Eliza & Ash’s Golden Tuscan Wedding

Villa Montefiano Italy Wedding

Tuscany has always been right up there at the top of my list of dream locations to photograph a wedding. I was so overjoyed when Eliza got in touch to tell me all about their Tuscan wedding plans and to ask if I would be their photographer. Eliza and I worked together many years ago in a digital agency. I was not only looking forward to visiting Tuscany but also catching up with old friends at the wedding.

I headed out a couple of days earlier so that I could explore, adapt to the weather and eat plenty of pasta and ice cream. (extra carbs are essential to keep up the wedding day energy, that’s my excuse anyway!).

The Weather

The weather certainly took a little adapting to, it was crazy hot, and I was glad I’d packed my floppy straw hat. It might have looked a little silly but helped keep me a little cooler as did Aperol Spritz. A refreshingly light cocktail that I rediscovered while catching up with friends before the wedding.

We decided to make the most of such a beautiful location with an early morning pre-wedding shoot. Even though it was early, it was still hot. The scenery was amazing with views over Tuscan valleys and the city of Florence in the distance.

I will share more of these in a separate blog but here is a little preview :)

The day of the wedding dawned, I arrived early at the venue and instantly fell in love with it. The elevated location meant that the views were stunning; you could see for miles across the Tuscan countryside. And it was so quiet and relaxing. The only sounds to be heard were the cicadas and the birds.

Eliza had her mum, sisters and closest friends with her for the preparations. One of her bridesmaids was Georgie whose wedding to Jamie I had previously photographed. It was so lovely to have a chance to catch up with the two of them.

The Outdoor Ceremony

The setting for the ceremony was an absolute dream, an olive tree arbour framed the couple, and those breath-taking views provided the perfect backdrop. Eliza wore a simple but elegant dress and looked amazing. After the ceremony, the guests threw confetti of rice and olive leaves. As a photographer, I love rice confetti, it looks great in the photos, but I’m not sure couples love it quite as much, it always seems a little painful! Afterwards, everyone sought out a little shade to get a break from the heat.

The guests enjoyed Italian cocktails while I sought out a shaded area in the grounds for the family portraits and some romantic portraits with Eliza and Ash. With all the rustic features, terraces, arched doorways and whitewashed walls, it is a photographer’s dream venue. I could have carried on shooting forever, but the wedding breakfast wasn’t to be missed with the traditional Italian feast served at a beautifully decorated long table on the terrace. After all the delicious food there was the most beautiful traditional Italian cake, Eliza and Ash had to help make it by adding layers. It tasted delicious, and I still regret not sneaking back for a second piece!

Golden Hour Portraits

The golden hour arrived, and the temperatures had dropped slightly, so I stole Eliza and Ash and sneaked away for some portraits. The golden hour in Italy is not to be missed, the light is something special, and Eliza and Ash are a dream to photograph. There’s a chemistry between them that shines through. They are so relaxed and natural in front of the camera.

The day ended with a fun party, a great band and lots of dancing. I was sad to have to leave Italy but cheered up by the thought that I would be back a month later for my next Italian wedding adventure.

If you are planning a Villa Montefiano Italy Wedding please do get in touch to enquire about my destination packages. I love to travel and know the venue and surrounding areas well.

Wedding Planner / Nadia @ Weddingsinitaly