Lauren and Valerio's wedding was one I had been anticipating for a long time! Lauren (my stepsister) met Valerio while living in Italy. A little over a year ago, I got a phone call from them announcing they were engaged! They then asked if I would be their wedding photographer...as if I would ever dream of turning down getting to shoot an Italian wedding overlooking a lake! And I promise you, this wedding was every bit as beautiful as it sounds.

Lauren and Valerio's wedding day took place on the last day of our visit in Italy. We began the day by getting ready in the Airbnb apartment that my family and I had stayed in for the past week. This apartment was old - dating back to the 14th century and was just steps away from Castle Odelscalchi and Lake Bracciano. The views in Bracciano (and Italy in general) were like something out of a movie to me. It felt a lot like traveling back in time because every place was so rich with history.

Inside the apartment, there was tons of natural light which made for some really cool getting ready and detail shots. After Lauren's make-up was finished (courtesy of the best, Karen Frye xx), Lauren's mom, Tina, and two of her best friends, Kerri and Shelly, arrived to help her finish getting ready with hair and the final touch — the dress! This dress was absolutely stunning. I was with Lauren when she picked it out during a visit to the states last Christmas, and when she put it on for the first time it was as if it was made for her. She was a vision!

The beginning of the ceremony began with Lauren's dad, Dennis, walking with Lauren down to the car that would take them to the ceremony. As we all walked down together, Roberto Laconi, got some beautiful aerial footage with his drone. The ceremony took place at La Chiesa del Riposo, a church that is nearly 500 years old in Bracciano. Remember when I said earlier that it was like traveling back in time? This definitely felt that way as I walked into this church. It was a smaller church, but the ceilings towered above us, and the architecture made the place feel like royalty. The ceremony was Catholic, and alternated between Italian and English for both sides of the family, thanks to Father Luigi Romano and Lauren's uncle, Shawn Beavers.

The ceremony concluded, and the newlyweds made their way out of the church as husband and wife. To start off their portraits before the reception, we snuck over right across the street to this bench overlooking Lake Bracciano. When I pictured the photos I would take in Italy, these were exactly what I imagined. Excuse the pun, but it was nothing short of picturesque. We drove back over to near the airbnb where we began the day, and passed this terrace just a building or two down from where we stayed. All I needed Lauren to do was sit there, and she looked absolutely stunning. We made our way back down the cobblestone street, and the sun setting just enough to give us this gorgeous glow to compliment our last few shots.

The reception took place at La Locanda del Cicale, thanks to Valentina Corini and Franceso Petrocelli. Anytime you sit down to have a big meal in Italy, be prepared to slip slowly into a food coma. A wedding was certainly no exception to this. Dishes upon dishes appeared in front of me, and it was easily some of the best food I'd ever tasted in my life!

Throughout the courses, Lauren and Valerio had their first dance as husband and wife (sposo e sposa!). One of the songs they played was Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Then Valerio and his mother, Barbara, shared their mother/son dance, and Lauren and her dad, Dennis shared theirs. Did I cry like a baby throughout all of this? I'll give you three guesses.

Later on in the evening, Lauren and Valerio shared their vows with each other. All I'm saying is if you don't strive to have the love they both share, you're cheating yourself! The majority of Valerio's was spoken in Italian, but I'm still 150% certain he showed every man in the room how it's done. They both had so many kind and loving things to say to one another, and I couldn't be happier for them.

The rest of the night was spent dancing, laughing, and playing corn hole with the new boards Valerio's father helped make for the newlyweds. There was a cigar and rum bar just off to the side of the reception area that was a hit with everyone. And naturally Valerio's parents' dog, Lancillotto, was a hit with me.

Lauren and Valerio - thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity to shoot and be a part of such an amazing wedding. I know you both worked so hard to bring this vision of your wedding to life, and I think you outdid yourselves. I hope you both love your photos as much as I do, and can cherish them for many years to come! Grazie mille!

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Ceremony Venue: La Chiesa del Riposo | Bracciano, Italy
Reception Venue: La Locanda del Cicale | Bracciano, Italy
Florist: Delia Bettarelli | Oriolo Romano
Hair Stylist: Shelly Reed
Make-Up: Karen Frye
Priest/Minister: Luigi Romano and Shawn Beavers
Dress and Veil: Chantilly Lace | Blacksburg, VA
Cake: Valentina Corini e Franceso Petrocelli | La Locanda del Cicale
Catering: Valentina Corini e Franceso Petrocelli | La Locanda del Cicale
Music: Fabrizio Codella
Videographer: Roberto Laconi

Lauren & Valerio | Fairytale Italian Wedding in Bracciano, Italy