As elopements and micro-weddings become popular, it is natural to feel drawn to the intimacy of a destination wedding. However, if you find your guest list running long, many of the details you admire about these faraway weddings can be recreated in your home state. The photos below may look like they were taken in a Tuscany vineyard, when they actually come from a Utah wedding. Keep reading for ways you can transport your guests to the Italian countryside, no matter where you are located.

How to Get The Feeling of a Destination Wedding

Crafting a tasteful themed wedding is an art. It’s about setting a scene, invoking an emotion, and telling a story. This styled wedding by Britt Warnick Designs is a gorgeous example of not overpowering an event with a destination theme. Instead, build details upon details that whisper the feeling of your favorite place, instead of shouting it.

The Venue

The foundation for this Italian Countryside Wedding started with the venue choice. Perhaps the most overt addition, this Utah wedding venue is truly a piece of Tuscany tucked under the Wasatch Mountains. Set in a 117-old pear orchard, The Villa is full of Italy-inspired charm. Its terracotta tiled floors and grapevine covered walls inspired the florals throughout the wedding.

If you are not local to Utah, find a venue with clean stucco walls. Or perhaps an outdoor courtyard ceremony spot, surrounded by lush greenery. Click here to see other venues I have worked in.

The Details

Throughout this wedding gallery you’ll see a wine inspired color palette. The tones range from crisp white wine to romantic rosé to deep reds. The added warm terracotta orange took this color scheme from obvious to elevated. The wedding florals set up this palette deliciously with graceful dahlias, timeless roses, bronzed amaranth, and foraged leaves in burgundy hues.

A special tip: Have your florist mix golden wild grapes into your abundant arrangements for an unexpected organic touch.

This Italian countryside wedding would not be complete without an authentic piece from Italy. In this case, the invitation suite came directly from Carta Muriel in Verona, Italy. These eco-friendly invites featured hand drawn sketches of florals from the bride’s future bouquet and of Positano.

A special tip: Consider perfuming your invitations with a signature scent inspired by your wedding day plans. In this case, perhaps fruity notes paired with linen. This way, your guests will quite literally get a whiff of what’s to come.

When I think of Italy, I think of abundant fresh food, and boisterous family gatherings. This vision leads to a wedding that strikes the balance between formal and comfortable. From the location to the palette to the bride and groom’s style – every detail is about welcoming warmth.

The Style

Just like every detail before, the bride’s gown and groom’s suit were the cherry on top of what this wedding represented. Of course, dressed to the nines, their choices also were comfortable enough to casually roam among their guests and sneak a bite of pasta here and there.

A special tip: Consider trading a traditional wedding line for time walking among your guests chatting with them. This may be a surprise to some in attendance, but can do a lot to make your wedding feel more intimate.

Italian men are known for their love of fine suits, so it was only apt that the groom wore a well-fitting blue suit with a subtle pattern. A black suit just would have felt too stiff for this inclusive and joyous event.

The abundant flowing fabric of the dining tables was echoed in the train of the bride’s gown. The ivory tone of her dress complimented the overall palette. And the tight knit lace on top was reminiscent of traditional lacework which originates from Italy.

Vendors for an Italian Countryside Wedding in Utah

You see, your guests may not be aware that their invitation was handmade by an Italian paper maker. They may not know that in small towns in Italy, 80-year old women still sit expertly making lace just like that on the bride’s dress. However, these sorts of details are the ones that weave together to elevate your wedding above a theme. Instead, for an evening they transport your guests into your favorite destination without ever having to take a flight. 

If you daydream about a destination wedding, consider how to craft the same feeling on your special day, no matter how landlocked the location or long the guest list. As a fine art photographer, I notice and capture these details so that the storytelling continues throughout the photos, for you to relive over and over again. Click here to learn about my wedding photography. 

Other Vendors

Planning and Design – Britt Warnick Designs

Florals – Fresh Stems Floral

Venue – The Villa 

Dress – Maggie Sottero Designs

Veil and Headpiece – Eden Luxe Bridal

HMUA – Lexi Harker Beauty

Cake – Heather Oliver Cake

Paper – Carta Muriel