Villa Febea

Wedding Day

The Chapel

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

It all began on a lively night out in Ponsonby, when Matt walked across a crowded dive bar alley way and, with a grin, told Claire, “You’re a bit of a babe.” That one bold line turned into hours of laughter and conversation with friends that carried on well past closing time. By the end of the night, Matt was certain - he told his friend, Dave, he was going to make Claire his girlfriend.Their first date was at an open mic night in Kingsland, where they shared $6 burgers, wine, and music under the glow of fairy lights. From that night on, the conversation never stopped, and their connection only deepened.Years later, in Queenstown, Matt surprised Claire with a riverside proposal on the banks of the Shotover. With mountains rising in the distance, a picnic spread of charcuterie and bubbles, and a secret photographer ready to capture it all, he asked her to be his forever. Claire said yes, and the moment became one of their most treasured memories.Now, they can’t wait to begin the next chapter - celebrating their love surrounded by the Tuscan olive groves and vineyards, with the people they hold dearest.

every chapter, together

Our Story

Our Engagement Photos

So... What's the plan?

Firstly, welcome to Chiusi - a small town in the Province of Siena, Tuscany. A town filled with history, tunnels, catacombs - and surrounded by beautiful olive groves, vineyards and farmland. The Città di Chiusi is easily accessible by car, exit A1 highway Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, and by train, Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station. We will have a vehicle and are happy to organise pick ups from public transport nearby. If this is your preference, please let us know ahead of time. On the weekend of our arrival, La Festa dell'uva e del vino will be occurring in the towns centre. The oldest grape festival in the region, taking place on the last Sunday of September each year. The festival is known for grape stomping, its spectacular parade of allegorical floats, music, and dances. Chiusi offers rich historical activities centered on its Etruscan past, like exploring the Labyrinth of Porsenna, underground passages, and the National Archaeological Museum, plus visiting the ancient San Secondiano Cathedral, discovering Etruscan tombs (Tomba della Scimmia), enjoying local food (pici pasta!), and experiencing Tuscan scenery, with options for wine tasting and outdoor strolls

What's included?

We understand the huge undertaking people are endeavouring to fly to the other side of the world to celebrate a wedding. On this basis and to alleviate some of the pressures, we have covered the following items: - accommodation for all guests- welcome wines- daily breakfast buffet for all guests- exclusive use of the private pool and hot tub- the Wedding Day 3 course dinner and charcuterie- alcohol on the day of our wedding There are some shared costs that you may opt in or opt out of when you RSVP that are either additional extras, or things you may prefer to sort yourselves. These items are as listed: - Pizza Night is $25.00NZD for those who wish to participate on the first night. We will be ordering pizza from the local Pizzeria and bringing it back to the accomodation to enjoy by the pool. You may opt out and organise your own dinner for this night if you so choose. - Lunch for 3 days will be local produce purchased from local bakeries and deli for people to make their own sandwiches and snacks back at the accommodation. Dinner will be a large batch of spaghetti bolognese for Monday night. For the full 3 days' lunches, and one night dinner this will be $75.00NZD per person. You may opt out and organise your own lunches for the duration of your stay, and dinner for Monday evening if you so choose. - The cheese and wine pairing on Wednesday 30 Sept is completely optional. This cost is $140.00NZD per person for those who may wish to participate. - Dinner at a local restaurant on our last night. This cost is approximately 30-40Euro per person. You may opt out if you would prefer to organise your own dinner on this evening. - Any additional alcohol you may wish to consume whilst on holiday

