Suzi & Marco’s Carpi, Italy Wedding
Divine intervention played a part when Suzi & Marco needed a photographer that happened to be in the central north of Italy for the second wedding celebration for Marco’s family and friends circle in Carpi, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. We were heading to Le Marche to visit friends and a quick couple of hours west we would set up base camp in the charming city Modena, the home to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Tortellini, Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati.
I did a dry run planning out their shoot session across three cities in the region of Modena based on the list of favourite spots from Suzi and Marco where their love grew. First stop Borgo Medievale di Castelvetro in the south, Modena city centre and finishing in Marco’s hometown of Carpi. Carpi is stunning, in the drive up you are greeted by perfectly manicured wheat and corn fields, rustic old farm houses and narrow laneways dodging speeding Fiats. The main Piazza is enormous, it rivals many of the biggest cities I have seen across Italy (this is my third trip) surrounded my magical buildings with a distinctive orange and terracotta. Don’t tell anyone because this place is not inundated with tourists.
The wedding celebration (that what we are calling it as they are already legally married in Australia) took place at a restaurant in a tiny village called Cortile in the east of Carpi, an institution in the area with the most flavourful food you will ever have. The house Cuvee Brut and Lambrusco flowed chased by a mind boggling amount of Limoncello (one of my favourite liqueurs). Suzi & Marco had 10 minutes to cool the feet in the pool in prep for their fire first dance. And that is a wrap, it was an amazing experience to be a part of and treated like a guest and not a vendor.
Tell me about the beginning!
We need to go back to a different place. A different time. Our relationship first commenced on a platform where love often blossom - the Tinder.
The year is 2020, and Melbourne is in the middle of the infamous COVID lockdown that was synonymous to the words "mask", "curfew", "travel restrictions", "5km radius" and "bubble buddy". In between hours of work, endless doom scrolling and Netflix binges, we happened to swipe right to each other. We quickly moved off Tinder and on to WhatsApp, which then led to a coffee and walk, but only for an hour. The coffee was genuine, as genuine as Marco's quads and biceps, which were very much on show through his outfit choice - a fitted tank top and denim shorts. His calves were also giving supporting character energy with the rainbow striped socks and pink high-top Converses.
Suzi was in her basic Melbourne uniform, which was a cropped sports tee, high-waist leggings, and a leash around the wrist where her main-man is on the end (Niji!). Within the first 10 minutes of getting our coffees and we were past salutations, we were debating about who loves food more. Marco made sure he is showing his authentic self and so his competitive nature was also out to win. He won this debate. Suzi was more curious to find out if he is a dog person or cat lover destined for single-town.
When and where did you get engaged?
After SIX failed proposal attempts from Suzi to Marco (because f**k the gender quo), Marco wanted to unleash his romantic side by proposing on Suzi's 30th at Steer Steakhouse. Damn, it was a good steak. And do not recommend giving the wait staff a heads up because they gave it away to Suzi through micro-expressions. No one is THAT cheezy happy when a customer walks in for a table of 2.
What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day? Feel free to elaborate about your choices.
We wanted laid back, effortless natural beauty, the food was also extremely important to the theme, paying homage to our first debate.
What are you most looking forward to on the day?
Being silly, having a day of fun together and our first dance. We worked really hard to learn and practice the dance! (Marco: and the cake. and my wedding ring.)
Your Top Tips on planning your day!
The day will be a perfect day no matter what you forget/break/lose/don't do, so don't stress. Buy as many things second hand as much as possible through Marketplace, make a pact with your partner from day one that the journey to the wedding day and planning it should be as fun as the day itself. Let the experience leading up to the day be a vibe-check or practice for the day itself.
The Dream Team
Venue: http://www.lanatra.it/
Suit Designer: www.thesuitconcierge.com
Hair Stylist: lumierehairstudio.it
Dance Classes: www.alegriadance.com.au
Wedding Rings: solitairejewellery.com.au
If you are considering a destination wedding in Europe and would like a photographer that is reliable, will put you at ease and experienced in International travel, I am open to bookings for 2027.
