A DESTINATION WEDDING IN PUGLIA


When Amy and Farris asked me to be their photographer for their wedding in Ostuni, Puglia, I was pretty excited! I had never been to Puglia before (although it's where our rescue dog is from), and getting to travel always fuels my creativity. So one fine June day, I boarded a plane and flew from Tuscany to Puglia to experience what this beautiful place had to offer for destination weddings - and it did not disappoint!

The olive groves surrounding Masseria Ayroldi (Masseria Fortificata Ayroldi)
The entrance into Masseria Ayroldi (Masseria Fortificata Ayroldi) in Ostuni Puglia.
Setting up for a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Wedding flowers set up for a ceremony at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.

Masseria Ayroldi

The perfect place to celebrate a wedding in Puglia


Amy and Farris had chosen to hold their wedding at Masseria Ayroldi. A masseria is a fortified farmhouse, usually built around the 16thC, and the enclosing buildings and walls would have protected crops, livestock, and the people who lived there. The buildings of Masseria Ayroldi have been converted simply but beautiful and make a fantastic backdrop for photographing a wedding. I was in my element with the bright spaces, warm coloured stone, and the surrounding landscape. A real treat for a wedding photographer!

Inside the courtyard of Masseria Ayroldi near Ostuni.
Vases sit on the steps inside Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
A groom gets ready for his wedding in Puglia.
A groomsmen walks into on of the rooms at Masseria Ayroldi.
The groom gets ready before his wedding ceremony in Ostuni.
A bride's dress hangs near a window at Masseria Ayroldi where she is about to get married.
A bride gets ready for her wedding day in Puglia.
The brides bouquets made up of bold colours for a fun wedding in Italy.
Bridesmaids getting ready for a destination wedding in Puglia.
The bride's sister takes the wedding dress down.
The bride helps one of the flower girls place her flower crown on before the wedding ceremony.
The bride's sister helps the bride into her wedding dress.
Sheer see-through back of wedding dress with buttons.
The bridesmaids look on in excitement as the bride gets ready at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
Bridesmaids watching as the bride gets ready before her wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.

All Together For a Wedding in Puglia, Italy


Holding a destination wedding gives you the opportunity to have your nearest and dearest with you for the celebration, and not just for the day, but possibly for a few days or more. Being able to stretch the celebrations out really gives you quality time to spend with everyone. I had arrived the day before to meet with the couple and look around the place. Everyone was so relaxed and having a great time by the pool. Being there the day before, and also knowing they had the expertise and organisation of their wedding planner, Pia from Puglia Ever After, really allowed them to just enjoy their time with friends and family. And you could tell the next day, when Amy got ready with her sisters and friends, and Farris with his groomsmen, everyone was calm and relaxed, but also ready to get the celebrations started!

The bride getting ready to go to her Puglia destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi.
The bride and father-of-the-bride walking down the stairs before the wedding ceremony.
The groom and groomsmen in a formal photograph at a destination wedding in Puglia.
Groomsmen peek through the green gates at Masseria Ayroldi before the wedding ceremony.
The bride walks down the stairs with her father and bridesmaids before the wedding ceremony at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
confetti in baskets
Sun hats ready for guests to take at this destination wedding in Puglia.
The groom waits for the ceremony to start at his destination wedding in Ostuni, Puglia.
The groom waits for the bride to walk down the aisle at their outdoor wedding celebration in Puglia.
The mother-of-the-bride sits under a parasol at this sunny destination wedding in Puglia.
Two flower girls walk down the aisle of this outdoor destination wedding in Puglia.
Two bridesmaids walk down the aisle at a wedding ceremony held at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The bride walks down the aisle with her father at a destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Guests at a destination wedding in Puglia, Italy.
The bride looks towards her groom at their destination wedding in Puglia.
A personal wedding celebration lead by family at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Bridesmaids and guests look on during this hot sunny wedding day in Puglia.
The wedding ceremony is lead by the bride's sister, making it personal and relaxed.

