There are events that impress, and then there are events that definitely transform. Engage!25: The Tuscany Experience was nothing short of the latter — an extraordinary celebration of creativity, connection, and the magic of Tuscany. Set in the rolling hills and ancient beauty of Castelfalfi, just an hour outside of Florence, this immersive summit brought together wedding industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across 18 countries for three unforgettable days of inspiration, networking, and artful storytelling.At the heart of it all, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the powerhouse founders of Engage!, Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce. Their vision and unwavering commitment to elevating the wedding and event industry have created more than a conference — they’ve built a movement. Through their tireless dedication, Engage! has become a global community where professionals not only grow their businesses but also form lasting friendships, discover new creative possibilities, and find true joy in what they do. We are huge fans of the way they continue to push the industry forward and bring us all along with them.
At the Engage!25: The Tuscany Experience, from the very first moment, Castelfalfi offered more than just a venue — it was a canvas. A majestic hilltop village turned luxury estate, the property seamlessly marries centuries-old charm with modern elegance. With sprawling vineyards, olive groves, cobblestone paths, and panoramic views that seem to stretch into forever, Castelfalfi is the epitome of Tuscany’s timeless beauty — and the perfect setting for the magic that unfolded.
Engage!25 The Tuscany Experience was masterfully brought to life by the iconic Vincenzo Dascanio, whose artistic direction elevated every moment into a living, breathing experience. From the incredible decor at the vibrant “Bee Beauty” dinner, where golden hues and hexagonal geometry paid homage to the brilliance of the beehive, to the striking “Rooted in Colors” lunch — a visual feast of Tuscan harvest bursting with bold vegetables sculpted into art — to the jaw-dropping Renaissance-inspired gala night, every element of Engage!25: The Tuscany Experience was transformed into an unforgettable visual story. Dascanio’s ability to weave nature, art, and history into multisensory experiences is unmatched. At Engage!25, he didn’t just decorate spaces — he turned them into immersive worlds.
The branding and visual identity, created by the exceptional team at TPD Design House, drew inspiration from Castelfalfi’s rich heritage, blending rustic authenticity with contemporary sophistication.
No detail was spared when it came to gifting. Guests were welcomed with incredible and luxurious gifts including a handcrafted leather borse, bespoke bottles of Castelfalfi wine and olive oil and the estate’s beloved Colomba cake by Chef Michele Rinaldi. Each gift told a story of local craftsmanship, terroir, and heart — a true taste of Tuscany.
The opening session was an homage to the Renaissance itself. A setting alive with marble, terracotta, and the scent of well-worn leather, it evoked the textures and tones of Tuscany’s golden age. It was the perfect stage for thought-provoking talks and heartfelt discussions that sparked both professional insight and personal reflection.
At Il Rosmarino, the lunch experience was transformed into an unforgettable, multi-sensory celebration of Tuscany’s agricultural soul. The concept, aptly named “Nature’s Palette,” was imagined by Vincenzo Dascanio as a living market — and it truly came alive in color, form, and flavor.
Guests dined beneath a sun-drenched glass canopy surrounded by meticulously arranged pyramids of fresh produce. From sculpted towers of Romanesco broccoli to cascading rows of carrots, radicchio, eggplants, onions and vivid green peppers, every element was not only edible, but artfully displayed as installation. A towering vegetable tree anchored the space, while rows of long wooden tables were styled with playful centerpieces: terracotta towers of tomatoes, miniature ceramic roosters and the most creative menu sitting atop each place setting.
The atmosphere was joyful and rustic — a true ode to the earth’s abundance that blended the visual vibrancy of a traditional Tuscan mercato with the refinement of high design. From farm to fork, every detail reminded guests that beauty often begins in the soil and that luxury can be rooted in authenticity.
The welcome party, Lucienta: A Journey Through the Ethereal World, was pure theatrical brilliance. Inspired by Dante’s Divina Commedia, the experience led guests through Castelfalfi’s historic Borgo, mirroring a symbolic journey from darkness to light. Ambient lighting, immersive soundscapes, and interactive vignettes transported attendees into a realm between reality and myth, setting the tone for an event that was deeply rooted in story and sensation.
Attendees had the chance to immerse themselves in over 40 unique activities — from truffle hunting and falconry, to olfactory workshops, eco-printing and tree-top adventures. Whether walking the Heritage Trail or tasting olive oil under the Tuscan sun, every moment was an invitation to slow down, connect and awaken the senses.
One of the most unforgettable moments of Engage!25 The Tuscany Experience was the mesmerizing “Bee Beauty” dinner — a visionary design triumph that celebrated the geometry, symbolism and brilliance of the beehive. Held beneath a glass canopy that opened to the Tuscan sky, with larger-than-life sculptural honeycomb wings suspended above the dining room like an ethereal swarm in motion. Hexagonal motifs echoed throughout — from the textured gold vases to the honeycomb-paneled bar and the pendant lanterns overhead, all radiating a warm, golden hue that brought the design full circle. Each table was adorned with rich black velvet chairs and gold-accented linens, grounded by vibrant yellow poppy arrangements that added a sunlit, organic elegance. Even the custom plates, embossed with laser-cut bee designs, paid tribute to the theme — featuring a menu delicately printed across honeycomb textures, as though laid out by the bees themselves.This was not just a dinner — it was an immersive, multisensory tribute to the bee as creator, architect, and alchemist. The design captured not only the structural beauty of the hive but the deeper symbolism of community, transformation, and connection — a perfect mirror of what Engage! embodies.
The final night of Engage!25 The Tuscany Experience was nothing short of a theatrical masterpiece — a spellbinding immersion into the world of the Italian Renaissance, staged with the breathtaking artistry. Set against the timeless backdrop of Castelfalfi, the gala dinner transported guests not just to another place, but to another era. From the moment guests stepped into the room, they were enveloped in a dreamscape where Renaissance paintings quite literally came alive. Grand architectural backdrops, inspired by the frescoes of Florence, set the tone. Chandeliers dripping in greenery and blooms descended from the ceiling, while floral arrangements of purple irises and soft greenery cascaded from above and across candlelit tables.
The tablescapes were a work of fine art in themselves — gold-rimmed glassware, baroque charger plates, and vintage-style chairs invited guests to dine as if in a Medici palace. Gilded frames and ornate mirrors, both upright and suspended, created a surreal play on depth and perspective. In a stroke of genius, living portraits — actors emerging from the frames — turned the room into a gallery of motion and life. Each table was anchored by classical artworks reimagined as part of the decor, bringing Botticelli’s muses and Renaissance icons into direct conversation with the evening’s guests. The interplay between light, texture, and human presence gave the evening a sense of magic — where every glance revealed a new detail, every corner held a secret waiting to be discovered. This gala was not just a dinner. It was a sensory journey through time, where history, art, and imagination collided in spectacular fashion. A breathtaking culmination to an unforgettable experience, it embodied everything Engage! stands for — creativity, connection, and moments that linger long after the last toast.
Engage! Summits has always been about connection, creativity and unforgettable destinations — and this year, Tuscany certainly had it all and attendeed left with the most incredible experiences.
Until next time… arrivederci!
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