Sandrine + Charles by Alessandra Jennifer

The colour palette was grounded in soft neutrals — whites, creams, natural greens.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We both work in business — one of us in marketing, the other in finance — so life during the week tends to move fast. We’re definitely city people Monday to Friday, always on the go, juggling work and schedules. But come the weekend, we slow things down completely. We head out to the countryside to recharge, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy nature. That balance between city energy and rural calm feels essential to us.

We love being outdoors — running, hiking, skiing, anything that gets us moving and out in the fresh air. Travel is a huge part of our lives too. We’re always dreaming about our next destination, especially places with good food, beautiful views, and a little culture to soak in.

At the heart of it all, we’re pretty simple: we love a good glass of wine, a weekend escape, and making memories together. Whether we’re in a new country or just cooking dinner at home, we try to enjoy the moment and not take anything for granted.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in high school when we were just 16 and 18. At first, it was shy glances in the hallway and nervous hellos between classes — the kind of slow burn that turns into something real before you even realise it. Over time, what started as a sweet teenage connection became the foundation for something much deeper.

Fast forward 12 years, and we’re still choosing each other every single day. That’s what made the wedding feel so meaningful. It wasn’t just about that one day — it was about everything we’ve experienced together leading up to it. The growth, the challenges, the evolving versions of ourselves, all wrapped into one beautiful, emotional celebration.

Standing there, saying our vows in front of the people who’ve watched our story unfold from the beginning, felt surreal. It was a full circle in the best way. The wedding was a moment to pause and celebrate, but also to look ahead and feel excited about everything still to come.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

We always knew we wanted something minimal and intentional. The villa and the Tuscan landscape were already so rich and beautiful, we didn’t want to compete with that — we wanted to complement it. The mood was relaxed, romantic, and effortless.

For the styling, we kept everything pared back and clean. White flowers and fresh greenery were all we needed. Our florist, Dal Giardino di Stefania, understood the vision right away — the arrangements were loose, organic, and never too “done.” We skipped heavy decor and let the setting speak for itself. The colour palette was grounded in soft neutrals — whites, creams, natural greens — to echo the countryside and stone textures around us. We didn’t want it to feel overly styled or trendy. The goal was always to create a space that felt like us: natural, grounded, and full of heart. Something that would stand the test of time, just like the place we chose to get married.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

We got married at a private villa nestled in the hills of Cecina, Tuscany — a hidden gem we found through EmmaVillas. The moment we saw it, we just knew. Surrounded by cypress trees and overlooking the golden countryside, it felt like time slowed down. With only 20 guests, we wanted the experience to feel intimate, peaceful, and deeply personal… and this place gave us all of that and more.

Honestly, we didn’t add much. The villa already had so much character — the warm stone walls, the breeze through the olive trees, the view that looked like a painting — it didn’t need anything else. We used what was already there, and somehow everything came together effortlessly.

The flowers brought a soft, romantic layer to it all. Just white blooms and fresh greenery, arranged simply to match the natural beauty of the space. From the ceremony to the dinner, it all felt easy, unforced, and exactly like us.

We didn’t want anything overly styled or complicated. The goal was to let the surroundings shine and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that our guests could fully sink into. It was simple, soulful, and everything we had imagined.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

We actually didn’t have a planner — we planned everything ourselves. Just the two of us, lots of late-night Google searches, and a bit of organised chaos. It was a challenge, but also something we’re proud of. Seeing the whole day come together, knowing we built it from scratch as a team, made it even more meaningful.

One of the biggest things that helped was having a photographer who really supported us through the process. Alessandra Jennifer helped us build the timeline and was such a calm, grounding presence on the day. Since she speaks Italian, she handled conversations with the local vendors and made everything flow seamlessly. It felt like having a friend by our side who genuinely understood our vision.

Our biggest advice? Keep it simple and true to you. Don’t get caught up in what a wedding is supposed to 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 long after the day is over.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We had the absolute dream team with Alessandra, Jennifer, and her husband Stefan behind both our photos and video. They are truly the kindest, most grounded souls — calm, intentional, and just so easy to be around. From the very beginning, they made it clear they weren’t just there to document the day, but to help us feel good while living it.

