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Tuscan Dreams

  • Writer: Dominic Lemoine
    Dominic Lemoine
  • Jul 8
  • 8 min read

Updated: Jul 21

A timeless love story celebrating devotion and joy, from medieval towers to rolling vineyards in the heart of Italy.


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BELLA TOSCANA: WHERE ANCIENT MEETS ETERNAL

Some love stories are meant to unfold against the most breathtaking backdrops, as if the universe itself conspires to create the perfect setting. Magda & Noam's destination wedding in Tuscany was exactly this kind of magical tale - a celebration that perfectly captured the essence of Italian romance, where medieval history meets endless rolling hills.

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From the iconic towers of San Gimignano to the vineyard-covered landscapes of Terre di Nano, their three-day celebration was a beautiful blend of international cultures, dramatic weather, and pure joy that reminded us why we fell in love with destination weddings in the first place.


"There's something truly special about Tuscan weddings - they blend timeless beauty with effortless elegance in a way that feels both ancient and thoroughly romantic." -Dominic



MEDIEVAL MORNINGS: A SAN GIMIGNANO ADVENTURE

A day before their wedding day, we embarked on an early morning adventure that perfectly captured the essence of Magda & Noam's relationship. As the Tuscan mist began to lift from the hilltop village of San Gimignano, we found ourselves exploring the ancient cobblestone streets with these two incredible souls.


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The medieval towers, silent sentinels against the dawn sky, created a cinematic backdrop that seemed made for this couple. Magda, radiant with pre-wedding excitement, moved gracefully through the empty streets while Noam watched her with that look that photographers dream of capturing - pure, unfiltered adoration.


We wandered the winding stone pathways, stopping at those magical spots where the morning light filtered through ancient archways just so. The natural chemistry between these two made our job effortless - they simply needed to be themselves, and the magic happened.


"There's nothing quite like having an entire medieval village to yourselves at sunrise. San Gimignano in the early morning light is pure magic - no crowds, just ancient stones and the most romantic couple we've ever had the pleasure of photographing." - Dominic


As the sun climbed higher and the first tourists began to arrive, we knew these images would be the perfect prelude to their wedding story - timeless, devoted, and utterly romantic in that distinctly Italian way.


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"When we first met Magda & Noam, we knew their wedding would be something extraordinary. Their energy together is infectious - Magda's vibrant joy perfectly balanced by Noam's calm strength. We couldn't wait to capture their story against the backdrop of Italy's most romantic region." - Ruby

TERRA DI NANO: WHEN NATURE PAINTS THE PERFECT BACKDROP

After our dreamy San Gimignano sunrise shoot, we made our way to Terre di Nano, the stunning agriturismo nestled in the rolling hills between Monticchiello and Pienza. What awaited us was a rehearsal dinner that none of us would ever forget.


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DRAMATIC SKIES AND RAINBOW MAGIC As we arrived at the venue, the Tuscan sky was putting on quite a show. Dark, dramatic clouds rolled across the hills while thunder rumbled in the distance - the kind of weather that makes photographers either very nervous or very excited. We chose excitement.


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Suddenly, as if on cue, the heavens opened with a brief but intense downpour. Guests who had traveled from around the world - many flying all the way from Israel and Spain - found shelter under the ancient eaves of the venue, laughing and bonding over this unexpected Tuscan welcome.

"In twelve years of wedding photography, we've learned that the most dramatic weather often creates the most magical moments. When we saw those storm clouds rolling in, we knew something special was about to happen." - Dominic

Then, as quickly as it had begun, the rain stopped. And that's when the magic truly happened - not one, but multiple rainbows appeared across the valley, arcing over the vineyards and olive groves like nature's own celebration arch.

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION

The pizza party that followed was absolutely perfect. Magda & Noam welcomed their international guests with such warmth and joy, watching as two cultures and languages blended seamlessly over shared laughter and authentic Italian cuisine. The energy was infectious - you could feel the anticipation building for the wedding day ahead.



