For couples dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy that feels like a holiday with all your favourite people.

Nestled among the rolling hills of Le Marche, Maniero Montecassiano is the kind of venue where wedding celebrations naturally stretch beyond a single day. Guests arrive, settle into the Italian rhythm of life, and before you know it, a wedding becomes an entire weekend of shared meals, long conversations, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

For Luuk & Evelien, that was exactly the vision.

On Thursday, I flew into Rome together with the two photographers. From the moment we met up at the airport, I knew this was going to be a special weekend. The kind where everyone instantly clicks, where laughter comes easily, and where the atmosphere feels relaxed long before the celebrations even begin.

And that feeling stayed throughout the entire wedding weekend.

This June, I had the pleasure of filming Luuk & Evelien’s wedding weekend at Maniero Montecassiano in Le Marche, Italy.

Why Maniero Montecassiano Stands Out

Nestled among the rolling hills of Le Marche, Maniero Montecassiano offers everything that makes a destination wedding in Italy feel magical. The historic villa combines Italian charm with a relaxed atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for a multi-day wedding celebration.

Here’s what makes it exceptional:

Fun is built into the venue
Unlike many traditional Italian villas, Maniero was designed for couples who want their guests to actually enjoy themselves. The estate features a private padel court, beach volleyball field, arcade hall, outdoor cinema, wellness area, and a 20-metre swimming pool. It’s one of those rare venues where guests never run out of things to do. 

The perfect balance between intimate and lively
The villa accommodates up to 18 guests on-site, while additional guests can stay nearby. This allows couples to create an intimate atmosphere without sacrificing the energy of a larger celebration. 

Le Marche instead of Tuscany
One of the biggest reasons couples choose this region is that it offers the same rolling hills, beautiful landscapes, and authentic Italian atmosphere that people love about Tuscany, but without the crowds and often without the same price tag.

Dutch owners who understand destination weddings
One of the biggest advantages for Dutch couples is that the venue is owned and managed by a Dutch couple. Communication feels effortless, expectations are understood, and there is always someone who can help bridge the gap between Dutch and Italian wedding culture.

For couples dreaming of an Italian destination wedding without the crowds often found in Tuscany, Maniero Montecassiano offers an incredible alternative.he hills, and every space has a distinct character that translates well on camera.

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Practical Tips for Planning a Wedding at Maniero Montecassiano

Guest accommodation
The villa itself sleeps up to 18 guests, making it ideal for immediate family and close friends. Additional guests can stay in nearby partner hotels, allowing everyone to stay close together throughout the weekend. 

Make use of the full weekend
Maniero really shines when couples embrace the three-day wedding concept. Plan a welcome evening, wedding day, and relaxed brunch or pool party afterwards. It creates far more opportunities to spend meaningful time with your guests. 

Lean into the activities
One thing I loved during Luuk and Evelien’s wedding was how naturally guests connected throughout the weekend. Whether it was chatting by the pool, playing games, or simply enjoying the Italian sunshine, the venue creates countless opportunities for interaction beyond the wedding itself. us spaces, the atmosphere of the group, and the beautiful landscape of Le Marche.

How to get to the location?

The nearest airport is Ancona, located approximately 40 minutes from the venue. Other popular options include Perugia, Bologna, and Rome, making the venue easily accessible for international guests. 

Best time to get married in Le Marche

Late spring and early autumn are particularly beautiful. The temperatures are ideal for outdoor ceremonies, long dinners under the stars, and poolside celebrations. June, when Luuk and Evelien got married, offered warm days, comfortable evenings, and beautiful golden light throughout the weekend.

A Musical Wedding Weekend in Italy:
Luuk & Evelien at Maniero Montecassiano

For Luuk and Evelien, music isn’t simply a hobby. It’s part of who they are.

Luuk is a professional guitarist, Evelien loves to sing, and many of their family members and friends are musicians themselves. It didn’t take long before that became one of the defining elements of the entire weekend.

Arrival Day: Welcome Drinks, Pizza & Live Music

Guests started arriving around 4 PM, making their way through the avenue lined with personal photographs.

Welcome drinks followed shortly afterwards before everyone gathered for a relaxed pizza party.

An Italian music trio provided live entertainment throughout the evening, but what happened next perfectly captured the spirit of this group. As soon as dinner ended, guests spontaneously began singing along. One guest even joined the trio to perform an Italian song himself.

What started as live background music quickly turned into a joyful celebration where everyone seemed to become part of the performance.

It was the perfect start to the weekend.

