The wedding of Francesca and Nicola

The story

How it went, moment by moment

Getting ready

Nicola got ready at home with his family: shoes and cufflinks, his waistcoat buttoned by his mum, the bow tie and a toast with friends before leaving. Francesca with her bridesmaids dressed in lilac, with make-up, a bouquet of pink roses, the dress hanging on the stone wall and laughter as she put it on.

The church ceremony

A horse-drawn carriage was waiting outside the house, and in the square in front of the church their friends had hung a congratulations banner. Nicola waited for Francesca with the bouquet, then her entrance down the aisle with her father, the rings, the kiss and the signing, and the walk out amid rice and red petals.

La Casa di Papi

In Lazise the guests found the garden with its swimming pool, white parasols and tables already laid under the marquee. Drinks on the lawn, the seating plan of signposts to travel destinations and, from above, the drone filmed the guests forming a heart around the couple.

Portraits by the lake

In the late afternoon we set off in a convertible towards Lake Garda: a stop in front of an old stone tower, then the little harbour, the pier, the rocks and the lakefront under the pines, with the sun low over the water.

Cake and party in the garden

Back at La Casa di Papi, dinner under the marquee with the in-flight menu and a crossword featuring photos of the couple. At dusk the last portraits on the lawn and on the big white bench, then the cake cutting amid purple smoke and sparkling wine, the bouquet toss and dancing in the garden into the night.