Maresa & Ali

When you scroll through wedding inspirations on Pinterest, you will for sure see some venues and weddings in Tuscany / Italy. The region is for sure super special, not only for their great weather but for the cinematic old villas, houses, olive trees, pathways, and dusty streets. And literally, every corner is great to take wonderful images. I was blown away when Ali and Maresa asked me to photograph their wedding in Villa Cetinale.

The location is even more gorgeous than in the pictures: the main house with 5 rooms, a huge dining hall, a big lounge, a pool, staff of 8 kind people, etc. – a chapel, an Orangerie and so much land around it.

But what made the venue even more special was the people that filled it with life – their friends and family. They had classic Italian dishes and fresh sourdough pizza.

The next morning was wonderful. I had time to fly my drone, chat to the staff and get some establishing shots while everyone else was asleep. After that, I had breakfast with everybody on the veranda. It was a super chill day as the ceremony was set for 17h. So enough time for the getting ready shots of bride and groom. The ceremony was held in the little chapel on the property followed by a super classy Champagne-Tower and following congratulations.

The sundown couple portraits were wonderful as we got away from the crowds and only had the two between the olive trees for a little bit.

Dinner was in the main alley with fairy lights above them – it could not get more beautiful than that. Oh wait, it did, the music the two booked, the Groove Fellas, gave it an even more special touch.

Great speeches by the bride’s mom, best man, and bridesmaids completed the dinner before they had a special moment awaiting desert. They both love Mille Feuille and it was prepared by a chef and the bridal couple together. The groove fellas sang “Wonderwall” with all guests chiming in with the song. Goosebumps all around.

Santiago had prepared long stick star splatters and we asked the musicians to walk the guests towards the Orangerie, where the party was due (it was just walking from one side of the garden to the other). It was so sweet to watch Ali & Maresa with their friends celebrating their love.

The party lasted longer than expected but isn’t that the best thing.

I am still in awe when I look back to the great pictures which remind me of this magical time. Even if the location was already great, a wedding is all about the couple and their friends and family who make bring the place alive.