an olive tree grows in the middle of some steps at a wedding venue in Tuscany
invitation for a wedding in Tuscany Italy
bride looks out at the Tuscan countryside

A dream wedding in Chianti


White, unpaved roads, known as strade bianche, criss-cross the rural Tuscan Countryside here. Through olive groves and vineyards, villas and borgos dot the landscape, each with their own history and charm. Being the photographer for a wedding here is just a dream, and it was even more so for the beautiful event that Anna-Lea and Franz created.

flowers in a fountain
the grooms vows
a white suite held by the groom
the groom getting ready
the groom getting ready
groom tying his tie in the mirror
the groom reads through his vows before his tuscan wedding
shots before the wedding
whisky and vodka before the wedding
the groomsmen take a shot before the wedding

Thoughtful Details and Great Planning


So many thoughtful details filled this wedding right from the start.They put so much thought into not only the actual wedding day, but the weekend that they spent at Villa Rignana with their friends and family. While getting ready, the boys shared a shot of Don Julio 1942 tequila that was a gift to the couple and had great significance. The bride had matching robes and slippers for the bridesmaids and a cute sunhat with "Mrs M" printed on it for herself. The couple had also handwritten the vows they would say to each other during their church ceremony.

bride getting ready at Villa Rignana
the brides vows and the rings
bride in a dressing gown
personalised hat
bride holding bouquet in front of her wedding dress
a moment captured by Tuscany wedding photographer Elizabeth Armitage between the bride and her mother
mother of the bride and bride in a tender moment
bridesmaid having her hair done
the bride having her make-up done
bride holds rings in a blue ring box
mother of the groom smiling at bride
mother of the bride and mother of the groom look on while bride gets ready
bride and reflection before the wedding
father of the bride. gives bride a kiss on the cheek

And THAT DRESS! It was just made for a Tuscan wedding and running through olives groves at sunset (more on that later!).

black and white bridal portrait in Tuscany
black and white bridal portrait by Tuscany wedding photographers

Religious Wedding at Santa Maria Assunta, Panzano


Anna-Lea had a very special connection to the church she and Franz chose to get married at. She told me as a child they had visited this church every trip they made to Chianti and she can remember having to walk up the hill and all the steps to it. Walking up those steps and then down the aisle as a bride was a pretty emotional moment.

bride and father walk down the aisle
pageboy throws petals down the aisle
bride wipes a tear away during church ceremony
bride and groom embrace during the wedding ceremony
the pageboy is given the wedding rings
happy pageboy brings rings down the aisle
wedding ceremony at Santa Maria Assunta in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
bride and groom listen during their religious wedding ceremony in Chianti
bride and groom exchange rings at Santa Maria Assunta in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
the bride and groom stand at the from of the church Santa Maria Assunta in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
bride and groom embrace during their church ceremony in Italy
bride and groom exchange their rings
bride and groom kiss outside the church Santa Maria Assunta in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
smiling bride and groom after their wedding church ceremony
bride and groom stand on the steps of a Tuscan church and kiss
bride and groom walk down the cobbled lanes in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
bride and groom sitting on steps outside the church in Panzano Tuscany Italy
bride and groom with a view of the roofs in Panzano Chianti Tuscany Italy
bride and groom hold hands on a warm summer day in Tuscany
bride gets into red convertible

After the ceremony and following some pictures just outside the church, the couple jumped in their red convertible and headed to Villa Rignana for their reception. But not before a quick stop for some portraits in an olive grove. If you are getting married in Tuscany, olive groves and vineyards are abundant and make the perfect locations for couple portraits. This time also gives you a moment between ceremony and reception to have a pause and just "be" together.

groom kisses bride in a olive grove in Tuscany
groom dips bride in an olive grove in Chianti Tuscany Italy
bride and groom walk through n olive grove
bride smiles at groom and holds hand in an olive grove
flowers and brides dress red convertible

Wedding reception at Villa Rignana


The reception held at Villa Rignana was relaxed and fun; a band played while couples danced in the sunshine, ice cream was served from a vintage bike cart by Miss 500, and there was a cute fiat 500 perfect for posing and taking photos beside. There were even a couple alpacas just hanging out!

