Italy Weddings

This wedding we photographed in Italy was one of those you had to pinch yourself the entire time you were shooting to make sure it was really happening.  The wedding and reception were held at Casale di Polline, high on a hillside overlooking beautiful Lake Bracciano and the surrounding mountains just south of Tuscany.  The day before the wedding the bride and flower girl gathered all the olive and eucalyptus clippings they would use for flower crowns and table decorations right from the grounds of the Villa we all stayed in- it was surreal.  And the food… the food was quite possibly the highlight of the whole trip.  Just writing about it makes me want to book another flight to Roma!  I could go on and on about this amazing location and this cool couple from Dubai who flew me half way around the world to shoot one of the prettiest (and delicious) weddings I’ve ever been a part of.  Kate and Rico- you both are awesome… where are we going next??  (I’m still holding out for a lifestyle shoot somewhere in the United Arab Emirates)

From the Bride:

Growing up I always pretended to be British and spoke with a fake British accent. So it was only fitting when I was introduced to this handsome man who called himself Rico and spoke with a British accent. I was immediately smitten. It became clear that our initial sparks would quickly prove us to be lifelong soulmates. I’ll never forget my sister’s response when I told her about him, “Oh my gosh, Hazel (her daughter) is going to have an Uncle Rico.” (Napoleon Dynamite)

We have been very fortunate and have lived and traveled in many countries. Rico is Italian (it’s confusing, the British accent; he moved to the UK as a teenager) and I am American, and with all the places we’ve experienced together, we knew we would have a tough time choosing a destination for our wedding. We had finally gotten it down to either Gloucester, MA or somewhere (anywhere!) in Italy. We reached out to Rico’s friend, Alfredo, who owns Cantine Silvestri Vineyards just outside Rome. He told us that we didn’t have to look any further, we just needed to fly to Rome and see one venue, Casale di Polline.

Well, we did. And we fell in love with it. The owner, Gloria, was instrumental in coordinating everything, right down to the last detail.  Unlike my fluent husband, I barely speak Italian. It was very difficult to plan a wedding in another country, let alone in another language! Gloria was paramount in making our wedding day perfect. She suggested caterers, make up, florist, everything. I am forever grateful.

To this day, we look back at our incredible day and the photos Eric took. We are so thankful we were able to spend our weekend with someone who captured all the moments we would so easily forget. Not to mention all the delicious food I never got to try!

My advice for future brides: Let the little things go. Even the big ones! In the end, no one even realizes if something didn’t go as planned. And, it flies by. At the end of the night you look back and say, wait how is it all over!? Slow down and record it in your memory. Remember every second.

Venue: Casale di Polline

Dress and veil: Custom dress using The Bridal Room in Jumeirah Plaza, Dubai, UAE. (The owner, Anne, worked with me through every step and detail. She turned my vision into reality.)

Shoes: Dune London

Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew

Groom’s Suit: Tailor made suit using City Land Tailors, Dubai, UAE

Florist: Dordas Flowers

Caterer: Lincei Catering

Cake: Lincei Catering

Wine: Cantine Silvestri Vineyards

Make up artist: Sata Lorenzetti Make Up

Band: DiJazz