Enchanted Wedding Anniversary
An enchanted wedding anniversary
Red-tiled rooftops and cupolas, breathtaking views and an unrivaled cultural heritage… Florence is the quintessential destination for an unforgettable wedding anniversary. So, we were thrilled to receive a request from a young Russian couple’s travel agent: highly cultured and strikingly wealthy, they planned to travel to Florence to celebrate their 10th year of marriage. They wished to spend two, magical, days in the world’s most romantic city, … just the kind of event we specialize in at Italy’s Finest!
Yet, their travel agent wanted to be sure we would be able to meet their expectations… in fact, the couple had one, quite singular, requirement. They wanted to enjoy the finest Florentine experiences, all top-notch luxury of course. But, during all visits, activities or meals, they wanted to be alone. Well, we love creating one-of-a-kind, exclusive experiences, and are glad to receive enquiries which challenge our imaginations… but… how about staff? How were we ever going to do this?! We spent a lot of time brainstorming and, finally, came up with the finest ways to meet our guests’ special (and so romantic, we thought!) prerequisite.
They arrived on their private jet, at night. Met by a sumptuous Limousine with tinted windows, driver duly silent behind his pane; the young couple swiftly reached Florence’s most luxurious five-star hotel, sipping champagne on the way. In the morning, a rich breakfast was silently left outside their refined brocade-filled suite and brought in by the husband, who had offered to personally serve at meals. Then, whisked away by the shimmering limo, they traveled to Piazza della Signoria for a private viewing of the Vasarian corridor, the stunning secret passage hidden above Ponte Vecchio’s evocative rooftops. No guides on duty of course, so we had produced a custom-made leaflet about this extraordinary overhead walkway. After the visit they were off to airport... because we wished our guests to have the chance to admire Florence’s palaces, churches and towers in perfect privacy, we had devised the ideal solution: a deluxe, exclusive, helicopter ride above the city. They were charmed by the city’s panoramas from this special viewpoint! In full comfort and privacy, they savored a delectable lunch on board, fully relishing the sights as well as the cuisine.
Meantime, detailed information about their evening program was being carefully set in their suite, so they would know about the venue, and its uniqueness, before they arrived. By obtaining special permits from the fine arts authorities, we had booked Florence’s most gorgeous historical villa, once residence of the Medici family, exclusively for them.
Encased like a jewel among Florence’s rolling hills, filled with mesmerizing frescoes and enhanced by the most luxuriant of gardens, Villa La Petraia is no doubt the most fascinating of all Florentine historical villas. Originally a fortress, it was splendidly decorated, enlarged and beautified by the terraced gardens at the time of the the Medici Grand-dukes. Using our best suppliers, we arranged a sublime set-up, creating a dreamlike background for their evening.
The moon was shining when our guests accessed the villa’s stately gates. Following a path of candle-lit glass lanterns they crossed the luxuriant gardens hand in hand, spellbound. Two valets in full period costume awaited them at the entrance, in silence, and escorted them inside. Silvery notes flowed from a grand white piano, leading the couple to the villa’s most striking room, the courtyard. Fully frescoed by great Tuscan artists (Volterrano and Daddi) it was covered by the current glass and iron dome in 1872, to host a ball for the King’s son’s engagement.
Working side by side with our best floral designers, carefully following the colors and style, we were able to further enhance the room’s dazzling beauty. The center of the courtyard hosted a single, round, table for two, strategically set right below the villa’s gleaming ancient chandelier. We had placed a precious Aubusson rug, in the same hues of the paintings, beneath the table, and “framed” the rug with countless fresh rose petals and ivory candles. Four columns bearing grand rose-filled vases stood at the corners of the frame. (Just imagine…we used over 1000 roses for the set-up!)
A superb dinner was prepared by Florence’s most exclusive caterer; because there were no waiters serving, as requested, the husband personally went to the kitchen and served the lady each, delectable, course. All accompanied by the very best Supertuscans and premium champagnes, of course.
A magical performance added to the overall enchantment: at intervals during the dinner two professional dancers from the Florence Maggio Musicale Ballet performed variations and divertissements from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
The couple savored their dreamlike evening in full privacy, just as they wished, surrounded by pure enchantment.