Month: July 2012

Wedding Photographer: Cortona, Tuscany & Villa San Crispolto, Umbria: Tyrel & Laine

Amy was the wedding photographer in Cortona, Tuscany & Villa San Crispolto, Umbria for Tyrel & Laine’s wedding.

I was so excited to work so close to home and to meet Canadian couple Tyrel & Laine. And what a day it was! Villa San Crispolto sits up high over-looking Lake Trasimeno. A beautiful rural Villa with wonderful views, colourful gardens and a fabulous swimming pool! Both Tyrel and Laine got ready here and saw each other ready for the first time in the gardens – a beautiful moment.

We then made our way to Cortona, a gorgeous little Tuscan town made famous by the book and film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun.’ After the ceremony, the couple made an appearance on the balcony with their guests cheering and waving from below – very Royal! After photographs around Cortona we made our way back to Villa San Crispolto and enjoyed a wonderful meal, speeches, cake and dancing. Such a great day.

Take a look:

From inside looking out at Villa San Crispolto.

Villa San Crispolto

Laine got ready in a converted chapel.

Bride Getting Ready

Bridesmaid Jenny helped Laine into her dress and then helped Tyrel into his jacket and did his boutonniere.

Groom Getting Ready

‘First look.’ A lovely moment.

Bride & Groom

Time for photographs around the Villa before we left for Cortona. The sun was very high and so we went under the olive trees!

Bride & Groom

So cute!

Flower Girl

Sneakily captured.

Bride & Groom

In Cortona now and Laine poses with Mum & Dad before the ceremony.

Bride & Parents

Stunning room: Comune di Cortona.

Comune di Cortona

Guests cheer and wave as the couple make an appearance on the balcony.

Guests

Love this one taken whilst rice was being thrown.

Confetti

Wandering the streets of Cortona.

Bride & Groom

Such a colourful little town.

Bride & Groom

Back at Villa San Crispolto.

String Trio

Gorgeous surroundings.

Bride & Groom

Love this one!

Bride & Friends

Beautiful peonie bouquets on the table – there’s a good story behind the flowers!

Bouquet

Lol!

Bride & Groom

Delicious porcini mushroom & truffle risotto.

Wedding Breakfast

Love this one too!

Guests

What a view!

Bride & Groom

First Dance.

First Dance

I can’t thank you two enough for involving me into your big day as you did. Thank you so much for my delicious meal, a place at your table and even a dance with the groom! I hope you truly love your images. Thanks again, -Amyx

Wedding Photographer: Villa Balbianello & Lido di Lenno, Lake Como: Toni & Justine

Amy was the wedding photographer at Villa Balbianello & Lido di Lenno, Lake Como, Italy for Toni & Justine’s wedding.

Lucky old me – back to Lake Como again just a week after the wedding of Dick & Shia. This time it was for the beautiful wedding of Toni & Justine and was at two of my all-time favourite venues – Villa Balbianello and Lido di Lenno. Told you I was lucky!

Both Toni & Justine got ready at Albergo Lenno, just across the bay from the Lido di Lenno. Lenno’s a great little town as it allows you to get onto the Lake front and away from the main road. Villa Balbianello is only accessible by boat and so whilst Toni and the guests enjoyed their boat-ride, half an hour later, Justine, her Mum and I enjoyed our trip on a lovely speed boat. The climb to the Loggia at Villa Balbianello is quite steep but so worth it. This is one of the most spectacular spots to get married in the world – it must be! The immaculate surroundings of the Villa and the incredible blossoming flowers add to the 360 degree views over Lake Como. Stunning.

Boats took us back around the bay to the Lido di Lenno. A funky little place with a really chilled-out atmosphere. Confetti and aperitivi were enjoyed by all but unfortunately, Justine’s Nan wasn’t too well during the meal and had to take a trip to hospital. A worry for all involved but just a few hours later Nan came back with a big smile on her face and the evening could continue with vigour.

Take a peek:

Beautiful Lake Como, taken from Lenno.

Lake Como

Final touches for Toni.

Buttonhole

Beautiful Justine, just ready.

Bride

Love this one of Toni with his Mum & Dad.

Groom & Parents

Really love this one.

Bride

Justine and her Mum wandered along the Lake front to meet the speed boat.

Bride & Mother

Villa Balbianello comes into view.

Bride & Mother on Boat

Villa Balbianello – breathtaking.

