Just a few days after my wet day in Siena, I travelled down to Amalfi for the wedding of Nathan & Emily. Nathan & Emily were alone for their magical day but will soon be travelling back to Australia for a reception with family and friends. What a great way of ensuring a stress-free, intimate and romantic wedding!

They both got ready together in the centre of Amalfi. Emily had managed to hide the dress from Nathan so he got kicked out whilst Emily dressed and then I set up a little meeting in the street. We wandered through the lovely streets of Amalfi, taking photographs as we passed the beautiful cathedral and then met the car to travel to Positano Town Hall.

The private ceremony was followed by a wander through the streets of Positano, where we met the boat that took us along the coastline back to Amalfi. I left Nathan & Emily at this point but they went on to a fab restaurant where they had a table for two. Perfect.

Amalfi.

Emily having her sunburn lines faded out!

Wandering through the wonderful streets of Amalfi.

Love this one.

About 30 school-kids were clapping and cheering as they stood on the steps in front of Amalfi Cathedral. Emily was a bit embarrassed!

Handsome!

Love this stop-off on the way to Positano from Amalfi. That’s Positano in the distance.

Lovely.

Taken on the impressive terrace of Positano Town Hall.

Just married.

We had 5 minutes to take some photographs on the terrace after the ceremony.

Another from the set.

Meandering through Positano’s picturesque, narrow streets.

So natural.

Beautiful.

Love this one with the sailor in view!

… and relax …

Gorgeous.

One of my favourites from the day.

How romantic is that!!

Great day folks. Loved it. I’ll have your DVD in the post as soon as possible so that you can have it for your reception at home. Safe travels. -Amy x

I spoke too soon! I thought I took the good weather with me but it seemed my luck ran out on Sunday in Siena. Threatening to pour down, the ceremony was moved indoors into a beautiful little chapel in hotel ‘Il Chiostro del Carmine’ – a hidden gem in central Siena.

After the ceremony and group shots under the cloisters we had a ‘should we or shouldn’t we’ moment as we decided whether or not to risk getting wet for some photographs in the main Piazza in Siena. ‘Go for it!’ was their decision. We walked down to the centre, photographing as we went and then bam! – the heavens opened. Jamie and Sarah were absolutely fantastic. Sarah whipped her shoes off and didn’t stop smiling as we made our way to the waiting taxi! I’m not sure how many other Brides would have been so upbeat and blasé about getting soaked to the skin in your wedding dress! Sarah – you were a star. Jamie, you looked after Sarah wonderfully and were both so much fun to photograph.

Poppy time of year – my favourite flower.

Lovely detail.

Great hairdresser!

Feet at the ready!

Mum has a final glance through her wonderful reading.

The girls.

Stunning Sarah.

Personally, I think the location and lighting for the indoor ceremony beat where the outdoor ceremony would have been.

Love this shot from the ceremony.

I worked hard to try and minimise the height difference in the photographs – over a foot!

One of my favourites from the day. I remember saying ‘Sarah, move your head to the other end of Jamie’s chest!’ It was a BIG chest!

Just beginning to rain as we made our way through the colourful Siena streets to the Piazza.

Beautiful light as we made it to the Piazza. One second after this photograph was taken, the heavens well and truly opened!

Shoes off and RUN!!! Respect to Sarah for going for it and even enjoying it!

Back to Il Chiostro del Carmine for a wonderful spread of ‘aperitivi.’

Absolutely love this one!

Beautiful table decoration.

Embarrassing!

Still raining but still game.

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous.

You were so FABULOUS. On my own wedding day, I said to David (our photographer) “just take beautiful pictures – I’m not bothered if my dress gets dirty!” I think you out-did me! Thank you so much for letting me be such a part of your day – I loved it :) -Amy x

So, I flew to the UK on Tuesday the 24th of April and it was raining. It rained (poured down) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday … and Sunday and then I flew back to Italy. But the Saturday. The Saturday was the most beautiful, clear blue sky, warm, sunny day and I was in the Lakes. Yey! What a perfect, stunning day it was. Couldn’t have been better. Absolutely loved every minute of it.

David & Jenny were married at Jesus Church in the pretty village of Troutbeck. The reception was held at the Merewood Country House Hotel and everything was just fabulous. Take a peek:

Beautiful Lake Winderemere.

Stunning bouquet.

I love this shot of the back of the dress.

Gorgeous Jenny.

Awwww – Jenny & Mum.

Jesus Church, Troutbeck.

David (second left) and the boyz.

Going to the chapel, and we’re …

Just married!

Love this one.

