A Poetic Spring Wedding in Siena, Italy

Set against the rolling Chianti hills, Victoria and Greg’s spring wedding at Castello di Montalto was an emblem of quiet luxury, allowing the ethereal elegance of the terrain to take center stage. By foregoing extravagant decor in favor of soft, pared-down elements, the otherworldly landscape became the focal point.

For the ceremony, an arbor adorned with soft pink and peach blooms framed the castle’s historic backdrop while rows of white chairs lined the meandering green aisle, creating an understated elegance amidst the rustic charm.

The reception unfolded beneath an installation of fairy lights in the courtyard, where long wooden tables were dressed in delicate floral arrangements and a multi-course Italian meal, setting the scene for an evocative evening of revelry.

Our Story

Names / Victoria Bona and Greg Bond

Location / Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Italy

Wedding Date / May 26^th, 2024

Guest Numbers / 59 guests

Budget / Not disclosed 

How We Met

Greg and I met in 2018 through a dating app called Bumble. He seemed like a really genuine person. I reached out, and we spent several days chatting before deciding to meet in person. Our first date took place at a restaurant located halfway between our homes—I was living in Vancouver at the time, while he was in Port Moody. Over drinks, we talked for hours, and I was amazed at how effortlessly our conversation flowed and how comfortable he made me feel. It just felt right.

Our Engagement Story

We got engaged March 15, 2020, on a sailboat in Victoria, British Columbia. It was an incredible surprise for me. Although we had talked about engagement before, I expected it to happen in the summer of 2020, not March! However, it turned out to be perfect timing.

About a year prior to our engagement, in February 2019, we learned that my dad had Stage 4 Glioblastoma terminal brain cancer. It was an incredibly challenging year for my family, but it brought Greg and I closer together. He was the most supportive partner, standing by me every step of the way. He fit seamlessly into my family and formed a great bond with my father, which meant the world to me. We spent a lot of time with my family, going on lots of trips and making the most of the time we had left with my dad.

So going back to March 2020, we noticed that dad’s health was rapidly declining. We decided to go sailing one afternoon, knowing it might be one of my dad’s last chances to enjoy the water. Greg proposed to me at the front of the boat while we were out sailing, making it an extra special moment with my family there. Seeing my dad’s big smile, knowing I had found an amazing partner in Greg, is a memory I’ll cherish forever.

My dad ended up passing away three months later, in June 2020, so I am always grateful that he got to be there for that moment.

What we love most about each other…

Bride: Greg is the kindest, most caring and loving husband, and can make me laugh like nobody else. It doesn’t matter what we are doing, we always have so much fun together

Greg: Victoria is beautiful inside and out and wears her heart on her sleeve. She drives for success in everything that she does in life and it inspires me on so many levels.

The Setting

Wedding Location

We chose to get married at Castello di Montalto, a picturesque castle in the Chianti hills, approximately 25 minutes from Siena. Our lovely wedding planner, Dashiell (The Wedding Knot), presented us with several options at different price points, but this venue stood out right away. We instantly fell in love with the wedding ceremony location, featuring a stunning green arbor and the remarkable castle backdrop. We also loved the idea of having dinner in a beautiful and private courtyard with mini bulb lights strung above the tables. And to top it off, we could keep the party going until 2am as it’s a pretty secluded area.

Another main reason we chose this venue is that it accommodates 45 guests with multiple self-catering homes spread across the property. It also has a pool, several common areas, and stunning views from each villa. Most of our loved ones could stay on-site, which we knew would be a truly memorable three days together. Plus, the rave reviews about the venue’s hospitality assured us it would be a magical place for our wedding.

Aesthetic

We aimed for a beautiful, elegant, yet minimalistic style, allowing the venue’s natural beauty to shine through. We kept decor and stationery simple, opting for soft pink, peach, and white florals on the tables. To capture the Italian essence, we chose lovely floral plates and soft pink napkins. We also selected dark wooden tables and a cream table runner, paired with matching dark brown chairs to maintain a rustic yet sophisticated vibe.

