Amsterdam Wedding Photographer - Villa Catignano - Tuscany

Josh + sarah

Destination Wedding

Introduction

 What a breathtaking venue Villa Catignano is for wedding photography. When Josh and Sarah asked me to photograph their wedding at this magnificent 17th-century villa nestled in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti region, I was genuinely excited. There was actually a special connection between us already - I had met Josh years earlier while living in Thailand, and we had kept in touch over the years. So when they reached out to invite me to document their wedding weekend in Tuscany, it was particularly touching.

As an Amsterdam-based photographer who loves to travel, I find destination weddings like Josh and Sarah's allow me to combine my passion for photography with my love of experiencing new places and cultures. Villa Catignano, with its classic Italian architecture, sprawling gardens, and panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside, provided the perfect backdrop for capturing their love story

Bride and groom embracing during destination wedding in tuscany, italy.
Bride and groom posing in a dark italian villa in tuscany for destination wedding photography
Bride holding bouquet with groom in background at destination wedding in italy
Bride and groom smiling and laughing at sunset during destination wedding in tuscany, italy
Bride and groom laughing together at sunset during destination wedding in tuscany, italy
Bride and groom kissing at wedding ceremony in tuscany, italy.
 

pre wedding dinner party

Pizza Night

Arriving at the venue on the Friday I was greeted by the beautiful sight of the Tuscan landscape at sunset. WOW!

Guests get to know each other over dinner on the pre amble for the big day on Saturday. Villa Catignano and wedding planners Lusso Events really made the venue come to life with the amazing dinner setting against the sunset at the villa

 

PREPARATIONS

The Morning Of The Big Day

The morning of Josh and Sarah's wedding day at Villa Catignano dawned bright and promising. The Tuscan sun was already casting a golden glow across the villa's terracotta walls, creating that distinctive warm light photographers dream about.

Inside the cool shade of the villa, Sarah and her bridal party prepared for the day ahead. Her dress, with its delicate lace details and flowing silhouette, complemented the classic surroundings perfectly. Meanwhile, Josh and his groomsmen prepared in another part of the villa, with relaxed smiles and laughter that spoke of friendship and anticipation.

The Main event

Beautiful Garden Ceremony

The ceremony in Villa Catignano's beautiful garden was nothing short of magical, with the stunning Tuscan landscape serving as a natural backdrop. As guests settled in, the bright sun cast a warm glow while ancient cypress trees provided welcome shade. Josh's face showed touching anticipation as he waited at the altar framed by the classic garden design. Sarah's entrance was breathtaking as she walked through the garden with the villa's terracotta walls and rolling hills behind her, embodying both modern elegance and timeless grace. Their intimate, personal ceremony unfolded surrounded by loved ones, with the natural beauty of the venue embracing the proceedings. After sealing their vows with a kiss, guests showered them with petals as they walked back down the aisle. The celebration that followed was filled with laughter, tears of joy, and heartfelt congratulations as guests mingled in the garden, enjoying spectacular views while sipping prosecco.

As sunset painted the Tuscan hills, the celebration moved to Villa Catignano's charming courtyard. Lusso Events had transformed this historic space into a magical setting that balanced rustic Tuscan elegance with personal touches. Long tables arranged beneath strings of warm lights created a canopy of stars, while candlelight illuminated the ancient villa walls. The table settings featured a beautiful blend of traditional Tuscan elements with contemporary design. The golden evening light perfectly captured the joy on the couple's faces as they entered the reception. Throughout dinner, featuring a culinary journey through Tuscan cuisine, heartfelt speeches brought both laughter and tears. As night fell completely, the courtyard transformed into a lively dance floor. Josh and Sarah's first dance was particularly moving - the two of them completely absorbed in each other beneath the canopy of lights, creating an intimate moment despite being surrounded by loved ones who celebrated late into the night.

The Way I work

My approach focuses on capturing authentic moments with honesty and artistic vision, believing the most powerful wedding photographs tell a genuine story reflecting the couple's unique connection. For Josh and Sarah's Tuscan wedding, the goal was blending seamlessly into the background to capture candid interactions and quiet moments of intimacy. Villa Catignano's stunning backdrop provided endless opportunities for creative composition using natural light - from soft illumination streaming through villa windows to the warm glow of the courtyard dinner. The style incorporates both colour photography to capture Tuscany's vibrancy and black-and-white to emphasize emotion and timelessness.

The approach includes naturally guided portrait sessions exploring different parts of the estate and creating editorial type imagery.. Ultimately, the passion lies in creating images that aren't just photographs but works of art that couples will treasure for a lifetime - telling their complete story with beauty, honesty, and artistry.

Are You Planning Your Wedding at Villa Catignano?

If you're considering it for your Amsterdam or Arnhem area wedding, I'd be happy to discuss how we can create beautiful photographic memories together. Having worked at this venue multiple times, I'm familiar with its best features and lighting opportunities.

Contact me to schedule a consultation about your wedding photography needs. For more examples of my work, please visit my portfolio .

 

  • A few questions and answers about the venue.

  • Villa Catignano offers numerous stunning spots! The Italian garden with its Four Seasons statues is classic. The cypress-lined driveway provides iconic Tuscan landscape shots. The courtyard is magical for evening photos with string lights. Inside, the historic rooms with frescoes offer elegance. The surrounding countryside, especially at sunset ('golden hour'), provides breathtaking panoramic views. We can explore various locations to capture a diverse range of images, just like we did for Josh and Sarah.

  • The light is generally fantastic, especially during the 'golden hour' just before sunset, which casts a warm, magical glow perfect for portraits. The Tuscan sun can be strong midday in summer, so we'll plan portraits for optimal times or utilize shaded areas like the loggia or gardens. The villa's large windows also provide beautiful natural light indoors for preparation shots.

  • Drone usage is generally possible at Villa Catignano, offering spectacular aerial views of the estate and surrounding landscape.

  • I recommend scheduling dedicated time slots for different photo sessions. Typically: getting ready photos (1-2 hours), couple portraits (around 60 minutes, ideally during golden hour), family formals (20-30 minutes), and bridal party photos (20-30 minutes). We'll work together to integrate these seamlessly into your timeline, ensuring we capture everything beautifully without making you feel rushed.. It is a good idea to get Lusso Events on board early to help with your planning.

  • While we always hope for sunshine Tuscan weather can be unpredictable. Villa Catignano has beautiful indoor options, including elegant halls with frescoes and large windows providing natural light. We can capture stunning portraits indoors, utilize covered areas like the loggia, or even embrace the rain with creative shots using umbrellas if you're adventurous! We'll always have a backup plan.

Last Updated 29 April 2025