Last Updated on February 4, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
On June 11, 2025—a golden, sun-soaked day in Puglia, Italy—I married my handsome husband (still can’t believe I get to say that!), Max, surrounded by the olive groves and stone walls of a centuries-old masseria. It was 81 degrees and breezy, the kind of day you wish you could bottle up forever.
For two and a half magical days (and three dreamy nights), we gathered with our closest family and friends in the heart of the Italian countryside. It was more than just a wedding—it was an adventure, a celebration of love and life in a place that now holds a permanent piece of our hearts. And the best part? We now have every excuse to come back again and again (and again!).
All photos by Courtney Linden Photography
Why Puglia?
Back in 2019, long before there was ever a ring on my finger, Max and I had both visited Italy—separately, with our families—and fell in love with everything about it. The culture, the history, the food, the lifestyle, the way time seems to slow down. Italy stayed with us. So when it came time to choose a destination for our wedding, we kept circling back to the country that had already captured both our hearts.
Related: Where to Stay in Puglia: Boutique Hotels & Dreamy Masserie
We considered the rolling hills of Tuscany and even briefly flirted with the idea of the Amalfi Coast. Spoiler alert: Amalfi Coast price tags come with those Amalfi Coast views, shocker! But there was something about Puglia—something quieter, simpler, more authentic, more “us”. Even though it was a region neither of us had touched yet, we ultimately chose this stunning corner of the world for a few reasons:
Value
Max and I are big believers in value. Not just in price, but in experience. If we’re going to spend a certain amount of money no matter what, we want to make it count. That mindset was one of the primary reasons we chose a destination wedding in Italy in the first place. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a beautiful single-day wedding at home, or a celebration with 200+ guests. It just wasn’t what we envisioned for our wedding.
We knew we wanted something experiential—something that spanned more than just a few hours. And when we crunched the numbers, we realized we could spend three unforgettable nights in Italy with our closest people, in a place that felt like a dream, for around the same cost (or even less) than a 6–8 hour event at home in Southern California.
Within Italy itself, though, some more popular areas (such as Tuscany, Lake Como, and the Amalfi Coast) come with a significantly higher price tag. By choosing to have our wedding in Puglia, we were able to stretch our budget in the best way—spending more on the things that mattered most to us. Our venue, for example, could host 50–65 guests on-site for the same price that some Tuscan properties charge to sleep just 15–30—more space, more time, more memories, without spending astronomically more.
Location
While we both gravitated toward the idea of an Italian wedding right away, we knew we wanted to get married somewhere that would feel like ours—not a place that only one of us had already visited and loved, but a new adventure we’d discover together. That’s what drew us to Puglia. It felt like the perfect combination of familiarity and blank page: a country previously visited, but a region unexplored by both of us.
During all my research (and there was a lot), I kept coming back to one venue: Masseria Grieco. Something about it pulled me in from the very beginning. I even had it pinned on Pinterest for years without even knowing its name. The timeless stone architecture, the peaceful countryside setting, and the way it didn’t need over-the-top florals or decorations to be stunning. It had this simple elegance that felt so right! I loved that it was family-owned, not a big resort or hotel, and staying true to form, I’ve always been a sucker for boutique properties with soul.
And while, yes, we were technically choosing both the region and the venue sight unseen, we did our homework. We asked friends and family, read reviews, and scrolled through every photo and blog post we could find. Before we researched dozens of wedding venues in Puglia to make sure Puglia, and specifically Masseria Grieco, was truly “the one.” Every single person who had visited Puglia spoke about it with a spark in their eyes as if they’d stumbled upon a secret they couldn’t wait to share. And now we understand why!
Oh, and fun fact: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel tied the knot in Puglia back in 2012, at Borgo Egnazia! So we’re in good company!
Experience
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted an experience. One that would bring together our favorite people not just for a single night, but for a few unforgettable days in a place none of us would ever forget.
Since our friends and family are scattered across the U.S., Canada, and even some living temporarily in Europe, our wedding would’ve been a “destination” no matter where we hosted it. So if a good majority of our guests were already going to be hopping on a plane, why not make it worth the trip, and something they could turn into a bigger European adventure (if they wanted to)?
We kept telling our families, our friends, and our wedding planner the same thing: “We want our wedding to feel like we’re on vacation with all of our favorite people.” And that’s exactly what it was. From Aperol spritzes by the pool to delicious Italian dinners under the stars, every moment felt like part of a dream we didn’t want to wake up from.
