Renato and Julien’s Destination Wedding in Tuscany, planned by Benedetta Carpanzano, is a study in unconventional elegance – a vision shaped by freedom, emotion and details drawn from the story of the couple themselves.

From an entirely unexpected ceremony format to bespoke signature cocktails and an unconventional cake cutting, discover how the Wedding Planner turned their ideas into a wedding that followed no set formula.

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Renato and Julien chose Tuscany as the setting for their wedding with one clear intention: to create a day that felt unmistakably like them, without following traditions simply because they were expected to.

Renato is Italian, from Rome, while Julien is French. Now based in New York, the couple wanted a destination that could reflect the European roots of their relationship while speaking to the contemporary way they live their lives.

The answer came when they visited Badia di Berardenga, near Castelnuovo Berardenga. There was no hesitation: they fell in love with the place at first sight.

It was here that Benedetta Carpanzano, a Wedding Planner known for her unconventional approach, translated their vision into a celebration that stepped beyond established wedding formulas. The result embodies what she calls unconventional elegance: a way of designing weddings in which every choice begins with the personality of the couple, rather than with a predetermined set of rules.

Benedetta Carpanzano’s unconventional elegance, beyond tradition

For Benedetta Carpanzano, unconventional elegance is not about being different simply for the sake of it.

It means stripping away traditions that feel imposed and leaving room for a celebration built entirely around the couple.

«To me, unconventional elegance does not mean breaking the rules just to provoke. It means having the freedom to choose what genuinely represents the couple,» explains Benedetta Carpanzano. «It means starting with a blank page and creating an event where every detail tells part of their story.»

«Today, couples are no longer looking for a prescribed succession of wedding moments. They want to recognise themselves in every part of the day, and they want their guests to feel that identity too. Elegance comes from that conscious freedom.»

«That is why I believe elegance has nothing to do with extravagance. It is about creating beauty by removing everything that is merely decorative or performative, and choosing only what truly reflects who we are.»

That philosophy shaped Renato and Julien’s wedding from the very beginning. From their first meeting, a deep and empathetic connection developed between the couple and their Wedding Planner.

Held on 4 July, the wedding was the final chapter of a Wedding Weekend shared with their guests between Tuscany and Castel Monastero. Every element was designed around one central idea: following the emotions of the couple and creating space for those of their guests, too.

A Wedding ceremony like in Provence, without a script

The ceremony was conceived less as a formal ritual and more as a gathering.

A central aisle divided the seating, with guests positioned on either side. But rather than walking down the aisle together, Renato and Julien made their entrance simultaneously, each from their own side of the ceremony space.

Ahead of them came a procession of children and bridesmaids playing maracas, tambourines and small percussion instruments – a joyful, spontaneous soundtrack to their arrival.

They met at the centre of the aisle, ready to say their forever “I do”.

The ceremony was led by two celebrants, one speaking Italian and the other English, ensuring that every guest could follow every word.

The result was a short, intimate and deeply personal ceremony, focused entirely on their story and the promises they made to one another.

Even the recessional broke with tradition. Instead of classical music, a Rosalía track marked the transition from ceremony to celebration.

And then came another unexpected choice: there was no couple-only photoshoot. Instead, Renato and Julien gathered everyone together for one large group photograph, making their guests part of the celebration from the very beginning.

Benedetta Carpanzano’s unconventional elegance: a reception made for sharing

If the ceremony drew on the atmosphere of Provence, the reception turned towards the Tuscan countryside – and towards the pleasure of sitting together around a table.

Round tables were arranged in a distinctive “caterpillar” formation, moving away from the traditional symmetrical layout and creating a more natural flow of conversation among guests.

Natural linen tablecloths, wicker chargers, Crossed Tuscan chairs and textures inspired by country houses came together in an aesthetic that felt refined without ever becoming ostentatious.

Wild florals and unconventional stationery

The floral design drew on wild, seasonal-looking blooms and Mediterranean scents. Lavender, limonium, aster, agapanthus, carnations, myrtle, rosemary, ivy and green berries brought to life the Provençal atmosphere the couple loved.

The graphic design followed the same spirit of freedom.

The stationery, in particular, deliberately avoided visual uniformity. Its colour palette differed from that of the wedding décor, the fonts were not coordinated and the colours were selected for their connection to the couple’s family memories – not because they were designed to match.

It was, in many ways, a choice that went against the conventions of traditional Wedding Design. Yet it was perfectly consistent with the way Renato and Julien wanted to experience their wedding.

From aperitivo to family-style dinner

For the aperitivo, the flavours of Tuscany took centre stage, with dedicated food stations celebrating tomatoes, lemons, local cheeses and cured meats.

Dinner followed a family-style format, deliberately moving away from traditional plated service. Dishes were placed at the centre of the table to be shared, allowing guests to serve themselves as they would during a meal at home with family and friends.

The format was particularly appreciated by the couple’s international guests and reflected their desire to put conviviality ahead of formality.

Music, cocktails and a countryside atmosphere

Dinner took place at Corte del Gallo, where the atmosphere evolved as the sun went down.

Festoon lights stretched between decorative poles, bathing the space in the warm, relaxed feeling of a countryside celebration.

A guitarist provided the musical entertainment during the meal, while the Open Bar introduced one of the wedding’s most personal details: two signature cocktails inspired by the couple.

Renato’s drink combined a floral cordial, pink grapefruit soda and a touch of prosecco. Julien’s was a reinterpretation of the Gimlet, pairing vodka with apricot cordial to reflect his taste through the careful preparation of the ingredients.

Every cordial was handcrafted, creating fresh, distinctive flavours for the two bespoke drinks.

An unconventional ending: the  cake was part of the dessert table

The final chapter of the celebration followed the same philosophy as the rest of the day.

There was no dramatic entrance for the Wedding Cake. Instead, Renato and Julien chose their favourite dessert – a pavlova – and placed it among the other desserts on the dessert table, allowing guests to discover it naturally as the celebration unfolded.

Once again, the decision was about removing formality whenever it did not add anything meaningful to the experience.

And perhaps this is where the idea of unconventional elegance finds its clearest expression: in weddings that are no longer designed around traditions to be reproduced, but around the desire to turn every detail into a genuine reflection of the couple’s story.

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