When you hear the word “Tuscany,” what are the first images that come to your mind? Certainly the splendid art cities like Florence, Siena, or Pisa, which were the cradle of the Renaissance and helped shape our national identity, culture, and the imagery that represents Italy to this day. But also magical landscapes from the sea to the hills that have inspired countless painters, writers, and poets, including the founding fathers of the Italian language like Dante and Boccaccio. But there is also another reason why this region is practically a cornerstone of all of Italy and is considered internationally one of the best locations to celebrate events such as weddings, elopements, and anniversaries.
Among the rolling hills of this very special region, aided by a particularly mild climate, a great Italian excellence is produced, appreciated and imitated practically everywhere: wine! Today, we will tell you about our experience as videographers for the wedding of Kate and Cameron, a truly close-knit couple who decided to celebrate their love right in the Chianti hills, where the namesake wine is produced, in a truly unique resort that allows you to enjoy not only the breathtaking landscapes this region offers but also its fruits. It is no coincidence that the wonderful villa nestled in the Chianti territory chosen by the couple does not define itself as a simple resort, but rather as a wine resort, emphasizing its connection to the pleasant relaxation that only a good glass of wine can give, especially if enjoyed in this setting.
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The Beauty of the Chianti Hills
The Chianti hills area is located more precisely in between Florence, Arezzo, and Siena, three cities of eternal charm, but it is the small villages that are the protagonists of this area, even more so than the famous cities that surround it. The long history of this territory begins to take shape from some of these small inhabited centers: the area, already occupied in ancient times by Etruscans and Romans, was initially sheltered from the barbarian invasions that occurred towards the end of the Roman Empire but later became the scene of continuous battles due to the constant wars between Florence and Siena, both wanting to seize this area.
It is in this historical moment that the “Florentine Military League of Chianti” was born, which would give the territory its name, and increasingly more castles, fortifications, and villages began to be built to defend the territories, which over time transformed from useful strongholds into gems set among the hills.
Today, many of these have become wonderful locations for weddings and events. It is a natural evolution, considering the beauty that pervades these lands: imagine vineyards stretching to the horizon and cypress trees cutting the blue sky, kissed by the sun and gently swayed by the sweet breeze that makes the area a place where many seek refuge on hot summer days… If you don’t want to just imagine it, take a look at our videos: you’ll understand why so many couples choose Tuscany for their Italian wedding.
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Capannelle: A Unique Wine Resort
Specifically, Kate and Cameron chose Capannelle for their wedding, a place that has made the relationship between the land and its fruits its distinctive feature. As we mentioned, there are many castles, villas, and resorts in these hills, but few can be defined as true wine resorts. The history of this place begins about 50 years ago when Raffaele Rossetti decided to purchase a 16th-century farmhouse nestled in the Chianti hills and started the wine production activity that made Capannelle a world-renowned name.
To this winery activity, the location for stays and events was subsequently added, obviously in the name of beauty, taste, and relaxation. Forget about huge crowded relais: the ancient farmhouse, although renovated, has remained faithful to its origins and has just four standard rooms and a suite, a solution that makes Capannelle a true oasis among the hills. The rooms are accompanied by common spaces, such as the living rooms, kitchen, terrace, and garden, all places where you can taste excellent wine from the cellar! But it doesn’t end there; outside, there is also a splendid panoramic pool surrounded by greenery, where you can enjoy the breathtaking panorama that surrounds the estate.
As you have understood, this solution is ideal for weddings and stays with small groups: you can indeed have the entire structure just for you and your loved ones, as if it were your country house in Tuscany. A unique way to experience this territory in an exclusive manner, with the entire staff at your service and… a vast selection of wines to share. In addition to the recently produced wines, Capannelle is known for its vault, a treasure room where over 8000 vintage wines are stored at controlled temperature and humidity for the most demanding clients.
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Kate and Cameron’s Wedding in the Tuscan Hills
The happy ending (or rather, the happy beginning) of Kate and Cameron’s love story begins among the gentle hills of Chianti, near the small medieval village of Gaiole in Chianti. Here, among ancient castles and unspoiled nature stretching as far as the eye can see, it is easy to feel like the protagonists of a fairy tale. Indeed, this must be exactly how the couple felt, because that day, peace and serenity reigned in the surroundings, and every ray of sun, blade of grass, bee landing on a flower, and bird singing seemed to be there specifically to celebrate their love and to make a cameo in their wedding video.