One of my all-time favourite confetti shots.

Lake Windermere: a wonderful backdrop.

Back to the lovely Merewood Country House Hotel.

With the bridal party.

With everyone!

Emotional moment during Dad’s speech.

Speeches followed by dinner in the Lonsdale Suite.

Guess who caught it?

Beautiful.

Loved it. Perfect day and a fab couple. Thanks folks and enjoy Thailand. -Amy x

In all of the years that I have been a wedding photographer, in Siena last week I was faced with a new challenge: not a wedding but a renewal of vows. Jon surprised his wife of 25 years, by organising one of the most romantic and intimate ceremonies I have had the pleasure of witnessing.

Montestigliano, a beautiful chapel on a hill played the perfect host for this wonderful event. Just Jon, Nancy and their 2 teenage daughters were present (along with brilliant Siena wedding planner Jackie.)

I met the family at the beautiful Grand Hotel Continental in central Siena. We had half an hour or so there before heading out into the countryside to Montestigliano. What a place! Great colours provided wonderful backdrops for my photographs and Jon & Nancy’s two daughters were beautiful models.

Take a peek:

Piazza il Campo, Siena.

Siena’s nooks and crannies are hidden gems.

My first photograph of Jon & Nancy in the Grand Hotel Continental.

Making their way down to the Campo to meet the transport.

Few shots in the Campo before we headed off to Montestigliano.

Heading up to Montestigliano’s chapel.

Love the walls of these old buildings. Great colour!

Sisters.

Great fun!

Perfect little chapel. I would love to photograph a full wedding at this venue.

So intimate and romantic. Jackie, was in floods of tears at the back of the church by this stage!

But there were laughs too when Jon’s new ring wouldn’t fit!

Lovely gesture.

Lovely.

Love this one.

Another natural model!

Remembering the detail.

Probably my favourite from the day.

Thanks for inviting me folks. Really loved my time with you and thanks again to Jackie. Amy x

Back in 2008 (have I got that right folks?) I photographed the wonderful wedding of James & Hayley at Malcesine Castle on Lake Garda. This time James & Hayley’s good friends, John & Kelly, were married at the wonderful Hotel Due Torri in Maiori – one of the coastal towns just a few kms before you reach Amalfi & Ravello.

Since photographing the beautiful private ceremony of Joe & Liz in Positano just one month before, it was as though someone had gone along the Amalfi Coast with a big yellow and purple brush and coloured it all in! The spring flowers were out in force – the wonderful yellow of mimosa and forsythia and the purple of … the purple flowers (must look that flower up one day!)

John & Kelly were an absolute dream to photograph. Easy-going, lots of fun and gorgeous. Hotel Due Torri lent itself perfectly to a wedding as the ceremony took place on the 5th floor, aperativi were enjoyed on the 6th floor terrace and the wedding breakfast was consumed on the 4th floor’s Pandora Hall – a beautiful, beautiful room.

After dinner, we all left the hotel and walked across the road to the Norman Tower where Chinese Lanterns were released and the guests partied hard!

Here we go:

Kelly’s beautiful dress, chosen about 18 months before the big day.

The Grooms and Ushers arrive at the Hotel. I focus on the shadows as a way of showing how sunny it was in a not-so-obvious way – something taught to me years ago by a very wise man ;)

Kelly helped her Bridesmaids into their dresses.

Present time!

Simply beautiful.

Look at the fab weather!

One of my favourite shots from the day.

Lovely.

Handsome Groom.

There’s Hayley in the purple dress with Mac (James) far left – great to catch up with you guys.

Kelly’s friend reads during the ceremony.

I love this confetti shot, just married!

What a gorgeous collection of dresses!

Over-looking Maiori town.

I love this shot of John with his 2 brothers in the background.

Group shots – now one of my favourite parts of the day. You won’t hear that coming from many wedding photographers!

All guests saying a big ‘cheeeeeeese!’

The beautiful Pandora Hall – 4th floor of Hotel Due Torri, Maiori.

Well done Dad!

Breaking from tradition, the Groom’s Mum spoke at this wedding. Great stuff.

Love this one.

And this was at the start of the night. Uh-oh. Think it was gonna get messy.

Weeeeeeeee!

Wow – what a fun day. I didn’t want to leave! The perfect wedding day in every way. Thank you so much for smiling none-stop and for the amazing food and company. Re-new your vows next year because I fancy doing it all over again. Enjoy your hols! Amy x

Kate’s bridesmaids help her into her dress as she prepared for her marriage to Jonathan in January 2009. The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Manchester Town Hall. Jonathan & Kate are now the proud parents of a beautiful little girl, Alexa Grace. Congratulations!