Villa Balbianello

Toni waits.

Groom & Best Man

Gorgeous.

Ceremony, Villa Balbianello

An emotional ceremony.

Ceremony, Villa Balbianello

What a place to say ‘I do!’

Ceremony, Villa Balbianello

Just Married!!

Bride, Groom & Guests

The guests went for a tour of the Lake whilst we stayed at Villa Balbianello for photographs.

Bride & Groom

Beautiful flowers.

Bride & Groom

Sneaky!

Bride & Groom

Not set-up – promise! Too cool.

Shoes on Boat

Confetti was launched as Toni & Justine got off the boat.

Confetti

Such a laugh!

Bride & Guest

Fair to say the Italians know how to make things look pretty!

Food Detail

Stunning setting at the Lido di Lenno.

Aperitivi, Lido di Lenno

Vin-o-clock.

Reception, Lido di Lenno

Gorgeous.

Bride & Groom, Lido di Lenno

Eventful and stunning all rolled into one. Thank you for being fabulous and for looking after me so attentively. I’ll be in touch VERY soon!! – Amyx

Wedding Photographer: Cadenabbia, Bellagio & Vassena, Lake Como: Dick & Shia

Amy was the wedding photographer in Cadenabbia, Bellagio & Vassena, Lake Como, Italy for Dick & Shia’s wedding.

I always get excited about going to Lake Como. I know it so well having photographed many weddings all around the Lake and was super-excited to be going twice over the next two weekends. The first trip was for the wedding of Dick & Shia and in order to fit it in I had to fly from Naples to Milan having only just photographed the Sorrento wedding.

Dick & Shia are the most fabulous Dutch couple who had planned a wonderful day around the Lake. After getting ready in Bellagio, they hopped across the Lake on boats for the ceremony in the Anglican Church of Cadenabbia: a church with an impressive golden altar that I know so well. Dutch tradition means that the cake cutting comes immediately after the ceremony, then we jumped on the ferry and I had some time with Dick & Shia in Bellagio. After photographs, 10 minutes drive to the little village of Vassena and to the reception which took place in a family member’s private home – and what a home! Incredible views of the Lake and a perfectly placed terrace and swimming pool. Sheer luxury!

Take a look:

Lake Como taken from Bellagio.

Lake Como

Gorgeous Shia.

Bride

Shia’s proud Mum.

Bride's Mother

Dick and the guests jumping on the boat that took them to Cadenabbia on the other side of the Lake where the ceremony took place.

Lake Como Boatride

A relaxed vicar who performed a wonderful heart-felt ceremony – he was even warm to the photographer!

Ceremony

Look at that fabulous alter!

Ceremony

Cheers!

Toasting the Bride & Groom

Taken from the boat heading back to Bellagio, one of my all-time favourite towns.

Bellagio, Lake Como

Lovely.

Bride & Groom, Lake Como

Bellagio is so colourful.

Bride & Groom, Bellagio

You’ve been bubbled!

Bride & Groom & Bubbles!

Not a bad backdrop for the group shots ;-)

Group Shot

The first speech. Unfortunately I couldn’t understand a word of them!

Speeches

People had put together some lovely memories for Dick & Shia.

Bride & Groom

Shia’s crazy about Christmas and so every guest gave her a homemade decoration! Dick got cigars instead.

Guests

Huge smiles all day long.

Bride

Just chilling out.

Guests

Breath-taking.

Bride & Groom, Lake Como

Shia and her brother reminisce.

Bride & Brother

Too stunning for words.

Table Decorations

The children were taken out for a ride in the family speed boat.

Lake Como

Last shot of the day.

Bride & Groom

Loved it loved it loved it. Thank you so much for being so welcoming and for the fabulous experience. I’ll be in touch very soon with your complete gallery details. Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Sorrento: James & Alex

Amy was the photographer in the Cloisters and at Villa Antiche Mura, Sorrento, Italy for James & Alex’s wedding.

A small gap between weddings and before I knew it I was heading back down south for the wedding of James and Alex in Sorrento. The heat was still hitting the high 30s and the whole coast was so colourful in full flower. James & Alex both got ready at The Hilton Palace, a stunning place high up over-looking the entire town. They made their way separately to The Cloisters – one of my favourite places to photograph a wedding ceremony.

