Enchanting Italian Garden Wedding

enchanting italian garden wedding

The celebration at Villa Valentini Bonaparte kicks off the day before the wedding with a lovely informal welcome party. Guests enjoy an array of delicious pizzas, fresh salads, beer, prosecco, and cocktails. The atmosphere is lively, with the joyous sounds of Italian folk music setting the perfect mood for this three-day event. Fun speeches, singing, and dancing add to the excitement, as everyone is ready to have a great time.

Groom and Bride’s Preparation

enchanting italian garden wedding

On the wedding day, the groom begins his preparations while the bride finishes her hair and makeup. After capturing the groom and his groomsmen getting ready, I leave them to enjoy some drinks in the bar area. The bride, meanwhile, shares a joyful moment with her bridesmaids, popping a bottle of prosecco and capturing some fun photos.

enchanting italian garden wedding

Bridal Elegance and First Look

After photos with the bridesmaids in their pajamas, the bridesmaids leave to get dressed, leaving the bride to get ready and put on her dress with her mother and sister. After adding her shoes and accessories, I take some elegant bridal portraits. Following these, we have a heartwarming reveal with the bridesmaids, and then an emotional first look with her father.

enchanting italian garden wedding

The couple decides to have a private first look before the ceremony. This allows them to share this special moment away from the crowd and ensures they have ample time to socialize with their guests during the cocktail hour. We take most of their couple photos after the first look, capturing their love and excitement.

enchanting italian garden wedding

The Ceremony on the Upper Lawn

With guests seated, the processional begins, leading to a romantic ceremony conducted by a friend on the villa’s upper lawn. The beautiful views and picturesque backdrop add to the enchanting atmosphere. After the ceremony, we gather everyone for a large group photo on the villa steps, followed by family photos as the guests head to the aperitivo.

enchanting italian garden wedding

Cocktails and Sunset Session

The aperitivo takes place on the middle terrace lawn, where guests enjoy local food, wine, and the stunning views. This social occasion is filled with laughter and good company. Before dinner, I have a short sunset session with the couple to capture the breathtaking Tuscan scenery, creating some unforgettable images.

enchanting italian garden wedding

Dinner, Dances, and Fireworks

Dinner begins with a lively entrance, guests waving napkins in celebration. Fun speeches and witty anecdotes fill the evening, creating a warm and joyous atmosphere. The evening’s dances include the father-daughter and mother-son dances, followed by the couple’s first dance. About sixty seconds into the first dance, an impressive fireworks show lights up the sky, adding a magical touch to the celebration.

enchanting italian garden wedding

The night concludes with a long and fun dance party inside the villa, where everyone lets loose and celebrates this unforgettable Villa Valentini Bonaparte garden wedding. As a photographer, capturing these moments at Villa Valentini Bonaparte is a true privilege, and the magic of this location never ceases to amaze me.

Italian and destination wedding photographer Jules Bower photographs weddings in Italy, Europe, and worldwide. British but fluent in Italian, his strong artistic vision and vast experience in the wedding industry make him unique. His wife is a top wedding planner in Tuscany.

Jules Bower author