For couples dreaming of an unforgettable destination wedding in Italy.

Villa Marsi is one of those places where things don’t feel rushed. Guests arrive, settle in, and slowly become part of the setting. For Jos & Laura, that sense of ease was exactly what they were looking for: time with family and friends, rolling Italian hills as a backdrop, and, of course, incredible Italian food.

Owned and curated by Dutch couple Sandor and Christa, Villa Marsi combines Italian charm with Dutch practicality. It was here that I joined Jos & Laura for three days of celebration.

From our very first meeting, Jos & Laura knew they didn’t want a wedding film that felt staged or overly directed. They were looking for something honest and documentary.

“We wanted everything to be as pure as possible,” they share. “Not only focused on us, but also from our perspective and through the eyes of the people around us.”

And that just happens to be exactly the kind of film I create.

Looking back, the films became more than a record of their wedding weekend. They became a way to revisit the emotions, the atmosphere, and the people who made those three days in Italy so special.

“We’re so happy we brought Ellen with us. Not only because of the final result, but also because she’s such a warm, humble, and lovely person to have around.”

And perhaps the best compliment came at the very end:

“Ellen, thank you! Our anniversary is on June 14th, 2030… can you keep that date available already?”

This June, I had the pleasure of filming the multi-day destination wedding of Jos & Laura. What unfolded over the course of three days felt less like a traditional wedding and more like a shared experience.

Why Villa Marsi Stands Out

Villa Marsi sits among the gently rolling hills of Le Marche and immediately feels private and relaxed. It’s a venue designed for a multi-day wedding, with different areas for each part of the celebration: the pool for a lively party, the open lawn for the ceremony, and the tree-lined terrace for dinner.

Here’s what makes it exceptional:

• It feels personal from the moment you arrive: With Dutch owners on-site who speak Dutch, English and Italian, communication is easy and local vendors are well coordinated.
• The food is exceptional: Chef Sandor ensures every meal is memorable. From pizza parties to gourmet dinners, the food is consistently outstanding.
• The layout supports multi-day weddings: Pool area, ceremony spot, dinner under the trees, a separate forested party area. Each part of the weekend has its own place.
• The surroundings do the work for you: Rolling hills, open views, and reliable evening light make it visually strong without needing much added styling.

For Dutch couples planning a destination wedding in Italy, Villa Marsi offers something rare: an Italian setting that still feels familiar and well-organised.

From a videography perspective, the layout makes capturing a weekend wedding much easier. The light in the late afternoon naturally highlights the hills, and every space has a distinct character that translates well on camera.

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Practical Tips for Planning a Wedding at Villa Marsi

Guest count
Villa Marsi works best for intimate weddings. Jos & Laura had around 40–50 guests, which suited the space perfectly.

• Overnight capacity: up to 55 guests
• Catering possible up to 100 guests

Timing & light
Golden hour in Le Marche is consistently beautiful here. Plan time to step into the surrounding hills, there’s a specific spot I always recommend.

Vendors
I worked alongside photographer Cheryll, who is calm, experienced, and excellent at making people feel at ease while knowing exactly when to step in (or step back). She has also photographed several weddings here already and knows Villa Marsi well.

By now, I have also filmed multiple weddings at Villa Marsi myself, and every time it stands out how versatile the location is. Even though it’s the same venue, each wedding feels completely different because of the various spaces, the atmosphere of the group, and the beautiful landscape of Le Marche.

How to get to the location?

For Villa Marsi, the most convenient airport to fly into is Bologna Airport (BLQ). From there, it’s approximately a 1.5-hour drive to the villa.

Best time to get married in Le Marche

The best time to get married in Le Marche is during late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September). In late spring, the rolling hills turn vibrant green and the famous yellow broom flowers (ginestre) bloom across the countryside. Temperatures are warm but pleasant, perfect for outdoor ceremonies and long dinners under the open sky. Early autumn offers soft golden light, comfortable weather, and a relaxed atmosphere after the peak summer season. Ideal for a romantic Italian celebration.

