Cloud Eight Weddings and Events

About Cloud Eight Weddings and Events

Cloud Eight weddings, owned by Francesca Simoncini is a boutique weddings and events agency based in Tuscany. We organise a maximum of 10 weddings per year, this allows us to be fully present for our clients throughout the whole planning process, local appointments and wedding day.

Our events are a reflection of who I am: fun, organised, empathetic, a little bit crazy, an authentic Italian and a foodie.

We are focused on sustainable weddings meaning involving local vendors and make the best use of what nature offers. I love what I do and I genuinely care about my clients’ best day as if it is my own.

Behind The Brand

What was the initial spark for your brand, how did it all begin?

Time was just right. Back in 2021 I already had almost 11 years of experience as luxury wedding planner with nearly 200 weddings planned behind me so, when I opened my business, I was more than ready. I had a mission, to fully express myself and to bring my personality into the planning of my clients’ weddings at all costs.

I was no longer looking for luxury but simplicity over extravaganza, authenticity over opulence and that’s why I also decided to commit to my sustainable weddings project where I could bring to life beautiful events involving vendors who share my same vision and attracting clients who match my vibe.

Cloud Eight wedding and events is a boutique wedding planning agency with a very good reputation and I couldn’t be prouder.

What services do you offer couples?

I always tell my clients that choosing me as their planner means having someone who can be their hands and eyes here in Italy. This requires a great deal of trust.If the expectation is simply to have someone who shares lists and estimates without any personal judgment or passion then, I am not the right planner for them.

At Cloud Eight weddings and events we are 100% present in every step and decision as we work on a limited number of weddings every season.

Our main service is full planning, starting from venue research, to styling and budget tracking to assistance for civil/religious procedures, until coordination on the day but every year I normally open some dates for partial planning and coordination only.

We collaborate with the most amazing venues and vendors and together with them and thanks to them we create our clients’ dream wedding.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Classic, elegant, authentic. I like simple and curated weddings with a few personal touches.
I believe in less is more and that the key to the right balance in design is a combination of elements from floral decor and table setting to lighting.

There are some things I am willing to compromise on and others where I prefer to offer alternatives to clients before committing to their idea. I have learnt to say “no”, suggesting other “yes” alternatives first! I do not like overly cheesy things but my goal is to offer a true Italian experience without excess.

As a planner or stylist, what are you inspired by at the moment in the world of weddings?

The season when the wedding is going to take place is certainly my first source of inspiration.
I let nature dictate the colours, the types of flowers to use, the fruits that can enrich the wedding dinner table.

I am not a trendsetter or a trend follower, I prefer timeless looks rather that one-of-a-kind setups but at the moment I am a big fan of minimalism, color blocks and lots of candles over abundance of flowers. I work hand in hand with the client guiding the process from the inspiration to the final realization, always adding my professional touch and taste to the wedding.

What would you like to see less of?

I would like to see fewer “out of season” flowers and fruits at weddings. Peonies are spring flowers, dahlias are an early fall flower, ranunculus are a winter/early spring flower.

Oranges are a winter fruit, if a bride decided on a summer palette with yellows and orange as main colours why not suggest peaches over oranges? Peaches are in season, less expensive and have a lower impact on our environment.

I believe that clients’ expectations must always be met but also that it shouldn’t be an issue to guide them towards more sustainable ways of reaching their goal.

A styling/planning tip or two you’ve learned along the way that you’d give to any couple?

Planning tips:

Hire the planner before the venue, it often happens that clients book venues and, only after paying the deposit they realise how many hidden costs or that they have to consider, how much the other services will cost or that the venue only works with a limited number of vendors who may not fit with the client’s budget. They may also discover that the venue’s logistics involves higher set up costs.

Build your budget around your priorities and listen to your planner when it comes to making decisions on services. A seafood corner at the aperitivo may be your preference but ask yourself: “is this something I will remember/my guests will remember of the day?” if the answer is no then put this aside for the moment. Take the important decisions first, lock in the main vendors and then evaluate whether to add this service back if you have extra money to spend.

Always have a plan b, summer is generally sunny in Italy but generally doesn’t mean that there is a 0% chance of rain. Do not let rain ruin your day, better to plan for the worst-case scenario in advance.

A good timeline makes the difference. I am a pro in this, the smooth flow of the event is the key to make your wedding a memorable one. I have so many other tips but I feel that it is impossible to share them all!

Styling tips:

Lighting is everything, a well-planned lighting set up makes a huge difference. You can spend a lot of time and money organising the smallest table set up detail but if you do not give the right attention to lighting every effort would be useless.

But I am not talking only about artificial light, natural light is just as important.
Think about where the sun sets and at what time in order to make the best use of it during the day and to enrich your event.

Sunset it the best time for the dinner as guests can experience the colour nightfall while enjoying their meal.

Do not underestimate the importance of the details, such as the color of the area you have chosen for the ceremony and dinner. Is the wedding dinner on grass? Keep this in mind while selecting the table cloth. Greens, beiges and ecrù won’t stand out much. It is better to opt for cooler colours such white, grey, light blues or even powder pink or lilac. Colour and style of waiters’ and musicians’ suits, they also need to match with the vibe of the wedding. Thank me later.

Editor’s Notes

Why we love it…

With a background in luxury events and a deliberate turn toward something more elemental, Francesca, founder of Cloud Eight Weddings and Events, favors restraint over excess, letting texture, tone, and emotion do the heavy lifting. Each celebration unfolds like a well-composed scene, resulting in events that feel atmospheric—shaped by the land, the light, the season.

For the couple…

Francesca’s process is collaborative and grounded, suited best to couples that dream of a celebration brimming with romance and considered design—where local touches matter, sustainability isn’t an afterthought, and the details reflect a deep sense of story and place.