photography
Alyssa and Alex kissing in the garden of Villa Paradiso, with the hills of Arquata Scrivia behind
FV

Alyssa & AlexAn elopement at Villa Paradiso,
in the hills between Piedmont and Liguria

An intimate elopement in Italy

Villa Paradiso,
Alyssa & Alex

Some couples dream of a big celebration. Alyssa and Alex, from St. Louis, Missouri, wanted the opposite: a Thursday in May, just the two of them, a villa in the hills and a whole afternoon to live it slowly.

They chose Villa Paradiso in Arquata Scrivia, on the green hills where Piedmont meets Liguria: a white villa with a little tower, a fountain, palm trees, a rose garden and a pool looking out over the valley. Federica and Valentina welcomed them like family.

The afternoon began quietly. They got ready together: letters written for this day, a glass of champagne, a hand with the cufflinks, a zip to close. Then portraits in the garden, and at half past five the ceremony among the roses, led by Carina Popescu.

After the vows we wandered around the villa until the light turned golden by the pool, and the day ended with a private dinner for two, cooked by chef Enza. No rush, no crowd: just the two of them, and time.

Area

Arquata Scrivia, between Piedmont and Liguria

Ceremony

In the rose garden, on a Thursday in May

Officiant

Carina Popescu, Tuscan Wedding Officiant

Villa Paradiso among the green hills of Arquata Scrivia, from above
The winding road up to Villa Paradiso, from above
The fountain and gardens of Villa Paradiso

01

The afternoon

Getting ready together

Calligraphy, rings and perfume, letters written for this day, champagne in the room. Side by side, helping each other with the last details.

The engagement ring on the calligraphy names
The wedding rings on the calligraphy names
Shoes, rings and calligraphy names on a white tray
The groom's suede loafers, perfume and rings
The wedding dress hanging by the curtains
The bride in her robe by the window
Handwritten letters on a glass table
The couple opening champagne while getting ready
A kiss while getting ready together
The bride pours champagne
The bride in her robe with a glass of champagne
Champagne poured into a glass
Champagne poured into a glass while getting ready
The bride laughing in her robe before the elopement
The groom getting dressed
The bride helps the groom get ready
The groom buttoning his shirt
The groom getting dressed by the window
The bride helps the groom with his cufflinks
The bride fixes the groom's cufflinks
The groom putting on his jacket
The groom adjusting his jacket by the window
The groom helps the bride with her dress
Detail of the bride's hands and bracelet
The bride doing her makeup with a small mirror
The bride puts on her shoes
The bride's shoe and dress, detail
A last touch of perfume

02

Before the ceremony

In the garden

The first look among the palm trees, then a walk through the gardens of the villa: the fountain, the white walls, a curious cat, a blue bouquet and bare feet on the gravel.

The groom walking by the fountain
The groom waiting in front of the villa
First look kiss in the palm garden
The bride smiling at the groom after the first look
The couple in the gardens of Villa Paradiso
The couple embracing near the fountain
The couple smiling by the fountain
The couple among the palm trees
The bride beside the fountain of Villa Paradiso
The bride walking in the garden, with a curious cat
The couple by the fountain, the hills behind
Portrait of the bride against the villa wall
The bride lifts her dress as she walks
The couple by the white wall of the villa
The bride's bare feet on the gravel
The bouquet of blue hydrangeas

03

The moment

Vows among the roses

Half past five, in the rose garden below the villa, with the hills all around: the vows, the first kiss, a hug from Carina, and a stone bench just for the two of them.

The ceremony in the rose garden below the villa
The bride looks at the groom during the ceremony
The groom during the ceremony among the roses
The bride moved during the vows
The vows in the rose garden, the villa behind
The groom reads his vows
The marriage certificate in the bride's hands
The couple among the roses at the ceremony
The officiant with the couple
The couple sitting on a stone bench among the roses
The bride sitting on the groom's knee
The bride's shoes in her hand
The bride's hands and her new ring
A kiss on the stone bench
Laughter on the stone bench

“An elopement has its own rhythm: no rush, just the two of you and the light.”

Federico

04

Golden hour

Around the villa

Among the roses with the hills behind, a piggyback in the courtyard, the pool and the green pergola as the evening light turned warm.

The couple among the roses with the hills behind
The couple walking among the roses
The groom carries the bride on his back
Laughter during the piggyback ride
The couple holding hands in the villa courtyard
The couple walking in front of the villa
The couple by the pool at Villa Paradiso
The pool and the green pergola
A dip kiss by the pool
The couple under the pergola
The couple in the garden of the villa

05

The evening

Dinner for two

The cake, a toast for two on the terrace, candles and white flowers, and a private dinner cooked by chef Enza.

The couple at the cake table
A toast for two on the terrace
The couple at their table on the terrace
The terrace prepared for dinner
Candles on the dinner table
The dinner table with white flowers and candles
White flowers on the table
The dining room set for dinner
Dinner for two at Villa Paradiso
Lanterns and candles
White flowers and candles

Dreaming of an elopement?

Eloping in Italy

What I have learned photographing intimate weddings and elopements in Piedmont, Liguria and Tuscany.

Choose a weekday

A Thursday or a Tuesday changes everything: villas are quieter, the pace is slower and many venues offer flexible formats for just a few hours.

The ceremony

For couples from abroad, a symbolic ceremony with a celebrant is the simplest way: you sign the legal papers at home and say your vows in Italy, wherever you like.

Follow the light

A few hours are enough: getting ready, portraits, the ceremony in the late afternoon and dinner as the light fades. I help you build the timeline around the best light.

Kind words from couples

Planning an elopement in Italy?

Let's work together

Close portrait of the smiling bride

I am a wedding photographer based in Alba, in the Langhe, and every year I take on a limited number of weddings and elopements all over Italy. Tell me your date and how you imagine your day: I reply personally.

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