Stories, light, and emotions from the heart of Italy.

Borgo Santo Pietro is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. A luxury estate in the hills of the Sienese countryside, completely private, surrounded by gardens and nature, with a level of care and refinement that is genuinely rare. I photographed a wedding here in October and it remains one of the most beautiful days I have spent working in Tuscany. The light, the couple, the setting and the dinner that followed combined to create a day that was close t

Villa Cora is one of the most elegant wedding venues in Florence. A nineteenth century neoclassical villa set in the hills above the city, with manicured gardens, extraordinary interiors and a level of refinement that places it in a category of its own. I photographed a wedding here that remains one of my most memorable days in Florence, combining a ceremony at La Certosa with a reception at the villa that made full use of everything this extraordinary place has to offer. Vil

One of the most common questions I receive from couples planning an elopement in Tuscany is when to go. The honest answer is that Tuscany is beautiful in every season, but each time of year offers a completely different experience in terms of light, landscape, temperature and atmosphere. This guide breaks down what you can expect month by month so you can make the decision that is right for you. Whether you are looking for the best time for an elopement in Tuscany in spring,

Chianti is one of the most requested areas in Tuscany for destination weddings, and for good reason. Rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, historic villas and castles, extraordinary food and wine, and a quality of light that changes beautifully through the seasons. If you are planning a luxury wedding in Chianti, this guide covers the most important decisions you will need to make. Why Choose Chianti for a Luxury Wedding Chianti offers something that very few d

One of the most common questions I hear from couples planning a destination celebration in Italy is whether they should have an intimate wedding or elope. The two terms are often used interchangeably but they describe quite different experiences. Understanding the distinction can help you make a clearer decision about what kind of day you actually want. The question of intimate wedding vs elopement comes down to one thing: what kind of day do you actually want. What is an Elo

There are very few venues in Tuscany where you feel immediately that something special is happening. Il Borro is one of them. A medieval hamlet in the Valdarno area, completely restored and now operating as a luxury estate and hotel, Il Borro breathes authentic Tuscany in a way that very few places still do. I have photographed elopements here on multiple occasions and every time the location produces images that feel genuinely different from anything else I shoot in the regi

An elopement in Tuscany is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate your love. No large guest lists, no complicated logistics, no pressure to perform for a crowd. Just the two of you, an extraordinary setting and a day that belongs entirely to you. If you are considering eloping in Tuscany, this guide covers everything you need to know, from choosing a location to understanding the legal requirements and planning the photography. What is an Elopement? An elopement is an i

There are venues that make your job easy. Belmond Villa San Michele is one of them. Set in the hills of Fiesole, just above Florence, this historic property combines extraordinary architecture, manicured gardens and one of the most beautiful views in all of Tuscany. Every time I photograph a wedding or elopement here, the location does a significant part of the work. Belmond Villa San Michele Wedding Photographer: Why This Venue is Special The first thing I notice every time

Tuscany has become one of the most desired destinations in the world for couples planning a wedding in Italy. Rolling hills, historic villas, vineyards and medieval villages create a landscape that feels both timeless and romantic, attracting couples from the United States, the United Kingdom and across Europe every year. Choosing the right venue is one of the most important decisions when planning a destination wedding. Tuscany offers an exceptional variety of locations, fro

Planning a wedding in Tuscany means choosing breathtaking landscapes, historic venues and an authentic Italian atmosphere. This guide helps couples understand what to expect, how to organize the day and how to create a truly memorable wedding experience in the Tuscan countryside.

When couples look back at their wedding day, photographs are often the most lasting memory. Years later, what remains are not timelines or details, but moments, emotions and the way the day truly felt. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen many couples regret the same mistakes, often not because they chose the wrong photographer, but because certain decisions were made too late or without the right perspective. This article is not about rules, but about awareness. Understandin

An honest perspective from a destination wedding photographer on why some couples regret their wedding photos, and how the right choices and trust can lead to images you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Why wedding photo regret is more common than you think Most couples don’t regret their wedding day. They regret how little attention they gave to the photography choices behind it. As a destination wedding photographer, I often hear couples say, “We didn’t realize how important thi