At each seat, we placed a personalized thank-you note for our guests. Knowing it would be challenging to connect with everyone on our wedding day, we wanted to express our heartfelt appreciation for their presence and to remind them how much we love them. Our guests were very touched by this and it 100% made it worth all of the extra effort.

Preparation

Bride: On the day of the wedding, I got ready with my sister, sister-in-law, best friends, my mother and mother-in-law. I gifted all of the girls matching robes, slippers, and some beauty products to get ready that morning. We popped champagne and had mimosas that morning.

Our photographers asked if I wanted to do a dress reveal with the girls, and I’m so glad I did this. It was so special to see faces when they turned around and saw me in my dress for the first time, ready to walk down the aisle.

Groom: I got ready with my brother, Victoria’s brother, and my best friends. Once the boys were ready, we had a couple of beers before the ceremony.

Photography

I searched extensively for a wedding photographer in Italy but couldn’t find one that matched the vibe I was looking for. Then I discovered Chamore Creations on Instagram. I absolutely fell in love with their photography and videography. Charlotte and Morgan’s work is so timeless, elegant and fresh with a very natural, unposed, and intimate feel. They masterfully capture the beautiful and heartfelt moments that couples cherish, showcasing their genuine emotions and unique connections.

It was truly meant to be as they were already planning to be in Europe shooting weddings that May and throughout the summer. I had an initial phone call with Charlotte, and she was incredibly lovely, warm, and professional, and it was an easy decision to move froward with them. From the start, I could tell she genuinely cared about us and our vision for the wedding. They meticulously managed all the details ahead of the wedding and took the time to understand what was most important to us, including the timeline and other specifics.

On the day of the wedding, Charlotte and Morgan were amazing. They allowed us to be ourselves while at the same time, guided us into various positions that created the most stunning and natural photos. We were blown away by all of the different moments they captured of Greg and I, along with so many wonderful moments with our guests. We had so much fun taking photos with them throughout the day. They brought so much energy on the day an and were so attentive to all of the little details, ensuring our photos turned out perfectly.

Videography

In addition to what I mentioned above, I loved their style of videography and how they seamlessly blended different moments throughout the wedding day – the couple’s personal vows, wedding speeches, drone shots, ceremony, reception, etc. They capture all of those special moments and the essence of what the day was all about. The music they choose complements their video perfectly, and the editing is exceptional.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

We didn’t have much ceremony décor because the ceremony backdrop was so spectacular. We kept it simple with just florals and white ceremony chairs.

Reception Décor

Same as above. We kept the décor very minimal!

Wedding Planner & Stylist

We worked with Dashiell from The Wedding Knot, a local Italian wedding planner. When I started planning our wedding in Italy, I knew I would need an exceptional planner since I don’t speak Italian and had only visited Italy once before. From our very first meeting, Dash was incredibly friendly, organized, and truly attentive to our vision. She presented numerous venue options, ensuring we found one that fit our and our guests’ budgets perfectly.

During the many months of planning, Dash’s organization and dedication kept everything on track. Her recommendation to visit Italy for a food tasting and hair/makeup trial was invaluable, and I’m so glad I took her advice. It was definitely worthwhile doing this as this is also when we chose our tables, plates, napkins, and discussed other styling/décor details. My friends and family were amazed at how relaxed I was leading up to the wedding, all thanks to my complete trust in Dash.

On the wedding day, all of the vendors arrived and set up on time and everything came together flawlessly. Dash thought of every detail, leaving nothing overlooked. Her meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful touches ensured that our wedding day was truly unforgettable.

Flowers

For the flowers, I chose seasonal blooms available in Italy. I requested soft pinks, peaches, and whites—my favorite colors. I absolutely loved pastels and knew they would complement the venue beautifully.

Stationery

We did not do printed save the dates or wedding invitations. We created a website and sent our invites via email. On the day of the wedding, we had printed menus and personalized thank-you notes on the other side, as well as a welcome sign. We kept it very minimal.

Favors

Bride: I gave my mother and mother-in-law a personalized wedding handkerchief, made by this lovely little company called Heartfelt Hankies on Etsy. I gave my sister a personalized drawing made by irysillustrations on Etsy.

Groom: I gifted my brother and brother-in-law Citizen watches and personalized cufflinks with their initials on them from Moda London.

