Intimate Tuscan Bliss: Sandrine & Charles' Villa Wedding

There’s something utterly captivating about couples who quietly buck tradition and forge their own path. After 12 years of growing together, Sandrine and Charles packed up their closest people—just 20 in total—and headed to a sun-drenched villa nestled among the rolling hills of Cecina, Tuscany.

The villa was a dream spot where cypress trees stood tall against endless countryside views. The kind of place that doesn’t just host a wedding but wraps everyone in a gentle embrace, making even the most wound-up guests exhale and sink into the moment.

We’re particularly drawn to how they ditched the rulebook at every turn. No wedding planner in sight—just late-night Googling sessions and their photographer stepping in with timeline advice when needed. The villa’s warm stone walls needed hardly any decoration beyond some delicate white blooms. And instead of forking out for a DJ, they plugged in their own carefully crafted playlist that carried the vibe from afternoon champagne right through to that magical moment when everyone—wedding clothes and all—jumped into the pool under a blanket of stars.

Their ceremony hit all the right notes too. Their best friend stood before them, speaking words that came from knowing them since their teenage years—since those first awkward glances across high school corridors. And when Sandrine walked toward Charles, the soundtrack wasn’t some expected wedding march but “There for Me” by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli—the very same melody her mum had walked to years before. A quiet nod to family that perfectly complemented their Italian surroundings.

What sticks with us most isn’t what they splashed out on, but rather everything they happily left behind—all those unnecessary frills that so often crowd out the real point of showing up to marry your person.

Massive thanks to Alessandra Jennifer Photographer & Filmmaker for letting us showcase these gorgeous images. There’s an effortless quality to her work—capturing those editorial-worthy compositions while never missing the genuine belly laughs and teary eyes that make a wedding album truly worth revisiting year after year.

We’ll hand you over to Sandrine to tell us all about this spectacular wedding…

Where did you get married, and why did you choose that venue?

We got married at a private villa nestled in the hills of Cecina, Tuscany—found through EmmaVillas. The moment we saw it, we knew. Surrounded by cypress trees and overlooking the countryside, it felt like the kind of place where time slows down. With only 20 guests, we wanted something intimate, peaceful, and beautiful… and this villa gave us all of that and more.

Did you work with an event planner?

We actually didn’t! We planned everything ourselves—just the two of us, with a lot of late-night Google searches and some amazing help from our photographer. They helped us build the timeline and even gave us suggestions during the planning process. On the day of, having a photographer who also speaks Italian was such a gift—she stepped in to coordinate with the other vendors and made everything feel calm and easy. It felt like having a friend by our side who just got it.

How did your story begin, and how did you get to your wedding day?

We met in high school when we were just 16 and 18. What started as shy hallway glances turned into something real—and here we are, 12 years later, still choosing each other. Our wedding felt like a celebration of everything we’ve grown through together. It wasn’t just about one day—it was about all the days that led to it.

Who designed your dress, and where did you find it? What made you fall in love with your dress?

I found my dress at Château Nadia—and funny enough, it was the very first one I tried on. I did try a few others after, just to be sure, but nothing compared. I kept thinking about that first dress. It felt like it was made for me—simple, elegant, and exactly how I wanted to feel on my wedding day.

Who was your photographer, and what did you think of their work? Did you have a videographer?
We worked with Alessandra Jennifer and her husband Stefan, the dream team behind both our photos and video. They’re truly the sweetest souls—gentle, calm, and so intentional. Yes, they’re there to capture every moment beautifully (and they did!), but they also made sure we were having the best day possible.

I was feeling nervous the morning of, and they stepped in without hesitation—handling things that felt overwhelming and keeping the mood light. They blended in so effortlessly with our families and friends that it felt like they were part of the group.

Alessandra speaks Italian, which was such a huge bonus when working with local vendors. Her eye is unreal—she balances editorial beauty with candid emotion in a way that feels so natural. And the video? It’s exactly how the day felt.Watching it back brings us right back to the tears, the laughs, and every in-between moment.

Website: alessandrajennifer.com
Instagram: @alessandrajennifer

Who styled your hair and makeup?

I actually did my own hair and makeup! It was a really hot day in August under the Tuscan sun, so I kept everything simple and natural to match the vibe of the day. I didn’t want anything too heavy—just a soft glow that felt like me. With the breeze, the views, and the people we love around us, it all came together beautifully.

What did the groom wear, and why did you choose it?

