After I met Jelena and Konrad I’ll never again think of Canada as the sawmill of the planet, the reservoir of maple syrup for the humankind nor the place where someone invented the snow; I’ll think to Canada as a synonymous of “love”, because that cute and lovely couple were its harbingers.

They had to organize everything blindly because they never had the occasion to visit the Santa Marinella castle, but anyway it was love at first sight, the ideal place to crown their love, and with the help of a proficient WP, they got everything right in place and in time, and I was there to witness everything with pictures.

This umpteenth Odescalchi Family Castle was built facing the sea, over the ruins and the site of an ancient Etruscan town, Punicum (we are talking of more than 2800 years ago), the place was conceived as a guard post against Moorish invaders, these posts were lined all along the coasts of southern and middle Italy, so that every 20 or 30 kilometers you can spot a tower or a castle.
In this case you have a central tower and a manor built all around, it’s something very typical, very ancient and, most of all, very striking. So charming that nowadays it cannot be overlook as place to celebrate a wedding and of course have some unforgettable pictures.

As a wedding photographer I cunningly took advantage of every nuance offered by the various day moments, the castle and the scenery of the old village and the dock.
A dock is nothing less than a parking lot for boats and crafts but it always a better view and it makes a flawless model, I you think about it that’s odd, isn’t it?

My mission this time was to immortalise the most striking wedding never made in the north of Rome (if you think that I say this for every wedding I’ve been hired, you better take it back!): the Nicole and Morgan one!
Morgan and Nicole story is peculiar and romantic, they met at university in Viterbo, right in this very part of the region, he was from abroad for a year interchange program, at the end of the year he had to move back to his country and they started a long distance relationship that it turned to an long distance wedding planning.

I think that they chose for the best, infact the wedding itself was celebrated at Palazzo Monaldeschi, at Lubriano, from where you can enjoy a stunning view: woods, Mediterranean scrubs and the local canyon-like valley called “Valle dei Calanchi”, an eerie and out of place kind of small Mexican desert without the savoury fried crickets.
The best part of all is that this is a breath-taking natural set to take pictures, so every time I walk these Etruscan lands I am very happy and I feel so artistic.
Just in front of Lubriano, there is the dead city of Civita di Bagnoregio, and ancient and charming town that has been abandoned because it’s difficult to reach by car and not least because of the slow erosion of the rock where it is build, nowadays only six nostalgic and romantic people live there, that’s why they call it “Dying city”… an amazing dying photo subject.

For the celebrations the wonderful state building turned in an abridged version of United Nations Palace because it hosted guests from everywhere in the world, USA, French, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy of course, a cheerful and happy bunch that was a pleasure to photograph.

A wedding is indeed a solemn event, yes, it is and I am sure of it, but this one was so funny, serene, colourful, all day laughing and it was so gratifying for me as well, the tapestries, the frescos, the furniture, the trompe l’oeil, the carpet of petals in front of the church everything was like in a set, a real one.
But it was actually a special chemistry something that without Nicole and Morgan mixed with this dramatic palace and nature all around it couldn’t happen.
Now, sunset on my back, I can happily walk these Etruscan dusty roads that take me away to the place I call home.

After the ceremony and photo session we moved to the Odescalchi Stables, Scuderie Odescalchi. Despite nullified by the cloudy day, the exploit of the astonishing wonderful exteriors has been replaced by a polished and gleaming inside party, where I found all the things that can distract a photographer: branched candlesticks, white furniture and fabrics, flower nosegays that decorated both the candlesticks and the newlyweds table. I almost forgot that Maria Cristina and Fabrizio were the actual targets of the session… until…! Oh my God!!! God give me the grace to repent myself!!! Because I saw her, gorgeous like miss Caribbean, coated like Mata Hari, fragrant like the mountain air and wholesome like rolling down a grassy slope: a gigantic chocolate cake that almost stole the scene, drawing all the guests attention. But I am a pro: I snapped the fingers, backed in the room and continued the session, stoically subduing any mesmerizing attempt to my mind.
All for the sake of Maria Cristina and Fabrizio.

