9:30 pm - 11:45 pm
Casual chic! Wear White, ivory, creme natural color!
After dinner cocktails and karaoke! Reference pintrest board for inspiration :)
10:45 am - 5:30 pm
Casual exploring style!
This is our chance to walk the stunning town of Lucca! Walk or bike the wall, explore the many local shops- think leather and ceramics! As well as have a fabulous lunch in the square and try all the different Gelato windows in town. Please refer to the FAQ regarding the different activities, small sample suggestion of restaurants, and tours available. To those interested please RSVP. For those staying at the Villa. First shuttle vans departing from Villas to Lucca city center at 10:00 AM. Second departure from Villas to Lucca city center at 10:40 AM. Drop off at San Pietro gate.
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Italian Summer- Formal
The ceremony will be held outside during golden hour. Ceremony with cocktails and aperetivos to follow!
Tue, May 26, 2026, 8:00 pm - Wed, May 27, 2026, 1:00 am
Italian Summer- Formal
Family Style dinner and after party to follow! Villa Controni is a short walk from the ceremony spot.
1:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Your best pool party attire!
There will be fabulous drinks, gourmet wood fired pizza, and gelato! Come indulge!
7:00 am - 11:59 pm
Comfy Chic/ Beach club attire/ hike attire if attending the hike
This is a free day to go explore Tuscany! We have some optional activities planned for this day and welcome all who would like to tag along. Hike Monte Matanna in the morning with Phillip and I and then go to a Forti de Marmi beach club in the afternoon. Please refer to the FAQ for details on the beach club and trail information.
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Casual exploring style!
Una Dia en Firenze! A day in Florence! Your time to explore possible cooking class, tours, vintage photo booth and incredible art! We only request you make it to enjoy aperitivo and the best sunset view over Florence, at Piazzale Michelangelo! Please reference the FAQ for more details. Por favor refieran a FAQ por mas detalles. If you want to tour the Duomo bring an extra cover up, and make sure to book tour in advance of our trip as day of entrance can have long lines!
A DAY INSIDE THE WALLS OF LUCCA You will begin your day with a 3-hour guided walking tour of the city within the walls. After the tour you are free to explore the city on your own. Bike or walk the tree lined walls providing you with a beautiful vista of the city. You can easily rent a bicycle for the walls and to ride in designated areas of the city (standard, 2 and 4 seaters and electric). Enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, visiting the churches, shopping the local shops, eating gelato, enjoying the birthplace and museum dedicated to the life and works of Puccini and the intriguing architecture, gardens and Tuscan products around every corner. Approximate time: 10 am to 5 pm
There is a beautiful aqueduct that is a great walk, running or biking trail from the Coselli property. When we were in Lucca a few years ago we got to hike around from the center of town up through the roads up the mountain overlooking Lucca. There are plenty of opportunities for some outdoor activities please reach out if you are interested :)
Lucca is brimming with cultural activities, one of them being an evening experiencing spectacular Opera in a beautiful intimate space in the center of Lucca! Opera is offered in Lucca through the nightly Puccini e la sua Lucca festival in the Church of San Giovanni. If you are interested, please reach out to concierge or book on your own from the opera website.
There are several options for wine tasting! From a wine celar inside the walls of Lucca or have a wine tasting at the Villas! Please reach out to a concierge for details.
VILLA REALE DI MARLIA—GARDENS, MUSEUM AND VILLA Villa Reale di Marlia is a spectacular experience of gardens, outdoor theater, grottos, loggias, lemon garden, clock tower, rose garden, waterfalls and pools. The restoration of Villa Reale aims to bring the rich artistic and architectural heritage of the royal residence, at its peak during the brief reign of Elisa Bonaparte, back to its former glory. It has a museum which is constantly updated and a charming café. Villa Reale di Marlia is located about 20 minutes from Lucca. You need to purchase tickets in advance.
Forte dei Marmi is about 30 mins from Lucca and is a chic seaside resort famous for long sandy beaches, upscale shopping and a stylish atmosphere. Surrounding it is the Apuan Alps where the white tops of the mountains are the Carrera marble mines, the same ones that Michelangelo visited to find his marble for his sculptures. We are planning to do this trip on Wednesday to provide an opportunity to visit the “best of the best” markets in Italy. Everything at the market is made in Italy with products from high quality clothing and accessories to unique homewares. Excellent prices for excellent quality. For example, you won’t find a cashmere sweater for $29 but you will find a high-quality cashmere sweater for $79- $150, at least a third off of what you might find in the stores. The market runs from 8 am to 1:30 pm on Wednesdays only. You can have a relaxing lunch and beach day taking in the elegant private beach at the Gilda Beach Club.
