The location

A destination wedding isn’t as hard to plan as you think. The first step is to choose where you want to say I do. Tuscany is one of Italy’s largest regions, so there are plenty of options.

The region lends itself best to country chic weddings. The sort of effortlessly elegant celebrations held outdoors in the Tuscan countryside as the sun sets and your guests dance the night away. One of the biggest trends in destination weddings for 2016 is to celebrate the things and places that bring you joy, regardless of where you tie the knot. So after you’ve chosen your perfect Tuscan homestead or villa, think about the things you and your partner love and the things that define you. Do you love the theatre? Incorporate old play bills into your table settings. Give your guests theatre-themed favours and play your favourite opera music at the reception.

Floral arrangement

As for flowers, seasonal never goes out of style. With destination weddings, the trick is to embrace what’s local. There is no point importing anemones from Holland. The biggest floral trend for 2016 is wild and Tuscany has plenty of inspiration from grape vines to olive trees to, surprisingly, hydrangeas in June and July. The key is to embrace your surroundings. Skip the floral arrangements and have pots of lavender and mini olive trees instead or incorporate fragrant herbs like basil and mint or even coffee for an arrangement that’s on point and aromatic.

There is no reason why wedding food should taste terrible, especially if you’re tying the knot in Tuscany. Tuscan food is by nature relaxed and unfussy. We’re talking about handmade pasta with rich game sauces, bruschetta covered with ripe tomatoes and local olive oil and meats that have been grilled to perfection seconds before. And, of course, the ubiquitous pizza. If you love it? Why can’t you have it? There is nothing more impressive that watching chefs pull a freshly cooked pizza out of a woodfire oven for your guests.

While we’re on the subject of food, this is Italy and Italians prefer things to be organic, seasonal and fresh. It’s something they insist on and something you should insist on with your destination wedding. It’s not so much a trend for 2016 as a constant. Tuscany is the sort of destination where the food they serve is inspired by the countryside. The meat is local, the game sourced from the surrounding forests and the vegetables and fruit grown on the farms. The perfect wedding is not just about good food, but food that is good for you and your guests. You deserve that treat on your big day, so make sure your chosen venue sources locally and organically. Then forget about serving it up on perfectly styled plates, one for each guest. Embrace the trend and serve you guests family style, so no one goes hungry.