There are places that feel as though they were always meant for special encounters. Villa Il Poggiale is one of them. Nestled among tall cypress trees, vineyards, and the rolling hills of Chianti lies a historic Renaissance villa that quietly and timelessly reflects the character of Tuscany.
Nothing here feels loud or overly staged. Villa Il Poggiale doesn't try to be just a backdrop for a wedding. It's a place where an entire wedding weekend can unfold.
The villa is located near San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the heart of Chianti, and, according to its website, about 20 minutes from Florence. On one side, the city’s art and architecture; on the other, vineyards, olive groves, and the tranquility of the countryside. This transforms the wedding from a single day at one location into part of a shared journey.
If you'd like to get an overview of weddings in this region, you'll find information on my website as a wedding photographer in Tuscany you’ll find more information about my services and destination weddings in Italy.
Villa Il Poggiale – Historic Architecture in the Heart of Chianti
Restored by the owners without losing the house’s character. The rooms and suites are individually decorated with antique furniture, earthy tones, and fabrics from small Tuscan weaving mills. Outside, there are gardens, a Renaissance loggia, and a historic courtyard featuring roses, hydrangeas, jasmine, and the old fountain. The pool is set amidst the open countryside, and nearby is the restaurant La Tinaia, which creates custom menus for weddings using regional ingredients and wines from the surrounding hills.
Getting ready in the historic rooms, a non-religious wedding ceremony among the olive trees, a champagne reception in front of the villa, and later a long dinner by the pool—all of this can take place here without the day feeling like a series of different venues. Villa Il Poggiale can be reserved exclusively for weddings. This creates a private atmosphere that is particularly well-suited to a destination wedding. For those days, the villa becomes your shared home in Tuscany.
I've compiled a list of other unique wedding venues in a separate guide: Wedding Venues in Tuscany
What kind of couples is Villa Il Poggiale best suited for?
Villa Il Poggiale is particularly appealing to couples who want not only a beautiful wedding day but also time together with family and friends. You get together the night before, wake up together on the wedding day, and meet up again by the pool the next morning.
The villa also maintains a understated aesthetic. Historic furniture, natural materials, roses, lavender, and the surrounding landscape already provide a striking backdrop. Floral arrangements and personal touches can complement this character rather than overshadow it. For me, that is precisely what makes it so appealing: the villa can exude elegance without becoming stuffy.
Villa Il Poggiale near Florence – A Wedding Between the City and Chianti
The estate is located near San Casciano in Val di Pesa, nestled in the Chianti hills and just about 20 minutes from Florence. On one side, the Renaissance and the city’s narrow streets and squares; on the other, quiet roads winding through vineyards, olive groves, and small villages. The two sides are closely intertwined.
This makes for a wonderful destination wedding. Some guests spend a day in Florence before the wedding; the weekend begins with a group dinner in the city, followed by a trip out to Chianti. Getting there is also convenient, as Florence has an international airport. After the wedding, there’s time to visit Siena and San Gimignano, which the villa itself describes as easily accessible. Back at Il Poggiale, the tranquility of the estate awaits, along with a coffee in the garden or a glass of wine by the pool.
For more information on the best time to travel, the itinerary, and logistics, check out my guide Planning a Wedding in Tuscany.
Here's what a wedding weekend at Villa Il Poggiale might look like
Fee and Max’s wedding was a particularly beautiful example of how naturally Villa Il Poggiale lends itself to a multi-day celebration. Not everything had to happen within a few hours. Many of the emotional moments took place long before the wedding ceremony, and even the next morning, the weekend wasn’t over yet. For me, it’s precisely this time that’s the advantage of multi-day weddings.
Come Together the Night Before
The guests arrived one by one, greeted friends and family, and got to know people they had never met before. There was no set agenda to follow. People just showed up. From a photographic standpoint, I really love evenings like this: long-awaited hugs, the first drinks together, conversations where no one is wondering if they’re being photographed. At some point, it no longer feels like people are just arriving. The wedding has already begun.
