Rustic-chic vibes for this al-fresco Wedding at Villa la Favorita

Celebrate a wedding between the ancient walls and gardens of Villa la Favorita

The backdrop for this wedding is the marvelous Villa La Favorita on the outskirts of my city, Mantua. Silvia and Alessandro chose this enchanting and historic setting to celebrate their day at the end of June, surrounded by their families and closest friends. The spacious grounds and gardens of the villa created a perfect backdrop for every moment of the day. Silvia’s getting ready took place in one of the rustic rooms, surrounded by her closest friends. Meanwhile, preparations for the ceremony were underway in a corner shaded by the garden.

A ceremony between the beautiful wood

The wooded area next to the villa was the perfect backdrop for the most important moment for the newlyweds, where the ceremony corner was set up. A bucolic setup with a touch of romantic burgundy brought the greenery surrounding the couple to life. The ceremony was touching and heartfelt, thanks to the active participation of friends who managed to move everyone. As a photographer, it’s always a privilege for me to witness these important moments for my couples.

Did you know? At Villa La Favorita, it’s possible to have a legally recognized civil ceremony. Just like my couples did!

How to entertain your guests during the wedding

To entertain their guests the couple chose to set up a table with polaroid cameras and a guestbook during the cocktail hour. The polaroid camera always has its charm and is a nice way for guests to have an extra memory. This part of the day was accompanied by live music, while there was also a children’s entertainment service available for the kids.
Hope that these ideas could inspire you if you are planning your wedding.

La cena sotto le stelle

For the cocktail hour, curated by catering Fratelli Tregnaghi, guests were welcomed in the villa’s portico where the typical Italian buffet was set up. The dinner continued under the tree-lined avenue, where guests and the newlyweds dined under a starry sky. Soft lights and the evening setting of a June day created a unique atmosphere for this moment. The long imperial table was adorned with soft floral arrangements in cups with a delicate blush pink fabric runner. A rustic and romantic setup, perfect for the ambiance of the venue. I chose to capture photographs of the table just before dinner with soft, enveloping light.
A tip if you are planning a dinner in the wood: light bulbs add the perfect atmosphere to your reception and light up the dark of the wood.

Emotions and a lot of beauty all around

The closest friends and families of the couple made this day even more special by sharing smiles, tears of joy, and unforgettable moments. Photographing for me means having a special eye for these precious moments for my couples, moments that they will surely love to relive through the shots. This means creating a photographic legacy, a memory that will accompany them forever.

Bride and groom style

Silvia was stunning with a voluminous yet modern-cut dress, featuring an intricately detailed bodice that accentuated her beautifully. Her look perfectly matched the light and romantic mood of her event. Alessandro, one of the most original grooms I’ve photographed, wore a petrol green suit that matched the color of his eyes, adding a touch of unique and unconventional personality to his look.

The power of a memory

I chose not to include group photos in this post because they are personal memories for the couple, although I know that they will be the ones they cherish the most over the years. I took numerous photographs with their loved ones, bearing witness to the importance of this day for everyone involved. A wedding is the only day when all the important people for a couple are around them. That’s why I value it so much.

The couple’s photo shoot was splitted into two parts: the first shortly after the ceremony, and the second during the dinner as the sun go down to capture a variety of lighting.

Let’s party!

After the candlelit cake cutting, the party kicked off in the villa’s hall. The extra treat? An Italian artisanal gelato cart, served right after the cake cutting, particularly appreciated by everyone on a June evening, especially by the children.

To give your memories a home: the handcraft Fine Art album

To forever relive the moments of their wedding, Silvia and Alessandro have chosen to entrust me with the composition of their wedding album. They opted for a Fine Art print on cotton paper, which renders colors and volumes incredibly deep. It’s an exclusive piece of art carefully handmade in Italy. The customization of the cover could only be strictly in line with the groom’s suit, a shade of green velvet that they both love very much. And so do I!

As you know I have a weakness for the bucolic style and weddings in the woods, and this is absolutely one of my favorites. Explore the gallery below to discover all the details of this enchanting day.

Matrimonio nel bosco a Villa la Favorita: la gallery

Did you like this wedding? I’m sure you’ll appreciate also this one.

Fotografie: Giovanna Aprili
Second photographer: Giorgia Marzari
Location: Villa la Favorita
Planning: Opere di Fata
Catering: Fratelli Tregnaghi
Musica: Morena Lusenti
Gelato: Senz’altro