Speaking at Engage!25 Tuscany

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 planner deeply rooted in Italian heritage, attending Engage!25 Tuscany at the breathtaking Toscana Resort Castelfalfi was nothing short of a dream realized. This summit wasn’t just an event; it was a harmonious blend of professional excellence, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

For years, I envisioned sharing my journey at Engage!, and in Tuscany, that vision came to life. Leading a breakout session, I shared a personal story—one shaped by family, resilience, grit, and the kind of strength you only discover when you truly need it.

I had the immense honor of speaking at Engage!’s most recent summit—and I can say with complete certainty: this was a full circle moment I will carry with me forever.

This wasn’t just another industry event. It was the one I had dreamed about for years. A stage I had envisioned myself on. And the experience of finally standing there, in a room full of peers, friends, and industry icons, sharing my story in the country that shaped my family and fueled my career—it was humbling, empowering, and incredibly personal.

Sharing My Story: From Family Legacy to Finding My Voice

My breakout session at Engage! wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was a personal breakthrough.

I opened up about my journey: the resilience it took to step into leadership at Gene & Georgetti, the emotional rollercoaster of continuing a family legacy through times of profound loss, and the evolution that followed. What I shared came from a place of truth, strength, and love—a love for my family, my roots, and this work that I’ve poured my heart into.

The room held space for that story. The nods, the eye contact, the quiet tears, the hugs afterward—it was a moment of true connection. One that reminded me why vulnerability in leadership matters.

Why Tuscany Made It Even More Meaningful

Speaking in Tuscany meant everything.

This is a region that lives in my blood. I studied here during university. I visit often to see family in Lucca. I plan weddings here for couples who fall in love with Italy the same way I did as a little girl.

To speak in the place where my family’s story began, and where I now help others create the beginnings of their own stories, felt beautifully aligned.

A Lineup I Was Honored to Be a Part Of

To be included in the same speaker lineup as people I admire so deeply—Michelle Rago, Rishi Patel, David Beahm, Josh Spiegel—was incredibly meaningful. Their work has shaped and inspired the luxury wedding world for years, and to speak alongside them felt like an absolute full-circle moment.

The energy, insight, and generosity they brought to the summit only deepened my gratitude for this community.

My Husband, My Anchor

Having my husband—tech support, emotional support, photographer, and all-around MVP—there with me made it even more special.

Having him there with me, not just cheering me on but walking every step of the journey by my side, made this experience even more meaningful. He has witnessed every high and low along the way—and to have him sitting in that room while I shared my truth was everything.

Why I’m So Proud of This Moment

This speaking opportunity was about more than professional recognition. It was about growth. It was about healing. And it was about celebrating the kind of strength that emerges when you’re tested, stretched, and ultimately, transformed.

I’m proud of the business I’ve built. I’m proud of the weddings we plan. But I’m also proud of the woman I’ve become in the process—one who leads with heart, heritage, and honesty.

To the Engage! and Castelfalfi Teams—Grazie Mille

To the Engage! team—Rebecca Miller Grinnals, Kathryn Arce, and your incredible crew—thank you for bringing this to life with such heart, soul, and excellence.

To the team at Castelfalfi, and to every creative behind the design, logistics, and beautiful details—grazie mille. You made Tuscany sparkle.

To the attendees, new friends, and old friends: thank you for embracing my story, for the hugs, for the conversations, and for the energy in that room.

And to my dad and my Nonno—who I believe helped line this one up from above—this was for you.

Now that I’ve had this incredible opportunity here in bella Toscana, I’m beyond excited for what’s next. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy—Florence, Tuscany, or beyond—I’d love to help bring it to life with heart, heritage, and a little bit of Italian magic.

Let’s create something unforgettable.

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Want to hear more behind-the-scenes moments from Tuscany? Stay tuned—there’s more to come.

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Photos: Cat Galletti