When couples begin planning a Borgo Vignamaggio wedding, or any destination wedding for that matter, one of the first things I recommend is what I call the “trip before the trip.” Before contracts are finalized and before the full planning process begins, visiting a venue in person allows us to experience how the property truly […]
Why Il Borgo di Vignamaggio Is One of Tuscany’s Most Romantic Wedding Venues There are certain places in Tuscany that feel cinematic the moment you arrive, and Il Borgo di Vignamaggio is one of the most romantic wedding venues in Chianti. Set in rolling hills and surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees, this […]
When it comes to romance, timeless beauty, and unforgettable moments, few places rival Tuscany. From the rolling hills and cypress-lined drives to historic villas and world-class wine, Tuscany is an iconic destination for couples dreaming of a luxury wedding in Italy. At Michelle Durpetti Events, we specialize in destination weddings in Italy—because we speak the […]
This year brought an experience I will never forget, I had the incredible honor of leading a breakout session for the first time ever at the Engage! Summit in Tuscany. I’ve attended Engage! many times, and each one has offered something deeply meaningful. But this season, speaking at Engage, standing in front of a room […]
Last week, the renowned Engage! Summit took place in the heart of Tuscany—and Michelle had the incredible honor of joining the speaker lineup. From personal milestones to professional reflections, she shares the unforgettable experience from her point of view as a Breakout Session Speaker below. Michelle Durpetti: Speaker at Engage!25 Tuscany As a destination wedding […]
We have always believed that a wedding rain plan should never feel like the consolation prize. We were thrilled to recently share our perspective with Destination I Do for their feature, Why Loving Your Wedding Rain Plan Really Matters, featuring Kaylie + Tanner’s beautiful celebration at Villa Medicea di Lilliano in Tuscany. Their […]
Choosing a destination wedding venue is about much more than finding a beautiful location. One of the greatest misconceptions about destination weddings is that choosing a venue is simply about finding the one you love most. In reality, it’s about finding the one that will love your wedding back. The right venue should support your […]
We’re excited to share that James and CaLeigha’s wedding weekend at Villa Nemora has been featured on Loverly. Set in the heart of Tuscany, their celebration blended modern style with the warmth and ease that make destination weddings in Italy so memorable. From thoughtful design details to an atmosphere that encouraged guests to slow down, […]
Hospitality has always been about more than serving a meal. At its heart, it’s about creating an experience that feels thoughtful, intentional, and memorable; values that guide everything Michelle Durpetti does, whether she’s welcoming guests into a historic restaurant or designing extraordinary celebrations around the world. We’re honored to share that Michelle was recently featured […]
Kit and Vinny’s luxury destination wedding at Villa Gamberaia in Florence, Italy was recently featured on the home page of Style Me Pretty, a platform that continues to define and refine the visual language of weddings on a global scale. Set in the heart of Tuscany, this celebration blended timeless Italian architecture, candlelit alfresco dining, […]
The Venue Isn’t the Wedding. It’s the Beginning. Some of the most common Italy wedding planning mistakes begin with a moment that feels exactly right. You arrive at a venue, the light hits perfectly, and everything feels cinematic. The architecture carries history in a way that feels impossible to replicate anywhere else. It is easy […]
There is a noticeable shift happening across luxury wedding trends in 2026, and it is not subtle. What once defined luxury is being quietly rewritten in favor of something more intentional, more immersive, and far more personal. The conversations we are having with our clients, the decisions they are making, and the experiences they are […]
The Planning Principles Behind Exceptional Celebrations Luxury weddings are not accidental. They are often discussed in terms of aesthetics. The flowers. The tent. The tablescape. The location. Those things matter, of course. Beauty is part of the experience. But after planning celebrations across cities, countries, climates, and cultures, including many destination weddings in Italy, I […]
The Role of a Luxury Destination Wedding Planner A luxury destination wedding planner does far more than coordinate vendors or design a beautiful celebration. At its core, destination wedding planning is rooted in hospitality. anticipating guest needs, managing complex logistics, and creating an experience that feels effortless from the moment guests arrive. Can you picture […]
This week, I had the honor of speaking at THE EVENT: Florence, an international gathering hosted by Italy for Weddings and Convention Bureau Italia that brings destination wedding planners together with some of Italy’s most respected venues and hospitality partners. For anyone passionate about luxury destination wedding planning in Florence, this event is an important […]
