Castello di Ristonchi 50060 Pelago, Italy (Tuscany!!!)
We have booked 3 nights (Sep 8-11) at Castello di Ristonchi. Our wedding will be at the castle September 9th with celebrations before and after.
Who doesn't want to get married in Italy?! But in all seriousness, after much deliberation we decided we value making memories with the people we cherish most, who have supported us along our journey. That being said we know a destination wedding is a HUGE ask. We would never want to put those we love in jeopardy; financially, medically, emotionally, etc. We love you all very much and hope you can make it to our celebration in Tuscany!
Castello di Ristonchi was commissioned by Italy’s famous Medici family in 900 AD and this 1,000+-year-old castle is still watching over the gorgeous Tuscan hillside landscape. Its rich history shows throughout the property with signs of monks, wars, and stonemasons. Castello di Ristonchi consists of 24 apartments ranging from studios to 2-bedrooms and can host up to 90 people. Each apartment has its own private bathroom. The castle features a Banquet Hall, Reception, Terrace, Bar, Pool, 2000 olive trees, Sunset Grass Field, Hiking & Biking Trails, and much more!
All food is included during your stay and we were promised it is impossible for anyone to go hungry! More details to come!
Ristonchi Castle is an agriturismo (this is a combination of the Italian words agricoltura and turismo). It means that in addition to hosting guests and gorgeous events, it is also a farm and offers the freshest food. Ristonchi was once an entire self-sustainable village. The villagers grew their own food and made their own products. They now aim to do the same. The agriturismo has 2,000 olive trees, 15,000 industrial hemp plants, 100 beehives, a large fruit and vegetable garden and a forest full of chestnut, walnut, acorn, cherry, fig, apple, pear and plum trees - plus numerous wild berries and herbs they use to flavor food as well as make their own gin, tea or fruity beer.
Alcohol is covered on the day of the wedding (open bar) along with a glass of wine with additional dinners. For September 8 and 10 - you can preorder alcohol through a website we will provide, the more we bulk buy together the cheaper it is! You can also purchase alcohol from the bar on site. More details to come!
Florence Airport (FLR) in Florence, Italy is the recommended airport to travel to. We will help arrange van/bus transportation to castle closer to the event.
A pizza making class along with a few more fun surprises each day will be included in the weekend. Along with the scheduled events, your time at Ristonchi can easily be filled exploring the castle grounds or simply tanning by the spring water pool all while enjoying the freshest Italian food and wine. If you would like more of a taste of Italy during your stay, here are some activities available at the castle and locally (at an additional price) - Local wine tasting with snacks - Foraging walk and olive oil tasting - Yoga by the pool - Guided castle watercolor painting and wine - Improv workshop - Guided exploration and meditation hike - Outdoor Movie Theater - Bike rentals and tours - Horseback riding lessons - And more!
It is a 45minute drive from Florence to Ristonchi. Our hosts recommend renting a transportation bus for large groups of people as this is the most practical. Renting a taxi or your own car is an option as well. Our hosts highly recommended NOT taking the public transportation bus into town as the last stop is well short of the castle, in a location without cabs, and would result in a challenging hike. More details to come!
For those of you planning a vacation around your trip, consider doing your roundtrip travel out of a big airport to help with cost of flight! Here is a website for some ideas: https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/cheapest-places-to-fly-to-in-europe/ Generally speaking, travel inside of Europe is much cheaper than in the States, flights can even be cheaper than trains in certain situations (and much quicker) so make sure to look into both options!
The earliest airlines release tickets is 11 months ahead of time! That should be October 2022 for us!
We can't predict the future but we are expecting average temperature highs: 81degrees Lows: 59degrees Sep. 8th 2021: morning: 57 afternoon: 84 night: 66 Sep. 9th 2021: morning: 59 afternoon: 81 night: 68 Sep. 10th 2021: morning: 57 afternoon: 82 night: 66 Again, you never know but we expect it to be warm and beautiful!
Please check that your passports are still valid, and make sure the expiration is beyond 3/1/2024. It is recommended to renew your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Certain countries require passports to remain valid for up to six months after travel. Also, some airlines do not allow you to board if you do not meet this requirement.
Castle Attire - Casual/Summer Chic. Feel free to wear shorts but dress to impress! WEDDING - Cocktail/Festive - Think chic, elegant Summer Garden Party in Italy. https://www.brides.com/cocktail-attire-wedding-4844364 https://www.brides.com/festive-wedding-guest-attire-6361569 Men Cocktail: Suit and tie are required for cocktail attire. Feel free to wear lighter grays or blues in warmer weather or for daytime celebrations. As for shoes, keep it classy with a nice pair of dark dress shoes that match your belt. Men Festive: Instead of wearing a simple black suit, get creative with different textures and colors, like green, brown, or cream-colored hues, and patterned suits (or a suit jacket), like houndstooth. Additionally, "Opt for a suit in a fun color with a nice printed tie. For those who feel more comfortable in a classic black suit, jazz up your attire with a colorful tie or pocket square. Accessories like fun jewelry can also change up a look without feeling too overwhelming. Cocktail Attire for Women - “The most important idea to take away from the cocktail dress code is that your goal is to create an elegant look wearing a knee-length, tea-length, or midi dress,” “This is not the time to wear a gala gown or a short mini skirt.” Festive Attire for Women As with most cocktail and semi-formal events, wearing a dress or formal pantsuit will be your best bet. While you don't need the same formality of a black-tie, full-length gown, you should opt for something that looks put-together and stylish. For women, we are looking at cocktail or party dresses paired with playful heels and accessories. A party dress or a cocktail dress in a fun color or a bold print.