An opportunity to explore another famous Tuscan town and the stunning coast! If you are interested please reach out to villa concierge to arrange. You can also take the local trains and easily plan on your own!
A DAY IN FIRENZE- Planned for Friday May 29th. Florence is the jewel of Renaissance Italy and easy to get to from Lucca. We suggest one of two ways to explore Florence. You may take the train from Lucca to the city center of Florence which takes about 1.5 hours. We can also provide a van (at additional cost) to drive you to Florence in about one hour. The van accommodates 8 people and can drive to the various sights and places in the city to avoid as much walking. Florence is a city of treasures of history, family legacies, sculptures, paintings and Italian culture. The Uffizi, Accademia and Duomo are a few of the sightseeing musts. Whether by train or van, we will all end the day trip with aperitivos overlooking the magnificent city at Piazzo Michelangelo for the best sunset over Firenze!
Stay tuned ❤️
Please look at the Pinterest board created for inspiration. https://pin.it/2SY7Ht1RM Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the evening but also have fun with it and express your personality! We’re calling the dress code Italian Summer Formal— effortless elegance with color and textures! For the Chicas, lightweight fabrics like silk, chiffon, cotton, or linen are great choices. Fun prints, layers, fringe, pantsuit, flowy, textures, are welcome! Please avoid white, black, pastels and satin/shiny/overly bedazzled outfits. For men, Linen, slacks with a shirt and jacket in breathable fabrics work well for a spring/summer evening. Classic but with a pop of color if you want! No shorts or flip-flops, and, avoid white/ivory, black, pastels and light greens please. The wedding and reception will be outdoors on the villa grounds, including grass, gravel, and cobblestones, so we recommend elegant flats, wedges, or kitten heels instead of stilettos. The celebration will go into the evening, so you may want to bring a light layer as temperatures cool. In true Italian style: polished, comfortable, and never overdone.
Please plan to bring at minimum 100-200 euros for incidentals and services/ public restroom fees/ tip for transportation and villa attendants and chefs/ souvenirs/ markets, etc.
The ceremony, reception, and dinner will all be outdoors. Late May in Tuscany is usually warm and comfortable, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s and sometimes into the 80s. Evenings tend to cool off, so bringing a light wrap or jacket is a good idea. The festivities will take place in several spots around the villa, with surfaces that include grass, cement, and gravel. We’ll be moving between locations for the ceremony and dinner, so comfortable, walk-friendly shoes are encouraged.
Guests staying on the Coselli property will be able to walk to all the wedding events on- site. If you’ve signed up for an activity off the property, we’ll share details ahead of time about timing and where to meet and cost. For guests not staying on a Coselli property or within the walls of Lucca, transportation can be arranged to and from all scheduled wedding events. (Please refer to the travel section for Romans car service) Please note that Uber is not available in the Lucca area, but no worries—we’ve arranged transportation for certain planned events. You’ll receive specific details for each trip closer to the date. Rental cars are available outside the walls of Lucca if you’d like one during your stay. Just a heads-up: driving within the historic city walls is restricted, and fines (over €100) are issued automatically. Cameras record license plates and notify the rental company, which then forwards the ticket. Bicycles are also a popular and easy way to get around Lucca and are available for rent. Parking is available at the villas for those with cars.
We are emphasizing a slow and intentional so enjoy your day in Tuscany! For those not staying on the property you are welcome to arrive between 5:15-5:30 pm.
For Tuscany in May, pack breathable layers like linen/cotton tops, dresses, and wide-leg pants for warm days (70s-80s°F), plus a light jacket/cardigan and scarf for cooler evenings (50s-60s°F) and churches. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, plus sun protection (hat, sunglasses) Bring a small umbrella for potential spring showers.
We’ll be gathering everyone for a few special moments throughout the week — our Benvenuto Welcome and our Firetower Wedding Day. Outside of those events, everything else is optional. We’ll share a few planned activities, including a laid-back pool party at the villa, Florence Day, and, some hiking. Join us if you’d like, or take the time to explore Lucca, sip wine, nap, or wander. No pressure, just good company and Tuscany at its best!