Returning to Florence and THE EVENT This week I am returning to Florence to speak at THE EVENT: Florence, the national destination wedding gathering hosted by Italy for Weddings. Florence is not just another stop on my calendar as a luxury wedding planner in Italy. It has meant something to me for most of my life. […]
Reflections from The Privé Retreat in St. Moritz I did not expect to fall this hard for Switzerland. As someone who plans destination weddings in Italy regularly, I didn’t expect a Swiss destination wedding in St. Moritz to feel so immediately compelling, but it did. My heart is usually firmly rooted there. Florence, Tuscany, Sicily. […]
Should your destination wedding planner be local? One of the most common misconceptions couples have when planning a destination wedding —often popping up somewhere between booking a venue abroad and opening your tenth spreadsheet— is that their planner must live in the same place as their venue. In reality, an experienced destination wedding planner often […]
A Letter from Michelle There are years that feel busy — and then there are years that feel full. This past year at Michelle Durpetti Events was the latter. Full of movement, meaning, milestones, memories, and moments that reminded me exactly why I love this work so deeply. Not because of accolades or stamps on […]
Michelle Durpetti Events in Modern Luxury Weddings Chicago Every so often, a body of work is reflected back to you in a way that feels both familiar and clarifying. In the most recent issue of Modern Luxury Weddings Chicago, Michelle Durpetti Events is featured throughout — from the cover imagery to multiple editorial stories, including […]
There are few experiences in our industry that feel as energizing as they are grounding — and Engage! Santa Barbara was exactly that. Set against the golden coastline of Santa Barbara, with sweeping ocean views and that effortless West Coast warmth, this gathering felt like a true exhale as we closed out the year. Hosted […]
I recently spent a morning on WGN talking all things Thanksgiving—hosting tips, thoughtful touches for your holiday table, and of course, the story behind my family’s restaurant, Gene & Georgetti. Any time I get to talk about hospitality and heritage in the same breath, I’m in my happy place. And if you know me, you […]
A Roundtable Conversation with Michelle Durpetti Events There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you bring real couples back to the table after their destination weddings in Italy. The logistics have settled, the emotions have softened into memory, and what remains is perspective: what truly mattered, what surprised them, and what they […]
Michelle Durpetti The Knot Magazine Feature: Redefining the Experiential Wedding Experience When The Knot released its “Find Your Niche” feature, highlighting the year’s most exciting wedding styles, it included insights from leading voices shaping the industry. Among them was our own Michelle Durpetti — featured in The Knot magazine — founder and creative director of […]
There’s a reason so many couples dream of saying “I do” beneath the Italian sun. From Tuscany’s golden vineyards to the elegance of Lake Como and the romance of the Amalfi Coast, Italy offers an unforgettable setting for love stories. But behind the beauty lies a world of logistics, local knowledge, and cultural nuances that […]
Dreaming of saying “I do” in Italy? Let’s talk about what really goes into bringing that vision to life. From knowing which region reflects your love story best, to choosing the right season, to navigating language and culture fluently — every detail matters when you’re planning a destination wedding abroad. At Michelle Durpetti Events, we’ve […]
Dreaming of saying “I do” among Tuscan vineyards, overlooking Lake Como, or on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast? Planning a destination wedding in Italy is an unforgettable experience, but there are important behind-the-scenes details couples should know before diving in. At Michelle Durpetti Events, we’ve planned weddings across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. Italy […]
Italian Destination Wedding Myths: What Couples Need to Know Before Planning Planning a wedding in Italy is the dream for so many couples — and for good reason. From breathtaking villas in Tuscany to sparkling coastlines along Amalfi and Sicily, Italy offers some of the most romantic backdrops in the world. But with so much […]
When it comes to weddings, invitations are more than just paper—they’re your guests’ official roadmap to the celebration ahead. And when we talk about destination wedding invitation etiquette, that guidance becomes even more important. For couples hosting a destination wedding, invitations carry extra weight: they not only set the tone and vibe of your event […]
When someone underestimates your value, remember: only you define your worth. Embracing your worth as an entrepreneur has been central to my journey as a daughter, equestrian, restaurateur, event designer, and proud recipient of the Stella d’Italia. I’ve navigated many spheres that challenge me to show up with grace, conviction, and clarity. Every chapter has […]
When Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce announced their engagement, the internet broke. And now? All of us in the wedding world are officially buckling up — because this will hands down be one of the most watched (and ultimately imitated!) weddings of our time. 💍✨ Celebrity Wedding Planner, Michelle Durpetti, Talks Taylor & Travis Engagement […]
Italy has long been considered the crown jewel of destination weddings, and for good reason. Its enchanting landscapes, centuries of history, and world-class cuisine create the perfect setting for love stories of every kind. When Fox NFL Sunday’s Jay Glazer and model Rosie Tenison chose the Amalfi Coast for their wedding, they discovered firsthand why […]
At Michelle Durpetti Events, we know that unforgettable events are built on connection, intention, and a little sparkle. When PartySlate invited us to plan and produce their Midwest Summit, we knew we had the opportunity to create something really special — not just beautiful, but meaningful. Over two days and three events, we had the […]
In 2019, my family and I embarked on a journey that was as personal as it was unforgettable. That year, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and my husband, Collin, and I celebrated our first. To honor both love stories, we planned an unforgettable trip for a luxury destination celebration in Italy —one of […]
At Michelle Durpetti Events, we know that a well-curated vendor team is the foundation of a seamless, stunning celebration. Michelle shares her expert insight on building a destination wedding vendor team that brings your vision to life with professionalism, artistry, and heart in a video up on your YouTube channel. 🎥 Watch Now: Why Your […]
Buon pomeriggio from Rome! 🇮🇹 As a destination wedding planner with deep roots in both the U.S. and Italy, I absolutely love helping couples bring their Italian wedding dreams to life. From romantic villas in Tuscany to stunning rooftop views in Rome, there’s no place quite like Italy to say “I do.” Planning a Destination […]
We’re thrilled to share that Michelle Durpetti Events has been featured in Green Wedding Shoes in their Expert-Approved Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding Outside the U.S. 🎉 This feature is such an honor, not just because of the incredible publication, but because destination weddings are at the heart of what we do here at […]
At Michelle Durpetti Events, we believe in the magic of moments, the power of connection, and the strength of a truly incredible team. While our weddings span continents and cultures, our foundation is built on trust, collaboration, and a little bit of Italian sunshine. And what better way to share a peek behind the scenes […]
An afternoon of conversation, creativity, and cuisine ✨ At Michelle Durpetti Events, we believe in the power of thoughtfully curated gatherings—those intimate, intentional moments where conversation flows, inspiration sparks, and community deepens. That’s exactly what we set out to create this past June when we hosted a summer brunch for Société Privée at Gene & […]
After 18 years in the wedding industry, I can tell you this: being a wedding planner is equal parts art, logistics, psychology, and production. Yes, we build timelines and floor plans. But we also act as translators, advocates, troubleshooters, and—perhaps most importantly—protectors of peace. In the age of Pinterest-perfect inspiration and TikTok trends, the role […]
I’m so excited to share that I was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune in a piece highlighting top outdoor entertaining tips and trends to try this season! As someone who spends my days creating meaningful, beautiful events—whether it’s a wedding in Tuscany, a chic dinner party in Palm Beach, or a milestone celebration here […]
We’re proud to share that Michelle was recently featured in Authority Magazine as part of their series on why women build exceptional companies. Interviewed by Vanessa Ogle, Michelle opened up about her career, her Italian roots, her passion for hospitality and luxury weddings, and the values that guide both her personal and professional life. As […]
“Lucca è nel mio cuore da sempre.” (Lucca has been in my heart forever.) Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Lucca is more than just a beautiful city to me—it’s home in the deepest sense of the word. My family’s roots are here, just outside the historic walls, in a small province where tradition […]
There’s something about Italy. The light, the language, the food, the way a table feels when it’s set under twinkle lights in the middle of a vineyard… it’s cinematic, soulful, and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re considering a destination wedding in Italy, you’re in for something truly special—but also uniquely complex. As an experienced Italian wedding […]
Planning a destination wedding can feel like the ultimate dream—stunning backdrops, unforgettable food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with your favorite people. But let’s be real: it can also feel a little daunting. Between time zones, language barriers, travel logistics, and local customs, the planning process can quickly go from magical to stressful. That’s where an experienced […]
