A Destination wedding in Piedmont for Ski Champion Thomas Tumler and Svenja Hefti
A dreamy destination wedding among Piedmont hills: Thomi and Svenja
Capturing weddings full of emotion and magical moments is what I love most about my job.
But sometimes, everything aligns in a truly special way — and the destination wedding in Piedmont of Swiss alpine ski champion Thomas Tumler and his stunning bride Svenja Hefti was one of those unforgettable days.
So much beauty and an enchanting landscape framed a celebration I was truly honored to photograph.
The magic of Piedmont for an unforgettable “I do”
Thomas and Svenja chose to celebrate their love in the heart of Piedmont, in a place full of meaning for them: Villa Prato in Mombaruzzo hosted a delicate and romantic outdoor ceremony with views over the rolling hills. It was here, in front of 100 guests and a breathtaking panorama, that they exchanged their vows.
Their symbolic ceremony on Saturday was officiated by a close friend of Thomas, and the moment when the couple read their personal vows was perhaps the most touching part of the day.
The reception continued at Borgo Roccanivo, home of the historic Berta grappa distillery, where guests enjoyed an evening of warmth, authentic flavors, and stunning beauty.
A magical moment: the first look
The “first look” is a special moment some couples choose to share before the ceremony — the first time they see each other, away from the eyes of the guests. It’s an intimate and emotional pause, a chance to be alone together before the celebration begins, to release the tension and savor the beauty of anticipation.
It’s a way to freeze time and silently say: “We’re here, together, and this is all real.”
Thomas and Svenja chose to meet in a quiet, hidden corner of Villa Prato. When Thomas turned and saw Svenja for the first time in her wedding dress, emotion took over. Their hands held tightly, and for a moment, time truly seemed to stand still.
Capturing that moment is always moving for me — it’s raw, real, and filled with wonder. It was the perfect prelude to a day made to be fully lived.
A dream team that made everything perfect
The entire day was thoughtfully planned by Roberta Cavaliere Wedding Planner, who coordinated every detail with professionalism and care.
The floral arrangements by Acqui Garden were a dream: soft, romantic, and perfectly aligned with the natural setting and refined mood the couple envisioned.
Svenja’s ethereal bridal gown
One of my favorite details? Svenja’s gown, which looked like it was made just for her. Every step, every hug, every movement was enhanced by the softness of the fabric.
As you know, I love highlighting every aspect of a bride’s dress — and as a wedding photographer, I always encourage natural, gentle poses to bring out the beauty of the cut and texture.
The couple photosession: vineyards and sunset
For their couple photos, Svenja and Thomi wanted the iconic vineyards of the Piedmont region as their backdrop.
We chose to stay close to the venue so as not to take too much time from their guests — and we had no trouble finding the perfect spot as Borgo Roccanivo is surrounded by vines.
We split the photo session in two: the first part among the vineyards, just before the aperitif, and the second while guests were finding their seats for dinner.
That second session took place on the terrace overlooking the hills — and the golden light of sunset gave us the most magical glow!
We even had time to take a few fun shots of the groom with his beloved Vespa.
A celebration with friends and families… and a special surprise!
Among the guests were many familiar faces from the skiing world: Marco Odermatt, Justin Murisier, Mauro and Gino Caviezel, and many dear friends who celebrated this beautiful day with the couple.
And then, a surprise no one will forget: a video message from Roger Federer, arranged by Thomas’s friends — Thomas is a huge fan of the tennis legend.
It was a touching moment for everyone.
During the ceremony, Svenja walked in to Still Falling for You by Ellie Goulding — the same song that played during Federer’s emotional retirement from tennis.
A fun idea if you are planning your wedding: an interactive quiz for your guests
If you’re getting married and looking for a creative way to entertain guests during dinner, here’s a great idea:
Thomi and Svenja’s friends organized an interactive quiz about the couple using an online platform.
Each table formed a team, and guests answered questions about the couple via smartphone, with a live leaderboard to keep things exciting.
It was a big hit with everyone!
Thomi and Svenja’s destination wedding in Piedmont featured on Schweizer Illustrierte
This wedding was also featured in Switzerland’s most important lifestyle magazine — a wonderful recognition, especially since Thomas is such a well-known figure in the sports world.
For me, it was an honor to be chosen to tell their story through images.
Every wedding I photograph has its own soul, but some couples — like Svenja and Thomi — truly leave a mark on your heart.
Their destination wedding in Piedmont was a celebration of love and beauty.
And I am deeply grateful to have been part of it.
Dream Team
Photos: Giovanna Aprili
Wedding planner: Roberta Cavaliere
Flowers: Acqui Garden
Location ceremony: Villa Prato
Location reception: Borgo Roccanivo
