reply
  16. Kelly says

    August 20, 2016 at 1:29 AM

    Oh my goodness, just stunning! I love Tuscany and the wedding and all your photos look so magical!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:10 AM

      Thanks Kelly!!

      Reply
  17. Trish says

    August 20, 2016 at 7:01 PM

    Completely glorious!!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:10 AM

      Yes – COMPLETELY!

      Reply
  18. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    August 24, 2016 at 2:52 AM

    I have a longing for long Italian evenings enjoying prosecco! What a lovely wedding, and thank you for sharing it with us 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      August 28, 2016 at 8:11 AM

      We drank a lot of Prosecco…so good!!

      Reply
  19. Lauren says

    September 3, 2016 at 10:53 AM

    Wow! This is like a fairy tale 🙂 I am jealous, everything looks so beautiful.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      September 27, 2016 at 12:35 PM

      It was truly a fairy tale, Lauren!!! Thanks for coming by!

      Reply

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