Last September I had the privilege to be flown to the stunning Italian country side of Perugia to photograph the gorgeous wedding of Clive & Emma.
The venue was a captivating villa that was situated deep in the heart of the Italian countryside right on the Umbria and Tuscany borders. The venue composed of several apartments and two main villas, high atop a hill overlooking a stunning valley of olives groves and scenery that was simply breathtaking. The first day I arrived, everyone was chilling out and relaxing by and in the infinity pool, taking in the unrestricted sunshine. There were plenty of laughs, booze and music to keep everyone entertained. I hung around the pool area for a bit and captured some of the shenanigans that went on. But I also took some time to get myself familiar with the grounds of the villa and start planning shot ideas for the following days wedding.
In the evening there was a hive of activity with the majority of the guests helping out doing decorations, or table menus and prepping food for the massive barbecue lined up for later in evening. And what a barbecue it was! I have never seen so much meat being cooked to perfection on a hot pit before. Emma’s Italian Uncle Bruno was the pit master in charge of all the cooking and hats off to the man, he did a mighty fine job. Everyone applauded the man at the end of the evening and he deserved it. Everyone was saying how beautifully cooked was and how amazing it tasted. I can attest to this as well. I certainly made the most of what was on offer.
The day of the wedding itself I was up and ready at 6am before everyone else. I could have stayed in my room and had a lay in, as I knew I was in for a very long day, but I couldn’t fly all the way to Italy and pass up the opportunity to catch the sunrise. Especially one with such a glorious vista. It was definitely worth getting up for. I walked around for a bit and then found a comfy seat to just kick back in and take all of what was before me in. I still can’t believe how deafening the silence was. The only thing I could hear was the occasional birdsong.
Slowly, there was sign of more and more life happening around the grounds. Clive and his best man & groomsman were up nice and early, trying to get the venue decorated with paper balloons, lights and pictures. I finally made my way to the bridal party’s suite and set about doing what I do best, just capturing the days details as I saw them happen. Both the bridal party and the groom's party were probably one of the calmest scenes I’ve ever photographed, everyone was chilled out and just enjoying the relaxed atmosphere that this venue provided. There were heart warming moments between Emma and her two bridesmaids Sarah & Vicky. Clive even received a special gift and letter from his wife to be, reminding him not to be late to the wedding.
The wedding itself was held outside overlooking the magnificent view that everyone had come to love. It was a beautiful ceremony that had a lot of people in tears, including myself at points.
After the ceremony Emma & Clive ran the gauntlet of the confetti run, Clive even managed to get a full holder of confetti thrown at him, box included. Confetti shots are always a favourite part of the day for me. Because who doesn’t love a good confetti shot!
I managed to get 10 minutes just before the sun disappeared behind the hills, to get some stunning images of Clive and Emma just by themselves, around the picturesque venue that was casa bruciata.
The rest of the evening was filled with heartfelt and humorous speeches, a first dance that was stunningly performed by Emma’s bridesmaid Vicky, copious amounts of alcohol and dance moves to boot.
It's always an honour when a couple hires me to be their wedding photographer. An even bigger one when they fly you halfway across Europe for their special day. Even though I worked solidly for a day and a half whilst in Italy, it never once felt like work. Not because I was in the heart of the breathtaking Italian countryside, feeling like it was a free holiday, but because the people I was surrounded by made everything seem like I was a guest there and not just the photographer.
Emma & Clive, thank you again for the amazing opportunity and making me feel so welcomed by your family and friends. Your wedding will be one I never forget.