Casa Cornacchi Country House
Arriving in Italy was my first toe-dipping in the world of destination weddings, to photograph in the stunning Tuscan mountains was literally WOW! I used to spend most of my teenage summers in the South Of France and never thought anywhere could top that, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I fell hook line and sinker in love with this place. The scenery, food, and people are magical. It has a rustic beauty that would charm the pants off even the most miserable!
Casa Cornacchi Country House is unbelievable. It is the most relaxing, romantic venue I have ever had the pleasure to work. You feel like you are in a movie. I was continually saying to the fantastic Claire Penn, ‘I feel like Bond’!!
Everywhere you turn, it was a fantastic picture. Lemon trees, olive groves, and of course, the ever-famous Cyprus trees line most Tuscan driveways and hillsides. It is impossible to take a bad image, so I felt so lucky to be there.
I soon learned that having your destination wedding in Italy was so much more chilled and relaxing than a traditional English wedding. The guests are there a few days before, so they are in the holiday spirit, it’s more like a fabulous wedding holiday. Having a night before the wedding for an informal BBQ or pizza evening is a great idea, we went along to shoot this too, it’s an excellent way for your guest to meet and mingle, we also can find out who is who and get to know people before the day.
Been able to have your wedding ceremony outdoors with such staggering backdrops is probably one of the main reasons you would choose to have your wedding abroad. However, I believe it is way much more than that.
It is fair to say The Italians love of food is well known; long lazy lunches with the entire family is the norm. Food defiantly echoed into how they do weddings, five courses of incredible food served so passionately with no rush to what time it was. This is the way to do it!! The atmosphere was out of this world. No one stressed; everyone was enjoying being with each other on this fantastic romantic day. The dining area was rustic, with lots of natural foliage cascading over the tables that mimicked views the Tuscan hills. Once the evening was underway, it was safe to say, the party was in full swing, and the guests continued dancing into the small hours, the dance floor was still going at 4am. Casa’s attention to detail was stunning; their approach is understated, dynamic, and elegant with such lovely nods to their heritage. The guests could go and treat themselves to some famous Gelato ice cream from the traditional ice cream cart set a small distance away in the olive groves was perfection! Vintage Fiat 500’s were on tap, the only way to rock up as a married couple in the Tuscan hills!
I suppose the planning is a little more tricky, however, so much more worth it. I would highly recommend anyone thinking of doing it to go for it. It has a different atmosphere, the light is utterly breathtaking, magic will await you!
Here are a few of my favourite images from the wedding day.
