Intimate Wedding at Santa Susanna in Rome.

Wedding photography in Rome at Santa Susanna, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

This was a wonderful afternoon's shooting in Rome working with a fantastic couple from the USA. This small, intimate service was held at the Church of Santa Susanna, the home of the American Catholic Church in Rome.

The brides preparations were relaxed and fun in a fantastic location just off the Trevi Fountain. It's always one of my favorite moments photographing those last few minutes and the arrival of an excited bride at the church.

As the groom and his witness took their positions in the church I had a few minutes to photograph the bride in one of the side rooms of the church. I love the picture below as it caught the light coming across the bride from the window perfectly.

This next picture summed up for me all that was important on the day. It's caught a great expression on the groom as he watches his bride coming up the isle but not only that it captures the priest looking on at the groom. Even though they were getting married in Rome they'd managed to acquire the services of their previous parish priest to take the service!

The church of Santa Susanna's is one of my favorites in Rome, the exterior in unassuming but when you step inside the interior is breathtaking and a photographer's dream.

From whichever angle you look!

One of the key things for me when photographing a small wedding in such a large church is to both capture the scale and size of the building but also the intimacy of the moment.

This ceremony was just the bride and groom and their witnesses so it mean't there was a great chance for me to photograph the church with the pews empty. 

And here's a lovely spotainious monent as the bride and groom came out of the church. All that planning had paid off and now it was time for a whistle stop tour of Rome!

First stop was the Pantheon. It's always crowded here but we managed to find some space to shoot our bride and groom in front of those spectacular pillars!

And wherever you are in Rome, you're never too far away from a Gladiator!

Which mean't the next obvious stop was the Colosseum.

 And of course to finish we ended up back where  we started, back at the Trevi Fountain.

My congratulations go to this lovely couple that made my job very easy on the day.

For wedding photography in Rome, Tuscany, Como, Sorrento and the whole Italy please have a look at my website.

Italy Wedding Photographer

Wedding at the Roman Forum, Rome.

Although I've photographed inside this beautiful church before this was the first time I'd photographed a wedding at Santa Francesca Romana in Rome. The church is positioned on the edge of the Roman Forum, a 'gladiators' stone through away from the Colosseum!

And aside it's great location it's the stunning interior that I love. If you are ever in the area it's worth a look, the church dates back to the 10th Century and is steeped in history and contains several interesting artifacts including the stone that is said to be marked by the imprint of St Peter's knees as he knelt in front of Simon Magus.

The couple had chosen this church for personal sentimental reasons and the service was very inspiring. 

As the service finished we had a race to catch the last of the afternoon light on this late September day. Outside the church we had the perfect opportunity to catch the last of the afternoon sun flooding in before we stepped back inside to take the group photographs.

Coming back inside gave us the chance to get some more photographs that really showed off what a beautiful venue this is.

After we left the church we made a quick ride to St Peter's as the evening drew in. It's always a great spot to bring a bride as it has so many different angles you can work with.

And as the crowds were starting to leave it mean't that we could get some great shots of the couple on their own.

This happened to be the last wedding of the summer season for me in 2012 and it was great for me to finish, not only in Rome, but at St Peter's, somewhere I've always loved to visit and to photograph.

I've met so many couples this summer and photographed in some of the most amazing wedding locations you could imagine and although it's nice to get back home again I can't wait for next summer and to get back to Rome, Tuscany, and the rest of Italy.

For your wedding photographer in Italy, follow the link to my website.

JHales Fotografia.

Wedding Photography in Tuscany

There were many reasons why my family and I moved to Italy in 2010 but one of the most important ones was so that our young daughter could experience the Italian way of life, a slower pace, a family orientated life and to appreciate a country of such beauty. 

Not only the beauty but the diversity. We live in Abruzzo in between the mountains and the sea, quite different to the rolling hills of Tuscany. And although we have many beautiful villages I love coming to Tuscany to photograph weddings in what must be some of the most stunning locations in Europe. 

I've travelled around Tuscany many times and spent plenty of time in the cities and towns such as Florence and Sienna but coming back as a wedding photographer has meant I've had the pleasure of finding some new villages and towns that I would've otherwise overlooked. 

And not only that, seen inside some great buildings that are otherwise not open to the public. 

