At six o’clock in the morning, Chloe was gently awakened by the sound of birds chirping outside. She opened her eyes and was instantly relieved to see sunlight streaming in through the window. It was April 10, 2010—her wedding day—and she was elated to find that the prediction of rain had not come to pass. Ensconced in the cozy surroundings of the Italian farmhouse, she wondered momentarily if she was dreaming. A look outside at the rolling verdant hills and lush vineyards confirmed that she was indeed in Tuscany.
Comprised of three distinct clusters of rustic farmhouses, Fonte de’ Medici accommodated all of their guests, who happily ventured out to the vibrant cities of Florence and Siena for dinner on a few nights.
Chloe and her fiancé Joseph Beam had made the long journey from their home in Honolulu, Hawaii. “After a crazy drive, we arrived at night, and all we could see were beautiful lights twinkling at the top of the hill," she says. A warm welcome from the staff and a good night’s sleep commenced their glorious stay in the idyllic Chianti countryside. "When you think of Italy, that is what Fonte de’ Medici looks like!" exclaims Joe.
Wedding coordinator Carla Casali of Regency San Marino suggested this small historical village. With its stone houses, colorful plaster- covered walls and cobblestone walkways, it was the quintessential Italy they were seeking. “From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to be married in Tuscany, but we just didn’t know where. The moment we saw the Fonte de’ Medici, we knew it was the right place,” says Chloe.
The two became one on a spring day under a glorious and shining Tuscan sun.
She was a vision of elegance in a beaded lace gown, her dark hair swept up on one side in a jeweled flower clip. Her dainty bouquet was custom designed in the United Kingdom by Love Vintage and created out of handsewn silk flowers, ivory pearls and tiny crystals. Taking their cue from the breathtaking natural landscape, the bride says, “We wanted the ceremony and reception to be rustic and charming in keeping with the Chianti region.”
Joseph was dressed all in white, forgoing a traditional suit to reflect the casual European panache of the day. Surrounded by a small circle of loved ones, the happy couple pledged their devotion in the gardens of the Fonte de’ Medici. Facing the vineyards of Tignanello and the distant Valley of the Pesa, the resplendent backdrop “looked as if it came right out of a movie” to Chloe.
The jovial group was seated in one of the lower rooms, a perfect size for their wedding party. Tables were graced with crisp white linens and loosely arranged pale flowers. Tucked away in the candlelit alcove, the extraordinary setting encouraged intimate conversation and celebratory toasts to the newlyweds. Muted opera played in the background as waiters attended to every detail of the extravagant four course meal.
Red wine from local vineyards flowed, until the chef appeared with the crowning glory of the feast—an authentic Italian wedding cake which he had prepared as a surprise. “We cut the cake according to Italian tradition, making just one cut for good luck, and everyone cheered,” says Chloe. “Dinner was a highlight of our day, especially since it was the first time our families could be together.” For Chloe and Joe, it was all a dream come true. “We stayed at the Fonte de’ Medici for five nights and grew so attached, we plan to return for our one year anniversary,” she says with a smile. Perhaps it is the beginning of many more enchanting escapes to idyllic Tuscany.
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