The couple got ready in the rustic rooms of the villa, with large wooden windows and exposed beams, in typical Tuscan style. During the preparations, a good glass of Chianti red wine was essential to ease the tension of the couple. The ceremony took place in the beautiful garden of the farmhouse, populated by such lush vegetation that it seemed to blend and merge with the surrounding hills. It really seemed like everything was the set of a wonderful romantic film. At the softest hour of the day, when the light turns golden and the shadows gentle, Kate and Cameron said the long-awaited “I do!” before the tender eyes of their guests.
Immediately after, to enjoy a brief moment of intimacy, they took a short ride in a beautiful convertible along the winding curves that embrace the landscape. Once they returned, their guests were waiting for them for a sunset aperitif, followed by dinner – based strictly on local products and homemade pasta – where, as per tradition, the guests gave speeches celebrating the couple’s love from their personal perspectives. It was a magical and emotional day that the couple will be able to remember and relive forever with their wedding video.
Read also: Borgo Stomennano: The Perfect Place To Celebrate Your Wedding
Some Tips for a Successful Wedding
To organize a wedding like this, it takes a lot of planning and a good dose of attention to ensure everything is perfectly planned without neglecting any details. When choosing to get married in a country other than your own, nothing can be left to chance: you certainly don’t want to travel such a long way only to face hiccups on the most important day of your couple’s life. This is especially true for weddings in Tuscany, which, as we well know, is a very popular destination for newlyweds from all over the world. To ensure everything is managed perfectly, I recommend putting yourself in the hands of industry professionals, specifically finding a trusted wedding planner to whom you can entrust the organization of the entire event. After finding a wedding planner, it’s important to carefully choose the photographer and videographer who will document your wedding, so you can relive those emotions whenever you want through photos and videos.
Don’t forget to choose activities to do with your guests! In the case of a location like Capannelle, a good Chianti wine tasting and a demonstration of how to make homemade pasta are excellent activities to do together, sharing unforgettable moments that will make your wedding day even more special.
As a final piece of advice, even though it may seem trivial, remember to take it easy! Even though you are about to get married and the idea probably makes you nervous and agitated, remember that you have the person you love by your side, and that is the only thing that truly matters. Everything else is just a wonderful backdrop.
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The Wedding Video: A Precious Gift for the Future
Our work allows us to tell the stories of couples in love who come from all over the world every day. We know how important it is for the couple to organize everything perfectly, and we also know how special but at the same time very hectic that day can be. During the preparations, the ceremony, the dinner, and the final dances, the couple is caught up in so many things and filled with so many emotions that the day may pass a bit too quickly.
This is why we firmly believe that having a wedding video is the best gift a couple can give themselves: this way, they can, over time, relive those emotions and remember that day, perhaps focusing on the tender and subtle details that were given less importance on such an intense day. It is also a beautiful gift for your loved ones, both those who could not be present that day and those who will come: one day, you will want to show your children how beautiful, handsome, and in love their parents were on their wedding day!
People often wonder whether it’s better to hire a videographer or a photographer to capture the memories of their event. To clear any doubts, we say: both! Videography and photography may seem like the same medium, but they are actually profoundly different; they convey different emotions and, most importantly, preserve them differently. While photographs are in front of your eyes every day, the wedding video is watched only occasionally, almost ritually, perhaps during anniversaries. It is moving to observe the passage of time and the love that remains; for this reason, we believe it is important to have both of these professional figures at your wedding.
Read also: Finding The Right Fit: Tips For Choosing A Wedding Videographer In Tuscany
The Importance of Wedding Photography
Photos are equally important for preserving the memory of a day like this: they are those special objects that you will hang on the walls of your home, place on the bedside table next to your bed, or collect in family photo albums. Yes, we are talking about those albums that our parents and grandparents had at home. Even in an age where we try to digitize everything, we are big supporters of printed photography: having a photo album means giving value and material concreteness to those moments, to those images, silent witnesses of indelible memories.
Printed photos can be touched, flipped through, caressed, and always carried with you, and they will never risk being lost. Therefore, we always invite you to print the photos of your special moments, whether they are of a birthday, a wedding, or even just a vacation. Those on your phone will rarely be looked at, but if you have them physically present in your home, they will become part of your daily life.
During Kate and Cameron’s wedding, we worked with a very talented photographer, Stephen Liberge. Beyond the wonderful images he creates, what we appreciated most about his way of working is his discretion and the way he captures authentic, never simulated emotions. He is a delicate, curious person who appreciates every form of art and knows how to get emotional along with the couple, and we believe this is a fundamental requirement to do this job with passion.
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