"What struck us most about this rehearsal dinner was the pure joy on everyone's faces. Despite coming from different countries and speaking different languages, love truly is universal. Watching these families come together was incredibly moving." - Dominic & Ruby

These pre-wedding moments often become some of our favourite memories from any celebration. It's here that you see the true foundations of a marriage - the support network, the inside jokes, the tears quickly followed by laughter. And with the dramatic Tuscan sky as our backdrop, every frame was infused with that magical golden light that can only be found in Italy.


WEDDING DAY: WHERE DREAMS BECOME REALITY


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MORNING PREPARATIONS: TERRAZZA VIEWS AND WHISKEY TOASTS


Wedding morning dawned clear and bright - the kind of perfect Tuscan day that promised nothing but beautiful things ahead. While Magda transformed the Terrazza room into a haven of excitement and anticipation, with its stunning terrace overlooking Montepulciano providing the most incredible natural lighting, Noam and his friends enjoyed a more relaxed preparation in the Quercialsale room.



Magda's preparation was a beautiful symphony of emotion and elegance. Her Rosa Clara gown hung waiting alongside her Russell & Bromley shoes, creating a perfect still life of anticipation. Her maid of honour Ciara and bridesmaid Fran created a tableau of synchronized excitement as they helped transform their best friend into a bride.



Meanwhile, Noam's morning had its own rhythm - calm, purposeful, punctuated with glasses of whiskey and plans for a quick lunch run in his friend's sports car. The easy camaraderie between the groom and his friends provided the perfect counterbalance to the bride's joyful energy.



"We love the contrast between bridal and groom preparations. Magda's morning was this beautiful whirlwind of emotion and excitement, while Noam's was all about calm confidence and friendship. Both approaches were perfect for their personalities." - Dominic & Ruby

THE FIRST LOOK: A PRIVATE MOMENT BEFORE THE CELEBRATION

Before the ceremony began, Magda & Noam shared one of the most intimate and emotional moments of their entire celebration - a private first look on the top floor of the bridal preparation room. Away from the excitement and energy of their wedding party, they had this precious few minutes just for themselves.

The emotion in Noam's face when he first saw Magda in her wedding dress was absolutely priceless - that moment of pure awe and love that reminds you why first looks have become such a treasured part of modern weddings. For Magda, seeing her soon-to-be husband's reaction was the perfect way to calm any pre-ceremony nerves and connect with the person who mattered most.


THE CEREMONY: JEWISH TRADITION MEETS TUSCAN BEAUTY

The ceremony location was nothing short of breathtaking - positioned behind the Casetta with panoramic views stretching across to Monticchiello and Pienza. As guests gathered in this stunning natural amphitheater, the atmosphere was one of reverent joy.



Conducted entirely in English and officiated by Ciara (wearing multiple hats as maid of honour AND celebrant!), the ceremony beautifully blended traditions. The highlight came at the end when Noam broke the glass according to Jewish tradition, followed by their walk down the aisle as guests threw white flower petals - a perfect fusion of cultures and customs.


"Having Ciara officiate the ceremony as both maid of honour and celebrant was incredibly special. The personal vows she crafted for Magda & Noam, combined with the Jewish traditions and that incredible Tuscan backdrop, created a ceremony that was uniquely theirs." - Dominic & Ruby

As the newly pronounced Mr. and Mrs. walked back down the aisle, their faces shining with pure happiness, the celebration truly began.



APERITIVO IN THE ROSE GARDEN

What followed was pure Italian magic - an aperitivo in Terre di Nano's Rose Garden that perfectly captured the relaxed elegance of Tuscan celebrations. The combination of DJ and saxophonist created the most incredible atmosphere as guests enjoyed local Tuscan finger foods and celebrated with wine from the surrounding vineyards.



