A Perfect Florence Wedding at St James Church in Italy

Are you dreaming of a destination Florence wedding? Because photographing two people in love in Italy is what we live for!

British bride Jo and her Italian/Canadian groom Joe, first met thanks to Joe’s eldest daughter Marina. They were introduced by Marina when they were out one evening socializing with friend’s at bar called Le Jardin in Hong Kong, and the rest…as they say, is history!

It was quite cool that way that we met Jo and Joe, too. We have tons of mutual friends in common from when we lived in Hong Kong and more recently when they stayed at our condo (Joe was waiting to start a new job). So we were thrilled to be asked to photograph their Florence wedding at St. James Church.

The Proposal

“On my birthday, Joe took me to my favourite 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Hong Kong called Otto E Mezzo. He was eager to get me home before the clock struck midnight, as had set up the sound system to go off at that time for the proposal! As I had no idea this was coming, I was reluctant to go home as was having such a great time. I kept whining ‘but it’s my biiiirtday’, finally however he convinced me with a ‘let’s go home and open up a bottle of champagne to see your birthday in’ so I agreed.

As soon as we walked in the door he proceeded to open a bottle of bubbles and put the music on. He figured he had 45 seconds to get down on one knee and get his speech out before the chorus came on in the music, which was Train’s ‘Marry Me’. I just sat there mouth wide open in silence… he said, oh I didn’t plan for this! Answer me!!… to which I replied… absolutely!”

And so, the two proceeded to celebrating at an exceedingly beautiful Florence wedding with their closest friends and family

The Ceremony

Jo and Joe although based in Hong Kong decided on a Florence wedding at St James Church. Not only because of Joe’s Italian routes but because bride-to-be Jo had always dreamt of marrying in Italy ever since she was a little girl. She felt very lucky indeed when she fell in love with a Canadian Italian!St James Church in Florence, Italy designed by an English architect, who was prominent in the Gothic Revival of the late 19th Century.

Jo dressed in her bridal gown by Monique L’Hullier and Joe in his wedding suit by Ralph Lauren exchange their wedding vowels and rings in the company of their closest family and friends.

“78 guests from: England, Australia, New Zealand, America, Hong Kong, Canada, Fiji, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Croatia, Antigua, Amsterdam, Malaysia, Turkey.”

The Wedding Celebrations

To continue their wedding day celebrations, Jo and Joe lead their 5 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen plus 78 guests who literally travelled from across the globe, to their dreamy Tuscan wedding reception at Villa Le Fontanelle.

Back in the 15th century Villa Le Fontanelle in Florence was home to the famed Italian Medici family before it became this dreamy wedding venue, beautifully decorated with flowers by local florists Giardino Delle Fate. The property is manifested in beauty everywhere, it’s a feast for the eyes and a shelter for the soul, while offering wide sweeping spaces with the highest-level of privacy.

Favourite moment “When they were building the cake playing Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” everyone was singing and waving their sparklers, it was a spectacular moment!”

Already knowing Jo and Joe meant they were really relaxed about us being around them from the moment we arrived, allowing us to capture some very special moments throughout the day. The perfect late summer sun shining all day long, and a venue with so much history, character and atmosphere.

We especially loved taking the creative bride and groom portraits, that were shot later on in the evening around the villas with it’s dramatic backdrops. It was a perfect wedding to finish our European season before heading back for the winter. And was one of the most magical Florence wedding days we covered in 2016.

For more information about our wedding photography in Florence, don’t hesitate to get in touch, we love hearing from couples in love!

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