In Val d’Orcia, autumn means many things. The countryside changes: the vines turn yellow and become long stretches of colour alternated with ploughed fields of brown. In the early morning, there is a light mist.

During the day, the air is limpid and crisp and it is pleasant to be outdoors, but the evening brings the desire to light the first fires in the fireplace, perhaps while sipping on a glass of Brunello di Montalcino. The chestnuts and porcini mushrooms of Monte Amiata, the truffles of San Giovanni d’Asso, and the extra-virgin olive oil that has just been pressed at the oil mill are the undisputed stars of the table.

The atmosphere of a fall wedding in the Val d’Orcia  is intimate and cozy: after a ceremony at a city hall or at a country parish church, it is wonderful to celebrate in a great hall, filled with candles. The decorations are organic, natural, with leaves, squash, branches and berries. The colours are warm, in shades of orange, red, and brown.

Some ideas? Choose an original bouquet: not just flowers, but berries and gifts from the forest. For escort cards, guests’ names can be written on big orange leaves, or small jars with nuts or acorns sprinkled with glitter. Decorate the table with candles, little pumpkins, or branches of wild rose. Choose a chocolate wedding cake, the latest trend being naked, without any icing or maybe just a layer of cream. Give your guests small personalized bottles of new olive oil or packets of spice cookies.