An Intimate and Whimsical Destination Wedding in Italy

The Happy Couple

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Tec Petaja

In 2009, longtime pals Kristin, a yoga teacher, and David, an information technology consultant, dropped everything to travel around Southeast Asia together. After months of backpacking, they flew to Italy to unwind at a friend's cabin in the Tuscan village of Barga. Love was in the air, and they fell hard for the town -- and each other. Eventually, the pair moved to Florence, Italy, but returned often to their favorite spot: for long weekends, to get engaged, and, finally, to tie the knot.

Says David, dapper in Hugo Boss, of Kristin, breathtaking in Rivini: "She was stunning, but she always is; I did a double take the very first time I saw her, and she was wearing jeans and a casual top."

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Homemade Decor

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Tec Petaja

Friends painted signs to mark the occasion and point the way to the ceremony.

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Hair Accessory

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Tec Petaja

The bride's veil fell off during her vows, "but I kept my cool and handed it to my maid of honor," she says.

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Table Decor

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Tec Petaja

Sleek lamps on each table were switched on at dusk.

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Four-Legged Friend

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Tec Petaja

Holding a bouquet of pale-pink peonies, hydrangeas, ranunculus, and roses, Kristin poses with her flower girls and Beatrice, the couple's pooch: "She's Italian, so you have to pronounce it Bay-a-TREE-chay," she says with a laugh.

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Famous Guests

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Tec Petaja

A bunch of Kristin and David's pals from Barga joined them at their wedding. Good friends Emma and Fabio are well known around town because their band, Emma e gli Aristodemos, always brings a good time to local bars.

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Stationery

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Tec Petaja

Bella Figura created the couple's pink and gray invitations, "I wanted something classic and a little whimsical," says Kristin.

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Portraits

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Tec Petaja

"After the ceremony, while our guests were playing Petanque and having French Champagne and hors d'oeuvres, we were taking photos with our families and wedding party," says Kristin. "Then, as everyone made their way by minibus to the reception, David and I went walking through the old city of Barga with our photographer snapping away." This shot was taken once they'd arrived at the celebration, held at the Villa Sognare.

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The Scenery

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Tec Petaja

A Tuscan field of sunflowers between Florence and Barga.

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The Cake

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Tec Petaja

The showstopping dessert is decked out in thin fondant and edible lace. Inside, a white-chocolate cake bathed in Limoncello is complemented by dark-chocolate ganache filling. "My husband likes dark chocolate and I like white," says Kristin. "Compromise is good -- it was delicious!"

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Sources

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Tec Petaja

Ceremony Location: Agriturismo I Cedri

Reception Location: Villa Sognare

Catering: Fappani e Cian

Hair Flower: Renee Pawele Bride

Veil: Homa

Wedding Photography: Tec Petaja

Cake: Melanie Secciani

Transportation: Biagiotti Autoservizi

Stationery: Bella Figura

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