OUR
STORY
Dominique and Melyssande’s story began in the enchanting coastal town of Montezuma, Costa Rica — a place as wild and magical as the love that would blossom there.
From the very beginning, life tested them with continental distances, health challenges, and all of the life's other unpredictable twists of fate. But through it all, their love not only endured — it deepened, strengthened, and became what it is today.
They share a love for travel, good food, and discovering new places — passions that have shaped their journey together and now bring them to one of the most meaningful adventures yet: celebrating their wedding in beautiful Italy, surrounded by the people they love most.
THE
WEDDING
BENVENUTI IN ITALIA
JULY 16, 2026
RETROUVAILLES
Welcome to Italy! We look forward to welcoming you to the villa at a time that suits you. Activities and accommodations are planned so that we can enjoy our time together.
LA DOLCE VITA
JULY 17, 2026
POOL PARTY, PIZZA & BBQ
[la ˈdoltʃe ˈviːta]
La Dolce Vita isn’t just a saying — it’s a mindset.
It’s about soaking up the good life: a cold drink in hand, feet in the pool,
music playing, sun shining, laughter all around… and love at the center of it all.
Time slows down, joy takes over — we celebrate, dance, and indulge.
Before
3:00 pm:
Various activities will be organized for those who wish to participate (such as Italian cooking classes, wine tasting, etc.). Other activities such as horseback riding are available in the surrounding area upon request.
3:00 pm:
Living La Dolce Vita : a cold drink in hand, feet in the pool, music playing, sun shining, laughter all around… and love at the center of it all.
6:30 pm:
Get ready to enjoy an outdoor feast: homemade pizzas, a sizzling barbecue, and a relaxed atmosphere under the stars. A gourmet moment to share together, in the purest Italian tradition.
Dress Code :
White Party
For a beautiful summer evening, wear something white:
-
Example for women: a dress, a skirt, a top...
-
Example for men: at least the top, such as a shirt or polo shirt (the bottom can be a different color)
CI SPOSIAMO
JULY 18, 2026
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
4:15 pm:
It's time to say “I do” for life and celebrate together the beginning of our forever.
5:30 pm:
It’s Aperitivo time! Spritz, Prosecco & antipasti :
a sparkling moment of joy under the golden Italian sun
7:30 pm:
Take your seat for a true Italian feast — all homemade on-site with love, featuring authentic regional specialties. Buon appetito!
11:00 pm:
Once the cake is cut and the stars are out… it’s time to hit the dance floor and celebrate all night long
Dress Code :
Our wedding will be in a villa surrounded by tuscan nature (olive trees, cypress trees, etc.), therefore tones like pastels, florals, and soft colors are welcome.
Here are a few examples (although by no means an exhaustive list):
Please avoid bright colors such as red, fuchsia, etc., and women should not wear white. :)
ARRIVEDERCI!
JULY 19, 2026
HANGOVER BREAKFAST
until
11:30 am:
The morning after, join us for a laid-back Hangover Breakfast — coffee, laughs, and a few stories from the night before. Drop by whenever you wake up, then set off to explore Italy with a full heart and a happy belly.
See you around the breakfast table — and see you soon, somewhere in the world!
GETTING
THERE
International airports : Venice and Roma
Local airports : Pisa and Firenze
TRANSPORTATION TO THE VENUE
FROM FIRENZE :
Option 1 : BY TRAIN
You can reach the small town of Castelfiorentino easily by train with local train from Firenze (Santa Maria Novella station).
Every hour there is a direct train, direction Siena (few stops). In 45 minutes you're in Castelfiorentino. Ticket 6 Euros one way.
Option 2 : BY CAR
40 min from Firenze. If you want to visit Tuscany, we suggest you to rent a car. There are several companies either at the Firenze or Pisa airports or in Firenze city center, near the station Santa Maria Novella. Rental cars give you more freedom, to explore the region. Booking in advance by internet offers you reasonable rates.
FROM PISA:
1h by car
ACCOMMODATION
Find the venue :
Accomodation
To fully enjoy these several days of festivities together, we would be delighted to welcome you to our villa to share these unique moments!
The “Il Grande Prato” estate, meaning “The Great Meadow,” is located in the hills of Tuscany. It is a 200-year-old stone villa surrounded by olive trees and cypresses. It's impossible not to fall under its spell!
The villa can sleep up to 50 people in bedrooms and apartments.
The villa has a tennis court, a large swimming pool surrounded by cypress trees, a gym, a billiard table, and a yoga room.
The breakfast is included.
When you RSVP, please specify if you will be staying with us.
Activities available
Several activities are available within the villa and in the surrounding area. As the wedding date approaches, we will share more information about the activities with you. Please let us know if you would like to participate, and we will organize the groups. We look forward to sharing these moments with you!
ITINERARY
We hope you’ll fall in love with this region as much as we did, and create unforgettable memories along the way.
Cities of History
Let yourself be enchanted by the timeless elegance of Florence — its Duomo, winding streets, and art-filled museums — the charm of Siena with its Piazza del Campo, and the iconic medieval towers of San Gimignano.
