Chic and party vibes: a wedding at Villa Martinelli

A wedding at Villa Martinelli between Italian gardens and an unforgettable party

Villa Martinelli was a wonderful discovery for me! I had never heard of it until I had the chance to photograph Hartwig and Luisa’s wedding. The moment you step through the gate, the architecture of the villa and the formal Italian garden wrap you in an atmosphere suspended between past and present, the kind of beauty that needs no explanation.

Hartwig and Luisa’s wedding was exactly that: a day that made room for the beauty of the place without ever overwhelming it, and that ended with an incredible party. The chic, refined atmosphere never stopped the couple from fully enjoying every single moment of their day.

Scroll to the bottom of the article to see the full gallery.

The Italian garden as the ceremony stage

The ceremony took place in the afternoon, in the formal garden facing the villa — a choice that delivered soft light and an enchanting natural backdrop.

Everything was planned by Britta Hartmann de Marchi of Creative Wedding, whose precise yet delicate approach gave the day a flawless rhythm.

The bride wore a dress I absolutely loved: a structured bodice with applied flowers, while the groom wore an elegant black tuxedo for the ceremony, swapping the jacket just before dinner.

The aperitivo in the garden and dinner inside the villa

After the ceremony, guests moved to the adjacent garden for the aperitivo, a light, convivial moment filled with conversation and toasts.

Then came dinner inside the villa, where a soft white and blush palette in the floral arrangements beautifully complemented the architecture of the room. Between courses, several heartfelt speeches from guests moved and delighted everyone at the table.

The cake cutting and the party: when the evening becomes unforgettable

In front of the villa, with its illuminated façade as a backdrop, the cake cutting drew the formal part of the evening to a close.

An unexpected surprise followed: fireworks, a gift from the couple’s parents, enjoyed by everyone despite a few drops of rain.

Then the music started. And that was it, a full-on party. The kind that, as a photographer, feels like a privilege to document: pure freedom and an irresistible urge to dance.

This is the kind of wedding I love to photograph! Spontaneous, fun, real.

Why choose Villa Martinelli for your wedding

Villa Martinelli, in the Bergamo area, offers a rare combination: historic architecture with its formal Italian garden, indoor and outdoor spaces that lend themselves to a full day and an atmosphere that can be both formal and festive in the same breath.

It’s a location suited to couples looking for authentic Italian elegance without the coldness of overly “scenographic” venues.

A few practical things to know if you’re thinking of getting married here:

• Avoid the middle of the day for an outdoor ceremony, especially in summer. The Italian garden is magnificent but between roughly 12 and 3 pm the sun is harsh, the light is flat for photography, and guests feel the heat. A late afternoon ceremony, as Hartwig and Luisa chose, gives you a completely different quality of light: warm, directional, cinematic.
• Make the most of the indoor/outdoor transition. Villa Martinelli’s layout allows you to build a day with distinct chapters — ceremony, aperitivo, dinner, party — each with its own atmosphere. Work closely with your wedding planner to create a natural flow your guests simply live, without noticing the effort behind it.
• Consider a wardrobe change or a small detail that signals the party. Like Hartwig’s jacket swap. A small gesture that marks the moment everything shifts.

My approach that day

With Hartwig and Luisa I was looking for suspended, spontaneous moments. The couple wanted to be fully present in their day without interruptions, so we kept the couple session to no more than ten minutes.

During the garden ceremony I worked with the afternoon light and the unguarded moments — those glances between spouses that last half a second but hold everything. During the party I threw myself into the music alongside the guests, so I could be right there when things were really happening.

My goal is to be present with discretion, so that you can relive your day exactly as you always dreamed it: spontaneous, free, and entirely yours.

If you love this kind of wedding, elegant but never stiff and you’re looking for a photographer for Villa Martinelli or a venue in the Bergamo area, get in touch. I still have a few dates available for 2026.