itinerary

Sunday 27 September 2026 3:00pmArrive at Villa Febea and unpack belongings into your assigned rooms. Relax, explore the grounds. 4:30pm - complimentaryEnjoy a welcome glass of the regions wine 6:30pm - optionalEnjoy fresh pizza from the local pizzeria by the pool. Relax, enjoy your first night in Tuscany Monday 28 September 2026 8:00am - 10:00am - complimentaryEnjoy breakfast made by our on-site chef. Every morning in the charming breakfast room with the outside patio, a wholesome breakfast with traditional products of the region will be prepared for all guests. A staff member will be there to prepare yummy coffee - Italian famous cappuccino - with a buffet breakfast at your disposal. The buffet includes freshly baked croissants, local cheeses, ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit , cakes, juices and yogurt. Pool DayEnjoy the ground, the pool, have some beers, enjoy the rolling hills and fresh air of Tuscany. 1:00pm - optionalLunch. A variety of fresh breads, cheeses, relishes and deli goods will be available to make sandwiches. 3:30pmPreparations (set up of tables, chairs, decor etc) will be made for our wedding the following day. 6:00pm - optionalBoys are on dinner tonight. Ingredients to whip up a large serving of spaghetti bolognese will be available for the men to cook up a feast for all guests. All to assist with the clean up. Relaxing evening, either in the spa, or spending time with one another over a glass of vino. Tuesday 29 September 2026 - Our Wedding Day Today's the day! 8:00am - 10:00am - complimentaryEnjoy breakfast made by our on-site chef. Every morning in the charming breakfast room with the outside patio, a wholesome breakfast with traditional products of the region will be prepared for all guests. A staff member will be there to prepare yummy coffee - Italian famous cappuccino - with a buffet breakfast at your disposal. The buffet includes freshly baked croissants, local cheeses, ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit , cakes, juices and yogurt. 11:00amHair and Make up to commence. Bridal party to begin getting ready for the wedding. 1:00pm - optionalLunch. A variety of fresh breads, cheeses, relishes and deli goods will be available to make sandwiches. 1:00pmPhotographer to arrive 1:30pmGuests may begin getting ready for the ceremony 2:45pmGuests begin to make their way to the ceremony area 3:00pm - Wedding CeremonyAt this stage, all guests should be seated in the ceremony area, and the groom and groomsmen at the altar with the Celebrant. 3:45pm - complimentaryCeremony will finish. Photos of the Bride &amp; Groom will take place, while guests enjoy wine, cocktails and charcuterie provided by our on site chef. 5:00pm - complimentaryBride &amp; Groom will join guests for a celebratory drink 5:30pmGuests invited to take their seats for speeches 6:30pm - complimentaryDinner to commence 7:30pm - complimentaryCut the tiramisu! And eat it, of course. 8:30pm - First Dance, and open up the dancefloor get lit fam. complimentary ;) Wednesday 30 September 2026 8:00am - 10:00am - complimentaryEnjoy breakfast made by our on-site chef. Every morning in the charming breakfast room with the outside patio, a wholesome breakfast with traditional products of the region will be prepared for all guests. A staff member will be there to prepare yummy coffee - Italian famous cappuccino - with a buffet breakfast at your disposal. The buffet includes freshly baked croissants, local cheeses, ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit , cakes, juices and yogurt. Relax, recover. 1:00pm - optionalLunch. A variety of fresh breads, cheeses, relishes and deli goods will be available to make sandwiches. 3:00pm - optionalCheese &amp; Wine Pairing 5:00pm - optionalBegin making preparations to head into town for dinner 6:00 - 6:30pm - optionalMake way into Chiusi township for dinner via taxi 7:00pm - optionalDinner at Trattoria del Contadino, an 8 minute drive, or 55 minute walk from the accommodation. Thursday 1 October 2026 8:00am - 10:00am - complimentaryEnjoy breakfast made by our on-site chef. Every morning in the charming breakfast room with the outside patio, a wholesome breakfast with traditional products of the region will be prepared for all guests. A staff member will be there to prepare yummy coffee - Italian famous cappuccino - with a buffet breakfast at your disposal. The buffet includes freshly baked croissants, local cheeses, ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit , cakes, juices and yogurt. Pack bags, enjoy the rest of your travels. 10:00am - Check out.

Itinerary

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

A "formal/cocktail" dress code means semi-formal, elegant evening wear – think polished dresses (knee-length to floor-length gowns) or dressy separates (jumpsuits, silk tops with tailored trousers) for women, paired with heels/clutches; and suits (dark/navy) with a dress shirt, tie, and smart shoes (loafers, oxfords) for men, balancing sophistication with a touch of fun. It's dressier than business casual but less strict than black-tie, allowing luxurious fabrics, subtle shimmer, and personal flair.

