The Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Shelley & Liam’s Winter Wonderland Wedding
When we think of Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs a Christmas scene is not the first thing we imagine. Our last Italian Villa wedding photographs were shot in the heat of August. So it was with excited trepidation we set off to shoot Shelley & Liam’s Winter Wonderland Wedding. You can see more of our The Italian Villa Wedding photographs here.
Christmas had arrived in Shelley’s family home in a big way. Heart warming decorations, lights and Christmas trees tastefully adorned the downstairs rooms and garden. Cool as a cucumber Shelley told us “My Dad loves Christmas”. We could tell!
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Bridal Preparation
We were happy to see that the girls were in good hands. Kaylie and Stacey Carter wedding hair and make up artists were in attendance showing off their incredible styling skills. Equally impressive were their closely timed pregnancy bumps!
The bridesmaids stylishly whizzed about the house in matching floral dressing gowns. They efficiently conducting various wedding and preparation tasks whilst maintaining the feeling of a Christmassy calm. Shelley sported her own Christmas themed white dressing gown identifying her as the bride.
Upstairs I discovered the bridesmaids utilising a wardrobe’s full length mirrors for make up application. Next door Shelley’s stunning white wedding dress hung in the window. The light perfectly accentuating the top-to bottom lace appliqué. A pair of Roland Cartier wedding shoes glistened in the sun.
Downstairs the wedding flowers arrived. A family friend, Sue Murphy had produced some amazing bouquets, button holes and corsages. All made from a mixture of silk flowers and real foliage.
The bridesmaids helped each other into their dark royal blue sequinned bridesmaids dresses. They were then able to help Shelley into her wedding dress. With her white fur shrug she descended the stairs looking like a winter wonderland princess.
Scoring some serious husband points Liam had sent a gift of a necklace. More importantly he had written a poem that had the girl’s eyes watering. Shelley’s father quite rightly teared up with pride upon seeing his daughter looking so stunning in her wedding dress.
We took a few group photographs outside in the wintery cold. This really added to the seasonal feeling of the wedding day. Shelley and her father were chauffeur driven by her brother in a ribboned Land Rover with a huge sun roof.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Groom Preparation
Unusually for a wedding morning Liam had taken the boys to the Gym for a wedding morning workout. As Liam is the head coach at Coastside Crossfit this was not entirely a surprise.
Back at home they helped each other into their blue wedding suits. With final adjustments to matching pink and blue paisley ties and hair looked extremely dapper. It was nice to see Liam in another coaching role. As a father he was wonderfully attentive to his son as they got ready for the day ahead together.
The Italian Villa wedding venue never disappoints and was beautifully dressed for Christmas. Outside Liam’s ushers were tasked with guiding the arriving guest through the falling snow (from the snow machine) into the warmth of the ceremony room. While upstairs the Medici Suite was dressed in keeping with the winter wonderland wedding theme. The ceremony table was framed beautifully with white trees and their glass decorations and candles. A white carpet with white petals split the room in two. White and green flower sprays with more candles decorated the doorways and window sills.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Wedding Ceremony
The Verona Suite overlooking the Italian Gardens was also beautifully decorated with the winter wonderland wedding theme. After a quick inspection of the finishing touches Liam patiently waited upstairs in the Medici suite with his groomsmen and wedding guests.
Liam’s son carried a ‘Daddy Here Comes Mummy’ sign ahead of the bridesmaids. The moment Shelley entered the room with her father Liam’s face lit up.
The wedding party was treated to a wonderful wintery wedding ceremony with readings from a friend and Shelley’s brother. One the still grinning couple were formally wed the guests made their way into the low sun in the wintery Italian gardens. Cockles were warmed with mulled wine.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Drinks Reception
Shelley & Liam exited the villa. They descended the stone stair case to be covered not only in confetti but more snow from the snow machine. There is nothing quite like loving warm hugs at a wintery wedding. That is exactly what the newly-weds received form their guests.
Downstairs the Siena Suite provided warmth and further drinks and canapés whilst Charlie Woodford, wedding guitarist entertained the troops. Before the sun dipped any further we took the opportunity to shoot some couple shots.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Couple Photographs
The Italian Villa comes into its own when looking for locations for Italian Villa Wedding venue photographs of couples. With the Italian gardens and all of Compton Acres 10 acres of “horticultural heaven” at our disposal we love this venue. A brisk walk through the verdant winding paths, tunnels and caves served with the low sun was a gorgeous background for images of the happy couple.
Back at the villa the guests gathered back in the garden for some quick group photographs.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Wedding Breakfast
The call to wedding breakfast was announced and the guests headed up to the Medici Suite to check their names on the winter themed table plan.
A standing ovation greeted Shelley and Liam as they entered wedding breakfast. With Christmas trees and crackers at a wedding in the Christmas holidays all of the guests were in a jovial mood. Shelley’s nephew took responsibility for the video camera and recorded the merry table’s messages for the happy couple.
Beales Catering not only provided an exceptional service but mouth-watering food, served perfectly to schedule.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Wedding Speeches
With rested legs and full stomachs the guests were then treated to the wedding speeches. These were a pleasure to shoot against the backdrop of blue icicle lights, yellow fairy lights, the Christmas tree and winter themed decorations.
Shelley’s Father started proceedings. The tears and laughter were then further encouraged by the groom and finally his two best men.
Overlooking wedding breakfast the wedding cake stood to one side of the top table. Jenna Plumley created and decorated the naked Victoria sponge cake. This was accompanied by a cake topper the likes of which we had never seen before. A miniature edible bride and groom stood on top of the cake kissing whilst they lifted dumbbells above their head. Very apt!
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Sparkler Photographs
Next we quickly organised a wedding sparkler photograph in the dark of the gardens. The image beautifully reflected in the calm waters of the ornamental lake.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- First Dance
The wedding guests made their way downstairs to the Siena Suite where the bar was open.
Shelley briefly disappeared to change out of her wedding dress into a little white number much more suited for what was to come next. Upstairs Shelley and Liam practised their choreographed first dance in private.
This was the first time taking Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs we had seen a first dance in the Medici Suite. When Liam lifted Shelley above his head and gracefully twirled her around we suddenly realised why. The ceilings upstairs allowed the room for such impressive manoeuvres.
Once happy with their routine the wedding guests surrounded the dance floor. Shelley and Liam perfectly executed their first dance to their chosen music followed by applause and whooping of the stunned crowd.
Italian Villa Wedding Venue Photographs- Evening Disco
With a quick change back into her wedding dress Shelley then joined her wedding guests on the dance floor downstairs. Charlie Schroder wedding DJ lit the dance floor in a variety of changing colours and the guests then merrily bogeyed the night away.