A great example being the town hall of Cortona, right in the historical centre of the town, the building is a medieval palazzo that has housed the seat of assembly of the town government for over 400 years. A stunning room, full of history and a pleasure to photograph in its own right, even better with a wedding insitu!

The steps lead out of the Palazzo down into the main piazza and into the hub of local life. In fact even though in the picture above it looks like we have the whole place to ourselves, one step behind me the piazza is full to the brim with the Saturday market stalls and shoppers. Come back here late afternoon and you'll find these steps the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by with the rest of Cortona.

And what I love most about this town is that it's so easy to get away from the crowds and tourists and even on a Saturday morning find places of beauty all to yourself.

These pictures were taken just a short walk up from the centre and are outside the church of Saint Francis.

And a word to any would be Tuscan brides, these cobbled streets can be steep for high heels!

These next few pictures tipify why so many brides choose to come and get married in Tuscany, the views! This villa is just a stones throw out of Cortona but all around you is green hills and sweeping vistas.

 What better place to spend the afternoon with your wedding guests, taking in the view and dipping your toes in the pool!

Cortona is at the south eastern tip of Tuscany, right on the border of Umbria, whereas the following pictures were taken north of Florence around the villages of Dicomano and Sandetole.

Sandetole (Santo Ditale) 'the holy finger' is home to the convent of Sandetole that was previously inhabited by Francescan Monks. It's now open as a visitor centre and you have hold your whole wedding day here with the service held at the Church of St. Giovanni next door.

This couple travelled back to Dicomano for the rest of their wedding day and although the weather was somewhat stormy that afternoon you can still appreciate the incredible views on offer here.

These pictures were taken in the grounds of the Fattoria il Lago, above Dicomano. The fattoria is a working Tuscan winery and by the accounts of the wedding guests it offered a fantastic selection of wines.

Within the complex there is guest accommodation, fishing lakes, a restaurant and a pool.

And Dicomano itself, although bombed heavily during the Second World War is still an ideal location to explore the forests of Casentinesi, some of the most ancient woodlands in Europe.

A very popular part of Tuscany for weddings is Chianti, home to some of the most well known Tuscan towns and villages. In fact it's an area we explored ourselves on our honeymoon some years ago. All around this area there are luxurious villas perfect for wedding receptions and plenty of idyllic town halls to hold a wedding service.

The next selection of pictures were taken in Certaldo, or more precisely in Certaldo Alto, the beautiful medieval village above Certaldo. Travel by car into Certaldo Alto is limited to residents so visitors can either walk to the top or take the short funicular railway (we took the funicular!)

And since the comune buildings were closed for renovation work our couple here had the unique experience of getting married in the little de-consecrated chapel next door.

Among the crumbling frescoes it was a really special occasion. 

And of course being so high up it afforded us great views to photograph as a backdrop after the ceremony.

As you walk around Certaldo Alto you can't help but be impressed by the way the town has been kept so well preserved. And a great time to visit? Every July there is a week long festival of street entertainers if you want to really experience something special. 

Once again this couple returned to their villa for the wedding reception. 

And as the sun was setting we got some great pictures around the grounds.

And on into the evening to enjoy those hot Tuscan nights outside.

Close to Certaldo is another of Tuscany's most appealing villages, San Donato in Poggio. Another hill top fortified medieval village that has kept all it's charm.

And the great thing about getting married here is that the service can actually be held outside in the main piazza. There's something very individual about having a wedding service outside whether it's on a lakeside, a beach or in a piazza.

Like most of the these medieval villages the main piazza is at the top of the town, always a good chance for me to get those typical strolling group shots as the guests make their way up there.

After the service we made our way around the streets to get some individual shots. 

With it being after 1 pm the streets are of course empty. Italians aren't always predictable but in these smaller places you can guarantee you wont find an Italian around after the 1 pm lunch curfew!

Truth be told we did bump into one well wishing couple (but it turned out they were American!)

Back at the villa we got a chance to catch the some of the striking colours in the gardens.

And we couldn't finish without getting in an olive tree shot!

Even if you've been to Tuscany many times there is still so much waiting to be revealed. And there's nothing like finding some of the hidden gems mentioned on Tuscan villages whilst touring the magnificent countryside.

JHales Fotografia for wedding photography all over Italy.