Emma and Josh’s wedding at Vinilia Wine Resort was the kind of day that makes you stop and appreciate how good a well-planned destination wedding can be. Tucked away in the heart of Puglia’s wine country, Vinilia Wine Resort was every bit as magical as the setting promised. With its historic castle-like architecture, rolling vineyards, and sun-drenched gardens, Vinilia offered the perfect backdrop for a laid-back yet stylish celebration. The bride and her party got ready in the main building, with Millie Ann Bliss on make-up duty and the bride’s sister-in-law doing hair.
Josh was down the hall having a much more chilled out time, sipping beer and chatting with whoever was passing. Soon it was time for the guys to get suited and booted, and grab a few more drinks with a few more guests downstairs. The girls were dealing with a ‘missing bridesmaid dress’ situation, which resulted in the chief bridesmaid wearing a different, but still very stylish, dress to her colleagues.
Destination Wedding in Italy
The ceremony took place in the gardens of the resort, surrounded by a circle of trees and early summer sun. A string quartet provided some chilled out tunes for proceedings. The groom had an outpouring of emotion upon seeing his bride, which I always love. Rather than a traditional officiant, a close friend led the ceremony. This added both a sense of familiarity and a few good laughs. It was simple, genuine, and exactly what suited the couple.
Emma wore a modern gown by Made by Kyha, which she found at Lace & Grace Bridal Boutique. Paired with heels from AllSaints, her look was effortlessly contemporary. Josh opted for a sharp custom suit by Francesco Tailor. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids wore sleek dresses from Zara in a muted dusky pink. A colour that worked perfectly against the soft, neutral tones of the landscape.
Vinilia Wine Resort Destination Wedding Photography
With the ceremony wrapped up, the couple made their exit. Shortly after, they returned to run the confetti gauntlet. The confetti consisted of similar yellow flowers to the bouquets, which is great for the photographs! The guests hung out on the terrace and nibbled canapés and drank heartily. As the sun started to set, I grabbed a few family group shots.
Soon it was time to head round to the outdoor dining area which had been decorated with crystal chandeliers. Itinera Pro handled the furniture and lighting. Also, the whole day was also filmed by Jeff Woods, whose documentary style added another layer to the storytelling. The couple made their entrance to the (now traditional) whirling of napkins by the guests.
Documentary Wedding Photography at Vinilia Wine Resort
With the guests seated, the father of the bride and the groom gave a couple of pre-dinner speeches. These included a toast with little bottles of limoncello that the couple had placed on each guest’s table. After the speeches, the Michelin-starred chefs at the on-site restaurant, Cassamatta, served up a feast of amazing food. Thankfully I got to sample it myself!
After eating, the best men and the chief bridesmaid treated us to their own stories about the newlyweds. Plenty of mention of dress-gate obviously! Next, everyone headed over to the pool area for the evening shenanigans.
Wedding Photography in Puglia
The celebration continued with a poolside party under the stars. After Emma & Josh cut, and almost destroyed, their cake, they performed their first dance. The dance floor was a hive of activity, as was the pool unexpectedly. A couple of guests chose to take a dip, one of them minus their wedding outfit!
Pool Party Photography in Italy
The next day the happy couple hosted a post-wedding pool party at Vinilia Wine Resort. The sun was blazing, and the drinks were flowing. The kitchen provided pizza by the truckload, and the sore heads and aching limbs were eased by some gentle pool wallowing and relaxing on the sun loungers. The perfect end to a fun return to Puglia and Italy.
Destination Wedding Photography in Italy
If you’re planning a wedding at Vinilia Wine Resort, or are looking for destination wedding photography in Puglia, Italy, or elsewhere, please click here to get in touch and check your date!
