Catherine and Alexandra
wedding
Schloss Freudenstein, Bolzano
SAME SEX WEDDING TIMELESS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN ITALY
SCHLOSS FREUDENSTEIN, BOLZANO
A Same-Sex Wedding in Italy That Felt Like Pure Magic: Catherine & Alexandra at Schloss Freudenstein
If you're dreaming of same-sex wedding venues in Italy that blend history, natural beauty, and a touch of cinematic flair, let me take you to a place that stole my heart (and my camera batteries): Schloss Freudenstein, a medieval castle perched above Bolzano with the Dolomites standing tall like silent witnesses.
This autumn, I had the joy of photographing the unforgettable wedding of Catherine and Alexandra—two women whose love could easily melt the last snow off the mountain peaks. As an Italian wedding photographer specializing in same-sex wedding photography in Italy, I’ve seen many celebrations… but this one? This one had a heartbeat of its own.
A Morning Bike Ride Through the Strada del Vino
Before stepping into castle life, Catherine and Alexandra wanted their guests from the USA to experience something uniquely South Tyrolean: a bike ride along the famous Strada del Vino—the Wine Road. Imagine vineyards glowing in warm autumn light, crisp mountain air, and a crew of excited friends pedaling through postcard scenery.
Let’s just say: if every wedding day started with bikes and wine, the world would be a happier place.
A Ceremony in the Courtyard of a Medieval Castle
Schloss Freudenstein is the kind of venue that whispers stories the moment you walk in. Its stone courtyards and sweeping views make it one of the most enchanting same-sex wedding venues in Italy—especially for couples who love a blend of elegance and history.
Catherine and Alexandra exchanged vows in the castle courtyard under soft sunlight, surrounded by ivy-covered walls and emotional guests who tried (and gloriously failed) to keep their tears in check. The ceremony was intimate, heartfelt, and genuinely powerful—the kind that makes me grateful to do what I do.
A Party in the Glasshouse That Nobody Wanted to End
As dusk wrapped the castle in deeper shades of gold and blue, everyone moved into the glasshouse—a modern structure with panoramic views of the mountains. And that’s where the magic really took off.
There was dancing. There was laughter. There was that kind of joyful chaos you only get when two people who deeply love each other bring all their favorite humans together in one glowing space. The glasshouse felt like a lantern in the night, and the party? Well… let’s just say my camera got quite the workout.
Warm Words
Same Sex wedding photographer Italy
Why Italy Is Perfect for LGBTQ+ Weddings
Italy has become a dream destination for LGBTQ+ couples searching for breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and venues that feel straight out of a fantasy novel. From castles like Freudenstein to seaside terraces on the Amalfi Coast, the country offers endless possibilities for same-sex wedding photography in Italy that feels both authentic and extraordinary.
Catherine and Alexandra’s celebration was a reminder of why we love photographing LGBTQ+ weddings so much: they’re full of intentionality, warmth, courage, and community. And when you match that with a place as stunning as Schloss Freudenstein… well, you get a wedding day that stays with you forever.
If you’re planning your own same-sex wedding in Italy and want photography that captures the emotion, atmosphere, and little in-between moments—let’s talk. Italy has no shortage of beauty, and neither does your story.
Morning
Bike Ride
A relaxing bike ride for all the guests along the road of wine, a great start of the day
Details that
matter
Stationery, invitations, shoes, jewelry…all creating special memories
Getting Ready
Two brides getting ready in two different rooms at Schloss Freudenstein
Civil Ceremony
What a magical setting for the ceremony!
Time to Shine
Two brides celebrating one love story
the Honored
Guests
The ones who traveled to witness your love and those who make this day so special
the EVENT DESIGN
The glasshouse of Schloss Freudenstein with the Dolomites in the background was pure magic
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT SHOOTING SAME SEX WEDDINGS IN ITALY
What pulls us toward photographing same‑sex weddings is the way they compel us to leave the clichés behind. They invite a narrative that feels unfiltered that lands with force. We aren’t trying to conjure something that's n’t there. Instead we watch, sense and step in when a subtle nudge can lift the truth already unfolding. A good photographer knows how to steer the scene with a hand yet remain hidden, in the background. We delight in forging narratives that stay unvarnished yet enduring where a gentle intimacy collides with elegance. Lake Como by virtue of its grandeur accentuates this sensibility. The shimmer of light, on its mirrored surface the pastel whisper of its villa façades and the quiet poise of the setting all coax our tale, into a sophisticated cinematic cadence. One of our parts of the day was slipping onto the Riva boat. Away, from the guests and the din the couple could simply be themselves. Those few minutes, on the lake gave us room to craft portraits that leaned toward the editorial—stylish and brimming with that Lake Como grace.
Having shot many same‑sex weddings, across Italy we’ve been fortunate to witness love stories that never follow the expected script. What captivates us about LGBTQ+ ceremonies is their blend of contemporary elegance and fresh originality—stylish, bursting with personality and profoundly moving. Whether the vows unfold in a gathering on the shimmering waters of Lake Como within the sumptuous walls of a villa or in a spur‑of‑the‑moment elopement, on a terrace that frames the Italian Alps, same‑sex weddings radiate a distinctive current. They carry an elegance—refined yet audacious poised yet unrestrained—and that very spark fuels the photography. What we love most is the intimacy— that moment when two people finally meet each others gaze and discover a pocket where they can simply be themselves. We set out to record that bond with honesty from the subtlest gestures and spontaneous laughter to the quiet surge of emotion steering clear of staging or tired clichés. Our approach feels editorial yet heartfelt a blend of timeless storytelling and a fashion‑forward aesthetic. When we step behind the lens at a same‑sex wedding the aim isn’t merely to deliver pictures—it’s a chance to honor authenticity and the artistry of the moment. Each couple arrives with its rhythm, perspective and spark and we weave those threads into a visual story that feels unmistakably theirs. If you’ve set your sights on a same‑sex destination wedding, in Italy— on the romantic waters of Lake Como—we’d be thrilled to team up with you to craft a portfolio of photographs that are as striking as they are truly yours.