fiat 500 decorated for a wedding in Tuscany
guests meet and chat at a wedding reception at Villa Rignana Chianti Tuscany
gelato cart at a destination wedding in Tuscany
ice cream being served at a wedding
pageboy enjoys his ice cream with bride smiling
guests toast
bride and groom listen to the speeches
guests listen to the speeches at a destination wedding
bride and groom stand listening to the speeches
wedding cake with purple flowers
bride and groom on a vespa wedding cake topper
wedding couple cut their cake
bride and groin taste their wedding cake
bride gives a piece of wedding cake to the groom
alpacas at a wedding in Villa Rignana Tuscany
bride and groom stand out the sun roof of a fiat 500 for the wedding in Tuscany
groom kisses a smiling bride as they stand in a fiat 500 at their destination wedding in Italy
bestman and groom in white suite walk together
bridesmaids and bride hold hands and walk together as the sun sets in Tuscany
best man in a blue suite and groom in a white suite
bride and groom walk down a white road with tuscan charm at their wedding in Chianti

Wedding photos at sunset in Tuscany


The time just before the sun sets is my absolute favourite for creating beautiful and romantic portraits of a couple. Anna-Lea and Franz took a moment away from the party to have a stroll around some beautiful spots and created the perfect set of bride and groom photos. And THAT DRESS! It looked even more beautiful as the sun set and the two lovers strolled hand in hand along the white unpaved roads, through olive groves and vineyards.

bride and groom kiss at sunset in an olive grove
bride and groom run through an olive groom at sunset
groom dips and kisses bride in an olive grove
bride and groom walk hand in hand together in an olive grove at sunset
bride and groom in vineyard in Tuscany
black and white portrait of a bride and groom in a vineyard
bride and groom portrait in a vineyard in Chianti
bride and groom stand close with heads touching in front of an old Tuscan church door
bride and groom in front of a small old chapel in Tuscany
bride and groom look at each other in front of an old chapel door in Tuscany
bride smiles with one hand placed on the old wall of a small chapel
bride looks down and smiles with an old chapel wall painted soft yellow and pink in Tuscany
bride and groom portrait by a small old chapel in Chianti
bride and groom look at each other in front of an old chapel in Tuscany
bride and groom kiss along a white dirt road in Tuscany
the sunset lights up the brides wedding dress
sunset lights up the bride and groom in Chianti wedding
groom kisses bride on forehead as the sun sets
bride and groom watch the sun set
wedding couple with heads together as sun sets

A magic setting for dinner


Back at the villa, the sun now set, it was time to turn attention to the food as provided by My Chianti Chef. The lights enclosing the space gave an intimate and magical feel to alfresco dinning. A simple but elegant arrangement of green olive branches with white roses trailed the entire length of the table. Candles brought more sparkle and atmosphere. Food and wine was enjoyed by all while the speeches brought joy between the each course.

bride and groom walk under a canopy of fairy lights
white flowers set among olive branches under a canopy of fairy lights
wedding couple kiss under a canopy of fairy lights
the table is set under a canopy of fairy lights for alfresco dinning at this Tuscan wedding
couple walk under a canopy of fairy lights next to the table set for their wedding breakfast
speeches outside under a canopy of fairy lights
the father of the bride makes his speech
bride and groom share a moment during their wedding meal under a canopy of fairy lights
toasts during the wedding under a canopy of lights
bride and groom in his and her jean jackets kiss
speeches under a canopy of lights outside
a toast during a wedding in Tuscany
dinning alfresco under a canopy of lights in Tuscany
first dance with guests holding sparklers

A first dance with sparklers


After diner, things picked up again with the first dance. The couple took centre stage surrounded by their close friends and family lighting the space with sparklers. And the dancing and partying went on into the evening...

wedding guests holding sparklers
bride and groom in first dance while guests hold sparklers
bride and groom kiss during their first dance
bride and groom party at wedding
bride and groom spin around dancing
wedding couple during first dance with guest behind holding sparklers