He wore a made-to-measure suit from Maison Brümel—beige, soft, and simple with that classic Italian ease. No tie, no bowtie, just a crisp white shirt and a relaxed vibe that matched the day perfectly. It felt effortless, but still special… exactly how he wanted to feel.

Tell us about your flowers.

Our florist was Dal Giardino di Stefania, and she totally understood the vision. I wanted something really minimalist—just white blooms and greenery that would complement the villa and the landscape around us, not compete with it.

We kept it simple for both the ceremony and the dinner inside the villa. My bouquet was small and delicate, exactly in line with the style of the day. Nothing overdone, just quiet beauty that blended in with everything we loved about Tuscany.

What did you do for entertainment?

No band, no DJ—just our perfectly curated Spotify playlist blasting through the villa. It was everything we wanted: our favourite songs, all in a row, setting the tone from the first glass of prosecco to the last dance.

And the best part? We ended the night by jumping in the pool fully dressed. Music still playing, stars above us, soaking wet and so happy. It was pure magic.

Who designed your stationery?

We kept it super simple since we only had 20 guests. The only printed piece we had was the menu, which we placed on the dinner table. No invites, no signage—just good food, good wine, and our favourite people. That was more than enough.

How did you style your venue?

Honestly, we didn’t add much. The villa already had so much character, from the warm stone walls to the view of the hills—it didn’t need a lot. We used what was already there, and somehow everything just came together effortlessly.

The flowers brought a soft, romantic touch to the ceremony and dinner, but overall, it felt like the space styled itself. It was simple, warm, and exactly the atmosphere we imagined.

Who walked you down the aisle?

My dad walked me down the aisle. We actually did a little first look before the ceremony, just the two of us, and it was such a special moment. It felt quiet, intimate, and gave us a chance to take it all in before everything started. Walking down the aisle with him after that just made it even more meaningful.

What song did you walk down the aisle to?

I walked down the aisle to “There for Me” by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. We thought it was such a beautiful and fitting choice—especially being in Italy, it just felt right.

But it was also a little surprise for my mom… it was the same song she walked down the aisle to at her wedding. I wanted to honour that moment and, well, make her cry a little more (mission accomplished).

What can you share about your vows?

Our vows were really intimate—a reflection of the 12 years we’ve spent growing together. We didn’t read them to anyone beforehand, but somehow… they ended up perfectly matching.

When we spoke them, we looked straight into each other’s eyes, and it honestly felt like time stopped. For that moment, it was just the two of us.

Who officiated your wedding?

Our best friend officiated the ceremony. He’s known us since the very beginning—he’s seen all the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

He wrote the entire speech himself, and it was perfect. Having someone who truly knows us stand with us in that moment made it all the more special. It felt honest, heartfelt, and so us.

What was your favourite moment of the day?

There are so many, but if we had to choose—it would be standing together during the most beautiful sunset we’ve ever seen, surrounded by all the emotions of the day.

Our closest friends and family flew in from around the world to celebrate with us, and in that golden moment, everything just felt still and full. It was pure happiness.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding?

Keep it simple and true to you. Don’t get caught up in what a wedding should look like—focus on how you want to feel.

For us, it wasn’t about perfection, it was about presence. And in the end, that’s what made it so special. The little things—your people, the laughter, the view, the music you love—those are the memories that stay with you.

Vendors We Loved
We were lucky to work with some incredible local vendors who helped bring the day to life:

Florist: Dal Giardino di Stefania – Her soft, romantic florals were exactly what we envisioned.
Catering: Happy Jack – Personal Chef – An organic private chef in Tuscany who made our dinner unforgettable. Every bite felt like a love letter to Italy.

Huge thanks and congratulations to Sandrine and Charles.

Sometimes the most meaningful celebrations aren’t the ones with the longest guest lists or the most elaborate details, but the ones that feel most authentically like you.

Their “un bel matrimonio” reminds us that at its heart, a wedding is simply about gathering your favourite humans in a place that makes you happy, speaking promises that matter, and then celebrating however feels right—even if that means ending the night with a spontaneous, fully-clothed plunge into the villa pool.

If you’re planning your own celebration here in Quebec, perhaps take a page from Sandrine and Charles’ Italian adventure: keep what matters, let go of what doesn’t, and make sure there’s plenty of room for those unplanned moments that often become the best memories of all.

Thanks again to Alessandra Jennifer Photographer & Filmmaker for her exceptional photography.