Mariageléaetben-clarisseetjohan-877.jpg

Photo: Clarisse et Johan

Lea + Ben have known each other since they were 15, so their wedding felt less like a beginning and more like the next chapter. Now living in Paris but both from Nice, Italy has always been part of their lives, from childhood summers in Tuscany, to a shared love of the food, the art and the atmosphere. After a surprise proposal in Thailand, Tuscany quickly became the obvious choice. As a wedding planner herself, Lea approached their €100K celebration with clarity and intention, working with a trusted mix of French and Italian vendors to create a wedding that was beautiful, considered and true to them.

The Engagement

“The proposal happened during a trip to Thailand, on the paradise island of Ko Yao Noi. The setting was idyllic. We had just settled into what would be our home for a few days at the Purana resort hotel. The weather was perfect, and so was the mood. That's when Ben chose to get down on one knee and ask me the fateful question: ‘Are we getting married?’ I obviously said yes, but I was still in shock three days later! After that, we had cocktails.”

Why Italy?

“Both of us are from Nice so Italy was always close and easy to get to. Tuscany in particular, was often a holiday destination for us as children. Tuscany has a familiar feel to it, as its cypress trees remind me of Provence. Renaissance art can truly move me. And I will probably never tire of Italian cuisine. I am always in love in Italy. Finally, as a French wedding planner, I work a lot in the southeast of France, and for our wedding, I wanted something different. In short, Italy quickly became the obvious choice.”

The Venue

“We visited nine venues in Florence and Siena. This one was simply love at first sight. We particularly loved its architecture and the fact that it was both majestic and intimate. It was tucked away in the middle of nowhere, it felt like our own home for the weekend. Besides that, the staff there are lovely.”

The Dream Team

“I’m a wedding planner, so I knew what I was getting into! I had a clear idea of who I wanted to be there for us. I felt confident with our team, and they never let us down. They all were people I already knew from previous events—they were just perfect, like our florist, photographers, band, and graphic designer. There was one team I absolutely wanted to be Italian: the caterer. I really appreciated Olivia Catering's adaptability and availability. A wedding is such a short time, so I highly recommend enjoying the planning process. My husband was incredibly involved, and we loved working on this project together: romantic dinners during the tastings, a trip to Italy to find our venue”

Stand Out Moment

“The ceremony was the most beautiful I've ever experienced, perhaps not objectively, but it's what touched me the most. Ben’s best men and my bridesmaids and our officiant were all so dedicated. There were tears of joy on both sides. It was wonderful.”

The Styling

“Ben and I are very fashion-conscious and have to admit that we both love beautiful things. I studied design, and we travel whenever we can. The idea behind our wedding was to reflect who we are. So we asked ourselves what part of us we wanted to share for that occasion. We wanted lots of flowers, but also to respect the venue. We wanted it to be just right, without being over the top or making anyone feel uncomfortable.”

Special Touch

“I spend all my time organising weddings for others so designing ours was already unique for me in a way! Then, of course, there's our family and friends. That's what matters most in the end. We were so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Our guests came from all over the world.”

Stand Out Suppliers

“Everyone. Our band really rocked the place after dinner. Our photographers gave us 3,000 incredible photos—imagine the work involved! Our florists came all the way from Paris because they're such good people. Our day-of coordinator kept all the unexpected surprises under wraps. Our graphic designer went above and beyond to make sure we were absolutely thrilled with our stationery. Our caterer moulded butter into the shape of a Renaissance statue's face to keep with the theme. My makeup artist and hairstylist made me feel like a star and was so incredibly kind. That perfectly sums up our team. They're professional and dedicated, but that's what you expect from them, ultimately. On the other hand, they're also wonderful people and incredibly adaptable. We had a wedding that truly reflected us thanks to them, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to have them on our team.”