Wedding at Villa Rusconi Clerici
What can I say - I love Italy – the people, the culture, the food, the nature - everything! When the day to photograph the wedding at Villa Rusconi-Clerici in Verbania finally came, I was jumping up and down!
As a destination wedding photographer, I’ve always dreamed of photographing Italian lakes - Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Bracciano or Lake Maggiore - never mind; this wedding just gave me a chance to do it! And you know what they say - “Keep dreaming and your dream will come true” - and it did!
Below you have a link to my favourite thing - gifeo - wedding video I created putting all the gifs I made during the wedding day.
Getting ready at Villa Rusconi-Clerici
Location, location, location…
Francesca and Krzysztof, who both live in California, decided on Villa Rusconi-Clerici, an incredible building set by beautiful Lago Maggiore, built in the town of Pallanza at the end of 19th century. It's rich with neo baroque decorations, wood panelled walls, paintings and antique carpets, all of which are extremely elegant and very exclusive.
First look in the winter garden
I always ask my couples to do the first look photo shoot. During the wedding day it’s really uncommon for the newlyweds to actually spend some alone time.
Fully donned in their wedding outfits Fran and Krzysztof embraced for a moment in solitude in the winter garden before the ceremony. Francesca’s green Tadashi Shishoji’s dress harmonised beautifully with lush, exotic greenery of the orangery.
Outdoor wedding ceremony at Villa Rusconi Clerici
Outdoor wedding ceremonies are what I like to photograph the most, especially in gardens. The Villa’s English garden dates back to 1820. It is full of flowers blooming throughout the season.
It was extremely hot and sunny, so I am really glad that Fran and Krzys followed my suggestions and hid in the shade of the floral gazebo.
We removed the chairs and for the time of exchanging vows we kept only the vintage carpet, which Francesca used to play on when she was a little girl, two large cacti and two beautiful individuals.
During the ceremony the parents and witnesses gave short speeches and friends surprised them with a beautiful song. And then the bride and groom exchanged their vows and I have to tell you - my heart stopped - it was like pure poetry and left all of us touched and speechless…
Cocktail hour in the garden
The wedding buffet and drinks in the garden by the lake were perfect, HB Catering did an amazing job serving a menu based on local, seasonal ingredients with an international twist. Of course, the cheese bar was my absolute favourite, but everybody enjoyed fried seafood, risottos, grilled vegetables and a wide variety of finger food.
Photo session at the Villa
Villa Rusconi-Clerici has it all - we really didn’t have to go anywhere to have an amazing, secluded space for a sunset photoshoot.
Not only did the beautiful garden help to create quiet and intimate atmosphere, but it also gave the newlyweds a moment to be together so that they could celebrate each other for a while.
September sky was changing very quickly; when we walked into the open area of the garden, we were astonished by the view of the surrounding mountains merging with the cotton candy sky.
Wedding reception at Villa Rusconi Clerici
The party was full of intimate speeches and family moments, full of laughter and tears of joy. After a three-course dinner and a traditional Piedmontese dessert - bonèt al cioccolato, the guests had a chance to dance it all off - the dinner and emotions, lose themselves on the dancefloor to the rhythm of great music played by the DJ or just spend some quiet time in the lounge garden area.
I just have to mention the lovely potted plants. They were both a perfect complement to the tables and a resourceful way to say 'Thank you' to the guests.
That day felt like I wasn’t documenting the wedding; I was a part of it - Francesca and Krzysztof - thank you for such an amazing expirence. I had so much fun!
For those of you, who want to see the full story, click here.
PHOTOGRAPHY GOSIA ZUK ZUKOGRAPHY, VENUE VILLA RUSCONI-CLERICI, VERBANIA, ITALY, GOWN TADASHI SHOJI, SUIT SUITSSUPPLY, FLORALS IL GARDEN DI RONCHI MANUELA, DJ/LIGHTS NUMBER ONE, CATERER HB CATERING, MAKE UP AND HAIR ELIZABETTA EPIFANI MAKE UP ARTIST