I was feeling pretty nervous that morning, and without even asking, they stepped in and took the pressure off. Whether it was keeping things light, helping with the timeline, or just being a comforting presence, they were magic. They blended in so seamlessly with our guests that it felt like they were part of the family.

Alessandra speaking Italian was such a game-changer, too — it made working with local vendors so much smoother. Her photography style strikes this perfect balance between raw emotion and effortless elegance, and Stefan’s video takes us right back into the energy of the day every time we watch it.

We also worked with Dal Giardino di Stefania for florals. She nailed the minimalist look I wanted — just white flowers and greenery that let the villa and landscape shine. For catering, Happy Jack was incredible. He’s a private organic chef in Tuscany, and every course felt like a little poem to Italian food. That dinner was one of our favourite parts of the whole experience.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I’ve always loved fashion, so stepping into my “bride era” felt like the ultimate excuse to have fun with every look — not just the wedding dress. I really wanted each outfit to reflect a different part of the experience, from the pre-wedding shoot to the welcome dinner.

For our pre-wedding shoot in Florence, I wore a sleek dress from Reformation. It felt effortlessly chic and timeless, the perfect match for the city’s vibe. My bachelorette look was from Revolve — something fun and flirty from More To Come that felt celebratory and bridal without being too on the nose.

On the wedding morning, I wore a white lace set from Kat the Label (also from Revolve) while getting ready with my girls. It was romantic, comfortable, and made those quiet, emotional prep moments feel extra special. For the welcome dinner, I kept it simple with a soft, elegant look from Dynamite — nothing too flashy, just clean lines and a fresh, modern feel.

Each piece felt intentional, not just for how it looked, but for how it made me feel in that moment. I wasn’t trying to follow trends — I just wanted to feel like the best version of myself throughout every part of the experience. And I really did.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Our rings are from Ecksand, a custom Canadian jeweller. He knew from the start that he wanted the proposal to happen in Greece, so he had the ring made ahead of our trip and was extra careful travelling with it — carry-on only, never let it out of his sight. He was so discreet, I had absolutely no idea.

The proposal itself was right out of a movie. We were on a private terrace, just the two of us, watching the sunset with a glass of wine in hand. I was sitting on his lap, totally unaware that the ring was still in his pocket. Turns out I was sitting directly on it! At that point, he didn’t really have a choice — it was time to pop the question.

It was simple and perfect and very us. The ring is classic, minimal, and elegant — just what I love. We also chose our wedding bands from Ecksand, and the experience was so easy and personal. They’re timeless pieces we’ll wear forever, and now they carry not just the meaning of our wedding day, but also this unforgettable moment overlooking the sea in Greece.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

The three things we knew we wanted to invest in were the venue, the flowers, and photography and videography.

The venue was a no-brainer. We didn’t want just a “pretty spot” — we wanted somewhere that felt like an experience. When we found the villa in Tuscany, we both felt it. The atmosphere, the view, the energy of the place… it felt like home in a way we couldn’t explain. That space shaped the entire mood of the wedding.

Flowers were another big one. Even though we kept the styling minimal, we didn’t want it to feel empty or cold. The florals brought this softness and romance that tied everything together. Stefania completely understood our vision and created arrangements that felt organic and effortless, like they belonged there.

And of course, photography and videography. These were our non-negotiables. We knew that once the day was over, what would last would be the way it was captured. Working with Alessandra and Stefan felt like a gift. They saw everything — the big moments and the tiny in-betweens — and gave us memories we’ll hold on to forever. We would absolutely make the same choices again. It was 100% worth the investment.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

There are so many moments we’ll carry with us forever, but if we had to choose just a couple, they’d be the vows… and the sunset.

Our ceremony was deeply personal, and we wrote our vows separately without sharing them beforehand. Somehow, they ended up perfectly in sync — almost like they were two parts of the same story. When we read them, looking straight into each other’s eyes, it felt like the world disappeared. For that moment, it was just the two of us. After 12 years together, it was emotional, grounding, and incredibly powerful.

Later that evening, just as the sun was setting behind the Tuscan hills, we stood together surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. Friends and family had flown in from all over the world, and there we were — a warm breeze, golden light, wine in hand, music in the background, and this overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Everything just felt still and full. That moment captured the heart of what we wanted our wedding to be — not flashy or overdone, just honest, emotional, and full of love. It was pure happiness, and we’ll hold onto it forever.