Jorge Manuel and Elvis’ Italian Countryside Wedding
When Jorge Manuel and Elvis decided to plan their dream wedding in Italy’s countryside, they couldn’t have imagined the twists and turns that would shape their journey. Meeting at a drag brunch might have set the stage for a colorful story, but their wedding week in Tuscany unfolded like a plot twist in a romantic epic. From pandemic delays to surprise rainstorms, their plans seemed to rewrite themselves at every turn. Yet, against all odds—and with a little Instagram inspiration—they transformed challenges into moments of magic.
What began as a dream to wed at the Abbazia di San Galgano evolved into a week-long celebration with a roaring ’20s soirée, a heartfelt rose-petal ceremony, and a breathtaking reception beneath a crystal-clear tent. Rain or shine, this was no ordinary wedding—it was a “beautiful disaster,” as Jorge Manuel puts it, and a love story for the ages.
About the wedding from the grooms:
Jorge and Elvis met at a friend’s birthday drag brunch. There were many ups and downs during the relationship, and Covid was a huge player in it. “It was the most fun we have ever had! Although we were worried about all the uncertainty happening at the moment locally and globally, for us the world had stopped, and we were the only two who existed in it for a moment. We learned so much from each other, and realized that we were meant for more than just friendship,” describes Jorge Manuel. They soon got engaged after the pandemic and ventured out to see how, where and when to celebrate their wedding.
If you jaw dropped over their chosen venues in the Italy’s countryside, then this guide is for you.
THE WEDDING (That almost didn’t happen more than once!)
Scrolling through Instagram one day, the couple came across the ABBAZIA DI SAN GALGANO picture of a wedding and instantly fell in love! Since Elvis is from Italy and 90% of the guests were from Italy, the most natural place for the couple to have their wedding was ITALY’s countryside! That Instagram post started a wave and Jorge Manuel and Elvis got to work!
The wedding was rescheduled twice because of a resurgence with Covid in the area. Planning a wedding from 5K miles away presented a great feat! Not only did the couple have to deal with vendors overseas, but also tackle a split bridal party where part of the bridesmaids and groomsmen lived in the US and Italy. Jorge Manuel flew to Italy to have the fittings for the Bridesmaids and bridal party a couple months before the event.
Initially the wedding ceremony was planned to happen at the Abbazia di San Galgano (and old abandoned church in ruins) where guests would be escorted through the countryside of Tuscany and to the location in Buses. Then the cocktail and wedding reception were to be held in the gardens under the Tuscan sky at Villa Di Geggiano. Unfortunately, the couple never planned for rain in September in Italy’s countryside. Sadly, the only day of the month that it rained was actually on their wedding day! Which led the couple to redesign the wedding they had taken 2 years to design in 2 days! It was a major redesign! The initial wedding plans had to be abandoned and a 3rd unexpected location was added to the wedding celebration just 2 days before the event! The Villa Valentini Bonaparte location served as the perfect reception location where it was held at the Orange Grove of the villa uncer a Crystal Tent. The couple wanted to celebrate their reception under the stars, and even if that did not go to plan, the tent’s clear ceiling exposed the Tuscan Stars at the reception!
We decided to go for a neutral tone organic wedding using metallics. We incorporated Gold, Copper, Rose Gold and Silver colors throughout the wedding and off-set it against many hues of white and creams. The contrast had a gorgeous look in the end,” recalls Elvis about the wedding planning.
The rain was incessant the day of the wedding and for a second it seemed as if the wedding ceremony would have needed to be held indoors or none at all. Guests were waiting inside the Villa for the rain to stop, and if by miracle, the rain stopped for exactly 40 minutes allowing the couple to finally hold their wedding ceremony outdoors. The wedding ceremony was redesigned with the florist, and rental company just 1 day prior. “It was the most anxious and nervous I have ever felt! The uncertainty of the weather had me worried the most. But, I knew that after all the trouble, planning and hard-work we had put into the wedding, that it would turn out to be ok. The most important thing for me was that either way I would finally get to marry my best friend, rain or shine!,” recalls Jorge Manuel.
