Fine Art And Modernity Meet Rustic Italian Tradition In This Artisan-Forward Shoot

Elegant woman in a lace wedding dress near candles in a dark room

Dim candlelight flickers against the stucco walls of this stunning villa creating the most beautiful shadows and highlights. With an emphasis on subliminal contrast, this shoot makes you dive deeper into the narrative with each photo. The effortless elegance of the bride with her long braids and lace gown that falls gently off the shoulders melds perfectly with the timeless ease of the villa. The wooden features add a rustic edge that is quickly countered by silver finery and modern sculptural pieces. This shoot is the perfect inspiration for a modern couple that digs a rustic vibe.

These photos by Francesco Spighi border on fine art. Leonora Forte Destination Weddings set out to design an intimate wedding with a modern edge–and man did it work! Villa Tre Grazie, in Umbria, was the perfect intimate setting for this moody shoot. All the images are in the full gallery, so be sure to click through and read on to hear more from planner, Leonora Forte of Leonora Forte Destination Weddings about how this inspiration shoot came to life.

Rustic European building exterior with red walls and stone facade

Elegant porcelain teapot and cup with an ornate tea tray setting

Beautiful woman holding a white rose with a gorgeous ring

Elegant bride in a wedding dress stands by bright window Woman with intricate necklace and braided hair looking away

Woman in flowing white dress gazing out the window

Elegant silver sandals and white rose on a black tray setting White jewelry and rose on a dark tray in a wooden drawer

Elegant white lace wedding dress hanging on the wall, ready

Woman in white lace dress holding a unique honeycomb object

Elegant bride in a lace wedding dress near wooden cabinet

Bride in off-shoulder lace dress walking through archway

Bride in white dress opens old wooden door to garden

LIGHT AND SHADOW

Ivy covered garden archway in a tranquil landscape

This shoot represents an intimate wedding in a private holiday home. Sound familiar in 2021?
But the twist is in the theme: if the wedding must be small, it will be steeped in art, local tradition, craftsmanship, and poised to create new family memories. When I found Villa Tre Grazie and approached the photographer Francesco Spighi, he decided he wanted to capture the "Caravaggioesque" lights and shadows of this private Villa in the heart of Umbria.

Woman in lace wedding dress at rustic wooden doorway

Elegant woman in white dress standing by rustic wooden door

Bride in elegant white dress posing near a wooden door

Elegant bride in white gown sitting with her dog at a door

SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS

Elegant woman in lace dress stands in window light

We imagined our gorgeous bride to be the owner of the Villa, preparing to get married in her holiday home, surrounded by family heirlooms. A strong woman who probably set her own table with the antique china and silver, because nobody can do it quite the way she can. The table settings were provided by Apollinare Catering and complemented by the work of, local calligrapher, Francesco Cotana on Italian-made paper, to create an acronym of the bride's name, Petalie, on each place setting.

Beautiful Black woman with braids and lace dress, looking at the camera

Elegant woman in white lace dress with long braids

SOMETHING OLD...SOMETHING NEW

Elegant dining room table set for a grand celebration

I loved the idea of incorporating contemporary art into the wedding decor–pieces that may be rented, belong to the couple, or maybe were passed down by their families. And so adorning the venue and the bride are handmade ceramic sculptures and jewels, and a spectacular teapot by a renowned local artist, Rita Miranda.

Elegant candlelit table setting with a vintage table cloth

Elegant dining room with candles and a long table setting

The intricately detailed dresses by Sara Concept Bride (designer Poesie Sposa) and the classic Italian shoes by Monica Para were designed and handmade in Italy, perpetuating the artisan vibe. The shoes were actually made special a few days before the shoot (shouldn't an Italian bride have custom-made shoes?)

Elegant floral centerpiece on a decorated table setting

Elegant table setting with flowers and candles, ready for dinner

FINDING THE GOOD

Beautiful woman in white lace dress posing near flowers

Other than being inspired by renaissance paintings, the tones of lush, deep wooden brown, echoing our model's beautiful skin and highlighted by makeup artist Alexandra Ghervasuc, and pops of bright blue, brassica flower-purple, and magenta represent the contrast we are facing in the world of weddings now, as couples and as professionals. Times are indeed not bright and airy, but there can be true beauty, life, and bright colors in the shadows we are now going through. To us, this means rediscovering the intimacy of smaller affairs, which can be more meaningful, creative, and chic.

Elegant woman in a lace dress sets a table for a special event