The momentous and nerve-racking proposal and the “yes” with tears in the eyes. You’ve chosen each other, and now you just need to organise the whole thing, starting with the wedding venue. And if you’re looking for the setting of your dreams, Tuscany and Liguria are the places for you!

TUSCANY

Who wouldn’t love to get married at a luxury resort in the heart of Florence, complete with an ancient church with vaulted ceilings and one of the city’s largest gardens? There’s only one possible choice: the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. But if you prefer to admire Florence from above, there’s the romantic Villa San Michele at Belmond Hotel, a former monastery in the hills of Fiesole, today a 5-star hotel surrounded by Italian-style terraced gardens. Not far away is the ancient Vincigliata Castle, one of Tuscany’s most picturesque and sought-after venues. Meanwhile, moving to Val di Pesa we find Villa Le Corti, an elegant example of Tuscan Renaissance architecture, while the province of Arezzo offers Il Borro, a delightful medieval village transformed into a fabulous relais and winery. Last but not least, for a wedding in the Siena countryside, who could resist the prospect of a ceremony – maybe at night – in the spectacular Abbey of San Galgano? You could have the reception in the nearby exclusive Borgo Pietro Santo.

LIGURIA

We begin at Castello Bruzzo, built in the early 20th century on a promontory overlooking the sea of Genoa, and designed by architect Gino Coppedè. Every room is a world in itself, with stunning frescoes and decorations, not to mention the loggia and the gardens. Perched above the sea at Portofino, Cervara Abbey is a former monastery with a 14th-century church and terraces with sea views. Next we travel to Albissola Marina and Villa Faraggiana, a stately home and museum, but also a fabulous venue for receptions in the elegant rooms and beautiful gardens. The same goes for the magnificent Villa Ormond in Sanremo, its gardens brimming with rare and exotic plants. And for incurable romantics, what could be better than an intimate ceremony in the Church of Sant’ Ampelio on the cliffs of Bordighera, followed by a party at the Doria Castle in Dolceacqua? Finally, for an unforgettable wedding on the beach, the breathtaking setting of Balzi Rossi is a real corner of paradise.