The Wedding Day at Maniero Montecassiano

The following morning began with breakfast in the olive grove. Guests gathered beneath the trees, enjoying a slow Italian morning together before preparations started.

Getting Ready & First Touch
Around noon, Luuk got ready together with his two best friends, who also served as his witnesses. Meanwhile, Evelien spent the morning with her mother, sister, and best friend.

One of the most emotional moments happened just before the ceremony. Rather than choosing a traditional first look, Luuk and Evelien opted for a first touch. Standing on opposite sides of a wall, they held hands and exchanged a few words without seeing each other. It allowed them to share a quiet moment together while still preserving the anticipation of seeing one another for the first time at the ceremony.

Ceremony with a View (16:00)
One of the most personal elements of the ceremony was the music. Rather than hiring external musicians, Luuk and Evelien chose to have their closest friends (who are musicians) perform live during the ceremony. As artists themselves, music has always played a huge role in their lives, and having their best friends provide the soundtrack to such an important moment made it feel even more meaningful. The ceremony was heartfelt, emotional, and full of laughter. Exactly reflecting who Luuk and Evelien are as a couple.

A personal recommendation from me as a wedding videographer: the ceremony was led by Pieter from Pieter Trouwt, and he is without a doubt one of the best celebrants I have ever had the pleasure of working with. What makes his ceremonies so special is that they never feel generic or scripted. Instead, every ceremony is thoughtfully crafted around the couple, making it deeply personal, creative, heartfelt, and filled with just the right amount of humour. In addition to being a celebrant, Pieter is also a talented singer and performed the song Luuk walked down the aisle to during the ceremony. It’s vendors like Pieter who elevate a wedding ceremony from something beautiful to watch into something truly unforgettable to experience.

Aperitivo & Golden Hour Portraits
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks and conversation while the celebrations continued. As sunset approached, Luuk and Evelien slipped away for a short portrait session. One of the things I always love about destination weddings is that couples often get a few quiet moments together during golden hour. Away from the dinner tables and the excitement of the day, they finally have a chance to take everything in.

Dinner Under the Italian Sky (18:30)
Dinner began as the evening light softened. Long tables, heartfelt speeches, incredible Italian food, and conversations that continued long after the plates had been cleared. It felt less like a wedding dinner and more like a summer evening shared among friends.

A Concert Instead of a First Dance (21:30)
Most weddings start the evening party with a first dance. Luuk and Evelien did something entirely different. Instead of stepping onto the dance floor, they stepped onto a stage. Together, they opened the party with a live performance of their own.

With so many musicians among their guests, it felt like the most natural choice imaginable. The performance immediately set the tone for the rest of the evening. And from that moment on, the dance floor never slowed down.

If there is one phrase that perfectly describes this group, it would be: absolute party animals.

Pool Party & Farewell Brunch

The following morning, guests gathered one final time for brunch before changing into swimwear and heading towards the pool.

What followed was exactly what a destination wedding weekend should be: relaxed conversations, sunshine, laughter, and one last opportunity to spend time together before everyone returned home.

By the end of the weekend, it felt like spending several days with a group of friends rather than documenting a wedding.

Exactly what destination weddings in Italy do best.

What Filming at Maniero Montecassiano Means for Your Wedding Story

From a filmmaking perspective, Maniero Montecassiano offers something I always look for in a destination wedding venue: variety.

Over the course of a single weekend, the story naturally unfolds across multiple spaces. The avenue lined with memories, breakfast in the olive grove, the ceremony overlooking the hills, dinner beneath the open sky, and the poolside celebrations afterwards.

Each location adds another layer to the story.

For Luuk and Evelien, this meant their wedding film became about far more than a ceremony. It became a reflection of an entire weekend shared with the people who matter most.

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Thinking About Getting Married at Maniero Montecassiano?

IIf you’re dreaming of:

• a multi-day wedding celebration in Italy
• rolling hills and beautiful countryside views
• a venue owned by Dutch hosts who understand international couples
• a relaxed atmosphere where guests can truly connect
• an unforgettable destination wedding weekend in Le Marche

… then Maniero Montecassiano might just be the perfect place.

For Luuk and Evelien, it was the ideal setting to combine everything they love: music, family, friendship, incredible food, and the joy of celebrating together over several unforgettable days.

Italy Wedding Videographer

If you’re planning a wedding in Le Marche, Tuscany, Lake Como, or anywhere else in Italy and want a wedding film that captures both how your day looked and how it felt, I’d love to help tell your story.

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