Italian Destination Wedding at La Badia di Orvieto – Clara & Chris

Clara and Chris’ stunning wedding was held in Italy, Clara’s home country. The day began beautifully hot and sunny – perfect Italian weather. I had made my way to Italy via Rome the day before and was excited by my first visit to this amazing country. It’s been a bit of a dream of mine to go to Italy.

La Badia di Orvieto was the venue for the wedding – a breathtakingly beautiful place, steeped in history. As Chris walked me through the day on the morning of the wedding, the excitement began to grow. An Italian wedding has many parts and Chris and Clara were holding each one in a different area of the venue – brilliant!

The wedding wasn’t until 4pm so I had a lovely walk around the grounds then sat with some of Chris’ lovely family and had lunch. People slowly started to disappear then reappear dressed in their wedding attire! I began by spending some time with the groomsmen capturing them helping each other out with button holes. I then dashed off to where Clara and her bridesmaids were getting ready. Clara was getting ready behind closed doors, so we waited with much anticipation for her to emerge – and wow, she looked stunning! Her dress was a strapless fitted wedding gown in ivory duchess satin, box pleated peplum falling from wide fitted waist band with a fitted straight skirt forming train at the back. So so beautiful. I don’t know Clara all that well, but it felt like it was the perfect dress for her. (thank you to Penelope Knee, my mum and dressmaker, for the dress description!) 

I left to walk down to the church and joined the guests awaiting the Bride’s arrival. The church was built in the 12th Century – it’s history was palpable. Frescoes adorned an adjoining room where her aunt and uncle were warming up to play during the ceremony and ancient tiles covered the church floor.

Chris walked his Mum down the aisle to her seat and then waited slightly nervously for Clara just in front of the altar. Teary eyes from all sides (including me!) as she floated down the aisle with her father.

The ceremony was intimate and beautiful – with Clara’s brother translating the sermon with a few laughs! I had so many photos of Clara and Chris beaming it was so hard to edit them down! We were serenaded with a live rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon and other beautifully played pieces throughout the ceremony – sunlight streamed in through a high window, only added to the super romantic atmosphere.

Chris and Clara were pelted with rice and petal confetti on their exit which was hilarious, we were all covered by the end of it, and it kept on coming! Champagne was served under the olive trees overlooking Orvieto city, perched beautifully on it’s rock.

I loved the way that the table plan was displayed hanging in the trees! There was a small breeze turning the whole thing into an art piece of it’s own. Shortly after drinks we moved into another part of venue, part ruin, part open air room, which was once part of the Abbey – overlooked by the magnificent tower. Here I set eyes on my first antipasto feast – it was delicious. Here everyone mingled, ate and listened to the Jazz band – whilst admiring the view of Orvieto.

Dinner was later served in another magnificent area of La Badia – adorned with 12th and 14th century frescoes. Some beautiful food (two pasta starters, I was happy!) and touching speeches were followed by an impressive spread of desserts served outside – the centre piece being two towers of fresh macaroons which Chris and Clara exchanged in place of a wedding cake. The macaroons were mouth watering.

I left everyone dancing their socks off to some disco tunes, accompanied by a saxophonist – awesome! 

Wowzers, a truly amazing and special wedding, thanks so much to Chris and Clara for asking me to document their one of kind wedding – and making me feel so welcome amongst their family and friends. A trip and wedding I’ll never forget!