Party Time
what does TIMELESS photography mean in terms of wedding photography?
Timeless means NATURAL, untouched by trends, true to color and deeply authentic. It feels effortless, never stiff, warm and candid yet refined and beautifully composed
Natural wedding photography is a choice for all those couples with a clear aesthetic vision who want to look stunning, but don’t want to spend time and energy on the photoshoot. It combines a documentary approach - capturing real moments without interruption of staging - with an editorial touch, where the photographer gives occasional direction but mostly fades into the background, allowing every moment to unfold naturally and spontaneously
recent same sex weddings.
Matthew & Corbin
Same Sex wedding on Lake Como
FAQ
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We are proud to say that we are among the most experienced wedding photographers in Tuscany
We spent 20 years photographing weddings and love stories all over Italy and around the globe. We shot more than 1000 weddings and we have gained an enviable level of experience as wedding photographers that allows us to handle every situation with ease and confidence, ensuring a stress-free experience for all our couples. Throughout the journey, we strive to be friendly and supportive companions, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable
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Our style is a unique balance of documentary and editorial photography, made with a natural approach. It’spontaneous and natural because we focus on capturing genuine moments of happiness and connections with your loved ones. Our photos are unposed—we love to capture you "in the moment," showing you as natural and at ease. Our ability to be present discreetly, without interfering, is the foundation of our documentary-style approach.
Many of our couples describe our photos as cinematic because they see themselves as movie stars—even though we never posed them
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Yes! we are based in central Italy and we travel all over Italy and around the globe. Feel free to get in touch for a custom quote.
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we just can’t wait!
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We are the quickest photographers! Depending on the packages we deliver the full work in 7 days or maximum in 20 days. We deliver all the photos both in color and black & white
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Yes we shoot film photography together with the digital service. We shoot medium format films and deliver incredible quality fine art prints
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Yes we are licensed drone pilots and include the drone photography service in most of our packages
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Absolutely yes! One photographer is not enough to document properly a wedding day. We recommend checking that both the photographers are very experienced and talented because there are many studio where the second shooter is just an assistant who cannot deliver a signature style
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Our answer is that your photos need to be timeless, the colors and contrasts and the general look must It must withstand the passage of time. Your photos must look beautiful today and also in 20 years. This is why we avoid temporary trends like out of focus and blurred images. In 20 years you want a proper photo of your shoes and not a blurred photo because they will no longer be only photos but precious memories
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Absolutely! what we really love about same sex weddings it’s that they push us to leave photography cliche and gives us the opportunity to create images that are modern but also timeless, elegant and never banal.
Documentary Wedding Photographers in Italy
20 YEARS DOCUMENTING LOVE STORIESTUSCANY | LAKE COMO | UMBRIA | ITALY
Hi! We are Maurizio & Serena, luxury wedding photographers in Italy, we are a married photographers duo, based in ITALY and available all over the country and around the globe.
Published on magazines:
Named EDITORIAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE YEAR at the EWPC 2024 in Bodrum, named among the 24 best photographers in Italy by Junebug, winners of the Moscow International Photo Award, chosen best wedding photographers in Tuscany and Umbria by Brides Magazine, we specialize in luxury destination weddings in Tuscany, Umbria, Lake Como, Amalfi Coast.
With over 1200 weddings shot, we are proud to share our incredible experience and our relaxed approach to the wedding day with all our couples.
Luxury wedding photographers Umbria and Tuscany
Rellini art studio.
Named best international wedding photographers EWPC 2024, leading photographers in Italy and specializing in weddings around the globe Maurizio and Serena from Rellini Art Studio have 1200+ weddings experience over the last 20 years and have a NATURAL approach to the wedding photography which blends editorial and documentary style
“They utilize a combination of traditional techniques coupled with a personalized artistry to create stories of love, beauty, feelings, and art.”
a Curated Collection
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SCHLOSS FREUDENSTEIN DESTINATION WEDDING VENUE
We loved working at Schloss Freudenstein for a few reasons: the area of Bolzano and the Dolomites has a special place in our hearts with its stunning beauty, and the castle lies along the incredible road of wine. The interiors of the castle inspired us during our photoshoot while the glass house was a luxury setting for the dinner and the party.
When looking for your wedding photographers for your same sex wedding in Italy feel free to reach out, will be a true pleasure telling your story with our images
SAME SEX WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN ITALY
Over the years, we’ve photographed many same-sex weddings. This has given us not only solid experience, but also a unique artistic style. Our work balances modern and timeless, editorial and spontaneous, elegant and playful. When we photograph same-sex weddings, we avoid clichés and create a story that feels real, refined, and full of beautiful, memorable images
When looking for your same sex lgbt wedding photographers in Italy feel fre to reach out, will be a true pleasure telling your story with our images