Megan and Lee’s summer wedding weekend at a classic Italian wedding villa was a joyous affair from start to finish.
Before the Wedding
I first spoke to Megan almost a year before her big day, and we clicked instantly: her relaxed energy combined with her good planning skills made me think she would be a great fit straight away for my style of photography. Before the trip to Italy from the UK we discussed aesthetics and logistics in detail, to make sure I was well prepared and their schedule for the day allowed for all the things they wanted captured, but also… for a glass or two of Prosecco in between!
Getting There
The Wedding took place at Relais Villa Giulia, a gorgeous wedding venue in the Marche region, close to Tuscany and Puglia. Surrounded by green hillside, vineyards with a view and the bright blue Adriatic Sea, the Villa is a true hidden gem eager to be discovered by international newlyweds.
After a short flight from London we landed into Ancona we took a transfer coach straight to a vineyard, in order to do a wine tasting before checking into our accommodation. The sun was shining bright, and yet the breeze from all the nature surrounding us allowed us to truly cool down.
The Rehearsal Dinner
The celebrations started on Friday night, with a casual pizza party on the villa’s picturesque outdoor terrace, where the ceremony would take place the following day. The guests enjoyed a relaxed evening together, eagerly talking about the wedding day surrounded by nature, with a full moon shining brightly above onto the cloudless summer sky.
Italy Wedding Villa - the Big Day
Saturday morning began slowly. One of my favourite aspects about Mediterranean wedding locations is that the day are so long that there is no truly need to rush. No need for a 7AM hair and make-up appointment, in order to be ready for an 11Pm ceremony. With ceremonies typically starting at 4PM, you can take your time and start the day the right way.
The morning found the guests at the pool, and the energy levels were high. The crowd was a mix of adults and kids, so I found myself capturing a lot of sweet interactions, but also quite a few belly flops!
Poolside fun
Poolside fun
Poolside fun
Poolside fun
Megan started getting ready first, and I followed her into the bridal suite to get all the detail shots before the day would start speeding up. The villa had beautiful interiors, and with each room decorated in an unique way, I was not short of cute corners to choose as backdrops.
While the bride was getting her hair done I ran out to capture Lee getting ready, walking in what turned out to be a brief July rainfall. Thankfully it ended at the exact right time before the ceremony, cooling the air down a little! Lee’s suite was connected to an old library with big, floor to ceiling windows, which gave me the best light for some of my favourite images of the day.
Groom getting ready
Groom getting ready
Groom getting ready
Bride getting ready
Bride getting ready
Bride getting ready
As the rain stopped the staff swiftly placed the chairs and the floral arch outside on the terrace, and the guests gathered, waiting for the bride and groom. Megan walked down the aisle with her father and her sweet son, and the ceremony started. As a photographer I am absolutely biased, but I do believe that you simply cannot beat an outdoor ceremony, when the temperature is just right, the breeze is going through your hair and the smell of flowers and trees surrounds you: it was beautiful.
Father of bride walking down the isle
Father of bride walking down the isle
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
Wedding ceremony Italy
After the ceremony we moved all the guests onto the old steps in front of the church on site for the confetti and group shots, and then we took the time to breathe and relax a little before going out for the couple shoot.
Dinner & Dancing
Dinner was served in the courtyard, at an Italian family style long table, adorned with flowers and long candles which created a cosy, intimate atmosphere. The table was covered by a lovely natural arch - a stunning setting for the images taken during the speeches.
Not long after dinner finished the guests took to the dance floor, having been given the start by Megan and Lee’s cake cutting and first dance, under a bright full moon on a pitch black sky. The dancing and good tunes carried on long into the night.
Wedding breakfast Italy
Wedding breakfast Italy
Wedding breakfast Italy couple
Wedding breakfast Italy couple
Wedding breakfast Italy
Wedding breakfast Italy
Cake cutting Italy
Cake cutting Italy
Cake cutting Italy
First danc ecouple
Wedding party
Wedding party
Wedding party
Wedding party
Wedding party
Couple jumping in the pool
Couple jumping in the pool
Couple jumping in the pool
When Flora got in touch with me and told me she was planning a Hampton Court house wedding, I was immediately excited. Hampton Court is one of my favourite areas of London, with its rich history and stunning architecture, and Hampton Court House had been one of my bucket list venues for some time. Plus I knew that, similarly to me, Flora had a background in fashion - I was so excited to see what her styling and decor pieces were going to be!
Her and James’ big day started out with beautiful sunshine, which carried us through to the late afternoon. For anyone planning a wedding in late November in London, you’ll know how lucky this is! Despite the gorgeous weather, Flora and James were prepared: Hampton Court House is a perfect winter choice because everything can take place inside, including the welcome drinks. Their gorgeous conservatory at the back of the building, surrounded by palm trees and fairy lights is the perfect spot for your first toast as a married couple.