The international nature of the guest list made for such dynamic energy - conversations flowing between Spanish and Hebrew, new friendships forming between people from different continents, all united in their love for Magda & Noam.


"The aperitivo hour is one of our favourite parts of any Italian wedding. There's something so elegant about this pause between ceremony and dinner - time to truly celebrate and connect. With Magda & Noam's international guest list, it was like watching the world come together over Tuscan wine." - Dominic & Ruby

CYPRESS ROAD PORTRAITS

The iconic cypress-lined road leading to the venue provided us with some of our most stunning portraits of the day. That particular Tuscan landscape - the winding gravel path flanked by towering cypress trees with rolling hills stretching endlessly beyond - is the stuff of destination wedding dreams.

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Magda looked absolutely radiant against this backdrop, her dress flowing perfectly as she and Noam walked hand in hand down the path that seemed to stretch toward forever. These are the moments that remind us why we fell in love with Tuscan weddings - the landscape itself becomes part of the love story.



"This cypress road is what Tuscan dreams are made of. When couples ask us why we're so passionate about destination weddings, we show them images like these. The landscape becomes a character in the love story." - Dominic & Ruby

DINNER UNDER THE TUSCAN STARS

As evening fell and the first stars appeared over the Tuscan hills, dinner was served with views that seemed almost too beautiful to be real. The locally-sourced cuisine from Terre di Nano was the perfect complement to the setting - authentic, elegant, and deeply rooted in the region's culinary traditions.



The speeches were a beautiful blend of emotions, moving seamlessly between tears and laughter, perfectly capturing the international spirit of the celebration. When Noam's nephews Guy, Carmel, and little Yarden stole the show during the family photos, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.



"The speeches at destination weddings always hit differently. When people have travelled so far to be with you, every word carries extra weight. The love in that room was overwhelming - we had tears behind our cameras more than once." - Dominic & Ruby


DANCING INTO THE NIGHT

The cake cutting at 8:30 PM gave way to incredible dancing, and while there was no formal first dance, the spontaneous celebration that erupted felt even more authentic and joyful. As the night progressed, there were even moments when guests were lifted in chairs - the international celebration truly coming alive.



The evening celebration continued with that perfect blend of elegance and joyful abandon that defines the best Tuscan weddings. The saxophonist and DJ combination kept the energy flowing as guests danced under the stars, with the rolling hills of Tuscany providing the most romantic backdrop imaginable.



SUNSET REFLECTIONS: THE MAGIC OF DESTINATION LOVE

As the celebration continued into the Tuscan night, what struck us most was how perfectly Magda & Noam balance each other. Magda's vibrant energy and Noam's steady calm create a partnership that feels both exciting and grounded - exactly the kind of relationship that inspires us most as photographers.


"After photographing so many of weddings around the world, we can honestly say that Magda & Noam's celebration was one for the books. Their joy was infectious, their love was evident in every glance, and the way they brought together two cultures and countries for one incredible celebration was truly inspiring." - Dominic & Ruby

Their three-day celebration, from the medieval streets of San Gimignano to the dramatic skies and rainbow magic of their rehearsal dinner, culminating in their perfect wedding day among the vineyards of Terre di Nano, was a reminder of why destination weddings hold such magic.



Magda & Noam, from the moment we met you, we were captivated by your incredible spirit, generosity, and the beautiful way you love each other. Thank you for inviting us into your Tuscan dream and trusting us to capture these precious moments. Your wedding wasn't just a beautiful celebration to photograph - it was a reminder of why we do what we do.


"This is why we travel the world for love stories. Magda & Noam didn't just have a wedding - they created an experience that will live in our hearts forever. We're not just photographers who captured their day; we're friends who witnessed something truly magical." - Dominic & Ruby

We left Tuscany with full hearts, incredible memories, and two new friends. This is just the beginning of your adventure together, and we couldn't be more excited for all that lies ahead for you both.


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With all our love,


Dominic and Ruby xx

 
 
 

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