Summer Wedding in Rome

I love weddings in Rome, and I really loved this one as it had all the elements to make for an unforgettable day.

The preparations began just after midday on what was one of the hottest days of the year so far. One of the big differences working as a wedding photographer in Italy rather than the UK is that the climate is a significant factor in how you work here. 

The way the day came together was perfect for me as I got to spend plenty of time with the bride while she prepared before we all headed into Central Rome together for the wedding.

The preparations are always one of my favorite parts of the day as you get a real sense of anticipation building before the ceremony.

 Arriving early at the Church of Santa Susanna also meant I had plenty of time to get some shots of the groom and the church before the service started.

I've covered the church in another blog but I've still included a few shots here of the interior since it's such a beautiful and historic building.

The service was conducted in English by Father Greg and I had plenty of freedom to move around the church to get a variety of angles to really show off the magnitude of the building.

And even though it's a large and impressive church it still manages to create an intimate atmosphere for a wedding.

After the ceremony it was a whistle stop tour of a couple of Rome's iconic sites. The first being the Pantheon.

It's always a pleasure to accompany brides and grooms around Rome like this just to experience the ovations and good wishes they receive.

On a Saturday afternoon in the summer these places are very busy but we normally manage to find an angle where there isn't so much of a crowd.

These little walkabouts are also a good chance to get some off beat pictures.

After the Pantheon we did a final stop off at the Colosseum.

And from here we took a drive out of Rome to the beautiful Frascati for the reception.

The reception was held at the Villa Tuscolana, a place with deep historical connections to Rome. The Villa is actually built on the site of the ruins of the ancient house of Cicero.

Clearly Cicero chose the site because it commands the most outstanding views and with the reception held on the top floor of the villa the guests were treated to a stunning vista.

The day was completed by some touching and emotional speeches followed by the traditional first dances. For more information on booking 

your own Italian wedding photographer click here.

Rome Wedding at Santa Susanna

As well as meeting a lot of great people being a wedding photographer in Italy also gives me the opportunity to photograph in some of the most beautiful locations. The Church of Santa Susanna in Rome is one of those. 

It's one of the 25 oldest churches in Rome and is dedicated to Saint Susanna who was martyred in 293AD. A church was first built on the site in 330AD but it wasn't until the 16th Century that the church took on the form it has today.

It makes the most incredible setting for a wedding in modern Rome. The stunning architecture and frescoes give a backdrop that's a brides dream. And of course a photographers dream too! 

The wedding itself was on one of the hottest days of the year so far in Rome so extra credit to the bridal party for looking so great in the conditions!

 It was a engaging and personal service, one of those days that made you realise the job of photographer can be quite a privilege.

 I also was very fortunate that the priest allowed me to move around the church freely so that I could get so many different angles to really show off the beauty of the frescoes.

 Of course at the end of the day it's all about the bride and groom and what a beautiful backdrop this makes for the vows.

 This picture below was one of my favorites from the day as it truly gives you a perspective of the enormity of the Church, something that's not always easy to appreciate in a photograph.

But what really made it a great occasion was people, and ultimately that's my real joy of photography, capturing moments!

 Santa Susanna is the National American Catholic Church in Rome.

Beautiful Bellagio Wedding - Wedding breakfast at La Punta

This is the final blog on this beautiful Bellagio wedding, starting from our arrival back in Bellagio following the service in Varenna.

We all traveled back together on a chartered boat to Bellagio which gave the couple a chance to walk along the main street to an ovation of congratulations from passer's by.

It was a lovely relaxed day and what better way to spend the afternoon than on the waterfront terrace of the Metropole Hotel and having a few drinks.

Soon it was time to head off for a walk along the lake side to the restaurant for the wedding breakfast.

And other chance for our group to be the main attraction in Bellagio for a few minutes!

No one catches the eye in Italy like a bride on her wedding day and I loved catching these moments as our wedding party were applauded along by locals and visitors.

La Punta has a unique location in Bellagio, at the point of Bellagio where the lake splits in two is this lovely restaurant that was once just a little fisherman's trattoria. It still maintains all that charm and makes for the perfect location for an authentic Italian wedding breakfast.

Down at the lake shore we had a perfect spot for a little confetti before we got a few shots of our couple on their own again.

The day had clouded over a little now but the scenery was still just as dramatic.

And still plenty of snow on the alps!

As the afternoon came to a close we sat down for an exquiste meal followed by some heart felt speeches.

Everyone had a fantastic day and my work was nearly done, but for them there was the chance to spend one more night enjoying the nightlife of Bellagio.

The couple and their guests had made my day incredibly easy with their generosity and kind spirit. And their relaxed and happy manner made for some of my favorite wedding pictures.

As jobs go, 'Italy Wedding Photographer' is up there with the best. Stunning locations, a fantastic country and people, and with clients like this, a day's work is an absolute pleasure! 

This wedding was planned by Alexis Walker, wedding coordinator. 

Beautiful Bellagio Wedding - Ceremony in Varenna

What a way to arrive at your wedding ceremony!

Leaving Bellagio the wedding party headed across the lake to the beautiful village of Varenna where the wedding service was to be held. The bride's party followed on a few minutes later, and what a way to arrive! The skies were blue and the lake was as still as a pond as the bride's boat cut across the lake to Varenna.

Once safely on land the party then had to make their way though the little cobbled back streets of Varenna to reach the Villa Cipressi.

It's a great moment to capture as we all headed along to the venue.

And now we were almost there you can see the excitement and anticipation on everyone's faces.

The ceremony was set in the grounds of the villa, the setting was perfect. And before the bride got to walk down the steps to meet the groom she had a moment to take it all in.

Always one of my favorite moments of the wedding ceremony is the arrival of the bride, not just to see her expression but also that of the groom who's been waiting patiently for his bride to arrive.

And after a morning of avoiding each other finally the couple are back together to be married.

The service itself was a very intimate and beautiful moment. You could see what it meant to the couple and the setting just added a little bit of extra magic.

The weather turned out to be just perfect, blue skies, a little cloud to break it up for the pictures and lots of sun! A wedding photographer's dream!

And now you can see the incredible view that the wedding party had as a backdrop to the service.

But as beautiful as the setting was, it was all about the wedding.

And sealed with a kiss!

Once the rings were exchanged all that was left to do was to sign the register.

And to enjoy the view for a little longer.

After the ceremony, drinks and canapes were served in the garden of the villa.

Under the shade of the olive vines the wedding party enjoyed a beautiful array of canapes and had a well earned drink!

Wherever you are in the grounds of the Villa there is always an outstanding view to be seen.

And after they'd finished eating we took a walk through the gardens to photograph a couple of the outstanding views.

It's always nice to get a few shots of the couple on their own and it also gives them a few minutes together to take it all in.

And share a joke together!

It always pays to keep watching all around you as there's always something that can make a great picture when you're least expecting it!

In the final part of this blog I'll cover the rest of the day back in Bellagio.

This wedding was planned by Alexis Walker, wedding consultant.