Tuscany Destination Wedding, Italy
HEATHER & LOK SZE
A three-day Tuscan estate buyout at Borgo Laticastelli
When UK wedding photographer Heather and her partner Lok Sze began planning their destination wedding, they envisioned a relaxed, three-day celebration surrounded by 80 of their closest friends and family, at a venue where everyone could stay onsite. Having worked alongside Heather on previous events, being trusted by an industry colleague was a deeply meaningful compliment. As Heather shared after the wedding, "as a wedding supplier myself, I know first-hand how important it is to not only have a wedding planner, but also one that you trust. When we met for our first planning meeting, we felt immediately in safe hands, especially as we wanted a destination wedding." To bring their vision to life, we selected Borgo Laticastelli, a village-like private estate in Tuscany where all 80 guests could stay on-site for the duration of the weekend.
Highlights
UK-based client
Guests: 80 guests
Event duration: 3 days
Venue: Borgo Latiscastelli (Tuscany, Italy)
Guest accommodation: Borgo Latiscastelli (onsite estate buyout)
Design narrative: bold and chic with a nod to the groom’s Chinese heritage
Key features: welcome pizza party, ‘Hazel’ Danielle Frankel gown, colourful bridesmaid dresses and matching bouquets, Aperol Spritz tower, serpentine tables, balcony saxophonist and millefoglie show, rainy Plan Bs
Day one: pizza and informalities
The weekend opened with an informal welcome pizza party at Borgo Laticastelli, allowing guests to settle in, unwind, and connect before the main event.
Day two: a Tuscan wedding
The ceremony took place on the lawn overlooking the Tuscan hills. Heather wore the ‘Hazel’ Danielle Frankel gown paired with a custom embroidered veil, accompanied by bridesmaids in an array of colours that were tied together by Heather’s multi-tonal bouquet. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed an Aperol Spritz tower before moving to dinner at long serpentine tables set with neutral linens and deep red and burgundy accents - a subtle nod to Lok Sze’s Chinese heritage. During dessert, a saxophonist made a surprise appearance on a balcony above as the couple assembled their traditional millefoglie. The night concluded with a bridal party flash mob and a conga line leading guests down to the dance floor; moving people from one space to another at a wedding can sometimes feel clunky, but with a little creativity, it becomes part of the entertainment.
Day three: rain, pasta and more rain
When heavy rain disrupted the original pool party plans, we executed our wet-weather backup plan, pivoting to a cosy indoor pasta party where guests gathered for a relaxed feast of Italian dishes. Guests swapped swimsuits for comfy clothes and the couple took it in stride, proving that a relaxed attitude can turn any situation into a memorable one.
Plan B pivots and logistics
Even with a detailed production plan, successful destination events require adaptability and quick problem-solving mid-event. True full-service coordination means establishing contingency plans early in the process so that when unexpected weather or issues arise, they are resolved calmly and quietly behind the scenes.
When heavy rainfall threatened the final event, our pre-designed wet-weather contingency plan allowed us to pivot immediately. We coordinated with all supplier teams to convert the outdoor pool party into a warm indoor pasta gathering without delay or friction. Whether managing vendor logistics, adjusting timelines in real time, or attending to personal guest requests, our priority was ensuring Heather and Lok Sze could remain completely relaxed and present for every moment of their wedding weekend.
“On the wedding day itself, Emma was such a calming presence and so patient and efficient with any hiccups (e.g. delivering ginger to my husband, who woke up with a sore throat and getting ready to action our carefully curated Plan B when it looked like it was going to rain). Even our guests couldn't stop talking about how amazing Emma was - she remembered their names upon a quick introduction, coordinated a surprise flash mob with our bridal party, and drew up a seamless timeline that all guests labelled "perfect". Everyone commented on how we were such a stress-free bride & groom but we truly felt like we could enjoy our 3-day wedding celebrations to the full because of Emma, knowing that she was working her magic behind the scenes.”
Design, Styling and Planning | Emma Jane Weddings
Photographer | Angelika Dupuis Photography
Venue | Borgo Laticastelli