Villa Medicea di Lilliano

Talk about a villa that ticks all the boxes. The Villa Medicea, located just 12 kilometers from downtown Florence, sits perched in an idyllic spot boasting views of the cathedral of Florence as well as rolling hills with olive groves, grape vines and cypress trees. You really can’t get a more classic Tuscan view than this. Not only does it hosts weddings and events but it also is an award winning winery with a selection of some of the finest wines in the Tuscan region.

The villa is composed of an entrance with large scenic fountain where a pleasant welcome aperitif can be held in the shade of the trees. A gently inclined, wide staircase then leads you to a second level where you find a panoramic terrace with a view of the cathedral of Florence. Many people choose to hold their wedding ceremony on this terrace because of the magnificent views it affords. Should you happen to catch a spot of rain on the day, this terrace also has an ancient covered grainary with exposed wood beams where a plan b ceremony can be held. Important to note; the villa holds the coveted legal decree that allows them to hold legally valid civil ceremonies on site. Once you’ve tied the knot, you and your guests are escorted through an archway that is entirely frescoed and opens up onto the gardens of the villa. Once these doors swing open your guests are treated to a breathtaking view of the pretty Florentine hills. The gardens of the villa are divided into three separate areas. There are two lawns, one lined with olive trees and the other open. You can choose to dine on one of the lawns and hold your cocktail on the other, perhaps under the olive trees. At the far end of the lawns, on a lower level, you’ll find a romantic grotto with a working fountain. This is yet another charming spot where an intimate ceremony can be held. Should you prefer to hold your event indoors, you’ll find just off of the gardens, a lemon tree conservatory that can seat up to 180 people. A really wonderful feature of the conservatory is that it is air conditioned; a rare amenity found in only a handful of Tuscan event spaces.

For your close friends and family, the villa offers 5 suites with a pool and courtyard that sleep up to 12 people on site. These can be accessed via the Lemon Tree Conservatory. In walking distance to the villa, one can also rent up to 5 well appointed villas with a shared pool and grounds, sleeping up to 20 people.

An added bonus of the Villa Medicea is its attentive staff, who can organize cooking classes, wine tastings and excursions into Florence for you and your group. They are also present on the day of the wedding, to make sure that every moment of the day is flawlessly executed. Make sure to inquire with plenty of advance notice, this villa books up quickly.