Destination Wedding in Maratea
Emma e Dimas
23-07-2023
Roma
A DREAM WEDDING IN BASILICATA
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As a wedding photographer in Italy – and in particular as a wedding photographer in Rome – I have the privilege of telling stories that come from all over the world. Some of these manage to encapsulate, in a single day, everything that makes a destination wedding in Italy so irresistible: genuine emotion, breathtaking scenery and that sense of ‘natural’ beauty that needs no special effects.
Emma and Dimas’s wedding in Maratea, held at the splendid Villa Chet, was exactly that: an elegant and heartfelt celebration, set against the backdrop of the lush greenery of the Lucanian coast and the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Maratea is one of the most spectacular destinations for a wedding, combining the charm of an ancient village with the breathtaking beauty of the coastal landscape. It is a destination that offers an incredible variety of scenery: cosy alleyways, terraces overlooking the sea, historic squares and even the majesty of the Christ the Redeemer statue, which dominates the landscape with its iconic presence.
The true secret of its beauty lies in the contrasts: the blue of the sea meets the green of the mountains, creating backdrops that are both striking and intimate.
It is the perfect setting for those who want an event that will remain etched in the eyes (and hearts) of their guests, without the need for excessive staging.
Set amidst lush greenery and overlooking a sea of quiet beauty, Villa Cheta welcomed friends and relatives who had travelled from afar, making the atmosphere all the more special. Right from the moment the bride and groom were getting ready in the villa’s bright and elegant rooms, there was that sweet sense of anticipation that precedes days destined to remain etched in the memory.
One of the greatest advantages of a venue like this was the chance to experience the entire wedding in a single location: getting ready, the ceremony, the reception and the celebrations. It’s a choice I often recommend, especially to international couples, because it makes the experience smoother and more relaxed… and the photography benefits too: the visual narrative is more cohesive, consistent and ‘clean’.
The civil ceremony on the terrace felt almost like a moment suspended in time: an arch draped in flowers, the view stretching out to the horizon and the impression – quite literally – that you could touch the sea with a finger. In this respect, Maratea is unrivalled: every corner seems designed to become a natural backdrop, yet with a genuine soul, never artificial.
After the ceremony, we dedicated a brief but intense photo session to the couple in the upper part of the villa. The golden light enveloped every gesture naturally and, once again, confirmed one thing to me: to capture authentic images, you don’t need endless poses.
After the ceremony, we held a brief but intense photo session for the bride and groom in the upper part of the villa. The golden light bathed every gesture in a natural glow and, once again, confirmed something to me: you don’t need endless posing to capture authentic images. All it takes is a few minutes, a clear vision and the freedom to let the bride and groom get back to their reception, especially when the guests have travelled so far to be there.
The evening drew to a close with an intimate and elegant candlelit dinner under the stars. And then came one of the most spectacular moments of the entire wedding: the cutting of the cake.
Master cake designer Renato Ardovino (one of Italy’s leading figures in cake design), together with his team at Le Torte di Renato, created a magnificent and spectacular wedding cake, which was finished off together with the bride and groom in a moment that turned into a real show.
