wedding in villa cipressi varenna

McKenzie & Cody – May 7th and 8th, 2024

A colorful party and a white wedding in Villa Cipressi Varenna

McKenzie and Cody’s wedding in Villa Cipressi Varenna marked the exciting start of our 2024 wedding photography and videography season. While not our first event of the year, it was the first multi-day celebration requiring a larger team—two photographers (Selene and Valeria) and two videographers (Alba and Alice). Capturing such a big, joyful wedding with a fantastic after-party, including a live band, was an incredible way to begin the season.

The entire event unfolded at Villa Cipressi in Varenna, with the couple renting out the entire hotel for a few days. This allowed them and their guests to enjoy a relaxing vacation alongside the wedding festivities. From a visual storytelling perspective, this setup provided us with countless opportunities to capture candid, heartfelt moments through both photography and film.

Our coverage began with the welcome party, initially planned for the lower gardens. Due to a last-minute change, it moved to the villa’s frescoed hall—a blessing in disguise. The beautifully painted ceiling and tall windows overlooking Lake Como created a stunning backdrop for our photographs and video footage. The all-color floral theme by Leandro Flowers was vibrant and unique, while the Friulane shoe favors added a fashionable and personal touch to the evening.

The next day started with getting ready sessions for both McKenzie and Cody. With seven groomsmen and eight bridesmaids, it was a whirlwind of activity and laughter that we thoroughly enjoyed documenting. McKenzie looked radiant in her MillaNova wedding dress, while Cody brought a touch of glamour with his black rhinestone jacket—proving grooms can sparkle too!

To balance the large guest list with moments of intimacy, the couple opted for a private first look and vow exchange in the villa’s lower garden. This quiet, emotional moment was a joy to capture through our lenses and reflected the essence of their love story.

The wedding ceremony took place in the high Piazzetta garden, where a delicate arch of white roses and baby’s breath framed the lake views. Afterward, a sudden rain shower moved the aperitif indoors, but thanks to the quick thinking of planners Federica Nascimben and Alessia from The Italian Wedding Event—and the collaborative efforts of every vendor, including our team—the evening was seamlessly salvaged.

The payoff? A breathtaking sunset after the rain, giving us an incredible opportunity to create some magical portraits of the couple.

As night fell, the party truly came to life. Filippo Perbellini’s band brought unmatched energy, rocking the night away. McKenzie changed into a sparkly mini dress, adding a chic 1930s vibe to the grand finale. Through our photography and videography, we captured every emotion, every dance, and every sparkle of this unforgettable wedding in Villa Cipressi Varenna.

This couple chose to opt for three vertical video reels instead of a highlight video; you can see them here, followed by a highlight gallery. At the end of the page, you can see the full video and link to the full gallery. Enjoy :)