The sound of a pen gliding across paper, the silence charged with emotion in a town hall, the exchange of rings under the open sky or within ancient walls. For years, the civil wedding was regarded as the ‘younger sibling’ of the religious ceremony: a quick, almost cold bureaucratic formality. Today, everything has changed.
More and more couples are choosing a civil ceremony not as an alternative, but as their first, conscious choice. A ceremony that can take place in a town hall, in historic residences, in gardens overlooking the sea or amongst timeless hills. It is a form of celebration that puts the couple at the centre – their story, their way of loving one another.
As a photographer and videographer in Italy, I have witnessed this transformation first-hand. And I can tell you with certainty: there is nothing more authentic, free and customisable than a civil ceremony. It is a blank canvas on which every couple can paint their own story, choosing how to tell it and where to do so, amidst Italy’s endless beauty.
The magic of the locations: Italy as a natural backdrop
Choosing a civil ceremony means, first and foremost, making the space your own. In Italy, we have extraordinary settings: cities of art steeped in history, villages frozen in time, rolling hills, golden countryside and palaces adorned with frescoes.
Every part of the country offers a different light, a unique atmosphere. There is the grandeur of historic cities like Rome, the romance of the countryside in Central Italy, and the tranquillity of the greenest and most intimate landscapes.
The sound of a pen gliding across paper, the silence charged with emotion in a town hall, the exchange of rings under the open sky or within ancient walls. For years, the civil wedding was regarded as the ‘younger sibling’ of the religious ceremony: a quick, almost cold bureaucratic formality. Today, everything has changed.
More and more couples are choosing a civil ceremony not as an alternative, but as their first, conscious choice. A ceremony that can take place in a town hall, in historic residences, in gardens overlooking the sea or amongst timeless hills. It is a form of celebration that places the couple at the centre – their story, their way of loving one another.
Whether they choose a big city or a small village, the venue is not merely a backdrop: it becomes an integral part of the story.
The latest trends
Today’s couples are increasingly favouring bright and ‘lively’ venues: gardens, panoramic terraces, inner courtyards of historic houses, and farm stays surrounded by greenery. Partly due to the most popular time of year for weddings — between spring and summer — the idea of an outdoor ceremony feels natural: milder temperatures, long days, lush greenery and abundant light allow for truly spectacular moments to unfold effortlessly. The reason is simple: the open air makes everything feel more spontaneous, helps even the most nervous guests to relax, and creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Furthermore, from a photographic perspective, these spaces offer depth, helping to make the venue
The sound of a pen gliding across paper, the silence charged with emotion in a town hall, the exchange of rings under the open sky or within ancient walls. For years, the civil wedding was regarded as the ‘younger sibling’ of the religious ceremony: a Furthermore, from a photographic perspective, these spaces offer depth, helping to make the venue an integral part of the video narrative.
My approach: emotion first and foremost
Many people ask me: ‘But if the ceremony only lasts twenty minutes, how will you manage to take enough photos to really capture the story?’ The truth is that intensity isn’t measured by a stopwatch.
In a civil wedding, every gesture is concentrated, every glance is powerful. There are no drawn-out moments, no repeated rituals: everything happens in a direct and authentic way. And it is precisely this simplicity that makes it extraordinarily narrative. Furthermore, the ceremony can be enriched with personalised vows, readings chosen by the couple, speeches by friends or small symbolic rituals (such as the joining of sand or candles) that add emotional depth and make the ceremony truly your own.
I don’t like staged poses or forced expressions. As a professional wedding photographer, I move discreetly during the ceremony, like a silent observer. I look for authentic details: a hand clasped a little tighter, a restrained smile, a knowing glance between the witnesses. It is these moments that create a true memory.
The video: an authentic narrative
A civil wedding has its own unique rhythm. Intimate, direct, sincere. In wedding videography, high-quality ambient audio plays a vital role: capturing the voices clearly as the vows are exchanged means preserving the authenticity of those words, with their pauses, smiles and the emotion in the voice.
Those phrases, combined with the images, the details of the setting, the natural sounds and the carefully chosen music, transform the ceremony into a cinematic narrative – personal and captivating.
It’s not just a wedding film: it’s the living memory of that moment, capable of transporting you right back there, even years later.
