Roofless Revelry: A Tuscany Wedding at San Galgano Abbey

Grass aisles, terracotta vessels, and open Tuscan sky shaped a celebration where ancient stone and living landscape became indistinguishable.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:37am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of a single, iconic Tuscan wedding element, such as a terracotta planter or a glass of Italian wine, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that transforms the everyday into a celebratory work of art.The vibrant textures and colors of the Tuscan wedding celebration, captured in a bold, modern pop art style.Dallas Today

Vanessa and Danny's wedding unfolded across two locations in Tuscany (the roofless, cross-shaped San Galgano Abbey and Villa La Selva), each chosen for their capacity to hold history without heaviness. The abbey required no adornment, its stone walls and open sky allowed to preside uninterrupted. At the reception, terracotta pots spilled with greenery anchored the aperitivo space alongside structurally considered furniture, while a long, dramatic table ran the length of the room, adorned by thick linen and threaded with green florals, fresh fruit, and candlelight.

Why it matters

The couple's wedding design choices, from the grass aisle in the abbey to the timeless, elegant reception, reflected their desire to create a celebration that felt entirely in harmony with the historic venues and the natural Tuscan landscape, resulting in a day that was both deeply meaningful and visually stunning.

The details

For the ceremony at the roofless San Galgano Abbey, a grass aisle was laid directly onto the gravel floor, with tall grasses and lush greenery lining the approach. The altar remained bare, allowing the ruin's architecture to shine. At the reception at Villa La Selva, terracotta pots spilled with greenery anchored the aperitivo space, and a long, dramatic table was draped in thick linens and lined with green florals, fresh fruit, and candlelight.

  • The wedding took place on September 3rd, 2025.
  • The couple got engaged on March 22nd.

The players

Vanessa Gerstner

The bride, who is from Germany and worked as a fashion content creator.

Danny Hovelsrud

The groom, who is from the U.S.

Rebekah Soto

The photographer, whose work captured the emotion and details of the day.

Tash

The videographer, whose artistic style created a magical, movie-like feel for the couple's wedding videos.

Leah Da Gloria

The designer of the bride's ceremony dress.

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What they’re saying

“Danny just has this way of making everything feel special and fun. A quick trip to the grocery store, slow mornings making coffee at home, taking our dog to the park, somehow he turns all of it into something filled with laughter, joy, and intention.”

— Vanessa

“I love the way she loves, not just me, but life itself and everyone lucky enough to be around her. The depth of her heart, her relentless curiosity, and the way she throws herself into everything with purpose and passion is something rare, something to admire.”

— Danny

The takeaway

The couple's wedding design choices, from the grass aisle in the abbey to the timeless, elegant reception, reflected their desire to create a celebration that felt entirely in harmony with the historic venues and the natural Tuscan landscape, resulting in a day that was both deeply meaningful and visually stunning.