Jewish wedding in Florence: Photos of an elegant wedding in the Chianti hills

We can certainly say that 2020 was not in general a very lucky year! But in my bad luck, I can consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to do a photoshoot of a Jewish wedding in Florence at Villa Corsini Mezzomonte, in the Tuscan countryside, a stone’s throw from where I was born and raised.

Like the few weddings, I had during 2020, this was also hoped until the last moment. The European health situation was uncertain and news rapidly changed. But fortunately, the various restrictions gave us a respite, and at the end of August, this beautiful French couple could realize their dream of getting married in Tuscany.

Jewish Wedding in Florence

Axelle and Elliot are a young couple in love who live in Paris. After our mail correspondence, I had the pleasure to meet them in person in one of their visits to Florence for the organization of their wedding. I always like to meet the bride and groom before the wedding even if it is often difficult to do since most of my couples come from far away states but when I have the chance I am very happy. I immediately fell in love with their elegance but at the same time with their simplicity.

We talked together about how best to organize the day respecting their times, their will but also the light, which is obviously essential for the success of the photos. From our meeting until the wedding, Axelle and I have often kept up with the health situation due to the pandemic and we have both hoped and crossed our fingers that this Jewish wedding in Florence could be done. And our prayers have been answered.

Jewish Wedding in Florence schedule

The Jewish wedding in Florence by Axelle and Elliot began with the bride’s getting ready at the Palazzo Alfieri in Florence, an ancient historic residence overlooking the Arno, a stone’s throw from Ponte Vecchio and the high fashion shopping street Via Tornabuoni. A palace that skillfully mixes its historicity with contemporary art, making it unique in its beauty and functionality. After the makeup and hairstyle, we moved directly to the Villa Corsini Mezzomonte, where Axelle wore the beautiful dress and finished getting ready before the ceremony in the late afternoon.

Villa Corsini Mezzomonte is a historic residence of great importance, belonged to Lorenzo the Magnificent, and since 1644 is owned by the Corsini family. It is an architectural masterpiece, the huge green spaces attached to the Villa make it an ideal place to organize any kind of wedding ceremony and outdoor dinner. The interior rooms and the beautiful frescoed living room, are definitely an excellent and equally valid alternative for a plan B in case of rain.

Elliott prepared himself with his family in one of the ancient rooms of the Villa, my colleague and friend Andrea Fabbrini took photos of his getting ready, while I stayed with Axelle. There was a strong emotion in the air, the two guys were visibly tense to demonstrate how important it was for them at that moment. They melted as soon as their eyes contacted, while Axelle headed towards the Huppah arm in arm with her father, in that gorgeous dress, and with rare elegance. And Elliott looked at her deeply moved by her beauty.

The looks of the bride and groom at that specific moment speak more than a thousand words. Axelle and Elliott decided to organize their wedding all in the open, setting up the canopy type of the Jewish ceremony, the Huppah, inside the wonderful Italian garden overlooking the Chianti hills. After the traditional and moving outdoor ceremony in which the guys made their union official, all the guests moved to the garden next to the Villa to enjoy the rich buffet organized by a catering from France.

A few minutes for a couple photos and after that the party started. If I had to think of the most beautiful wedding party of all the weddings I’ve seen in my career as a wedding photographer in Tuscany, I can absolutely say that the party organized by Axelle and Elliott was the most beautiful ever. It was a show, not just a party. A stage where they performed in rotation and also at the same time, a band, a wonderful DJ and a group of girls who played the violin.

An alternation of international pop music, played and sung live, accompanied by drums, violins and pieces of Jewish and French music. It was really a unique dinner, between courses, the guests went wild with music. It was nice and engaging to see how the newlyweds were having fun with their friends and family, I guess I got bored more at some gigs I went to in my life! First of all, I thank Axelle and Elliot for giving me the opportunity to witness such an important day for them; I thank my very trusty colleague Andrea Fabbrini for his irreplaceable presence; I also thank Corsini Event for the impeccable organization and also the guys who dealt with the video and with whom we worked beautifully. I leave you to a small selection of photos of the Jewish wedding in Florence at Villa Corsini Mezzomonte, I hope you like them! Make up : Ismael Blanco Hair : Alexandra Tshiteya Flowers : Simone Bertini Catering : Charles traiteur Music Band : Inspiration