So, I thought, why not share some of these ‘unseen’ images? Each week or so I intend to put up an image that you are unlikely to have seen before that I love. They may not be award-worthy in the eyes of judges or other photographers but they were certainly favourites of the Bride & Groom and will be treasured forever.

This image was taken at Hedingham Castle during the wedding of Chris & Natasha in September 2011. It’s rare that I have time to do this kind of group shot pre-ceremony but all the girls were ready in plenty of time and this beautiful staircase was on-route to the Norman Keep where Chris was waiting. I love this little twist on a group shot and it turned out to be one of Natasha’s favourites from the day.

From photographing people from Orlando in Positano to photographing people from Alabama in Florence. I was so excited to meet Bride Shirley as we chatted so much via email in the run-up to the wedding. She had only just submitted her booking contract when a huge tornado ripped through her backyard and took her fence, part of her roof and car along with it! Safe to say Shirley, Shannon and the other guests felt very blessed to have got to this day.

With temperatures way above average for March and the sky the bluest of blues, I started photographing Shirley and her friend Laura in a trendy salon. I soon left them to get on with it though and met Shannon and the rest of the guys, joining them on the short walk to the beautiful Sala Rossa and ceremony venue. This room is an old favourite of mine – I hope you’ll see why below.

The emotional ceremony was followed by a short photo shoot through the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio before we headed up to Piazzale Michelangelo and La Loggia Restaurant. If you’re not sure where I’m on about, when you Google Florence you’ll see lots of stunning shots ‘from above’ – well, it seems that way. Those shots are taken from this wonderful spot. Here, take a look:

Early-morning Florence.

I love this shot of Laura getting ready at the salon.

Birds-eye view of Shirley having her make-up applied.

A peek at Florence’s breath-taking cathedral as Shannon makes his way through this wonderful city.

Gorgeous Shirley.

I am in love with this room. La Sala Rossa.

I love it from every angle so here’s another!

Congrats from Shirley’s brother who had travelled to Italy with his wife and two young children.

A wander through the Uffizi Gallery.

Shirley & Shannon open gifts from their German relatives.

The entire wedding party outside of La Loggia, Piazzale Michelangelo.

Beautiful table decs.

Love this one – did Shirley stop smiling? Not once.

A must-see.

Shannon, Shirley, family & friends: you made me feel so welcome. Thank you so much for having me and for allowing me to be part of such a special day. A special thank you for my wonderful meal too! I’ll never forget. Amy x

First wedding of the year. Boy was I excited to get going again!

Joe, Liz and 6 of their friends had travelled from Orlando, Florida to spend a few days in Venice (where they officially got engaged), a few days in Florence and had got to Positano a few days before their beautiful ceremony that took place on the balcony of their apartment. I can’t ever remember witnessing such a very private, intimate and emotional ceremony as this one. Their friend Grant was the officiant but everyone there said a few words about their particular relationship with the Bride & Groom. Nobody came close to ‘holding it together’ during Joe & Liz’s words to each other!

The ceremony took place with Positano town as a backdrop which was where we headed afterwards. The light dropped as we walked but there was just enough time to grab a handful of shots before I left the wedding party ordering their dinner.

Thank you for letting me share folks. It was magical. I hope you love these and the rest that are to come:

Positano, Amalfi Coast.

Mimosa, famously given to ladies on ‘Ladies Day.’ Festa della Donna, 8th March.

The ring on a tap!

I love this one of Liz applying her lipstick.

One of my all-time favourite Groom shots.

Zip-up!

Beautiful Liz.

An overview of the ceremony.

One of my favourites from the day.

Isn’t this gorgeous?

The wedding party in their entirety.

Who said you can’t do group shots in the dark?!

I love the intensity of this shot.

A fun one to finish!

I’ll be in touch VERY soon folks! Hope you had a safe journey home and thanks again for letting me in. Amy x

Anyway, I popped round to see my wonderful friends Marco & Sally Ann a week or so ago. I have mentioned them both several times here before since Marco is an incredible pianist, Sally Ann sings and both are available for weddings in Italy. Whilst I was there, Marco said ‘Amy, watch this!’ He sat at his piano and played Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag at warp factor 3. I was completely and utterly mesmerized!

Marco has since made a video of what he played for me and it’s now available to view on You Tube. Click here, sit and be mesmerized too!

What did you think? Amazing hey? Now then, you could have Marco play at your wedding. Please visit his site for all of the information that you’ll need here at Music for Italy Weddings. Don’t miss out!