A colorful destination wedding in Tuscany with vintage flair and serious personality
Candid wedding photography in Tuscany doesn’t get more joyful, bold, and utterly unfiltered than this vibrant day at Borgo Gaggioleto — a hidden gem nestled in the hills of Tuscany and part of the Buccelletti & Casali estate. From the first shutter click, I knew this wasn’t going to be just any destination wedding — Jamie and Jeff (Dallas natives turned honorary Tuscans for the weekend) curated a celebration that was anything but beige.
They didn’t come to Italy for subtlety. They came for magic — and not the fairytale kind. Think: enchanted garden meets Wes Anderson color palette with a light dose of Italian chaos and a whole lot of laughter.
A whimsical couple, a vintage car, and that Tuscan light
Jamie and Jeff have been together for over eight years, but their roots go back to childhood. She’s into astrology, fashion, fantasy novels, and cats; he’s an outdoorsy soul who could talk about hiking boots or ice hockey for hours. Together? They’re warm, witty, playful, and (as they’ll tell you) a little camera shy — which made candid wedding photography in Tuscany the perfect match for them. They didn’t want poses. They wanted moments. Real, unfiltered, spontaneous emotion — and I was here for all of it.
At one point, they hopped into a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider for portraits under the late afternoon sun. The vibe? Cinematic. Effortless. Jamie’s veil, embroidered with floral appliqués, danced in the breeze while Jeff leaned on the door looking like a ‘60s Italian film star who just happened to be from Texas. In the middle of the shoot, they started dancing, rehearsing the choreography for their first dance — totally in sync, completely in their own world.
Wedding ceremony with a view — and a palette that popped
The ceremony took place outdoors beneath towering cypress trees, with views rolling out over the Tuscan valley like a Renaissance painting (if said painting were doused in a cocktail of fuchsia, marigold, coral, lilac, and wild berry tones). The florals — explosions of ranunculus, peonies, and allium — framed the aisle and altar in a riot of joyful color, perfectly mirroring the playful spirit of the couple.
It was the kind of setting that makes you forget you’re technically working — until you look down and realize you’ve taken 400 photos in 20 minutes.
Poolside dinner, pink porcelain, and fruit-forward floral design
After “I do,” guests were ushered to a sunset dinner by the pool, overlooking the rolling hills in the golden May light — which, if you’ve ever shot a wedding in Tuscany, you know is the real main character.
The tablescape was a masterclass in vibrant elegance. Richard Ginori pink china? Check. Gold flatware? Obviously. Lush floral centerpieces tangled with citrus fruits, tiny pumpkins, and orchids in every hue from lime green to electric purple? Absolutely. Every detail spoke the same language: bold, joyful, and deeply intentional. This wasn’t “just” a colorful destination wedding in Tuscany. It was a technicolor feast for the senses.
The vibe: laughter over perfection, color over symmetry
The entire day flowed like a good book — layered, surprising, and impossible to put down. From quiet kisses at golden hour to them dancing by the car, every frame felt like a page in a story worth remembering. That’s the heartbeat of candid wedding photography in Tuscany: it lets you live the moment, not perform it.
Jamie told me she hoped their photos would feel like a documentary — full of love, sweetness, and the kind of magic that only happens when you stop trying to control the narrative. That’s exactly what we created. No posing, no pretending. Just a beautiful, chaotic, unforgettable celebration of two people who are most themselves when they’re just… together.
And yes — there were loud cheers during speeches, but also tears. The happy kind, the overwhelmed kind, the kind you only cry when you’re surrounded by everyone who matters most.
Tuscany in late May, a couple madly in sync, styling that could make Gucci blush, and the kind of light that photographers chase in their dreams — this is what happens when every element of a wedding is rooted in authenticity and joy. Jamie and Jeff didn’t just get married. They made magic — the real kind.
And I had the best seat in the house.
Venue: Borgo Gaggioleto Flowers: IF – Designer Catering: Cortona Catering Photos: Me (IG laurabarberaphotography) Second Photographer: Daniela Ferrari
The candid wedding photography in Tuscanyr photos are owned by Laura Barbera, a wedding photographer in Tuscany