When you RSVP on the website, you will have options to sign up for the planned activities closer to May. Please reach out to Madeleine or Phillip if you already know before then.
Recommended food spots in Lucca: Pizza- Pizzeria Da Umberto They have two locations: one in Piazza Napoleone and one at Caffè delle Mura on the city walls, with a private garden, perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. Pizzeria Sud Pizzeria Bonny (Personally, my favorite.) Lighter Meals Focacceria- Il Nicchio (Piazza Napoleone) A casual focacceria serving: Focaccine (classic and creative stuffed focaccia with cold cuts, vegetables, and cheeses), Pizzas, Salads, Plates and sharing boards, Desserts. Ciacco Bistrot (Piazza Napoleone) A gourmet bistrot and wine bar with a relaxed, modern atmosphere. You’ll find: Gourmet sandwiches and panini, Charcuterie and cheese boards, Tartare and carpaccio, Vegetarian salads, and an excellent wine list. Gelato- Gelateria Veneta A historic ice cream shop dating back to 1927, with several locations in the city center — including one just a minute from Da Umberto at Caffè delle Mura. Best Bakeries Inside the Walls- (For sweet and savory focaccia and pastries) Forno a Vapore Amedeo Giusti Forno Francesco Casali (best focaccia in town) Coffee & Drinks- Caffè Santa Zita Turandot (Piazza San Michele) Ristorante cocktail bar San Colombano (on the walls, great for aperitivo) Pastries & Traditional Sweets- Buccellato Taddeucci — to try Buccellato, the traditional Lucca sweet bread made with raisins and anise. Pasticceria Pinelli Pasticceria Dianda Pasticceria Buralli Please find here the updated map with all the recommended food spots in Lucca: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1PRCCCQEZ7asl5JZlQz5MyxOljmQO-nM&usp=sharing
This is a private beach club that requires reservations for access. Cabanas are 500 euros for the whole day and each cabana fits up to 6 people. included in the price: private cabins Luxurious towels supplied Hot showers Private parking Restaurant service brought to your private cabana All hours snack-bar service Seafood restaurant Free Wi-Fi
Those staying at Coselli with us, after breakfast we will be taking transport to the Lucca train station to take the 10:30 train into Florence. It is €8 for one way into Florence. Those coming back to the villas with us will be offered opportunity to join transport back to the property at 10:30 pm from the Piazza Michelangelo. Please keep checking back for updates.
House Or Rental
Flight
Lucca is easily accessible from the Rome, Milan, and Florence airports via train. The Rome airport is approximately 3 hours by train to Lucca. It has direct flights to and from Charlotte, Miami, and New York. We will be recommending some flights shortly, but we highly suggest going with whichever fits your comfort and budget.
Flight
The Florence/Pisa airport is the closest to Lucca at approximately 1 hour / 45 minutes via train.
Shuttle
May 23, 2026 12:00 am - 11:45 pm
Roman and his team provide phenomenal service! They can arrange to pick up anyone interested from the Rome, Florence or Milan airports. To arrange this serivce please contact at www.roman-limo.com or via Whatsapp: +39 388 923 0700 or info@roman-limo.com
Train
Trenitalia has a fast train we have taken from Rome to Lucca before and it was very simple to navigate. The fast train leaves from Rome Termini to Florence and then you would transfer in Florence to Stazione di Lucca. The closer to the day of travel the more expensive the tickets are.
Hotel
This hotel is inside the city walls and it is center to all things Lucca i.e. walking distance to Gelato! Enjoy a phenomenal city view and special price for those booking the rooms within the room block. Breakfast is included with the stay and you wont want to miss happy hours here! Those with Marriott rewards can book using their points. Rooms are starting to fill up please make sure to book as soon as possible!
Discount Code - Walkers26
Travel Note
Keeping the exchange rate in mind will be crucial. We recommend exchanging USD to Euro with your bank before your trip. The city of Lucca does have some tourist tax that must be collected in Euro at many hotel and airbnb stays. Many places do accept credit cards so that is an option but always smart to have a couple hundred Euros on hand for tipping and just in case.
House Or Rental
https://www.coselli.com/villas/casa-matteucci/
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.