Being able to merge our wedding with a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience—especially in a place as magical as Puglia—was more than we ever could’ve hoped for. It wasn’t just a celebration; it was a shared memory with so many people that we love that we’ll all carry with us forever.
Our Wedding “Weekend”
Okay—technically, it wasn’t a weekend. We got married on a Wednesday (June 11th, 2025), but the few days we spent at Masseria Grieco felt like the most magical long weekend of our lives. Our guests arrived on Tuesday afternoon, welcomed with lots of hugs, Italian wine, and sunshine, and we all said our goodbyes after breakfast on Friday the 13th—our hearts full and suitcases maybe slightly lighter (from a few lost jackets and ties, lol).
Here’s how those unforgettable days unfolded:
Benvenuti: The Welcome Party
We kicked things off with a casual, wholesome welcome party that felt like the perfect start to the festivities after almost 18 months of planning. Set at the pool bar area behind the masseria, our Apulian BBQ was rustic and relaxed. Guests arrived in “elevated casual” euro summer attire: think color, linen, and sundresses, greeted with chilled wine and the golden glow of a Puglian sunset.
It wasn’t overly decorated, just simple and cozy. Exactly what I’d imagined. We enjoyed incredible grilled meats and vegetables, and plates piled high with tasty Apulian specialties. There was a sweet toast by Max’s dad, lots of laughter, and that unmistakable feeling of “this is really happening.” The night ended with a gelato cart and a quiet buzz of excitement for the day to come!
Matrimonio: The Wedding Day
Waking up on the morning of our wedding felt surreal. The sky was blue, the air was warm but not too hot, and everything just felt right. My bridesmaids and I got ready in the suite on the masseria’s upper floor with its own private stairway, the one Max & I called “home” for those few days. It overlooked the aperitivo site where our vendors started buzzing around below. Max was doors away, getting ready with his guys in his brother’s room, and I loved knowing we were both there, so close, surrounded by our tiny but mighty groups.
The ceremony took place at the back of the masseria, under a giant, gorgeous tree, our colorful florals blending so naturally into the setting. I walked down a grand staircase for a “princess moment”, my uncle married us in front of 53 of our nearest & dearest, we wrote our own “repeat after me” vows—emotional, a little funny, and very us. That moment and this day live rent-free in my heart forever.
The reception was held in the courtyard, lit by string lights and stars. The tables were long and full of color: lemons, fresh apricots, candles, and florals in pinks, peaches, and buttery yellow tones. We ate and danced and toasted and laughed until late into the night (midnight, to be exact). While it went by way too fast, there was no rush—just flow, joy, and so many smiles!
Recupero: Pizza & Pool Time
One of the best decisions we made was opting for that third night so we could host a laid-back pool day the afternoon following the wedding without everyone having to rush off. Everyone congregated around the masseria’s giant pool in swimsuits and sunglasses, ready for one more day of sunshine and celebration. There was handmade pizza, Aperol spritzes, and slow recovery time in the sun.
It gave us time to be with people—to soak in what had just happened, to say slow goodbyes before everyone parted ways the next morning.
A Few Favorite Details
There were so many small, meaningful touches woven throughout our weekend. Details that made the whole thing feel unmistakably ours. Like the handwritten playing cards my sister passed around for us instead of a traditional guest book, the limoncello + taralli welcome gifts, and the most beautiful seating chart display I could have dreamed of!
I didn’t change into a second look with a plan, but I did step out of my dress later in the evening and into something lighter—because the heat was no joke and the dancing was too good to miss. We didn’t do a bouquet toss, a guest book table, or traditional favors. We skipped on a lot of signage, almost entirely. And you know what? None of it was missed. Every choice felt intentional, and every moment felt whole.
Final Thoughts
Getting married in Puglia wasn’t just about the wedding but about slowing down and being present. It was the feeling you get during golden hour, stretched into three days, if you know what I mean. It was laughter echoing through olive trees, happy tears flowing, and late-night conversations with our favorite people. It was exactly what we wanted, and even more.
Now, Puglia isn’t just a dot on the map for us…it’s a feeling. A place we’ll return to again and again, chasing the memory of that perfect, sunny June day and the love that wrapped around us.
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