Dress Code

How to get there

"Villa Febea” (also called Tenuta Villa Febea) is located near Chiusi / Chiusi-Chianciano Terme in southern Tuscany. To reach it, your best options depend on where you start (e.g. Rome, Florence, Milan, etc.). Below is a breakdown of routes from major cities, and tips to make the journey as smooth as possible. Key transport nodes &amp; local tipsBefore looking at routes, here are a few useful facts: The main railway station to aim for is Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, on the Florence–Rome line. Chiusi is accessible by regional and intercity trains; direct connections exist from Florence. The Siena–Chiusi line also exists (single track, slower) servicing the region. By car, Chiusi is conveniently reached via the A1 motorway (exit “Chiusi-Chianciano Terme”) and is about 90 minutes from Florence, a bit over two hours from Rome. Once in Chiusi, local buses (FT2, FT4, FT5, FT9, T61) serve stops within walking distance of Villa Febea. Public transport in rural Tuscany can be limited; many travelers recommend a rental car for the “last mile.” Suggested routes from major citiesHere are efficient ways to reach Village Febea from various Italian cities: Depart from RomeTake train from Rome (Termini or other) towards Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. Then local bus or taxi to Villa Febea. Approximately 4hr 30min including transfers.Alternatively, one can drive (approx. 1hr 50 if you hire a car) Depart from FlorenceDirect (or regional) train Florence → Chiusi. Then local transfer (bus/taxi) to Villa Febea. Some direct trains take ~1h 3m.From Chiusi, local buses (FT-lines), taxi, or walking if close. Practical tips &amp; “last leg” strategy: Check train schedules in advance — especially regional ones, which may not run frequently. Consider renting a car (even just for the final leg) because rural bus routes may be sparse, and a car gives you flexibility. Villa Febea — Villa Febea does in some circumstances offer a pick up service from local stations at a cost. Please find more information on this here: From Chiusi station to Villa Febea — the villa is quite close to bus stops in Chiusi (Chiusi Città-La Pesa, etc.). Walking or a short taxi is feasible. Stay flexible with timing especially in off-peak hours or weekends, when rural services may reduce frequency. Final note: No doubt - we will be collaborating with some folks on our planning, so likely will be joining others on a commute to the venue. We will keep everyone updated with our plans for this, should anybody like to join us.

It is a pleasure and an honour to gather with our closest family and friends to share this extraordinary life experience, and an exchange of vows of the deepest love between two people. As a thanks to our guests for travelling for our wedding, the accommodation and venue expenses are on us. There is no need for you to book accommodation for this event. Please note - wedding gifts are not required. Your presence is more than enough and we are very grateful for the efforts everyone is making to show up for us. We can't wait to welcome you all as we enter the next chapter of our lives together.

Travel

our travel plans so far...

While we haven't yet mapped out what our entire trip will look like, it will be something along the lines of this: note: we have additional accommodation in Munich for anybody who would like to join us for Oktoberfest 17-20 Sept. Tuesday 15 SeptemberFly to Singapore Thursday 17 SeptemberSingapore &gt; Munich Friday 18 SeptemberRecover, explore Munich Saturday 19 SeptemberOktoberfest Sunday 20 SeptemberMunich &gt; Bolzano Monday 21 SeptemberDolomites Tuesday 22 SeptemberDolomites Wednesday 23 SeptemberBolzano &gt; Riva del Garda Thursday 24 SeptemberRiva del Garda Friday 25 SeptemberRiva del Garda &gt; Florence Saturday 26 SeptemberFlorence - picking up wedding florals and vases. Sunday 27 SeptemberFlorence - pick up rental carFlorence &gt; Villa Febea, ChiusiWine Festival Monday 28 SeptemberVilla Febea Tuesday 29 SeptemberOur Wedding Day Wednesday 30 SeptemberRecovery Thursday 1 OctoberVilla Febea &gt; Rome Friday 2 OctoberRome Saturday 3 OctoberRome

Matthew & Claire

Matthew & Claire

Our Engagement Photos