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 my phone 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 process that felt light and slow. So I left my digital cameras at home and packed rolls of film instead.

Fernando and Nicolo’s wedding was a big queer Venezuelan Italian four day love fest and it was EVERYTHING. So much joy, generosity, hilarity, pasta, arepas, dancing, and wild gesturing. A dizzying mixture of languages. An outpouring of love.

They married in a civil ceremony before their wedding weekend in the village where Nicolo grew up, on the outskirts of Torino. 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 hours of conversation and wine between each course.

After a day of rest in Torino, 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 gorgeous 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.

Venue: La Cascina Langa ~ All frames captured on 35mm film. <3