Escape To Beautiful Tuscany With A Tuscan Wedding Theme

Tuscany is an area blessed by both nature and man, who've worked together to make the area one of the most esthetically pleasing, culturally tasteful places in the world.

Creating the ambiance of beautiful Tuscany at your wedding will give you the opportunity to share the sights, sounds and tastes of this magnificent region and it is sure to be a celebration you will remember forever.

Tuscany is a region in the middle of Italy, famous for it's great food, wine and scenery. Rows of vineyards snake up green mountainsides marked by mauve colored farmhouses and vine covered castles. The sun basks down on hundreds of olive trees that symmetrically dot the landscape and lead into romantic towns -- including Florence, Siena, Pisa and Cortona -- that have become important destinations for nearly every world traveler.

To enjoy all of the magic, natural beauty and one-of-a-kind culture that Tuscany has to offer, celebrate by planning a Tuscan wedding theme.

To set the scene for your Tuscan wedding theme, reserve a local vineyard that can be used for the wedding ceremony as well as the reception (certain vineyards will provide access to tasting rooms for receptions). Having your wedding in a vineyard is a great way to really understand the natural beauty that Tuscany has to offer, since much of the region is covered with vineyards.

After the ceremony, begin the reception celebration by serving local Tuscan wine. Since Tuscany is a key player in Italy's wine production, there are many varieties of white and red wine to choose from – offer guests a selection from each of the major regions to provide them with some education about Tuscany.

Historically speaking, Tuscan cuisine was derived from what was fresh and available in the local villages and towns. Therefore, meals in Tuscany generally involve lots of fresh, natural herbs (such as basil, sage and rosemary), fava beans and plum tomatoes. Similarly, the bread was always baked fresh daily, and local farmers made cheese in their homes and sold it to local residents and/or in open air markets. And of course, the local olive oil that is produced in Tuscany has been and still is used for all of the cooking.

To really get your guests in the mood for your Tuscan wedding theme, begin by serving guests bruschetta, either topped with proscuitto (the traditional Tuscan way) or simply with tomatoes, garlic and basil. As an appetizer, provide guests with panzanella, a type of salad made with bread soaked in olive oil.

Dinner can include Tuscan roasted chicken or porchetta, a type of pork prepared with salt, garlic and rosemary. And don't forget the bread! A Tuscan wedding theme would not be complete without several varieties of fresh bread, baked the Tuscan way. Additionally, as with most Italian meals, there should be a few different varieties of pasta with dinner. Pasta works great as a side dish and will also please your vegetarian guests.

A Tuscan wedding theme is also a great way to decorate your wedding in a creative and eye-pleasing way. You can decorate your dinner tables with brightly colored stoneware and porcelain dinner ware. Use large sunflowers as floral centerpieces, which will add color and will reflect the natural beauty of the Tuscan region.

Another great decorating idea is to obtain several items from Italian import stores, such as regional olive oil, Tuscan marmalades and jam, hand crafted chocolates and/or Grappa and other Tuscan spirits to dress each dinner table with. This will provide an authentic flare for each table and educate guests on the local specialties from the region.

Planning a Tuscan theme wedding is a perfect way to have a romantic and original wedding day. If you like the laid back country culture of Tuscany and have a special place in your heart for Italy, then think about having a Tuscan wedding theme.