MIKI STUDIOS
Tuscany Wedding Photographer
Although we are based in London, we often travel all over the World capturing weddings. As far East as New York and as far West as Hong Kong with lots of places in between.
However, there is one country we especially love the most, Italy. Italy is where it all started for us, more specifically, Tuscany.
Being a Tuscany Wedding photographer is where our rollercoaster started at capturing destination weddings many years ago.
This beautiful region boasts some of the world’s most recognisable Renaissance art and architecture.
Tuscany has a diverse landscape of outstanding natural beauty that ranges from the rugged Apennine Mountains to beautiful beaches, to inland olive groves and miles of vineyards.
So, if you’re planning your wedding in Tuscany. What are the most important things to consider? I’ve given this some thought and here are my top five.
Award-winning Tuscany Wedding Photography
PLANNERS ARE THE WAY TO A STRESS-FREE TUSCAN WEDDING
When planning a wedding in Tuscany you should …
Consider hiring a wedding planner. Tuscany weddings are notoriously difficult to plan.
If you’re going with a one-stop-shop and having your Tuscan wedding venue take care of all of the details then find you may not need a planner. But if you are building a bespoke Tuscany wedding from scratch you are likely to need help.
- Are you fluent in Italian?
- Do you know the trading hours of all of the wedding suppliers?
- Do you know when the public holidays are?
- Are there months or times of day when it’s too hot to hold a wedding?
- Do you understand the customs and etiquette for doing business in Tuscany?
If the answer to those questions is no then you should definitely consider hiring a wedding planner. Speaking as an experienced wedding photographer in Tuscany, I’ve noticed that brides and grooms with wedding planners are more relaxed in the run-up to their wedding.
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS IN TUSCANY
When planning a wedding in Tuscany you should …
Give careful consideration to the kind of wedding ceremony you want. Religious catholic ceremonies are the most common in Tuscany and the good news is that non-resident foreign citizens can choose to have a religious ceremony in almost all of Tuscany’s churches.
Civil ceremonies must be celebrated in buildings that are legally recognised like Town Hall’s. Town Hall’s in Tuscany are anything but drab and are often architecturally beautiful buildings inside and out. Some wedding venues will be licensed to hold civil ceremonies allowing you to get married in a villa or a historically rich building.
If you’re having a Protestant, Jewish or Symbolic ceremony you do not need a specific building for the celebration. This gives you greater freedom to choose the location of your wedding ceremony whether it be in a garden, a courtyard, a castle or a farmhouse. Whatever you’ve set your heart on!
My best piece of advice as a wedding photographer who has captured many in Tuscany is to do your homework and familiarise yourself with the legal requirements.
THE TUSCAN SUN
When planning a Tuscany wedding you should …
Think about the climate. Obviously, the weather is mild but it does vary within Tuscany. The valleys tend to have hotter summers, as do the coastal locations but they enjoy the breeze from the sea so feels more comfortable.
The hills and mountains tend to be a little cooler. The hottest months are of course July and August with temperatures averaging 30 degrees. Your guests may not be used to Mediterranean temperatures so plan ahead and inform them if it’s going to be very warm so they can pack and dress appropriately.
For a climate that’s comfortable but still warm the average temperate in Tuscany in May and October is 23 degrees.
When we shoot wedding photography in Tuscany, I’ve noticed wedding favours that are brought with the climate in mind, such as giving guests pretty hand fans or flip flops, are always popular.
ITALIAN STYLE
When planning a wedding in Tuscany …
Choose your dress and shoes wisely. Remember, you’ll have to pack your dress and get it onto the plane. So, dresses with a ballgown, A-line or trumpet shape may be too bulky to take with you. Also, choose a dress that doesn’t easily crease. And one that will feel comfortable in the heat.
When it comes to shoes think carefully. Are you walking on cobbles, or a beach, or on a mountain or through the beautiful Tuscan olive groves? If so. you could consider choosing wedged shoes.
At the very least bring a pair of pretty flats that match your dress, to go alongside those to-die-for Jimmy Choo heels, so you can make a quick switch where you have to.
When we capture Tuscany weddings, we noticed that my brides that look most elegant and comfortable are the ones that kept the dress quite simple.
YOUR GUEST
When planning a wedding in Tuscany…
Appoint someone to be your port of call for guests. Otherwise, you will constantly be pestered with your guest’s enquiries about their accommodation and the local area. Ideally, this person would be a wedding planner or the manager/venue owner.
If you don’t have a wedding planner and there isn’t anybody specific at your venue then you could consider using a friend. It would have to be somebody who is reliable and organised. Ideally, they’d need to speak Italian and be familiar with Tuscany, the accommodation and all the arrangements for your wedding. If you have such a friend – lucky you!
When we shoot weddings in Tuscany, the brides and grooms who have put a lot of forethought into the experience for their guests and ensure in advance that everything is in place, enjoy the run-up to their wedding more as they don’t get bogged down in the nitty-gritty.
…I don’t know where to start… The photos and film were more than we could have ever imagined. I don’t think one of the guests didn’t comment on how friendly, professional and talented they were…
XANA + ROBBIE
Our favourite wedding venues in Italy
PUGLIA
Puglia in the south of Italy is increasingly thought to be one of the most beautiful areas in Europe to get married in. Masseria Grieco certinaly ticks a lot of boxes for a great wedding. The arches, terraces and the gardens combined with modern luxuries like the infinity pool and the spectacular views across the Apulian countryside made Fran and Pete book this place the within a heart beat.
LAKE COMO
We get to travel all over the world but we keep returning to Lake Como. Villa Regina Teodolinda is a very special venue as it sits on the edge of Lake Como. Probably one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and provides for a backdrop like no other. This was the setting for Xana and Robbie’s beautiful Italian wedding. A venue they confessed to falling in love with the second they saw it.
PUGLIA
If there is something we love about Italian wedding venues is when they are self contained meaning there is no reason to leave the venue. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, the Vinilia Wine Resort is exactly that – this venue has everything including a Wine one of the oldest Wine Cellars in the country. Victoria and Jeremy booked this place on their first visit and being been at their wedding, its clear why!
…Worth every penny. Our guests loved them, they fitted in so well on the day but did not interrupt the flow of the wedding of direct attention elsewhere. Clearly extremely talented and so passionate about what they do….
FRAN + PETE
We’d love to talk to your about your wedding day
Let’s start making plans to capture some magic.