Getting Ready at the Villa
The next morning, the preparations took place right in the villa. Fee and Max each had their own space for themselves and their closest friends, so both sides of the morning were able to follow their own rhythm. Natural light, antique furniture, and the uniquely decorated rooms gave the first hours of the day a special character. There was time for coffee, music, and all the little moments that make up a wedding morning.
A First Look Around the Villa
If you’d like a few minutes alone together before the ceremony, you’ll find quiet spots around the villa—such as in the garden. Whether a moment like that fits with your special day is a very personal decision. I’ve written more about this in my article on the "First Look" at Weddings .
A Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony Among the Olive Trees
Fee and Max had chosen to have a non-religious wedding ceremony right in the middle of the olive groves. For me, that was one of the most beautiful parts of the entire day. The trees, the view of the countryside, and the tranquility of the setting created such a powerful backdrop that there was no need for elaborate staging. The landscape wasn’t just in the background—it became part of the moment.
Champagne reception in front of the villa
After the wedding ceremony, everyone headed back to the villa. The transition from the ceremony to the champagne reception went very smoothly; the first glasses were raised, and the tension eased. Fee and Max had incorporated two lovely touches: a little Fiat 500 was part of their grand entrance, and an ice cream truck was the perfect fit for this warm afternoon in Chianti. For me, elements like these work best when they don’t feel like a planned event but simply suit the couple.
Couple Portraits Around Villa Il Poggiale
We didn’t have to leave the estate to take the couple’s portraits. The historic architecture, garden, olive trees, and open countryside are all close together—a short walk was all it took. A couple’s photo shoot shouldn’t interrupt the wedding day for an hour. A few quiet minutes together are enough; then the couple can return to their guests. This is closely tied to my vision of authentic wedding photos is closely tied to this
Dinner by the Pool
In the evening, the guests moved to the pool. There, a long table was set up beneath strings of lights, and as darkness fell, the atmosphere changed once again. The pool is open to the surrounding landscape and, according to the villa, is bathed in sunlight until the very last light of day. Bright and open during the day, it became an intimate setting in the evening for dinner, speeches, and long conversations. Dinner wasn’t just a brief interlude between the wedding ceremony and the party. It was given time to unfold. Perhaps that’s exactly what makes weddings in Italy so wonderful: no one has to check their watch after two courses.
Party into the night
As darkness fell, the atmosphere became more lively. Some guests had been dancing for a while, while others were still sitting together, reflecting on the day. This is often when many of my favorite photos are taken. The official program is over, no one is waiting for the next item on the agenda, and at some point, the camera becomes completely irrelevant.
Brunch and a pool party the next morning
The next morning, the group got together again for brunch and a pool party. This way, a wedding doesn’t end abruptly with the last song of the night. Friends and family share stories from the night before and spend a few more relaxed hours together. This is what sets a wedding day apart from a wedding weekend.
Light and Photography at Villa Il Poggiale
Tuscany changes with the light. In the morning, the landscape and historic rooms appear calm and crisp; as evening approaches, the hills take on a softer appearance, the light becomes more diffuse, and the warm colors come to the fore. Because the rooms, garden, courtyard, loggia, olive groves, and open countryside are all close together, photography never has to be a reason for long interruptions. We also took all of Fee and Max’s couple portraits right on the property.
Many of my favorite photos weren’t taken during a major part of the program. They were taken the night before, when someone had just arrived. Between the wedding ceremony and the champagne reception. During a conversation in front of the villa. Or late in the evening, when no one was even thinking anymore that this day was being photographed. Those are exactly the moments I look for. I remain invisible: The day unfolds as it will, and I capture it exactly as it was.
Analog Wedding Photography at Villa Il Poggiale
This wedding had something else that made it special to me. As a second shooter, I was able to photograph a large part of the wedding coverage analogue on 35mm film, using the Contax and the Leica. For me, this isn’t just an option—it’s a philosophy: film lets you take your time.
