Italian Wedding

My first wedding in Italy was in Florence, with the reception at a Tuscan villa in Fiesole overlooking the city and the hills of Tuscany, so it's no surprise that the food was amazing as well. First came cocktails and appetizers, served by the pool in the grand backyard:

Drinks offered were white and red wine, Prosecco, and a cocktail made from fragole (fresh strawberries) and sparkling wine - light and refreshing. The bride and groom hand personalized labels on the wine bottles:

Then came the antipasto (appetizers.) A block of prosciutto, shaved to order, crostini with olive tapenade or anchovies, and fresh mozzarella served alongside a light tomato gelée in the shape of a rose:

Passed antipasto included fried zucchini flowers and sage, crispy golden and light and airy, you could eat a dozen, they were so good. Then came the dinner, served buffet style with an outdoor grill for meat made to order. For dinner guests sat, self seating, at tables on the terrace overlooking the city and hills beyond:

Bottles of red and white wine at each table, and floral centerpieces. For dinner the primi was ricotta gnocchi, soft light clouds, in a saffron cream sauce, and sauteed zucchini ribbons with oregano.

They also offered a Tuscan rice dish with eggplant, red peppers, peas, smothered in melted cheese. At the mixed grill they had spicy sausage (cooked rare the way the Florentines like their meat) and prime ribs on the bone. Dinner was a casual affair - eat as much as you want, whichever dishes you choose, and taking time to enjoy the meal.

Then came the cake: a classic Italian torta made from hundreds of pastries piled high and overflowing with whipped cream:

The cake was served with a strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries, and of course Prosecco. The dessert buffet also offered little cups of light mousse-cream topped with chocolate ganache, small chocolate espresso cakes (like Italian brownies on crack), candied orange peels dipped in dark chocolate, boxes of fresh cherries and strawberries, and candied marcona almonds (also in the parting favors.) Espresso was made to order to enjoy with dessert, or more wine if desired. Naturally I sampled every dessert offered and it was all incredibly good, the perfect conclusion to a fantastic Italian meal. The first of my Italian wedding experiences, it was a night I'll never forget.