The Wedding Day was probably the most magical of the wedding week celebrations. The Villa di Geggiano had been dressed in the most beautiful White and cream flowers with greens that served as the perfect backdrop to their garden Tuscan ceremony. The aisle was over 70 meters long and the rain had created a million droplets to form all over the garden and florals creating this magical world that could only exist in a fairytale. The highlight during the ceremony was that of the “Rose Ceremony,” that the couple created as a unique and never-been-done-before ceremony ritual. Guests were all given a single white rose when entering the ceremony location and then later instructed to depetal the rose they had been given during the rose ceremony. With each petal they pulled off from the rose, they would put their well wishes and thoughts into it. The groomsmen then passed row to row collecting these rose petals which would be later used to shower the couple with! “It was as if the guests were experiencing the same emotions we were as one family. Having them play a role in our wedding ceremony meant so much to us. Because without all of their support, we simply would have never been able to freely and openly love each other as we deserve,” recalls Jorge Manuel.
The Wedding Tent was something out of a fairytale and perhaps Plan B turned out better than Plan A. In the end the couple experienced a week-long celebration of their love with those they loved and supported them. They got to experience their wedding “All-white” rehearsal at the Villa Di Geggiano location with all their bridal party that flew from so many parts of the world to be there. And then off to Villa Curina at night to celebrate their Wedding Rehearsal under the most beautiful white tent decorated in floral pink and red hues and contrasted by black decor details. Guests enjoyed a true Tuscan gourmet sit down dinner under the Tuscan sky! The night was truly special and unforgettable.
The following day, the Villa Di Geggiano would transform and transport itself back to the roaring 20’s where the wedding guests who had all traveled from different parts of the US and Italy could come together and bond as one family. The night was a lot of fun, and the guests arrived to the event dressed to impress in their best 20’s attire!
The Wedding Reception felt like a dream! Thousands of white blooms and greenery adorned every single inch on the inside of the glass tent and the hundreds of tapered and votive candles created a “starry-night sky” reflection on the ceiling. The cake stood almost 2.5 meters tall and greeted guests as soon as they walked into the tent. The couple’s first dance closed the night’s celebration as the last song to be played was that of Moulin Rouge’s (Jorge Manuel’s favorite movie) YOUR SONG by Alessandro Safina and Ewan Mcgregor. The wedding guests all circled around the couple and together closed the night as a family. Making this event for the couple and their guests one they will never forget. Even though the many rescheduled dates because of date cancellations due to covid and the rain, the wedding was the most “beautiful disaster.” It was just perfect!
Wedding Vendors in Italy:
Attire and Gowns: Jorge Manuel @jorgemanuelofficial
Groom’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin @louboutinworld
Bridal Party Custom Jewelry: Renee Pawele @reneepawelebride
Bridal Party Shoes: Badgley Mischka @badgleymischka
Wedding Rings: Custom – Private Jeweler
Wedding Jewelry: Tiffany and Co. @tiffanyandco
Make-up: Cesar Ferrette @cesarferrette
Hair: Rogelio Gonzalez @rogelinmiami
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Villa Curina @villacurina
Catering Rehearsal Dinner: Villa Curina @villacurina
Flowers Rehearsal Dinner: Flowers Living @flowersliving
Great Gatsby Welcome 20’s Soiree Location: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano
Great Gatsby Welcome 20’s Soiree Catering: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano
Ceremony Location: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano
Reception Location: Villa Valentini Bonaparte @villavalentinibonaparte
Photos: Phosart Photography @phosart.photogrinaphy
Video: Phosart Cinematography @phosart.cinematography
Getting Ready Location: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano
Engagement Pictures Location: Villa Di Geggiano @villadigeggiano
Catering and Rentals: Preludio Divisione
Noleggio @preludiodivisionenoleggio
Flowers for all week Events: Flowers Living @flowersliving
Stationery (Invitations and Menus): Jorge Manuel
Weddings @jorgemanuelofficial
Cake: Jorge Manuel Weddings @jorgemanuelofficial
Favors: A Touch of Ary @atouchofary