An Italian Wedding:
Jos & Laura at Villa Marsi

Jos & Laura didn’t want their wedding to be about one moment. They wanted time. Time to arrive, to catch up, to celebrate, and to slow down again. That approach shaped the entire weekend.

Arrival and Pool Party

Guests arrived under the warm Italian sun, and were welcomed with a toast to kick off the weekend. The pool party followed soon after. Guests arrived in costume (very on-brand for Jos, aka “Macho Man”), and it quickly became clear that this group knows how to celebrate. Laughter, music, and movement filled the pool area.

Later that evening:

• Pizza by Chef Sandor: Freshly made in the villa’s outdoor oven
• Evening around the campfire: ending the night with homemade limoncello

The Wedding Day at Villa Marsi

Saturday began slowly, with breakfast by the pool. Before preparations began, guests were surprised with an aquarobics session, led by the officiant who also happens to teach it professionally.

First Look (15:00)
Jos and Laura shared their first look on the open hilltop overlooking the surrounding landscape. After their private moment together, their children joined them for a second first look, turning it into a family moment before the ceremony.

Ceremony (16:00)
The ceremony took place on an open clearing overlooking the rolling hills of Le Marche. It was officiated by Eva Schuurmans; without exaggeration, one of the best officiants I’ve worked with.

The ceremony was personal, humorous, and emotionally grounded. Instead of thanking only a few selected people, Jos and Laura chose to acknowledge everyone present. There were no “sides” to the seating, no bride’s side or groom’s side. As they explained it themselves, their lives are too intertwined for that. Their family and friends are not his or hers, but theirs, together.

Tip from the videographer: if you’re looking for an officiant who can keep a ceremony personal, light, and emotionally grounded without it becoming heavy, Eva Schuurmans is exceptional.

Aperitivo (17:00)
A champagne tower marked the start of the aperitivo, accompanied by a live Italian trio.

Dinner (19:30)
Dinner was served at long tables set alongside the villa, under the trees. The guests welcomed Jos & Laura with waving napkins as they arrived. Speeches from friends and family were personal and warm, with just the right balance of humor and emotion.

Evening Celebration (22:00)
Music, dancing, like I said: they clearly know how to party.

Goodbye Brunch

What Filming at Villa Marsi Means For Your Wedding Story

From a filmmaking perspective, Villa Marsi offers something rare: space and rhythm. The venue isn’t designed around one central spot, but around a series of places where the weekend naturally unfolds: by the pool, along the villa, in the open clearing for the ceremony, etc.

For Jos & Laura, this meant their story could be told in layers. Quiet moments in the afternoon, the intimacy of the ceremony, long conversations at the dinner table, and unfiltered celebration later that night.

Because Villa Marsi is set within the landscape rather than apart from it, the surroundings become part of the story without overpowering it. The rolling hills, warm tones, and open views frame the people, not the other way around.

Why Video Mattered So Much to Jos & Laura

Jos & Laura placed real value on having their wedding captured on film. They’ve already lost people close to them, and being able to see everyone together felt important.

They even chose to add a full documentary edit, for their 6 month anniversary. The weekend had gone by quickly, and they wanted to be able to return to it.

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Thinking About a Wedding at Villa Marsi?

If you’re dreaming of:

• a ceremony with open views across the rolling hills of Le Marche
• a Tuscan feel, without the crowds
• great food prepared on-site by someone who knows the kitchen inside out
• hosts who make you, your guests, and your vendors feel genuinely welcome
• Dutch hosts who understand your expectations and the Italian way of working

… then Villa Marsi might just be your perfect place.

For Jos & Laura, it was more than just a beautiful setting. It gave them the space to spend three full days with the people they love, without having to rush from one moment to the next.

And now, they can go back to those three days whenever they want.

“Every time we watch the videos, we see something new. Things we missed, moments we had forgotten, or reactions we never saw because there was simply so much happening.”

That, to me, is one of the most special things about a wedding film. You get to relive not only what you experienced yourself, but also everything that happened around you.

Italy Wedding Videographer

Looking for a videographer who already knows Villa Marsi well, or simply want some honest inside info about the venue or getting married in Italy and what a wedding weekend here is really like? Feel free to get in touch.

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