The emotions ran high from the morning, however the getting ready part of the day felt relaxed. You could feel the joy in the room, the anticipation and the love. When Flora came out in her shimmering Winifred Rose custom made two piece dress and her cool bejewelled Shrimp earrings, there were no dry eyes left in the room! The sun-filled airbnb became the setting for tight, long embraces, hands held for comfort and lovely puppy cuddles (I feel the luckiest when there’s a dog in the room…here there were 3!).
As I reached the venue, I could see the groom, James, outside, in black tie, greeting a few guests. I could tell he was as emotional as Flora was, as his groomsmen cracked some jokes around him to help him relax a little bit. The front of Hampton Court House looked majestic in the clear November sunlight: it was going to be a good wedding.
The bride walked down the isle with both of her parents into the gorgeous main hall of Hampton Court House, beautifully backlit, with the sun shining through the open oak door and all the windows surrounding it. Flora and James shared tears, a tight hug and then the ceremony started, performed by their close friends. Their beloved puppy also had a front row seat with the rest of the family during the ceremony.
After one of the most emotional first kisses of my season the couples entered the conservatory through a human tunnel made up of all the guests at the wedding, ready to cheer them with a glass of champagne. With the couple sharing a love of good food and produce, the drinks reception featured fresh oysters delivered straight from the vendor - which actually made up for some of my favourite shots from the wedding!
Afterwards we braved the frosty temperatures and went outside for couple shots: first with Percy, their pooch, and then with just the two of them. The grounds at Hampton Court house were perfect for us to have a stroll, resulting in plenty of dynamic shots and a lot of variety within the session. The house also features a shell grotto, which was a perfect spot for a bit of flash photography (which was something the bride had told me she wanted) - and a great spot for them to practice their first dance, too. We walked back towards the building in a gorgeous purple sunset, the kind you can only get when the day is cold but the sun is high. It gave the couple a pink hue, which was perfect given the fact that Flora’s Pamplemousse bouquet was made up of many shades of pink.
As we came back into the house we headed straight for the speeches, carefully written and spoken, until the emotions from the earlier part of the day came back rushing. Once again, there was no dry eye left in the room. After the sweetness of the speeches we went in for the reception, where a loud cheer and a sea of napkins in the air welcomed the couple in for their first meal as husband and wife.
The party that came after was a blast - you could really tell we had a group of people who loved to be on the dance floor! On the rhythms of some party classics, Flora and James emerged (Flora in a second outfit, with even more sparkle than the last) and the whole crowd came to life, giving me so many moves to capture on the dance floor. It truly was a beautiful wedding.
Congratulations! You are engaged. It was everything you dreamed about, something to remember as long as you live. You have told your family and friends, you have celebrated, and, once the champagne bottles have run dry, you started thinking about your dream London wedding. How to begin?
The first thing you need to book is the venue. You have read this, so you started searching on Google, and as soon as you did, you got overwhelmed. London is a beautiful city, with a staggering choice of wedding venues.
So I’m here to help! I have photographed weddings all over this city I call home, big and small, traditional and full of character. Scroll down to see my favourite 6 London Wedding Venues:
1. The Asylum Chapel
Perfect for the romantic couple, the dreamers, the gothic architecture lovers. Located in South London, this venue is for you if you want something unique, yet elegant. My favourite touch has to be the sunlight shining through the high, colourful stained glass windows.
2. Lincoln’s Inn
Hidden in the heart of central London, this venue is for couples who are all about the grandeur, about the history. All eyes on you, this venue is sure to make a lasting impression on your guests and be talked about for years to come.
Wedding shot by me at Lincoln’s Inn
3. Kew Gardens
If you live in London you must have visited, or at least know of Kew. But did you know you can get married there? This one is for nature lovers, but also for the ones that love a classic, black tie wedding. With either just a ceremony or a full day booking, you get to walk down the isle of the beautiful sun-filled orangery, and then you will be whisked away for a photoshoot in your favourite spots in the gardens!
Wedding shot by me at Kew Gardens
4. St Stephen’s, Rosslyn Hill
If Kew Gardens is too well-known for you… St Stephen’s is a real hidden gem. Located in beautiful Highgate, it takes you away from the crowds and up through narrow streets, full of quintessentially London houses. The area surrounding it is perfect for pictures, and the inside will take your breath away. And the best part is, the hiring fee goes towards the charity that maintains the building. Win-win!
5. Hampton Court House
Back in West London, just a walk away from Henry the VIII’s former home, Hampton Court Palace, stands Hampton Court House. An impressive piece of architecture, it’s the perfect spot for couples who want a fairytale wedding with an edge.
Wedding shot by me at Hampton Court House
6. Castle Gibson, East London
A venue for the cool couple, the ones that want to do their wedding their way. An industrial aesthetic completed with a lot of natural light, this is your perfect location to dance the night away, and look great in the pictures as you do so!
Wedding shot by me at Castle Gibson
There you have it! Some of my favourite London wedding venues that I’ve worked at in the past few years. I hope you are feeling inspired, and if so - start planning your dream wedding!
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