Kandy and Ron wouldn’t miss that wedding venue for anything, and made a perfect choice for a perfect day. Villa d’Este is especially renowned for its celebrities weddings, food tidbits and massive park. Speaking of which, there are two areas especially dedicated to wedding ceremonies. For the photo session Kandy and Ron picked the area that hosts a XVI century mosaic, a bit more costly than the other Mantero area but surely the most fabulous.

Being a Wedding Photojournalist isn’t just a boring chore, is not just a “stand still, say cheese and snap” job, is more like being a Kevin Carter of happiness, is like testify with images a very unique event like a piece of news that is the most important thing for two beating hearts.

Kandy and Ron didn’t let drop the opportunity having me follow them to immortalize the couple on the various sceneries that the area had to offer. It is wearing but all the time satisfaction pumps more stamina.
The ceremony itself took place at 5pm at the Mantero area, colorful flowers matched the marvelous bridal nosegay. That was the perfect icing on the cake to finally get married.
Newlywed, Kandy and Ron then offered an amazing wedding aperitif that took place on the terrace on the lake. The explosion of colors, tastes, cocktails and Italian wines positively overwhelmed the guests.

The routine never spoils the job of a wedding photographer, neither does the various proseccos and finger food breaks that I took, but as I told you above, it is a wearing job but of one thing you can be sure: the food is every time tastier when is well deserved!
What about the rest? Like… let’s say… photos? Well, judge by yourself!

The wedding was celebrated in the cathedral of S. Stefano in the center of Bracciano village. 
After the ceremony, Louisa, dressed with a cloud of white tulle has descended the stairs of the cathedral on the arms of her Stefano, accompanied by two small and excited flower girls. 

The Odescalchi Castle, chosen for the reception, was set up beautifully for the occasion, in shades of vermilion and white. 

The aperitif in the secret garden overlooking the lake between the trees and cedars of Lebanon followed by the dinner in the Caesar’s hall lit by the light of  candelabras.
The romantic reception continued till late at night between with games of light, fountains of fire, music and dancing, all perfect moments for me to capture emotions and fun.

The day was beautiful, clear and blue sky, the perfect setting for some great wedding photos.

As the beautiful church of San Lorenzo is located in the center, my colleague and I, we decided to use a fast and agile vehicle as a motorcycle, in order to give us the chance to be always in the right place at the right time.

Immediately after the romantic ceremony, on request of the couple, we took just few photos outside the church and at the Campidoglio.

Being a wedding reporter, unfortunately sometimes, clients ask me just a photographic record of what happens, without giving me the chance to make some portraits while strolling around the city, I must reluctantly agree to meet their needs, but I regret not have the opportunity to portray them, especially when in Rome there’s a perfect climate and clean and blue sky.

Right after shootings, all together, newlyweds and their friends have reached the wonderful Villa Grazioli in Grottaferrata a gorgeous villa for receptions, in the Castelli Romani area, to begin the party.

The cool spring evening, accompanied a lively and fun party that has allowed me to capture all the joy of the various moments. All this, culminated in a wild dancing barefoot, the right ending for a real funny English marriage.

Surrounded by a domineering nature, crossed with rocks and bumps, this place holds mysteries and historical memories blended together.

Going to the edge of a cliff , you can enjoy one of the finest churches of the region: the St. Elias’s basilica, that because of its singularity, it has been chosen several times as movie set.

In order to emphasize in a discreet way the charm full of past and sacredness of the church, Elena has chosen the total white color for her floral arrangements, highlighting the central nave with beautiful little flowered trees.

A villa, inserted in an estate surrounded by the nearby park of Vejo, has hosted the reception. The residence in Roman times was an old station, post office, place of rest for the travelers of the time.

The discrete hospitality and welcome still are the distinguishing features of this elegant wedding location which, at near Rome, is a true oasis of peace surrounded by exceptional natural environment. The pool and the inner halls, were the ideal setting of the wedding party that ended late at night with exiting dances and lots of fun. 

There was no better place than Klein Matterhorn – Zermatt, Switzerland – to realize this wish. 
First some pictures into the glass palace where neon lights helped me to give pictures an unreal feeling and then on the snow, surrounded by fog in a lunar landscape….

But the experience was not finished yet as we moved straight to Stresa for some pics by lake Maggiore.
It has been a hard day, but …what a day!!!
Thank you Laverne and John