OUTDOOR WEDDING CEREMONY IN PUGLIA


One of the great things about having your wedding in Italy and especially Puglia, is the weather. Most of the time the weather is pretty favourable, and being able to hold your wedding outside under an incredible blue sky just lifts everyones spirits (and it makes for great colours in wedding photography too!) Amy and Farris held their ceremony just outside the huge green gates of Masseria Ayroldi facing the pool area. One of Amy's sisters lead the ceremony and was confident, fun, and made the ceremony personal to them. Another sister and their mother played guitar while backed with a choir of family and friends; a truly beautiful moment during the ceremony.


A couple exchanging their vows at their Italy destination wedding in Ostuni, Puglia.
Reportage photography during a wedding ceremony at a masseria in Puglia.
Guests look on during this destination wedding near Ostuni in Puglia.
Bridesmaids watch their friends get married on a hot sunny wedding day in Puglia.
A moment photographed during a wedding celebration in Puglia.
A bride and groom exchange vows at their destination wedding in Puglia on a bright sunny day.
The groom's sister reads a poem at the wedding ceremony.
The bride's friends read a poem at the wedding ceremony.
A moment photographed between the bride and groom during their wedding ceremony on a sunny day in Puglia.
The bride and groom listen to friends reading a poem during their destination wedding ceremony. in Puglia.
The batsman gives the rings the couple during their wedding ceremony at Masseria Ayroldi in Puglia.
A bride and groom exchange vows and rings during their destination wedding in Ostuni, Puglia.
Everyone celebrates at a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
A choir made up of friends and family sing to the newly weds at their destination wedding in Puglia.
A bridesmaid plays guitar during her sister's wedding in Puglia.
A choir made up of friends and family sing to the newly weds at their destination wedding in Puglia.
A choir made up of friends and family sing to the newly weds at their destination wedding in Puglia.
After the wedding ceremony, the couple walk back towards Masseria Ayroldi to carry on the celebrations.
Walking down the aisle after saying I do at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Guests congratulate the newly weds near the gates of Masseria Ayroldi following their wedding ceremony.
Guests congratulate the wedding couple after saying their vows in Puglia.
A birde embraces her grandmother who came all the way to Puglia from the United Kingdom for her destination wedding.
A flower girl in sunglasses throws flower confetti at this destination wedding in Puglia.
Two flower girls through petals at this destination wedding in Italy.
The bride and groom have confetti through on them near the great green gates of Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The bride and groom are showered in confetti at this destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi in Puglia.
A wedding couple are showered with petal confetti at their destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
A glass of Prosecco is poured for the bride and groom rolling their wedding ceremony at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
The newly wedded couple make their first toasts, and drink their glasses with arms linked at this destination wedding.

Group, or formal, Photos At Your Puglia Destination Wedding


I wanted to also share some of the group photographs from this wedding. Family photos are often not the focus when photographers are sharing their work. But for me, I think they still have their place and importance. You have chosen to invite friends and family to be there and share your day, and so making sure I record their presence is just as important, if not more so, than a picture of your cake or shoes.


Capturing personality in the pictures of your guests is really what I want to do. Group photos though are a good way to make sure I get a picture of all those important people, and we can always work to inject some more fun and personality into them so you have more than just the standard line-up.

The whole wedding party at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Group wedding photographs by the green gates of Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The groom's brother and sister wedding photographed with him by the green gates of Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Family wedding photographs by the green gates of Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
A reportage wedding photograph of two guests raising a glass at this destination wedding in Puglia.
A fun bridesmaids group photograph at an Italy destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The bride and bridesmaids group photograph at a destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The bride and her sisters photographed together in a relaxed group shot.
Bold hot colours for the bouquets at this destination wedding in Puglia, Italy.
A bride and her mother laughing together at a destination wedding in Puglia.
A fun candid moment at a wedding in Puglia.
Bright colourful fun reportage photography at a destination wedding in Puglia, Italy.
A group photograph at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Candid group photograph at a destination wedding in Italy.
Fun wedding bridal party photograph by the pool at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
Bridesmaids fun portrait photography by the pool at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.

Time with Guests


Along with the group photos, I also want to ensure I photograph your wedding guests and capture their personalities and the fun everyone is having. Weddings are occasions of joy! There is laughter, and hugs, and connection. And there was plenty of this at Farris and Amy's wedding. Candid or reportage photography is always something my clients mention, and it's how I work most of the day. Capturing all the little moments and interactions as they happen.