Food & Beverages

After the wedding ceremony, we had an aperitif for an hour – we served Aperol spritz, local Italian wines, prosecco, and beer. There were cold cut meats, cheese, breads, and a variety of hot/cold appetizers that were passed around. At 7pm, we started the sit-down dinner.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My dress was by Martina Liana (A-line dress, with sweetheart neckline, slit, and off-the-should straps). The dress initially came with long sleeves and I had my seamstress use the fabric to create off-the-shoulder ones when I did my dress alterations, my shoes were Dolce Vita.

Bridesmaids Dresses & Shoes

I didn’t have official bridesmaids. I let my friends and my sister, who was my Maid of Honour, choose their own dresses and shoes. I did share the colour palette with them and they all went with some beautiful dresses in different pastel colours.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

My engagement ring was an oval cut diamond ring with 14k gold band and a hidden halo. My wedding ring was a marquise diamond brand. I kept my jewellery quite simple to ensure it wouldn’t overshadow my dress. I chose elegant gold drop pearl earrings.

Greg’s wedding band was a simple black band with rose gold.

Hair & Makeup

I wore my hair down in curls and opted for simple, elegant makeup that wasn’t too heavy. I did a trial with my hair and makeup artist before the wedding, and I absolutely loved the look she created. I showed her a few pictures, but I trusted her to choose the colors that suited me best

Groom’s Attire

Greg wore a custom suite, which was a linen and wool blend made by Blair Shapera in Vancouver, BC. We did a three-piece suit.

The Details

Transport

We rented a car to get to our venue and our entire wedding took place at Castello di Montalto so we didn’t need to leave for the full 3 days.

Honeymoon

We decided to stay in Italy for our honeymoon. We went to the Amalfi coast for a “friendmoon” after the wedding for 4 nights and then went to the Island of Ischia for one week. It was absolutely beautiful and perfect for a honeymoon. Lots of beautiful beaches and thermal baths, adorable little towns and fabulous restaurants with some of the freshest food we had in Italy.

“We instantly fell in love with the wedding ceremony location, featuring a stunning green arbour and the remarkable castle backdrop.”

Wedding Songs

• Ceremony song: Yellow by Coldplay (on violin and cello)
• After Ceremony song: Viva La Vida by Coldplay (on violin and cello)
• First dance: Mountain Peaks by Stephen Sanchez

Entertainment

For the ceremony, we had a violin and cello player, and for the reception, we had a DJ (DJ Ghigo Certosini). I provided him a playlist just to give him an idea of the type of music that we liked and wanted him to play.

Celebrant

We went with Simona Coltellini for our celebrant. We worked with her on the ceremony script prior to the wedding. She sent us a questionnaire to fill out and she used this to share mine and Greg’s love story. She was lovely and did a fantastic job.

Readings

We wrote our own vows but decided to exchange them privately instead of in front of everyone at the ceremony. I’m really glad we kept this moment between the two of us. It was emotional and very special.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

One of the most memorable moments from our wedding day was the fireworks show that coincided with our champagne shower. We kept the fireworks a surprise, and everyone was thrilled when the show began. It was the perfect kickoff to an incredible party.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

The wedding day went by way too quickly. It was chaotic, exciting, and so much fun, but I wish I had taken a few more moments to step away with Greg and take it all in together. Otherwise, the day was so perfect and memorable, and it was everything I imagined and more.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

If you’re planning a wedding in another country, I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner with local knowledge and access to trusted vendors. This will greatly reduce stress and ensure everything runs smoothly. Do a trial run for your hair and makeup well in advance, this gives you the chance to see how it will look on the day and make any adjustments if needed. Also, try to relax – you have to remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love. Try to enjoy every moment even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Castello Di Montalto

Wedding Planner / The Wedding Knot

Photography & Videography / Chamore Creations

Bride’s Dress / Martina Liana from Bisou Bridal

Bride’s Shoes / Dolce Vita

Hair & Makeup / The Porfirio

Florist / Magnolia Fiori Wedding

Catering / Stilicius

Celebrant / Above & Beyond Tuscan Weddings