September 2011 Archives - Wedding Photographer: Italy & UK

Wedding Photographer: La Sorgente di Francesca, Tuscany: Mark & Olivia

Amy was the wedding photographer at La Sorgente di Francesca, Tuscany for Mark & Olivia’s wedding.

A few years ago I photographed the wedding of Olivia’s cousin, Annabel. A kind recommendation meant that I was invited to photograph Mark & Olivia tie the knot in a very, very beautiful part of Tuscany. Ok, so it’s all pretty gorgeous, but the area to the north east of Florence is perhaps just a little more ‘untouched’ than other areas and La Sorgente di Francesca is a real find.

A traditional exterior and courtyard with stunning 360 degree forest views, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves was paralleled by a quite funky and light interior – quite unusual for a Tuscan Villa.

Mark & Olivia were chilled out beyond belief! Mark’s hearty laugh could be heard all day long whilst the prosecco flowed like water and the musicians played. Great atmosphere and good fun.

The wonderful interior at La Sorgente di Francesca.

La Sorgente di Francesca

Mark does a bit of modelling pre-ceremony.

Groom

And so does Olivia! Gorgeous.

Bride

Look at this ceremony location – absolutely stunning!

Ceremony

Girasole – Olivia’s favourite flower.

Ceremony

Guests congratulate the Bride & Groom.

Groom & Guests

There’s that hearty laugh again!

Groom & Guests

Such a beautiful part of Tuscany.

Bride & Groom

I love this shot amongst the olive trees.

Bride & Groom

Yipppeeee!

Confetti

This little boy told me that he was reading a story :-) The ‘Order of Service’ that is!

Mini Guest

Again, such a great venue for a Tuscany wedding – I really did love it.

La Sorgente di Francesca

The stars of the day enter for dinner.

Bride & Groom

How to make the kids smile for a photo – fab!

Guests during Reception Dinner

Such a brilliant moment at the end of the First Dance when all of the guests circled the Bride & Groom and danced around them.

Disco

What a fun day it was! Thank you for being brilliant and I’ll be in touch VERY soon with access details for your complete gallery. – Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Positano: Mat & Pia

Amy was the wedding photographer at Positano Town Hall, Amalfi Coast for Mat & Pia’s wedding.

When Mat & Pia first contacted me, they planned to elope. To come to beautiful Positano on the Amalfi Coast from their home in Australia and get married – just the two of them. In fact, as their big day approached, their parents chose to join them and so it was that Pia & Mat got married with just their Mums and Dads there to witness. How special.

After a heartfelt ceremony at Positano Town Hall and a quick photo shoot at a look-out point high above Positano we headed off for the most amazing boat ride of all time. From Positano, we went around Li Galli islands, privately owned and just totally beautiful. As the sun went down over the water, the light was golden and the views across the sea where sensational. A trip that I will certainly never forget.

Once back on dry land, Positano came alive as tourists came down to the sea front to eat whilst we went up high to the luxurious boutique hotel, Le Sirenuse. Finally, I have photographed a Bride & Groom in a hotel featured in my Hip Hotels coffee-table book!

Mat & Pia got ready together at Hotel Marincanto. Their room had an indoor pool in it!! Here is a photograph of the hotel’s beautiful terrace.

Hotel Marincanto, Positano

And this, the view from Mat & Pia’s room.

Hotel Marincanto, Positano

The girl that did Pia’s make-up was a fellow Australian but living nearby to Positano in Salerno.

Bride Getting Ready

Mat did a grand job of getting Pia into her dress. Here’s Mum doing a few last minute tweaks.

Bride & Groom Getting Ready

Mat manages his own final tweaks!

Groom

A very personal, private ceremony on the terrace at Positano Town Hall.

Ceremony

The display of flowers at the ceremony was gorgeous.

Flowers

Just married!

Ceremony

Mat & Pia wondered through Positano’s colourful streets, down to the sea-front for the boat ride.

Bride & Groom

They met Dad on their way!

Bride & Groom

Look at these chillies!!! They’re everywhere on the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Coast Detail

Happy times.

Bride & Groom

Pia looks like Angelina Jolie! Stunning.

Bride & Groom

Beautiful landscapes from the boat.

Li Galli

So photogenic. I absolutely love this image.

Bride & Groom

I love this one too! The boat docks and we headed up to Le Sirenuse.

Boat Ride from Positano

Time for a handful of family photographs as we pass through vibrant Positano town centre.

Bride, Groom & Parents

But I think I’ve saved the best ’til last. One of my favourites of all-time.

Bride & Groom

Thanks to everyone involved: to Mat, Pia, Mums and Dads for making me feel so welcome and to Jacquie Coppola from The Amalfi Experience for being the only planner worth contacting if you’re getting married down there :-) – Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Church of St Abbondio in Mezzegra & Villa d’Este, Lake Como: Mark & Henrietta

Amy was the wedding photographer at the Church of St Abbondio in Mezzegra and Villa d’Este, Lake Como for Mark & Henrietta’s wedding.

