We worked with soft, natural tones: sage and olive greens.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are Gareth and Georgia-Rae. Gareth is originally from the UK, and Georgia-Rae from New Zealand, but we now call England home. We both run our own consultancy businesses – Gareth in finance and Georgia-Rae in sustainability and communications. We are happiest outdoors and on the move. When we lived in New Zealand, weekends meant camping; now it means travelling and weekend activities. Nature, sport- tennis, golf, rugby- and good company are our constants. Above everything, though, our families and friends are what matter most to us. Community and connection are at the heart of everything we do.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met when Georgia-Rae was visiting London from New Zealand. We instantly connected on a friendship level, laughing and talking, which rapidly evolved to love. Within just a few times of hanging out, we both knew this was something real, a magical love like in books or movies. As Georgia-Rae said in her wedding vows, meeting Gareth felt like coming home.
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).
The venue itself was one of the greatest visual highlights. Borgo Stomennano is an exquisite, historic setting, and we wanted every design element to complement that natural and architectural beauty.
We worked with soft, natural tones: sage and olive greens that wove the surrounding Tuscan landscape right into the celebration. From there, it was about adding opulent and magical touches like chandeliers hung from the trees above the dinner table, a tiramisu tower and our string quartet performing in the most gorgeous tulle dresses. Those touches made everything feel elevated while staying completely rooted in the beauty of the place.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
We played to our strengths, and it worked beautifully. Gareth brought his finance brain to the process- the most detailed spreadsheet tracked every expense, timeline and guest detail. Georgia-Rae brought the vision – a detailed mood board she worked through with our planner, Marilena, capturing the style, colours and overall atmosphere we were after.
So our biggest tip would be to lean into what each of you does best, and get yourself an amazing planner. We had the best team in Marilena, Chiara and their colleagues. Their expertise, guidance and action made the whole process so enjoyable. We could not have done it without them. We enjoyed every stage of the journey because we had such a great team, and we gave ourselves lots of time to plan.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Every single vendor was extraordinary. From catering to music to photography and décor, our planner Marilena recommended her most trusted team- and they delivered beyond anything we could have imagined. The food, the band and the DJ, our photographers: all of them were perfect. If we could do it again, we would have the same team in a heartbeat. We genuinely hope for a reunion one day with all the same people!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
Georgia-Rae’s vision was something modern, sleek and unique — a silhouette she could move and dance in freely. The dress she chose was the very last one she tried — a last-minute addition to the day. The moment she put it on, she knew it was the one. Fitted to perfection, made her feel absolutely incredible and was the most gorgeous and unique fabric- liquid silk, they call it. She didn’t want to take it off! And the detachable sleeves gave her a completely different look as the evening progressed. Georgia-Rae’s shoes, veil, and second dress were all pre-loved — she works in sustainable fashion, so it felt right that her values showed up in the details of the day itself.
Gareth initially leaned toward a modern suit, thinking a tuxedo might be too much. Then he tried one on. One look in the mirror and the decision was made- a perfectly cut tuxedo is exactly what a wedding in an Italian villa calls for.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
We both wanted rings that felt both modern and timeless. Gareth chose the engagement ring entirely on his own, guided by one offhand comment Georgia-Rae had made years earlier about loving a pear-shaped diamond. He held onto that, said nothing, and absolutely nailed it. Taylor & Hart were incredible partners throughout the process, helping Gareth find exactly the right ring. The band features both of our birthstones, which is a quietly personal touch that means the world to Georgia-Rae.
We got engaged in New Zealand, and it was a complete surprise. Georgia-Rae had no idea. Which also meant Gareth had to get the ring there without her knowing- no small feat when you’re navigating 27 hours of travel with a diamond in your bag and a proposal on your mind. He’ll tell you that was the most stressful part of the entire wedding journey. Worth it though, to get engaged on a secluded, gorgeous beach in New Zealand.
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?).
With over fifty guests flying from New Zealand and the rest travelling from the UK, the venue was everything. We needed somewhere that embodied Tuscan elegance and could accommodate our wedding party on-site, with surrounding villas for everyone else. Borgo Stomennano and the area around Monteriggioni were perfect in every way. The other non-negotiable was the music. We wanted the best party- the kind people talk about for years- and that is exactly what we got. The dance floor was full until 3 am, and nobody wanted it to end!
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
The whole day was spectacular but there are two moments stand out.
The first was walking down to dinner and seeing everyone already seated- all our favourite people smiling, seated on one long table under the trees, chandeliers glowing above them. After all the planning, it was the moment when you went, wow, we did it!
The second was the walk from dinner to the dance floor. The lights, the performers, the music already playing- and a full moon hanging bright in the sky above it all. The tiramisu tower is waiting for us. It felt like a dream and like the happiest version of real life, both at once. It is a moment we will never forget.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
Being married means spending every day with your best friend. It has deepened our relationship in ways we didn’t quite expect- there is a comfort and a certainty to it that is genuinely hard to describe.
Knowing that we celebrated our love surrounded by the people we cherish most, in one of the most beautiful places in the world, is something we carry with us every day. And life since the wedding has only gotten better: we’ve moved house, now live near a beach, and got our first dog together, something we’ve dreamed of for a long time. It’s felt like our Tuscan dream wedding was the start of the next, very exciting and very happy, chapter of our lives.
LOCATION Borgo Stomennano, Monteriggioni, Siena, @borgostomennano BRIDE Georgia, @georgiarae_evans GROOM Gareth, @gevsala5 PHOTOGRAPHER Slow Picture Studio, @slowpicturestudio SECOND SHOOTER Elena Volterrani, @elevolti CONTENT CREATOR Viale Dei Ciliegi, @vialedeiciliegi_ PLANNER Marilena Zambelli Wedding, @marilenazambelli_wedding FLORIST Roberto Fiori, @robertoweddingflorist; Mon Fleur, @monfleur.it ENTERTAINMENT Band – Krystal Entertainment, @krystalentertainmentitaly; Music – Krystal Kuartet, @krystalkuartet; DJ – Paolo Fabbri, @paolofabbrimusic HIRE Lights & Audio – Linar Eventi, @linar_eventi CATERING Ristorante Tonino Da Cortona, @ristorante_tonino_cortona TRANSPORTATION Florentia Bus, @florentiabus.official STATIONERY Laura Mazzetti – The Wedding Letters, @lauramazzettitheweddingletters RINGS Taylor & Hart, @taylorandhart BRIDE’S DRESS Laine + Val Sleeves by NEWHITE, @newhite_bridal from The Fall Bride, @thefallbride BRIDE’S SECOND DRESS Pre-loved from Vinted, @vinted BRIDE’S SHOES Vintage No Label, @worldofnolabel from Vinted, @vinted BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Gift from the bride’s mother, Ellani Collections, @ellanicollections; Veil – Vinted, @vinted HAIR & MAKEUP Janna Makeup Artist, @janna_makeupartist BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Collection Extraordinaire Neroli Amara Eau de Parfum – Van Cleef & Arpels, @vancleefarpels
GROOM’S SUIT Suitsupply, @suitsupply BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Roma Dress in Olive Green – We Are Rewritten, @rewrittenlondon
