For the first time in 12 years as a wedding photographer, I was invited as a guest to celebrate the love of two amazing humans (in Italy!!) who’ve become family. I gave myself permission to unplug from phone attachment and the impulse to be in work mode, which allowed me to experience and witness a wedding in a completely different way. I still wanted to make photos, but was craving a distinct process that felt light and fully analog. I packed 5 rolls of film for the 8 day trip.
Fernando and Nicolo’s wedding was a big queer Venezuelan Italian 4 day love fest and it was EVERYTHING. So much joy, generosity, hilarity, pasta, arepas, dancing, gesturing. A dizzying mixture of languages. An outpouring of love.
They married in a civil ceremony before their wedding weekend in the village outside of Turin where Nicolo grew up. They had described it as a legality so I expected something brief, but clearly knew little of Italians. It was a whole day of celebrating, from the sweet, emotional ceremony officiated by the mayor, to an amazing dinner with hour-long conversations and wine between every course.
After a day of rest in Turin, we drove through the countryside of Alessandria to the most magical place in the mountains, La Cascina Langa. The entire weekend was community centered, with everyone participating in some aspect of the wedding’s creation, whether stringing lights, making bouquets, or cooking family meals. They wore suits designed by their best friend Angelo Lapi. Most unforgettable was hearing their vows, each spoken in the other’s native language. (I only understood Nico’s Spanish, but cried for both.) Copious amounts of hugging and loving and partying ensued.
All frames captured on 35mm film with my treasured little Contax, plus a roll with a plastic point-and-shoot kept in my pocket.
