Wedding in Fattoria degli Usignoli, Tuscany
Multicultural environments is where I feel best and the wedding of Teresa and Sam felt like being back to uni (ehhh my golden years in London… it seems like yesterday when I graduated). The day was filled with young joyful energy, lots of colour and laughter. Languages blended with music, green tea was washed down with prosecco and I saw people having a great time everywhere I turned my camera to.
Teresa and Sam are both from Chinese background, born and raised in London. What I loved about their wedding was the fusion of their root culture and modern day celebration. During the 12 hours of photographic coverage, I witnessed two wedding ceremonies, an awesome aperitivo party and stylish dinner, but let’s start from the beginning.
Location: Fattoria degli Usignoli
Flowers: Fiori di Testa
Hair: Sada Make-up Artist, Elisa Notini Make-up
Teresa’s getting ready was split into two phases. The first one was before the Chinese tea ceremony and the other, before the western wedding. Both were reserved exclusively to the closest family members and friends. Witnessing Teresa getting dressed into traditional Chinese wedding outfit was truly special. Taking into account her background, it was clear that it was a significant moment for her. In fact, when Teresa’s mum helped her with the last details, tears started rolling from the eyes of both.
While Teresa was getting into her beautiful, yet rather complex Chinese dress, Sam was finishing his last touch-ups and then went out to welcome the guests who started to arrive at the venue.
Once ready, it was almost time for the first wedding part – the Chinese Tea ceremony. However, Sam couldn’t just just waited for his wife-to-be to arrive. According to the Chinese tradition, the aspiring husband has to “win” the hand of his future wife by overcoming a series of obstacles together with the team of his trusted groom’s men. Of course, the bride’s maids made sure to make the challenges hard and a little humiliating. Spicy noodles, leg depilation, plank on a full stomach, eating from mouth to mouth are just a few of the little “revenge” games that they came up with.
Fortunately Sam made it through all the challenges and the bride’s maids allowed him to go and get his bride.
Once united, Teresa and Sam headed to the Tea Ceremony. The Chinese custom says that the bride and groom need to serve tea to their parents, in-laws, and other family members. It symbolises the union of two families and was a very meaningful and touching part of the day.
Still, the Tea Ceremony was only an introduction to the wedding celebrations, as a western wedding was about to follow. Teresa went back to her room to put on her white dress, while all the guests headed to the ceremony venue, spreading in front of a breathtaking view.
What followed was a vivid aperitivo that turned into a dancing contest. The sun started slowly setting behind the hills, while the bride and groom and all their guests had the time of their lives singing and dancing to live sax music.
Only when the evening came, everyone took off to the dinner tables and continued the celebrations enriched by beautiful speeches, sparkles, delicious wedding cake and more party, until late night.
Congratulations once again Teresa and Sam. Your wedding day brimmed with beautiful energy of love and friendship and I wish you that it accompanies you every day of your new life as Mr and Mrs.
POST-WEDDING FEEDBACK
“We are so grateful to have you as a photographer. The photos you have captured are beyond our expectations.”
TERESA & SAM