Wedding reception at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Two guests raise a glass at a destination wedding in Puglia on a sunny day.
A flower girl takes a picture on her camera of the bride.
Guests mingle during the wedding reception at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Guests at the reception of a destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Candid wedding photography of guests at a destination wedding in Puglia.
Reportage wedding photography of guests at a destination wedding in Puglia.
Relaxed wedding photography of guests at a destination wedding in Ostuni.
The bride and groom make their entrance for the meal at their destination wedding in Ostuni.
Table setting for a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Table setting for a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni in Puglia.
Little notes written personally to each guest for this destination wedding in Italy.
A bridesmaid reads a note from the wedding couple.
Speeches at a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
The father of the bride makes a speech.
The bride makes a speech at her destination wedding in a masseria in Puglia.
Natural wedding portraits of a bride and groom at their destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.

Couple Portraits at Sunset in Ostuni, Puglia


If ever there is a time for your couple portraits at your wedding in Puglia, it's at sunset. The light is incredible! The mood romantic. Amy and Farris took a break from their meal in order to allow me the perfect opportunity to create some beautiful wedding photography portraits of the two of them in just the right light. It really was the perfect time and we were spoilt for locations around Masseria Ayroldi.

Couple portraits of a couple wedded at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
A bride and groom kiss outside the green gates of Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni, Puglia.
Natural and relaxed wedding portraits of a bride and groom at their destination wedding at a masseria in Puglia.
By the pool, a bride and groom kiss as the sunsets in Ostuni.
A couple pose naturally for their wedding portraits in Puglia.
A bride and groom stand under grapevines surrounded by beautiful light for their wedding portraits in Puglia.
A bride and groom stand under a white structure covered in grapevines at their destination wedding in Italy.
A wedding couple walk hand in hand in as the sun sets behind a masseria in Puglia.
A bride and groom walk out into a golden field for portraits at their destination wedding in Puglia.
A wedding couple embrace in a golden field in Puglia.
A relaxed and natural portrait of a bride with a dress with pockets in a golden field in Puglia.
A groom stands in a field covered in golden light.
A bride stands in a field in Ostuni covered in golden light.
A groom stands in a field in Ostuni covered in golden light.
The bride and groom walk hand in hand along a track back to the masseria for their wedding in Puglia.
A dramatic kiss with the beautiful white walls of Masseria Ayroldi behind the wedding couple.
A kiss on the rooftop balcony of Masseria Ayroldi as the sun sets in Puglia.
The shots come out to get the party started at this destination wedding in a masseria in Puglia.
The bride leads a conga line dancing at this wedding in Puglia.

And this is how you throw a wedding party in Puglia


As the sun set, the party really got started. Amy and Farris had the most fun first dance introduction I have ever seen. They lead a marching band in through the gates of Masseria Ayroldi and from that point on there was no turning back the partying. Everyone was immediately dancing and enjoying themselves. I really could not recommend having a live band (and in particular the Vagaband if you are in Puglia) to get your evening festivities started. It really was so much fun!

Bride and groom make a fun entrance leading a marching band for their first dance at their wedding in Puglia.
The Vagaband marching band at a wedding in Ostuni Puglia.
Alternative first dance with a marching band in Puglia Italy.
The bride dancing with her bridesmaids.
The Vagaband plays for a wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
Guests dance to a live band in Puglia.
Guests dancing to a live marching band at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
Vagaband playing at a wedding at a masseria in Puglia.
The Vagaband playing at a destination wedding at Masseria Ayroldi, Ostuni.
The bride dances with the flower girls at her wedding in Ostuni.
Guests at a wedding shouting with joy.
Guests dancing crazily at a wedding in Puglia.
A guest takes the microphone at a wedding in Italy.
The father of the bride dances with his mother.
Bride and groom dancing at their wedding in Puglia.

Highlights Video for Puglia Wedding


Below is just a little selection of video highlights from this fun Ostuni Puglia wedding. It was so wonderful to be able to be a part of it and capture it all. I'm hoping that one day I can head back to Puglia to capture a wedding there again! In the meantime, I'm just truly delighted to have been able to be a part of Farris and Amy's gorgeous wedding day at Masseria Ayroldi.