An Unforgettable Week at Engage!25 Tuscany: Celebrating the Business of Celebrations

Photo by Ben Finch

We are back from an unforgettable experience in Tuscany—and words can hardly capture the magic.

Engage!25 The Tuscany Experience at the breathtaking Castelfalfi, a luxurious resort nestled in the heart of Tuscany, was nothing short of extraordinary. From meaningful conversations to awe-inspiring design, every moment celebrated the artistry, heart, and soul of luxury events.

It was an honor to be a speaker on the main stage among some of the most talented creatives and innovators in the industry. This was more than just an event—it was a celebration of connection, creativity, and storytelling on a global scale.

Photo: Daniel Colvin

Photo: Ryan Lindsey

Photo: Daniel Colvin

Day 1: A Warm Tuscan Welcome

The week began with a stunning welcome celebration that immediately captured the spirit of Engage.

  • Thoughtfully curated gifting moments greeted us, filled with beautifully selected treasures.

  • The day's general sessions sparked inspiration, offering insights from some of the brightest minds in our industry.

  • Sunset cocktails overlooking the rolling Tuscan hills created the perfect setting to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones.

The breathtaking beauty of Castelfalfi set the perfect backdrop—an inspiring property ideal for weddings, birthdays, retreats, and private celebrations.

Photo: Ben Finch

Photo: Ben Finch

Photo: Cat Galletti

Photo: Daniel Colvin Photography

Day 2: Speaking on the Main Stage – The Business of Celebrations

The second day was especially meaningful as I had the immense honor of taking the main stage to share my heart on The Business of Celebrations—a subject deeply rooted in everything I do.

Photo: Daniel Colvin Photography

Speaking to a room full of talented creatives and trailblazers was an experience I will forever treasure. Together, we explored how intentionality, connection, and creativity shape the future of global celebrations.

Highlights from the Day:

  • Insights from industry luminaries like Beth Helmstetter, Milton Pedraza, and Rachel Birthistle & Taimar Birthistle Cooke of Lake Como Weddings.

  • An inspiring afternoon session featuring curated discussions on innovation, experience design, and legacy.

A heartfelt thank you to Engage Summits, Kathryn Arce, and Rebecca Grinnals for the opportunity, trust, and love.

Photo: Ben Finch

Photo: Ryann Lindsey

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

Photo: Daniel Colvin Photography

Day 2 (Continued): Nature’s Bounty and Bee-Inspired Beauty

The creativity continued into the afternoon with a garden-inspired lunch experience, celebrating nature’s harvest through towering vegetable sculptures and organic textures.

That evening, as the Tuscan sun dipped into the hills, we gathered for Sunset Cocktails and a Bee-Inspired Dinner.

  • The design paid homage to the brilliance of bees—golden hues, honeycomb motifs, and thoughtful storytelling woven into every detail.

  • It was a beautiful reminder that nature and celebration are deeply intertwined—a value we hold dear at Kesh Events.

Photo: Ryann Lindsey

Photo: Ben Finch

Photo: Ben Finch

Photo: HeatherWaraksa

Day 3: A Final Taste of Tuscany

The final day began with more impactful sessions and a beautiful poolside lunch under the Tuscan sun. Every element celebrated the effortless charm of Italian living—from vibrant flavors to layered textures and flowing florals.

The closing gala that night was a true masterpiece:

  • A Renaissance Reverie—an immersive celebration where we were swept into a living work of art.

  • Artful tablescapes, mesmerizing performances, and layers of storytelling culminated in a night that truly honored the spirit of Engage and the magic of Tuscany.

Bravo to the incredible creative team, including:

  • Vincenzo Dascanio – Event Design & Floral

  • TPD Design House – Art Direction & Branding

  • KL Luxury – Planning

  • ALR Music – Entertainment

  • Garrett Richardson, Heather Waraksa, and Ryann Lindsey – Photography

Celebrating the Beauty of Meaningful Gatherings

Every moment in Tuscany was a reminder that celebrations are powerful when they are rooted in beauty, meaning, and intention.

It reaffirmed what we deeply believe at Kesh Events:

  • Great celebrations are immersive journeys.

  • Design is about storytelling, not just aesthetics.

  • True hospitality touches the heart first—and then the senses.

If you are dreaming of an unforgettable destination celebration—whether a wedding, birthday, retreat, or intimate gathering— we would be honored to curate your experience with the same artistry, intentionality, and magic that Tuscany so perfectly embodied.

Photography: Lucy Munoz

Let’s Curate Your Global Celebration

Planning a destination wedding or celebration? Contact Kesh Events today to begin designing a celebration that’s as breathtaking as the places you dream of.

Akeshi Akinseye

Akeshi Akinseye is the founder and CEO of Kesh Events and is the leading expert in the wedding and event industry on all things celebrations.

She is widely regarded as One of the best Wedding planners in America by Brides, Top 5 wedding vendors in the world by WEDLUXE, top wedding planner in Chicago by PartySlate and more. 

Her insights and work have been featured in national publications like Brides, PartySlate, Modern Luxury Weddings, Inside Weddings, Yahoo, ESPN, New York Times etc and she appears regularly in media outlets like ABC, The Tribune and more.

She is the author of the best-selling book, The Art of Floral And Event Design” and founder and editor of celebrations and lifestyle magazine, The Art of Celebrating. Her creativity, keen eye, attention to detail and knack for perfection is what her clients love about her. She brings the art of creativity and personalization to every single event making her the best at what she does. Akeshi honors the individual styles of her clients and she continually strives to make every experience one to remember.

http://www.akeshiakinseye.com
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