And now with brush upon the chapter-walls
He hymns his praises
Stroke on stroke of paint
Builds up his perfect Virgin. There she sits
Enthroned beneath a Gothic canopy
Her hands held upwards, fingers touching thus,
Two thin white lilies pressed against the wind
"Painter of Umbria" - R. Dobson
Julie and Jim crossed 11,500 miles to exchange vows for their wedding in Panicale, Umbria Italy. Julie is a happy go lucky lady from Germany and Jim is an equally enthusiastic gentleman from New Zealand. Their marriage is a beautiful intersection between two cultures and lineages. There could not have been a better venue for their betrothal as Countryhouse Villa Rey in Umbria; Julie’s dream wedding venue since she was a little girl. Villa Rey is owned by her aunt; she had visited it as a young girl and had fallen in love with it, ever since that visit Julie had decided on getting married in this simply tasteful Villa. It was an honor to become their Umbria Wedding Videographer for this intimate wedding in Villa Rey.
You may have already watched the film that I created for a destination wedding in Venice, Italy, which was based on a visual poetry approach. By contrast, the film here is a longer, documentary edit. Therefore, I suggest that you take the time to press play and watch the destination wedding video right above. You can continue reading on to discover the full story behind the film thereafter. If you enjoy the documentary approach, you may also want to check out this recent wedding film in Puglia, the story I filmed in the Swiss Canton of Ticino, or this wedding film in a French chateau too.
Known as the ‘Green Heart Of Italy’, and rightly so – Umbria presents itself as a scenic painting you would expect to see in an art gallery; with lush green hills, medieval architecture, and welcoming people Umbria is a city full of natural surprises. Whether you are wishing upon a medieval mysticism theme or opting for a country-chic styled wedding that will help you create a magazine cover worthy wedding coverage Umbria has got it all. Perugia, Deruta, Spello, Orvieto, Gubbio, Spoleto, and Assisi are some of the most enamored sites for their astounding architecture and these places present great scenery for Umbria Wedding Videography.
If it is natural beauty you are inclined towards then Umbria is home to the highest waterfalls in Europe. If Italy is the location for your destination wedding then Umbria is the perfect place for that wedding in Italy. Its’ calming skies and romantic sunsets are ideal for daylight photography and videography. A true playground for Umbria Wedding Videographers!
However, it is the food and wine experience that makes a place as artistically blessed as Umbria promising for a wedding venue. The fine wine and simplistic Italian cuisine can make a home in every guest’s heart. Umbria’s rustic architecture and natural beauty that is emphasized by far-stretched fields and lush green hills can lure anyone into choosing it for their matrimonial services – and so it did for both Julie and Jim.
Planning a wedding in Umbria can be typically tough if you are going there without prior reference and arrangements. Since it is a tourist spot it is important for most people visiting to either get in touch with the wedding planners or with people they know who can potentially help them select a venue in this God’s little heaven on earth. Arrange for stay and transportation beforehand as it can hamper the swift proceedings of the day. In case, you are expecting rush hours and traffic jams ahead of the wedding it is suggested that you opt for pre-booking in terms of transport and opt for alternative routes.
Jim and Julie had contacted me before their wedding for the coverage of their big day. Since it was an intimate affair with close relatives in attendance, it bought me time to fully cover each little moment the newly wedded couple had with each other, as well as alone as they got ready.
The wedding videography experience in Umbria goes beyond word and expression; it was enthralling. On the morning of the 3rd of July, the sky opened up into a crisp blue sheet stretched over our heads, as we filmed the fields the rays of a majestic sun rose up to make way for the bride to make a stunning entrance. The lush green fields and the path that lead up to Villa Rey made up for a whimsical entrance for the bride and groom.
Having a person who is not in the party to either of the newlyweds makes it easier for the attendants to enjoy the event to the fullest. Having a wedding videographer meant that Jim and Julie could live in the present and concentrate on making memories. While I, as their Umbria Wedding Videographer, made sure that every moment was filmed. The couple enjoyed their day to the fullest, as their heartwarming memories were kept alive through this wedding film, to watch later with their loved ones.
Before the actual event we made sure that we took certain shots of the bride and groom as they got ready. It is essential for me as an Umbria Wedding Videographer to capture this pre-nuptial moment, as both the bride and the groom are filled with raw emotions and nervousness ensues as the time of their matrimony approaches. It is in such instances that the heart speaks of truth and it shows on the faces of both. The bride and groom got both prepared in two different rooms in the Villa, to maintain the element of surprise, while their 14 guests enjoyed the pool on a very hot day of July. The bride was helped by her bridesmaid and good friend Katharina as she got ready for her big day, while the groom dressed up on his own. They both seemed a little nervous as they stood at the town hall of Panicale before the mayor but it all went down well.
Jim and Julie’s wedding venue carried all the boho rustic vibes as the rings they exchanged were tied to each other with subtle details of jute rope. From grainy film to rustic fall décor, Julie chose a lace gown for her wedding day and Jim chose a 4 piece suit with the complimenting color theme of warm white. Julie’s hairdo incorporated fresh baby breath flowers that looked mesmerizing within her brown locks.
They first had the official civil wedding ceremony in the town hall of Panicale, Umbria. Julie looked like a sight one couldn’t shift their eyes from; she had the glow of a person who just embraced their biggest dream. They say the happiest girls are the prettiest and there is no doubt it. She walked down the aisle with her brother as she finally took her soon-to-be husband’s hand. We had a small photo and video shooting session with the couple and their families in the center of Panicale with the beautiful fountain and the castle walls under an amazing light.