The warm light, the natural colors of the landscape, and the historic rooms of Villa Il Poggiale look especially beautiful on film. For me, analogue and digital aren’t separate visual worlds. They tell the same story from the same perspective. You can find out more about my work with film at analog wedding photography.
Planning Tips for Your Wedding at Villa Il Poggiale
If you're interested in having a wedding at Villa Il Poggiale, you should make your inquiry early. Popular dates in Tuscany are often booked well in advance.
I wouldn't just plan the wedding day at this venue. A get-together the night before, the wedding day itself, and brunch with a pool party the next morning would give us much more time together than a single celebration. I'd also make the most of its proximity to Florence—whether for a day before the wedding or a few nights afterward.
For the wedding day itself, I would leave plenty of free time between the various activities. Not every quarter of an hour needs to be scheduled, especially not in the late afternoon. If you set aside just a few minutes for couple portraits and can adapt to the light, you can make much more natural use of the scenery. And it’s precisely these little breaks that leave room for situations no one can plan for.
You can find more information about planning, travel times, and the itinerary in my guide Planning a Wedding in Tuscany. The guide How Much Does a Wedding in Tuscany Cost?
Conclusion – Wedding at Villa Il Poggiale
Villa Il Poggiale seamlessly blends historic architecture, the Chianti countryside, and its proximity to Florence. What has stayed with me from Fee and Max’s wedding isn’t any single setting, but rather the way the entire weekend unfolded around the villa. Everything took place in one location, yet it always felt different.
For couples who want to combine their wedding with a visit to Florence while also seeking the tranquility of Chianti, Villa Il Poggiale offers a wonderful blend of both sides of Tuscany. You can find more venues to compare in my guide Wedding Venues in Tuscany.
If you're planning your wedding at Villa Il Poggiale or in the Florence area and are looking for a photographer or videographer who will document your day in a calm and unobtrusive way, I look forward to learning more about your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings at Villa Il Poggiale
Is it possible to hold a non-religious wedding ceremony at Villa Il Poggiale?
Yes. The gardens and outdoor areas offer various options for an outdoor wedding ceremony. At Fee and Max’s wedding, the ceremony took place right in the middle of the olive groves. The view of the Chianti countryside provided a natural setting that required hardly any additional staging.
Can guests stay overnight at Villa Il Poggiale?
Yes. Villa Il Poggiale offers a variety of rooms and suites. The rooms are individually designed and combine historic furniture with Tuscan materials and fabrics. Especially for a wedding weekend lasting several days, the ability to stay right on the property is a major advantage.
How far is Villa Il Poggiale from Florence?
Villa Il Poggiale is located near San Casciano in Val di Pesa in the Chianti region. The venue itself states that it is about 20 to 30 minutes from Florence. This makes it very easy to combine a stay in the city with a wedding in the Tuscan countryside.
When is the best time of year to have a wedding at Villa Il Poggiale?
Spring, early summer, and early fall are particularly good times for weddings that involve spending a lot of time outdoors. For example, according to the official website, the villa’s pool is open from May 15 to October 15. However, the best months for your wedding will also depend on your preferred temperature, the number of guests, and the schedule.
Is Villa Il Poggiale suitable for weddings lasting several days?
Yes. The combination of accommodations, gardens, a pool, and various areas of the estate makes it a perfect setting for a wedding weekend. At Fee and Max’s wedding, the celebration began with a “come-together” the night before and ended the next day with brunch and a pool party.
Can Villa Il Poggiale be reserved exclusively for a wedding?
Yes. The villa explicitly states that the historic residence can be reserved exclusively for weddings and special events. This provides significantly more privacy for the couple and their guests, especially for a destination wedding weekend.
Can dinner be held by the pool?
At the wedding I attended, dinner was served right by the pool. A long table set up under string lights created a very lovely atmosphere there that evening. Which areas can be used for a particular wedding should be arranged individually with Villa Il Poggiale.
Is there an alternative in case of bad weather?
In addition to its gardens, Villa Il Poggiale features historic interiors and a covered Renaissance loggia. The specific Plan B should be coordinated directly with the venue, depending on the number of guests and the schedule.