When the sun is shining at Lake Como and the sky is deep blue, there is nowhere quite like it. Mark & Henrietta were so lucky with the fabulous weather. It was a perfect day in more ways than one however. I have photographed weddings at the Church of St Abbondio in Mezzegra before – what a setting! The church sits high above the Lake, the views are magnificent and the interior of the church isn’t bad neither! The 4 singers on the balcony that sang throughout the ceremony reminded me of the last 10 minutes of Sister Act. Hasten to add, I had a few ‘tingly’ moments.

About half an hour south along the Lake from Mezzegra sits Villa d’Este. Wow, Wow, Wow – there are no words to describe this place. Read about its history and impressive guests list but first, take a look at the images below:

Dress detail on the lovely little flower girls.

Dress Detail

I love the excited / proud / nervous / happy look on Mark’s face.

Ceremony

An hour later and Just Married!

Ceremony

Guests enjoy the view from the front of the Church of St Abbondio.

Church of St Abbondio, Mezzegra

Mark & Henrietta arrived at Villa d’Este by car whilst their guests enjoyed a boat ride past George’s place! This gave us some extra time to take some photographs of the couple in the beautiful gardens.

Bride & Groom

Simple and elegant.

Bride & Groom

More than 100 fountains line this avenue of trees.

Bride & Groom

Jaw-dropping place.

Bride & Groom

The guests joined us and an evening of fun and entertainment followed.

Bride & Groom

Attached at the fascinator!

Bride & Groom

Isn’t this room beautiful? I absolutely LOVED it!

Bride & Groom

Sneaky peek.

Bride & Groom

Lots of tears and lots of laughter during the speeches.

Bride & Groom

Salute!

Bride & Groom

As the glasses were clinked, Mark & Henrietta kissed.

Bride & Groom

I loved the rich light in this room. Lovely.

Bride & Groom

It really was a perfect day. Mark & Henrietta; thank you for the experience :-) – Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Fawsley Hall: Simon & Nicola

Amy was the wedding photographer at Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire for Simon & Nicola’s wedding.

From Hedingham Castle in Essex, I headed straight to Northamptonshire to photograph the wedding of Simon & Nicola at the very beautiful Fawsley Hall. A former Royal estate dating back as far as the 7th century and a popular place for Queen Elizabeth I to stay. The view from the front of the Hall is quintessentially English with fields of sheep, oak trees and a stunning little chapel & the Great Hall is jaw-dropping.

St. Mary’s church in Bitteswell was where the ceremony took place; about a 40 minute drive from Fawsley Hall. Guests were in for a treat when we arrived back as a wonderful band were playing and ice-cream was being served.

I must say thanks to Simon’s Best man and ushers who were all a great help to me on the day and well done to Nicola’s Mum and friend Julia for getting Nicola into that incredible dress (which came with a power-point presentation about how to get it on!!) What a dress it was though! Nicola looked stunning. Take a look:

Fawsley Hall.

Fawsley Hall

Simon attaching his buttonhole.

Groom Detail

Simon & Best man, Charles.

Groom & Best Man

THE dress being done up – what a procedure! Worth every minute.

Bride Getting Ready

Nicola and her bridesmaids just before they set off for church.

Bride & Bridesmaids

Last minute thoughts.

Bride

One of my favourite ceremony shots.

Ceremony

This makes me laugh! The little girl squeezes his cheek!

Young Guests

The band were brilliant…

Reception Entertainment

.. and the ice-cream wasn’t bad either. I had to sample it of course!

Reception Entertainment

Father of the Bride on the right entertains.

Guests

Don’t mind if I do!

Reception

I shot the group shots full length but kind of like this crop too with a hint of the most wonderful yellow-leafed tree.

Bride, Groom & Bridal Party

‘And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?’

Bride & Groom

Stunning.

Bride & Groom

Speeches took place in the Great Hall – a truly incredible room.

Speeches

Cheese cake was served as well as a beautiful Wedding Cake.

Cheese Cake

The Great Hall was turned around ready for the party and the second brilliant band of the day. So atmospheric.

Wedding Party

Wow! What a day! What a weekend! I love photographing weddings in Italy but I REALLY love to return to the UK throughout the year and photograph beautiful weddings such as this one at Fawsley hall. An absolute honour. Thanks to Si, Nicky and your wonderful family and friends. -Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Hedingham Castle: Chris & Natasha

Amy was the wedding photographer at Hedingham Castle, Essex for Chris & Natasha’s wedding.

I have been photographing this particular group of friends for years now and think this was wedding number 7 from the bunch. And what a wedding! Hedingham Castle on the Essex-Suffolk border is just to die for. The ceremony took place in a Norman keep that was built around 1140. The atmosphere during the ceremony was like nothing I have experienced before throughout a ceremony – the candlelight, the guest-filled balconies and the highlight of the guest singer.

After the ceremony, the bridal party and guests walked over the little bridge and into the beautiful gardens of the house. The wedding breakfast then took place in a marquee attached to the back of the house. A brilliant and very beautiful wedding venue. Take a look:

Stunning garden.

Hedingham Castle Gardens