sara & alberto

| celebration at Villa Galimberti Maison de Charme, Lombardia, Italy

 

Sara and Alberto’s wedding took place at the beautiful Villa Galimberti Maison de Charme near Lake Como. The day started slowly and quietly –  Sara got ready in one of the beautiful rooms of the villa, together with her best friend and maid of honour, Federica. The two took their time and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the morning. Sara slipped into her custom-made wedding dress, created by Cristina Sartoria. Cristina herself was there to help with the final adjustments, making sure everything sat perfectly. Sara’s brother and Federica were both visibly moved as they saw her fully dressed for the first time.

 

Wedding preparation scene in a bright room with flowing curtains and scattered items.
Wedding accessories including delicate beige shoes and decorative items on a mirrored surface.
Wedding preparation moment captured through an open doorway in a vintage-style room.
Wedding day preparation scene in a bright room with classic furniture and artwork.
Silhouette by window in black and white showing elegant bridal robe against natural light.
Elegant white wedding dress hanging on antique wooden wardrobe with oriental rug below.
A person in a floral dress sits casually by a bookshelf in a vintage-styled room.
Black and white reflection of bridal preparations with classic interior and mirror.
Black and white photo showing delicate lace details of a wedding dress.
A bride in an elegant white lace gown stands in soft natural light.
White bridal accessories including shoes and handbag displayed by window in monochrome.
A wedding dress silhouette framed in a doorway with dramatic lighting and shadows.

 

A bit later, I made my way over to Alberto, who was getting ready at his family’s home in a nearby village. His older sister and mum were there to support him, and of course their two dogs. The mood was a little more lively here, but still with that same calm. Alberto took his time getting ready, adjusting his tie...

 

Close-up shots of hands adjusting a white dress shirt and bow tie.
A person in a white dress shirt stands in a bright room with a jacket hanging nearby.
A person in formal attire adjusts a hanging black suit jacket by a sunlit window.
Wedding preparations showing formal attire adjustments in a bright interior setting.
Two people help adjust a white dress shirt during a formal dressing preparation.
A person in a black tuxedo adjusts their outfit while standing in front of bookshelves.

 

The ceremony took place that afternoon in a nearby church, where around 70 guests gathered. A small beer truck served cold drinks outside to help everyone cope with the summer heat. Alberto walked into the church with his mother, and later, Sara entered on her father's arm – greeted with warm applause. The ceremony, led by a distant uncle of Alberto, was unusually light-hearted for a church wedding, with plenty of laughter and joy throughout. As a surprise, Italian tenor Spero Bongiolatti performed "Ave Maria" – a moving moment!

 

Black and white wedding ceremony photos taken through a doorway.
Wedding guests gathered outside a stone church building.
Black and white photo of formal shoes and attire on stone pavement.
Wedding guests hold programs during a church ceremony in black and white.
Exterior view of a white church facade with arched entrances and decorative details.
Wedding guests seated in an elegant church interior with architectural columns.
Bride in lace dress holds pastel bouquet during romantic wedding moment.
Wedding ceremony attendees in formal attire reading from programs.
Newlyweds exit church under stone archway in celebratory moment.
Wedding guests seated in church pews during ceremony.
Close-up details of bride's lace dress and floral bouquet.
Church exterior with white walls and arched doorways.

 

After the ceremony, guests congratulated the couple before heading back to the villa. A saxophonist played in the garden as a buffet of Italian antipasti was served. Everything was beautifully arranged thanks to the couple’s wedding planner, Laura Besuschio. Sara and Alberto arrived shortly after and were greeted with cheers and raised glasses. It was finally time for them to take a breath and enjoy the moment with their guests. We took a few couple portraits around the villa during golden hour – keeping it short and easy so they could return to the celebration.


Dinner was served at one long table under the covered porch. Even before the starters arrived, guests were already up singing and dancing. Later in the evening, as the sun had set, a huge Crostata – a classic Italian tart with fresh strawberries – was brought out for the cake cutting, followed by a champagne tower and the official start of the party and the celebration continued well into the night.

 

Sunlight streams through windows in empty historic room with tiled floor.
Black and white photo of couple walking through outdoor garden setting.
Groomsmen in black tuxedos celebrate on a gravel courtyard.
Wedding guests gather outside a rustic building for a celebration.
An elegant buffet table with plates and dishes set against a weathered wall with shuttered windows.
A classic white mansion with elegant shutters and windows serves as a wedding venue backdrop.
A flowing white wedding dress cascades elegantly across a doorway in black and white.
Wedding reception guests seated at tables during an outdoor celebration.
Couple dances playfully in front of arched doorways and potted plants.
Guests gather outside a historic Italian villa during an elegant wedding celebration.
A couple runs playfully through a lush green garden wall backdrop.
Candlelit wedding reception table with elegant place settings and glassware.
A couple shares a romantic dance moment at their wedding reception.
A panoramic black and white cityscape view with trees in silhouette.
A couple shares a joyful moment at their wedding dinner table.
Wedding reception in a rustic stone venue with arched ceilings and greenery.
Black and white photo of wedding guests dining at elegantly set tables.
Person in formal attire scattering confetti outside at night.
Wedding reception dinner table set in a rustic vaulted ceiling room.
Black and white candid shots of wedding guests enjoying an evening celebration.
Reception table settings with wine glasses and place settings at a formal wedding.
Elegant champagne tower glowing under evening reception lighting.
Wedding couple examining a pink and gray floral arrangement at their reception.
Wedding dress trailing elegantly across a stone floor during the reception.