Many of you know me only through my blogs, and perhaps not everyone realizes what I truly do besides writing. Of course, I lead Victoria Cruises Line, but beyond the world of cruises, I’m also passionate about interior design, floral styling, and wedding planning.
This summer, I had the honor of organizing a very special celebration: the wedding of Maggie and Gibson, a wonderful couple from Florida who dreamed of saying “I do” in Tuscany. Their wish was not just for a ceremony, but for a truly memorable experience where nearly 70 guests could be hosted, entertained, and surrounded by beauty for several days.
After much searching, there was only one answer: the breathtaking Villa Corsini a Mezzomonte, nestled in the Chianti hills, just a few kilometers from Florence. A former Medici residence, purchased by Lorenzo the Magnificent in 1480, the villa later became the property of Cardinal Giovan Carlo de’ Medici, who decorated it with magnificent frescoes for his own banquets and festivities. In 1644 it passed to the Corsini family, who added its monumental hanging garden, citrus groves, the long tree-lined avenue, and the romantic English garden.
For Maggie and Gibson, the day began with their symbolic ceremony in the Pandolfo Sacchi Gallery—a 215 m² hall adorned with frescoes, overlooking the gardens and rolling Tuscan countryside. Afterward, guests gathered in the Italian garden for aperitifs among rose bushes, boxwood hedges, antique statues, terracotta urns, and lemon trees in terracotta pots.
As the sun began to set, we captured soft, romantic portraits of the couple before dinner was served outdoors on the villa’s lawn under a canopy of fairy lights. The night continued with dancing and music in the Sala della Guardia, where no guest could resist joining the celebration. A spectacular fireworks show lit up the sky, and the dancing went on until dawn.
To complete their Italian fairytale, the newlyweds even took a spin in my own Maserati Quattroporte, adding a touch of “la dolce vita” to their unforgettable night.
The flowers were beautifully designed by Jardin Divers, one of Florence’s finest florists, known not only for weddings but also for their stylish flower boutique in the city. And I couldn’t have done it all without my dear friend Sylvia from Milan, who has been a wedding planner for nearly 20 years and carries this profession in her veins. Her experience and grace were invaluable in creating such a seamless and magical event.
It was truly a day to remember—for Maggie, Gibson, their guests, and for all of us who had the joy of bringing their Tuscan wedding dream to life.
💌 If you too are dreaming of a wedding in Florence, or know someone who is, feel free to reach out to me at victoria@victoria.cruises.