Villa Ulivello · Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
Oliver
A long table beneath the olive trees
Together with their families
Oliver James Hart
invite you to share a long table
at their wedding in the hills of Tuscany
at half past four in the afternoon
Villa Ulivello
Pienza, Siena · Tuscany
Three days in Tuscany
Spritz and pecorino at Bar del Corso in Pienza, from seven. Come as you are.
Vows in the olive grove at half past four, then supper at the long table until late.
A slow farewell lunch by the pool at the villa, from one o'clock.
Our Story
“It began with a borrowed corkscrew at a supper club in Islington, and it ends, for now, at a long table in Tuscany.”
Francesca grew up between Florence and London; Oliver grew up in Bath and can now order coffee in Italian. Here is the short version of a long, happy story.
At a friend's supper club, Oliver was the only guest who had brought a corkscrew. Francesca borrowed it, then his number.
She took him home to meet her grandmother, who fed him for three days straight and declared him troppo magro.
A terraced house, a lemon tree that refuses to fruit, and a table that seats twelve if nobody minds elbows.
Sunset in an olive grove near Pienza, a picnic, a bottle of Brunello and a ring that was his grandmother's.
Moments in the sun
Share yours with #BelliniHartWedding
The Day
Everything happens at Villa Ulivello, so once you arrive you can stay put. Here is how the day unfolds, from vows in the grove to dancing under the pergola.
Elderflower spritz on the terrace as you arrive.
A short ceremony beneath the oldest trees on the hill.
Small bites, toasts and the view across the valley.
Four courses under the pergola. Speeches with dessert.
Fig and olive-oil cake, with a little vin santo.
Then the band, and the dancing, until late.
Shuttles to Pienza and the hotels leave from the gate.
Garden formal
Linen suits or light tailoring; long or midi dresses in the colours of the table below. Wear what makes you feel wonderful at golden hour.
Heels sink in the grove: block heels or flats, please. Evenings cool after nine, so bring a wrap.
The wedding party
Stay
Villa Ulivello sits on a hill between Pienza and Montepulciano, in the Val d'Orcia. Fly into Florence or Rome, hire a car, and follow the cypress trees.
Getting there
Tuscany rewards the slow road. Leave time for a long lunch on the way.
Florence (FLR) is closest, about 1 hr 50 by car. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) has more flights and is 2 hr 30 away.
Take the Florence to Rome line to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. We'll send cars for the 2:10 pm arrival on Saturday.
You'll want one for the hill towns. Parking is free in the field below the villa, signposted from the SP146.
Strada di Ulivello 7
53026 Pienza (SI), Italia
Where to stay
Twelve rooms at the venue, held for family first. Ask us before you book.
A former convent in Pienza's old town, ten minutes away. Use the code BELLINIHART.
A farm stay with a pool and its own olive oil, fifteen minutes down the road.
Simple, central and a short stroll from Friday's aperitivo.
A wine-country inn in Montepulciano, twenty minutes. Rooms held until 1 June.
Let us know if you can join us at the table, and tell us about any allergies or dietary needs.
Good to know
Anything else? Write to Giulia, our sister, maid of honour and unofficial planner, at giulia@belliniHart.it
We love your little ones, but this is an adults-only celebration. The villa can recommend local sitters.
Mid-September is warm by day, around 25°C, and cool after dark. Bring a wrap for supper.
Your invitation names everyone we have saved a seat for at the table.
The old limonaia, the villa's lemon house, is ready for the vows and the supper alike.
Not a word. Grazie and salute will carry you a very long way.
Yes: from Pienza at 3:45 pm, and back from the villa gate between 11 pm and 1 am.
Phones away during the vows, please. After that, snap all you like.
Gifts
Having you at our table is the gift. If you would like to give something more, we are saving for a honeymoon in Sicily, and for a few things for our kitchen in Bath.
Granita, ferries and a week on the island of Salina.
Copper pans, a proper pasta board and good olive oil.
A presto, and thank you for coming all this way.