Panicale is a very small medieval town built on a hill on top of the Lake Trasimeno. It is very picturesque and one of many medieval towns and villages around Umbria in Italy, the most famous being the city of Perugia. The vineyards, the olive trees, the buzz of the bees on the lavender around the venue, everything about this place is magic. Hence, it is the perfect place to book an Umbria Wedding Videographer who can capture the spirit of the day without disturbing the flow of event.
The couple then returned to Villa Rey where they exchanged their vows under an olive tree in an emotionally overwhelming ceremony; Jim and Julie were joined by their families to witness this beautiful moment. They reminded each other of the future they are about to build together where Katharina, Julie’s best friend and bridesmaid couldn’t keep it together. Despite the sun and hot weather, guests enjoyed themselves as they witnessed the beautiful couple mark the beginning of a love filled life together. Birgit, the mother of the bride did an introduction about the people missing physically but being there however with their spirit. This ceremony by the pool side made everybody present sentimental. It was intimate and everyone was at their most vulnerable.
Together with their friends and family, they held a beautiful yet intimate ceremony in Villa Rey Umbria. As Julie’s mother pointed out in her speech a wedding is about the energy that, not only brings together a couple for life but also brings together different lineages of people. It was the little laughs, the teary eyes and smiles that we could capture in that moment which made this evening all the more memorable. Wedding videography helped Jim and Julie to have a record of their intimate wedding for all times to come.
It was the coming together of two ethnicities, not just two people. As their Umbria Wedding Videographer, I saw this love-filled wedding bring together families who not in their wildest dreams would have thought of enjoying a gathering like today. Jim and Julie’s destination wedding in Umbria brought together the likes of two completely different cultures. It was an affair of love that escalated into a sacred bond. All this connection and chemistry made me film a lot of footage from the start of the day till the end.
A great dinner with typical products from Umbria, such as the tartuffo and risotto al limone, was held thereafter. Jim’s mother did a speech on behalf of his father and Julie’s brother read a speech on behalf of her father that both couldn’t be there that day due to the distance. After that, there was a surprise that Julie’s mother had prepared for the newlyweds: a fire performance entitled “Fire, Dance & Romance” by the Italian Group Creme & Brulè. It was a night of celebration of love and true sentiments that two people held for each other.
Surrounded by people who truly loved and adored Jim and Julie their wedding came to a beautiful end and set the beginning of an equally exciting journey. Jim and Julie made up for a couple that accepted each other for who they were and traveled miles for this destination wedding in Umbria to mark the beginning of their journey a memorable one.
Jim and Julie’s story is that of requited love and affection for each other, where distance or lineage didn’t matter. It was a fairytale that immortalized two lovers in the pages of history. Jim and Julie chose the land of lovers, of ancient history surrounded by nature that symbolized health and wealth for the couple. With warm wishes and prayers, we bid the new couple a happy married life!
Are you getting married in Umbria? Are you planning your destination wedding in Italy? Then you have found the right person to be your Umbria Wedding Videographer! Italy is like my second country, I speak Italian fluently and I spend half of my time there. I film destination weddings in Italy very often and I can assist you in organizing your dream wedding, elopement, or pre-wedding session in Umbria, through my network of excellent local professional vendors. Let’s start planning your wedding in Tuscany, Lake Como, Umbria, Venice, Ravello, or Capri on the Amalfi Coast or in the picturesque landscape of Puglia.
Don’t forget to have a look in some of my other destination wedding films, and go through their complete stories. Rest assured that your wedding video is going to be the best I have ever created so far!
I cannot wait to hear more about you, your partner and your common plans. Let’s start creating your most beautiful memories today!
Your Story is Poetry.
I love this! The video is so cinematic and lovely and pairs so well with the color grading. My favorite is the zooming shot of them walking between the hedges!
Thank you Meagan. Yes the curved cypress trees alley is very reminiscent of Tuscany, Umbria’s bigger sister-region.
Incredible!! I love everything about this – the vibe, the mood! You captured the beautiful location and happy couple so well 🙂
Thank you so much Jenn for your kind words. Umbria is a breathtaking region indeed, but, as you mention, it is only a backdrop, as it’s the couple’s story that makes the backbone of a wedding film.
Omg love the fire dancers, what a fun wedding! Beautiful film and photos!
Thank you Adriana! The fire show was really spectacular and romantic at the same time. The icing on the cake on a lovely party at this intimate wedding.
This Umbria wedding videography is simply stunning! Love the warmth and emotion that comes through.
Thank you for your words Afton.
I actually started crying during the vows. So well done!
Thank you so much Natalie. If you have connected with someone else’s wedding film and felt emotional, then this is a great compliment for the filmmaker!
Wow… okay. So I’m not lying– I started crying. Everything was done so beautiful. The film is just incredible. I love how you did the intro. And the MUSIC– perfect choice. This couple is lucky to have you!!! <3
So dreamy and romantic! They had such sweet vows. Love the drone shots and the one shot where the background is moving but the foreground is still! <3 And I love your company name too!
Getting married in Umbria would be amazing!! Beautiful wedding film.
Yes indeed! Umbria is an amazing region to get married in Italy. Thank you!
WOW! What an amazing location for a wedding! I immediately fell in love with the terrain. It felt like I was stepping back in time!
I love the story this tells and all the personality in the imagery.
The landscape is as much a part of the story as the couple and I love that you captured that too.
Wow this video of Julie and Jim is amazing. You documented their emotion and the beauty of Italy so well!
These are unreal. So pretty! I love the emotion captured in all of them!