In high-fashion and luxury photography, a delicate balance exists between intimacy and modernity, where every frame tells a story woven with elegance and refinement. Photographer Gradisca Portento‘s goal has always been to redefine wedding photography with fine and contemporary art.
The “Sposami a Firenze” editorial was born from an inspirational mood board that photographer Gradisca Portento, planner Giulia Lazzarini, and floral studio Marypoppies developed and perfected together, taking care of every aspect and creating an ambitious project whose only dogma was extreme quality.
The project was divided into three distinct moments, each marked by a change of dress: the ceremony on Villa La Commenda Concordia‘s balcony, an indoor dinner, and a relaxed stroll in Florence.
Villa La Commenda Concordia is a Liberty-style villa in the Mugello Valley, a breathtaking location just a short drive from the sparkling jewel of Italy, Florence. It is nestled amidst Tuscany’s beautiful private parks, fields, and woods. Despite being so close to the world, it is well hidden. Far away from city noise and surrounded by the endless stretch of the charming Tuscany landscape, there is a place full of love and natural beauty.
The bride wore a loose-fitting, flowing silk dress in a boho style by Kavian Gauche. It had long balloon sleeves and a plunging neckline at the front and back. Long rhinestone earrings and a bouquet of long-stemmed white roses completed her look perfectly.
Gradisca Portento perfectly matched the couple’s energy. She thinks the recipe for getting the best results from your photographer is to be aesthetically and emotionally attuned. “Every story has a color, a light, and irreplicable flavors. Write down three or four adjectives that define your couple and the photograph you desire, then look for photographers who meet these criteria. For example, if you are introverted, lean toward a photographer who favors intimacy over high-intensity moments. On the other hand, if you enjoy partying and being the center of attention, you might focus on a photographer who emphasizes more disruptive emotions,” she advises.
The ceremony was set on a romantic balcony overlooking the villa’s park under Tuscan sunshine. Marypoppies decorated it with magnificent floral arrangements and tulle, creating a milky-white embrace in which the bride and groom exchanged vows.
Celebrity makeup and hair stylist Cherie Spisso was responsible for the model’s look. Inspired by the theme of the editorial, she opted for satin makeup and loose waves.
The bride’s outfit for the dinner was a two-piece set of white high-waisted trousers, an organza shirt with wide sleeves, and appliques on sheer tulle. Cherie styled her hair messy yet stylishly, and the look was completed with oversized diamond earrings.
The detail that made the team fall in love with the villa was the library, the walls of which were hand-painted by artist Stefan Zarkov. In this space of warm and embracing colors, Giulia Lazzarini set the table for dinner with a sober and elegant mise en place with ivory tablecloths and china framed by a cascade of roses and orchids.
The heart of the project is the ‘Italian passeggiata’ in Florence as a couple strolled through the city streets and looked up to realize just how rich in art and beauty Florence truly is. Amidst this picturesque setting, the bride wore the most unusual of the three dresses: a white tulle cloud model from the Cloud No. 9 collection reinterpreted by Giulia Lazzarini in a rock version with sunglasses, black mules and a bouquet of white orchids decorated with gold leaf.
The team’s dedication and expertise resulted in an immersive experience where intimacy, luxury, and modernity converge in perfect harmony, showcasing the character and vision of an ideal wedding. We savor the authenticity of this story because it has many personalities.
“Just as in photography, sharpness is an outdated concept. A soft focus sometimes transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary,” Gradisca Portento says.
PHOTOGRAPHER Gradisca Portento | PLANNING & DESIGN Giulia Lazzarini | VENUE Villa La Commenda Concordia | VENUE SPECIALIST Roseli Riva | BRIDAL GOWN Kaviar Gauche | FLORALS Marypoppies | STATIONARY The Letterist | MUAH Cherie Spisso