We had some time afterwards for group shots and shots of James & Alex before we headed slightly out-of-town to the beautiful Villa Antiche Mura, a real hidden gem. I struggled to keep hold of my camera throughout the hilarious speeches! As the evening progressed and the guests tucked into their meal, they were all treated to the most beautiful sunset. Take a look:

The very swanky Hilton Palace, Sorrento.

The Hilton Palace, Sorrento

It’s great for me when Brides and Grooms get ready nearby, I can hop from room to room!

Groom

Alex’s room was turned into a hairdressing salon for the Bridesmaids!

Bridesmaids getting ready

James, just ready and about to leave for the Cloisters.

Groom

Stunning.

Bride

Love this one with Mum & Dad.

Bride & Parents

Proud Dad walks Alex up the aisle.

Bride & Father

The Cloisters, Sorrento. A beautiful place to get married.

Ceremony

Confetti!

Ceremony

The Cloisters is also great for some photographs of the Bride & Groom after the ceremony.

Bride & Groom

So simple and yet so gorgeous.

Bride & Groom

Villa Antiche Mura – love this one so much!

Bride & Groom

Aperitivi were in full flow by the time we got back to the reception venue.

Aperitivi

Ahhh, the finger story.

Speeches

Hilarious!

Speeches

Beautiful sunset over the Bay of Naples and out to sea.

Sunset

Lovely setting at Villa Antiche Mura.

Villa Antiche Mura

Gorgeous.

Bride & Groom at Sunset

I’d travelled with my tripod :-)

Villa Antiche Mura

Everyone had a sparkler for the cutting of the cake.

Cutting the Cake

Lovely first dance.

First Dance

What a day and there’s more to come. I set up a ‘photobooth’ after the first dance and all of the guests came and ‘performed’ for me! It was absolutely hilarious and I promise to share some results with you soon. Thank you so much to James, Alex and all of their lovely family and friends for such a fun day. I’ll be in touch! Amy x

Wedding Photographer: Castellina-in-Chianti, Tuscany: Alex & Karen

Amy was the wedding photographer in Castellina-in-Chianti, Tuscany, Italy for Alex & Karen’s wedding.

The day after my wedding at Villa Catignano, I was just down the road in the beautiful town of Castellina-in-Chianti, somewhere I hadn’t visited before. Fattoria Tregole played host to the wedding of Alex & Karen: just south of the town by a few miles, off the beaten track in an absolutely stunning part of Tuscany. I was really taken with the Fattoria – it had such a relaxed, rural feel to it and lots of little nooks and crannies that were dressed up beautifully for the event.

We had such a laugh whilst Karen and her Bridesmaids were getting ready (as you’ll see from one particular photograph below!) and the day went by at a very relaxed pace.

Alex and Karen were so chilled out, they made my job very easy. A special mention for the gorgeous Alfa Romeo which added a touch a magic to the day and Karen’s stunning, stunning dress. I LOVED it!

Take a peak and have a laugh!

Karen’s Mum gets emotional as the dress goes on.

Mother of the Bride & Bridesmaid

Mmmm, struggling for a caption!! Well, it was 38 degrees!

Bridesmaid

Gorgeous.

Bride

The ceremony took place in the Saint Salvatore Church, Castellina-in-Chianti.

Ceremony

Little Echo all ready to throw her confetti.

Bridesmaid

Love it!

Confetti

Back to Fattoria Tregole for a delicious spread of aperitivi.

Aperitivi

Lol!

Bride & Guest

So natural.

Bride & Groom

Later in the day, Alex did one my favourite speeches of all time (and I’ve seen a lot!)

Groom

Fattoria Tregole – such a stunning place.

Fattoria Tregole

Great fun!

Bride, Groom & Bridal Party

Stunning set-up for dinner.

Fattoria Tregole

Guests checking out the table plan.

Guests

Love this one.

Bride

Alex and his Best Man (and my lift) Sam.

Groom & Best Man

Big entrance up to the dinner tables.

Bride & Groom

Yey!

Guests

Top-up please!

Guests at the table

Love the moon in this shot.

Fattoria Tregole, Wedding Breakfast

Alex’s Mum in fits of laughter during the speeches.

Speeches

Three brilliant speeches thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Speeches

I absolutely loved this wedding – thank you so much for making it such a relaxed and fun day. Your complete gallery will be online tomorrow :-) Hope you’re having a great time in California! Amy x