Breathtaking landscapes & typical Medieval villages
Be enchanted by the rolling hills of Val d'Orcia, discover charming hilltop villages like Montepulciano, Montalcino, Greve in Chianti, and unwind in the natural hot springs of Saturnia and Bagno San Filippo
Gastronomy & Wine
Indulge in Tuscan specialties like the pasta pici cacio e pepe, the famous bistecca alla fiorentina, or cantucci dipped in Vin Santo, all paired with world-class wines like Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino.
Download your Tuscany guide!
It was during a sunset picnic in the hills of Montepulciano that Mely and Dom fell in love with Tuscany — and everything it stands for: the art of slow living, beauty, and incredible food.
Melyssande, who’s half Italian, spent every summer in Italy — a country she knows like the back of her hand and still explores with passion. From charming local eateries and hilltop medieval villages to breathtaking views and hidden gems, she loves crafting unique itineraries off the beaten path.
They gathered all their favorite spots into this travel guide to help you discover the magic of Tuscany at your own pace: authentic villas, dreamy towns, vineyards to visit, and of course… their go-to restaurants.
Buon viaggio & enjoy! 🌻🍷
FAQ
1 / Does everything take place in the same location ?
Yes! No need to travel anywhere. The welcome party, the ceremony, cocktail reception, dinner, and party—everything takes place in the garden and throughout the villa. Dolce vita and simplicity!
2 / Will the wedding take place indoors or outdoors ?
Almost everything will take place outdoors in the villa's garden: the ceremony, aperitif, dinner, and dance party will begin outside and continue indoors (due to noise restrictions).
It is hot at this time of year (between 30 and 35 degrees celsius, so bring a hat, sunglasses and suitable clothing
3 / Can we leave our car there ?
Yes, the villa has a large parking lot on site. You can leave your car there for one night or for the duration of your stay with us.
4 / Any recommandation nearby accommodation ?
For those who do not wish to stay in the main villa with us, we recommend booking early as July is a very popular time in Tuscany (and the rest of Italy, if you wish to explore). Here are a few recommendations close to our wedding venue. Feel free to browse Google Maps to find others that suit your needs:
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Castello di Cabbiavoli $$$-$$$$ (6 min by car / 25 min by walk)
-
Agriturismo Giulia - Casa Lavanda $$$ (4 min by car / 15 min by walk)
-
Agriturismo di Cabbiavoli $$$ (4 min by car / 15 min by walk)
-
Le Bosarecce (Hotel) $$$ (4 min by car / 15 min by walk)
-
Casa Vacanze La Vecchia Pieve $$$ (6 min by car / 25 min by walk)
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Casa Tara (10 min by car)
5 / How many days should you plan to fully enjoy the trip ?
If you don't have much time, we recommend planning at least 3 to 5 days to enjoy the area around the villa! Florence, Chianti, medieval villages... There is so much to discover around our villa!
Otherwise, you can take 1 to 2 weeks to fully explore the region. You can also split your trip by visiting Tuscany and neighboring regions accessible by train or car, such as Emilia-Romagna, considered the capital of Italian gastronomy (including cities such as Parma, Bologna, and Modena, where you can enjoy tasting Parmigiano Reggiano DOP directly from the producer);
or Lombardy: visit the great lakes such as Lake Como and Lake Garda, and visit Milan.
You can also opt for the beaches, turquoise waters, and typical villages of southern Italy such as Puglia, or even visit the island rich in history and culture: Sicily (a car is necessary to get around these destinations).
6 / Should I bring a gift ?
Your presence is our greatest gift 💛 But if you would like to spoil us, we will set up an online fund (or a box on the big day for envelopes) to contribute to our honeymoon and make it the trip of a lifetime, thanks to you!
The little guide to make you (almost) a true Italian 🇮🇹
1 / No cappuccino after 11:00 am! ☕
In Italy, cappuccino is a morning thing. After 11 a.m., ordering a cappuccino is a bit like asking for a milkshake in a Michelin-starred restaurant: you'll attract disapproving looks! So, if you don't want the waiter to look at you as if you've just landed from Mars, save your cappuccino for breakfast. ;)
2 / Don't cut your spaghetti! 🍝
Cutting your spaghetti is a bit like betraying pasta: an offense that even the best chefs couldn't forgive! Roll it around your fork with pride.
3 / No pineapple on pizza! 🍕
Pineapple on pizza? That's the best way to start a civil war in Italy! In Italy, pizza is sacred, and every ingredient counts. Here, even the simplest ingredients are delicious. Indulge in traditional toppings. Mozzarella, basil, tomato... sometimes the simplest things in life are the best!
4 / To coffe lovers : in Italy, drink your coffee "ristretto" ☕
“Ristretto” means “strong.” Forget XXL coffees! You'll probably be surprised the first time you order one. This strong coffee is intense and will wake you up in a flash! In Italy, coffee is drunk in the morning and always after lunch or dinner.
5 / Nap Time 😴
Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., many shops close for siesta. When visiting towns and villages, you may find that some shops are closed.
6 / "Salute !" to raise a toast! 🥂
Before drinking, clink glasses and don't forget to say “Salute!” to make a toast. It's a warm way to celebrate friendship and love. That's perfect timing ;)
WE'RE SO EXCITED
TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU