Italy Destination Wedding Photographer
This wasn't just a wedding celebration, but a homecoming. A celebration of family, of local traditions, of welcoming new family together and bringing them into the magic of Italian weddings and family celebrations. Clara left the small, coastal town of Marina Di Camerota when she was 18, for the UK, where she met Jake. They had their legal UK wedding last year in York, but this day saw Jake and all of his family travel to Marina Di Camerota and the local Palinuro to Tenuta Punta Galera, an incredible venue set in the mountains overlooking the sea, for their big italian wedding celebration.

Tenuta Punta Galera Wedding Photographer
The day started at Marina Di Camerota, in a little B&B owned by family friends of Clara's. This is where most of their guests had all been staying together, and set the scene for the trip. Clara got ready with her maid of honour, her mum and her auntie, and had a relaxed few hours in the hair and makeup chair, before all the excitement set in as she started to get dressed. As her maid of honour helped her into her dress, her mum stepped out onto the balcony for a cigarette, one of my favourite photos, and ties a thread to the legal ceremony in the UK where Clara's mum, who doesn't speak English, didn't realise the ceremony wasn't quite finished before she tried to step out for a smoke break. We took some quick photos of Clara and her maid of honour on the balcony, before heading to Palinuro for the main event.
Editorial & Fine Art Photography

Destination weddings always have such a special atmosphere, with people in awe of the location and enjoying a holiday alongside celebration the couple

Atop a mountain range, overlooking the sea, an informal ceremony followed by food, food, more food and even more dancing under twinkling lights


Italian Wedding ceremony at Tenuta Punta Galera
When I arrived at Tenuta Punta Galera, which felt like it was set within it's own mountain range, Clara had a journey down the mountain to meet Jake, who stood in his olive suit and linen shirt, looking very dapper, giving talented Mr Ripley vibes as he waited for Clara, on the bell tower, over looking the ocean. It was nothing short of spectacular, with their guests sat along both sides, with incredible mountain and ocean views, whilst the harp played. Their best man delivered a short and sweet, informal ceremony to mark the occasion, nothing too formal, as this celebration was more about having everyone in one place and enjoying the food and culture together. After the ceremony, we quickly grabbed some couple portraits in the last of the soft, fading light - these felt very emotional as all of the overwhelming moments from the day, which felt like it was going by in a flash, hit the couple. After this, the guests head back up the mountain stairs to the reception, where they were met with twinkling lights and tables set amongst the trees, with some beautiful warm toned florals, an olive bar, a home made mozarella station, and copious amounts of innovative and traditional rotating canapes, alongside a full band to entertain. No detail had been missed when it came to guest experience, with so much beautiful food and music. Clara and Jake each gave a speech of their own before the sit down meal, one in English and one Italian, bringing together the two cultures.

The Evening at Tenuta Punta Galera
The evening celebrations felt like the main event, and I really wanted these images to feel how the evening felt - chaotic, joyous, hectic and fast paced. I wanted to get in on the action, focus on the movement, have these images feel timelessly nostalgic. It wasn't about carefully crafted editorial perfection, I wanted feeling, which for me meant ambient shooting and a slower shutter, and I LOVE how these look, they feel just how these moments felt. After their slower, emotional first dance, the band led a Tarantella, leading into the cake cutting and a ridiculous amount of desserts, again with interactive elements - live Cannoli piping and tiramisu making, before the disco into the night.
It was a total honour to be a part of this wedding, to visit such an incredibly beautiful place and soak up the culture. Destination weddings by nature are harder work - typically longer days, more time out of your diary and working in the heat, but goodness was it worth it. Thank you to this wonderful couple for choosing me to be a part of all of this organised, beautiful madness. x














