It’s Saturday morning, I’m sitting here with my cup of coffee, looking out the window, and wishing I had a wedding to photograph today. But instead of being sad that I don’t, I’m going to share a wedding with you from last year and you can daydream with me until the next time I have a beautiful bride in front of my lens!

Lauren and Riccardo’s wedding day was one I’ll never forget. Their story started on a romantic evening in Bali (yes, you read that right!). They were each traveling on their own and immediately connected over their love for travel and adventures. Lauren discovered that Riccardo was a sommelier from Italy and after spending some months in Italy with him and his family, she knew he was the one. When I asked them for one of their favorite memories, Lauren said it was the first night they said “I love you.”

“We were living in Tuscany, a small ancient town called San Quirico D’Orcia. One Summer night there was a “pop up disco” in this old rose garden in the center of town. We danced all night to Italian techno music. We had laughed so hard, I was crying the whole time. We raced each other back to our tiny apartment, literally running through the streets, and I knew that night I wanted to say it. Maybe it was liquid courage, or just an adrenaline rush, but as soon as we got home I just blurted out “I love you”. He said “I love you too.”

Last year during the pandemic they endured a lot of time apart. Their original plan was to get married earlier in the year but then the whole world turned upside down. They made the difficult decision for Riccardo to come to the states in the fall so they could have an intimate ceremony with Lauren’s family and some close friends and Riccardo’s family was brought in via zoom. The day they get to go back to Italy and celebrate with Riccardo’s family will be such a joyous occasion!!

Their wedding at Stark Farms in Lutz, FL under the large oak trees with touches of whimsical details was so romantic… the long table set up under the oak canopy with market lights and glass chandelier was to die for!

Ceremony + Reception Venue | The Barn at Stark Farms

Florist | Suncoast Floristry

Make Up & Hair | Lili’s Weddings

Cake | Cakes by Ron

Catering | Good Food Tampa

Table & Chair Rentals | Outside the Box Event Rentals

Fiesta Solutions Party Rentals