Rebecca and Sam’s al fresco wedding at Villa Bernardini, Lucca

Rebecca and Sam planned their al fresco wedding at Villa Bernardini, an elegant and beautiful historic residence near Lucca. We stayed with them from the getting ready to the final dances.

Getting ready in Lucca

They got ready in the center of Lucca in two different apartments: Rebecca with her bridesmaids and Sam with his groomsmen. Right from the start both were very spontaneous and authentic, so we shot a lot of candid photos throughout the day.

Vows in the garden of the villa

The outdoor ceremony took place in the garden in front of the villa, with the guests seated in the beautiful park that stretches from the entrance gate to the main building. Rebecca arrived with her father and walked toward Sam on a carpet of white rose petals. They exchanged their vows in an open air civil ceremony in the middle of the garden, in the shadow of the majestic Villa Bernardini.

After the ceremony we took some photos of the couple with their bridesmaids and best men in front of the villa gate, with the sun’s rays flashing through the leaves. Rebecca and Sam were really relaxed and improvised a few dance steps on the grass, and the photos came out candid and spontaneous.

Meanwhile the guests moved to the garden on the opposite side of the villa, the Verzura Theatre, for an aperitif and some group photos.

Dinner in the secret garden and gelato from a vintage car

The al fresco dinner in the secret garden opened with a speech by Rebecca’s father. Tables under strings of lights hanging from the lemon house, small glass lanterns tied with colored strings, speeches during dinner and a song played by a guest: everything helped create a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

At the end of dinner came the coup de théâtre: the entrance of Miss 500, an old vintage car turned into an ice cream parlor on four wheels, serving gelato to the guests. Even the groom tried his hand as an ice cream maker!

The day ended with dancing in the lemon house of Villa Bernardini. After the newlyweds’ first dance, all the guests went wild, dancing and having fun until late at night. We were truly honoured to be part of it.

Another wedding at the same villa: Anna and Fabio’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Villa Bernardini. Planning yours? See our wedding photography and check your date.