A Secret Autumn Elopement in Tuscany: Doug & Tania’s Intimate Wedding at Terralsole, Montalcino
For Doug and Tania from Canada, Tuscany had always been a favorite destination. When Tania decided to surprise Doug with an intimate wedding during their upcoming autumn trip to Italy, it brought a sense of intrigue and anticipation to their travels.
Planned and designed by The Elopement Experience™, their day unfolded at a private winery nestled among the rolling hills of Montalcino, Tuscany - a region known for its Brunello wines and timeless countryside views. Surrounded by fall color and close friends, their Tuscany elopement reflected quiet luxury, intimacy, and joy.
The Setting: Autumn in Montalcino
Autumn in Tuscany marks the harvest. The air is cooler, and the vineyards turn deep red and amber. The intimate elopement wedding took place at a private winery in Montalcino, owned by friends of the couple. It was a quiet, elegant day surrounded by olive trees, rolling hills, and rows of Brunello grapes.
The Surprise and the Ceremony
Tania quietly organized the day with The Elopement Experience™, keeping the plans a secret until the ceremony. A local celebrant led the vows as twelve of their closest friends gathered on the terrace overlooking the vineyards.
The ceremony took place on the terrace at a private winery in Montalcino. Twelve guests sat on simple wooden chairs facing the vineyards. A local celebrant led the vows with the late-afternoon light. Chairs arranged as a semicircle so that the guests were up close. A low nest to not block the stunning view. The focus stayed on the couple, the setting, and the people who mattered most.
Design and Details: Quiet Luxury in Every Element
The day’s design reflected Tuscany’s natural palette. The bouquet featured sunflowers, marigolds, and wild florals in amber and ivory hues. Tables were dressed in custom linens, layered with crystal glassware, herb-filled terracotta pots, and soft green taper candles - an expression of understated elegance that defines The Elopement Experience™.
A private chef curated a farm-to-table menu with local ingredients. Hand-rolled tortellini was followed by seasonal Tuscan dishes, paired with Terralsole’s Brunello wines. The evening ended with a live creation of a millefoglie wedding cake, performed in front of the guests, light, sweet, with laughter and toasts.
A Moment Away: Newly Wed Portraits at the Abbazia di Sant’Antimo
After the ceremony, Doug and Tania slipped away for portraits at the historic Abbazia di Sant’Antimo, a short drive from the winery. The Romanesque abbey, surrounded by cypress and olive trees, offered a peaceful. Late-afternoon light poured through the arches as they shared quiet moments, just the two of them, in one of Tuscany’s most sacred spaces.
Dinner, Celebration, and a Honeymoon to Follow
Back at their venue, the evening continued with dinner outdoors as the sun set behind the hills. Friends raised glasses of Brunello in a quiet toast. The atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried, centered on good food, conversation, and connection.
After the wedding, Doug and Tania stayed in Tuscany for their honeymoon, visiting nearby villages and vineyards—an easy extension of the calm and intimacy that defined their day.
Reflections from The Elopement Experience™
Designed around the couple and their preferences, the day was built with purpose and a strong sense of place. From the ceremony at their friends’ vineyard to the live millefoglie prepared by the chef with a custom menu based on their tastes, the brunello wines from the winery, every detail reflected Doug and Tania’s story and their connection to Tuscany. Dinner featured custom linens and a table design created for them, echoing the colors and textures of the season.
Plan Your Luxury Elopement in Tuscany
If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding in Tuscany surrounded by rolling hills, fine food and wine, and timeless design, The Elopement Experience™ offers full planning, design, and creative direction for luxury elopements across Italy, California, and beyond. Every elopement wedding and celebration is tailored to the couple - created as a personal, multi-day experience that blends place, design, and meaning.
Ready to design your own Tuscany luxury elopement? Get in touch to start planning your experience.
