Natasha and Jake, Castello Il Palagio, Tuscany

Tasha and Jake decided to be adventurous, and get married in a castle, on a vineyard, in rural Tuscany, in an intimate service with 40 of their closest friends and family.

I knew Tasha and Jake were my type of couple from our initial skype. Their little sausage dog Darcy was trying to demand all of the attention on their end, my kittens were running riot wanting to get involved - plus they told me how much they loved my style, and had already checked on available flights from Manchester for me, organised much!? They told me how Italy was their favourite place and that they go a few time a year, they love the culture and the food (obviously!) so it felt natural for them to get married there.

Fast forward to the big day!

When they arrived in Italy at the start of the week, the weather had been horrendous and there had even been mudslides in Tuscany. So they were a little bit concerned! However the weather was beautiful at the end of the week for their wedding. This was an intimate wedding, with their 40 closest friends and family. I love intimate weddings, they feel so personal and special, it's really lovely to share your day with only the people that mean the absolute most to you.

Tasha and Jake had booked the gorgeous Tenuta Di Sticciano in rural Tuscany as their accommodation for the week for themselves and their guests, and as their prep for the wedding morning. Tasha had the bridal suite in the main farmhouse, which at the top had a beautiful 360 window! I loved this venue for prep, lots of gorgeous window light and rustic details - they even host their own destination Italian weddings here. When I arrived, Tasha, her bridesmaids, her mum and Jakes mum were having their hair and makeup done, whilst dancing around to the BEST wedding morning playlist. This is definitely one of my best wedding morning tips - get your playlist ready and decided in advance, a mixture of absolute bangers and some emotional ballads will get you set for the day! Jake's accommodation was in another farmhouse, just down the round from the bridal suite - this is so convenient, and perfect for photographers covering both preps!

The ceremony and celebrations happened at the incredible Castello Il Palagio, in the Chianti region of Tuscany. This was a real live castle and vineyard Italian wedding venue, which was just perfect. It felt so authentically Italian, beautifully rustic, and complemented the elegant details organised by Tasha, Jake, and their planner Weddings in Tuscany by Imperial. If you don't speak Italian, don't know where to start with suppliers, but desperately want a destination wedding in Italy, then a wedding planner is exactly what you need!

Tasha and Jake wed in an outdoors ceremony, behind the castle overlooking the vineyards, with a floral backdrop. It was REALLY hot! So Tasha and Jake had provided fans for their guests to keep themselves cool throughout the ceremony. Jakes reaction to seeing Tasha for the first time is one of my absolute favourites ever! He teared up and was emotional throughout the ceremony, which was just lovely to watch - I really can't blame him either, Tasha looked stunning in her intricately beaded gown.

After the ceremony, a huge grazing board of antipasti and bruschetta was served outside as canapes. For the guests to serve themselves, whilst enjoying the music from the harpist across the courtyards. Whilst their friends and family relaxed in the Italian sun, myself and Just by Michael (the videographer, who I cant recommend enough!) whisked Tasha and Jake off for some portrait time. We used the front of the castle, and the vineyard for some quintessential Italian wedding couple portraits. I could shoot here over and over and not get bored - I love the rural Italian landscape and the way the soft afternoon light hits the cypress trees - one of my favourite views.

The set up for the wedding breakfast was inside the courtyard of the castle, surrounded by the historic castle walls, but open air with fairy lights twinkling. They opted for long trestle tables, in a U shape. Tasha had done her own table plan and order of service for the day, which matched her laser cut place names- learning to do your own calligraphy seems to be a big wedding trend! Obviously pasta was on the menu, as well as gelato which was served from a Piaggio.

If you're planning your own destination wedding in Italy, take a look below for the ultimate Italian wedding inspiration. I cant recommend Castello Il Palagio enough for your wedding venue, and Weddings in Tuscany by Imperial were faultless all day.