Your wedding day timeline affects everything, especially your photos. I've seen couples rush through portraits because the ceremony started late. I've seen golden hour missed because nobody planned for it. And I've seen beautifully relaxed couples who had time for everything because their timeline was built with photography in mind. After 400+ weddings, here's how to plan your wedding day timeline for photos that you'll treasure forever. Getting Ready: The Photos That Start

Choosing a photographer for your destination wedding is different from hiring someone local. You're trusting a person you may have never met in person to capture one of the most important days of your life, in a place far from home. The stakes feel higher because they are. After photographing over 400 weddings in Tuscany, I've seen what works and what doesn't. Here's my honest advice on how to choose a destination wedding photographer, whether you end up working with me or s

There's a reason photographers talk about golden hour like it's sacred. That window of time just before sunset transforms everything it touches. In Tuscany, golden hour is even more special. The way the light filters through the hills, the warm glow on ancient stone walls, the soft shadows across vineyard rows: it's the moment when this landscape becomes truly magical. After 13 years of photographing weddings here , I've learned exactly how to make the most of this light for

One of the first questions couples ask me when planning their destination wedding in Tuscany is: when should we get married?From a photography perspective, every season offers unique opportunities for wedding photos in Tuscany. After 15 years of shooting weddings across this region, I've seen how dramatically the light and landscape change throughout the year. The truth is, there's no single "best" time. The right season depends on what atmosphere you want for your wedding ph

Understanding the most relevant wedding trends 2026 Wedding trends evolve, yet the real essence of a celebration stays the same. Moments, people and emotions. For 2026, couples are choosing experiences that feel personal, intimate and visually refined. As a wedding photographer working with international couples in Italy, I see trends not as rules but as possibilities. They help shape the mood of a wedding day and create an atmosphere that feels natural and timeless. This gui

There's a reason couples from around the world dream of getting married in Tuscany. The rolling hills catch the light in ways I've never seen anywhere else. The ancient stone walls of a Chianti villa glow golden at sunset. The cypress trees stand like silent witnesses to your vows. I'm Riccardo Pieri, and I've been photographing weddings in Tuscany for over 15 years. In that time, I've captured more than 400 celebrations across this region, from intimate elopements in Val d'O

Planning a destination wedding in Italy is one of those dreams that stays with you for years. The light, the landscapes, the food, the atmosphere. Everything feels emotional and timeless from the very beginning. And then, sooner or later, the practical question arrives: how much does a wedding in Italy really cost. In this guide, I will walk you through what couples truly spend when getting married in Italy. Not generic estimates, not marketing promises, but realistic ranges

Italian castles are places where time slows down. Stone walls, ancient gardens and soft golden light create an atmosphere that feels both historic and intimate. As a destination wedding photographer, I have seen how these venues transform a wedding day into something truly iconic. This guide shares what makes a castle wedding in Italy so special, how to plan it well and how I work with couples to capture its beauty in a natural and timeless way. Why choose a castle wedding in

Light is everything in wedding photography. It shapes emotions, atmosphere and the way you will remember your wedding day. As a photographer, I guide every couple through the best moments of the day, always choosing a light that feels natural, soft and timeless. This guide helps you understand how light works and why it makes such a difference in your photographs. How wedding photography light shapes atmosphere and emotions Good light is not about perfection. It is about auth

Florence is one of the most iconic and romantic places in the world. Every corner carries history, art and a unique atmosphere that makes an engagement session feel intimate and timeless. When I photograph a couple here, my goal is to create images that feel natural, elegant and connected to your story, not just to the city. Florence becomes the backdrop, but the real focus is the emotion between you two. A Florence engagement session is one of the most intimate ways to exper

An engagement session in Tuscany is one of the most meaningful experiences you can have before your wedding. It is not just a photoshoot. It is a quiet moment to slow down, reconnect with your partner and step into the wedding journey with calm and intention. As a destination wedding photographer based in Tuscany with over 15 years of experience, I have photographed engagement sessions across Florence, Chianti, Val d'Orcia and the most beautiful estates in the region. In this

Few places in the world evoke romance like Florence. Its streets, filled with Renaissance art, gentle light, and timeless charm, are a dream for every couple choosing Italy for their destination wedding. But beyond the postcard-perfect views, Florence offers something deeper a unique connection between art, emotion, and human stories. A City Made of Light and Emotion Florence is not only a masterpiece of architecture, it is a place where light becomes emotion. Early in the mo