Vendors & Venue
Vendors
Venue: villa marsi - Tuscany
Celebrant: Jacqueline Salassa
Catering: Villa Marsi
Photo+Film: aurora borealis weddings
Welcome to Italy: Sun-Drenched Poolside Gathering at Villa Marsi - Tuscany
The unforgettable wedding weekend of Isa and Levi began under clear blue skies in the heart of Italy, surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of Villa Marsi. Before the main wedding day unfolded, the couple warmly welcomed their loved ones who traveled from the Netherlands with an effortless pre-wedding celebration by the pool. Guests spent the sunny afternoon cooling off in the water, sipping refreshing cocktails, and enjoying the serene countryside.
As the sun began to set, the gathering transitioned seamlessly into an authentic Italian pizza party, where artisan wood-fired pizzas were hand-stretched and baked fresh to order in a traditional stone oven. The vibrant, festive atmosphere was elevated by the lively live performance of Italia Love Show, a three-piece band that filled the evening with rustic Italian charm and high energy.
As night fell, everyone gathered around a crackling campfire under glowing fairy lights for a deeply emotional ring warming ceremony. Isa and Levi's wedding bands were passed through the crowd in a cherished family heirloom seashell, allowing every family member and friend to hold the rings and bestow their personal blessings and quiet wishes for the couple's future.
While the party continued late into the night with music and laughter echoing through the trees, we eventually drove off into the calm Tuscan night to back up all our photo and video files, charge our equipment, and prepare for the big day ahead.
The morning of Isa & Levi — calm preparations at Villa Marsi
The wedding morning at Villa Marsi began with a serene sense of calm, though an unmistakable current of excitement hummed through the rustic Italian estate. Isa and Levi chose to get ready in separate buildings across the grounds, allowing the anticipation of their ceremony to build naturally throughout the early hours. Being apart only heightened their eagerness to see one another, yet the relaxed atmosphere kept any pre-wedding nerves completely at bay.
Over in Levi’s suite, the groom spent his morning in the company of his closest friends and his father. The space was filled with warm camaraderie, lighthearted conversation, and quiet moments of connection as they helped him prepare for the day ahead. Before heading toward the ceremony, Levi shared a deeply emotional first look with his sister, Sarah, creating a heartfelt memory between siblings amidst the morning preparations.
In a nearby cottage, Isa’s morning unfolded with her favorite women, her closest girlfriends and her mother. Surrounded by love and support, the room was a haven of gentle laughter and steadying presence. Before stepping out as a bride, Isa revealed a special secret surprise for Levi, complete with a hidden message that would unfold later in the day. She then shared a private, touching first look with both her father and her stepfather, honoring the meaningful bonds that shaped her path to this moment.
While Isa and Levi were immersed in these intimate preparations, our team at Aurora Borealis Weddings focused on seamlessly planning and capturing every nuance of the morning. To ensure flawless sound for their ceremony and vows, we meticulously set up a four-point video recording system, placing microports, and dedicated recorders across the venue. Between documenting candid moments with the couple, we also took the time to curate beautiful detail flatlays and scenic shot compositions, capturing the essence of Villa Marsi and setting the stage for the unforgettable vows to come.
The ceremony — Personal vows under the ancient oak
Set beneath the majestic canopy of a grand oak tree, the ceremony unfolded in a secluded wooden terrace overlooking the rolling Italian hills. The deep natural shade provided a tranquil sanctuary, shielding everyone from the brilliant sun while casting soft, golden light over the gathering. Officiated by Levi's aunt, Jacqueline, the service felt incredibly warm, intimate, and interactive from the very start, thoughtfully drawing family and friends directly into the heart of the union.
As Levi waited at the altar in his sleek white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie, an unexpected, tender surprise filled the air. Before walking down the aisle, Isa read a heartfelt, private letter to Levi over the sound system. Hearing her genuine words left everyone completely spellbound, bringing quiet tears to their guests even before the procession began.
When Isa finally made her entrance in her breathtaking off-the-shoulder floral lace gown, the long-awaited first look occurred right at the altar. Levi was overcome with raw emotion, covering his face as tears welled up, a completely unfiltered, powerful reaction that as a Tuscany photo and video team, we truly live and breathe to document.
The emotional high point continued as the couple exchanged their personal vows, holding hands under the quiet rustle of the leaves. During the ring exchange, their bands were presented inside the sacred family heirloom seashell, the very same shell that had traveled through the hands of their loved ones around the campfire the night before. Sealed with a passionate first kiss and an exuberant dip down the aisle amidst cheers and applause, it was a ceremony defined by deep roots, family, and authentic love.
The Couple Session — Golden Hour Magic in Villa Marsi, Le Marche, Italy
Following the emotional ceremony under the ancient oak tree, Isa and Levi quietly slipped away from their family, friends, and the gaze of our cameras for a few peaceful moments to truly absorb the magic of their vows. This intimate breath of fresh air created the perfect transition into one of the most stunning chapters of their destination wedding in Italy.
As the sun began to dip behind the rolling Apennine hills of Le Marche, we headed out for their sunset couple session to capture the legendary Italian golden hour. Strolling along the rustic country paths surrounding Villa Marsi, Isa looked breathtaking in her off-the-shoulder floral lace gown, while Levi exuded effortless Italian chic in his crisp white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie. With dark sunglasses on and hand in hand, their relaxed yet high-fashion style blended seamlessly into the sun-drenched landscape.
The atmosphere was a balance of candid joy, editorial sophistication, and quiet intimacy. From playful moments against the villa's historic brick staircases and shuttered facades to romantic embraces in the high grass where Isa gently rested her head on Levi’s shoulder, every frame reflected their genuine bond. As a Tuscany and Mallorca destination wedding photo and film team, capturing love in its purest, most glowing light amidst the Italian countryside is exactly what inspires our story-driven imagery.
The Wedding Dinner — Unforgettable Energy & Culinary Excellence in Le Marche
Right after the couple session, our photo and film team quickly set up our professional off-camera lighting and tripod cameras to prepare for the grand entrance and the evening reception. Before the festivities fully kicked off, guests found personalized, hand-written letters from Isa and Levi waiting at their seats, a thoughtful gesture that sparked some of the most emotional, tear-filled moments of the entire day as everyone took their places.
The party atmosphere then ignited instantly. Guests began grooving to a traditional Dutch song and twirling their napkins in the air, creating an explosion of high-energy cheer across the tables. Isa and Levi literally burst into the dinner area, dancing and jumping their way around their cheering family and friends.
The outdoor feast at Villa Marsi was nothing short of extraordinary. The venue owner and chef, Sándor, crafted an incredible menu featuring authentic regional flavors that left every single guest completely amazed. Between the exquisite courses, deeply moving speeches were delivered by close family and friends. To preserve these irreplaceable memories in full cinematic quality, we recorded every toast using discrete multi-channel audio equipment and warm continuous lighting.
The undisputed highlight of the dinner came when Isa and Levi uncorked a very special bottle of wine. They had bought it at the very beginning of their relationship while living together in South Africa, making a vow to open it only on their wedding day, or as a final shared drink if they ever parted ways. As a photo and film team, we feel immensely privileged to have documented such a rare, meaningful milestone in their journey.
As the unforgettable dinner concluded, everyone made their way down together to the next location: the venue's immersive party cave, where a dynamic light show and sound rig were waiting to ignite the night for the newlyweds.
The Wedding Party — Wild Energy, Salsa Beats & Sparklers in the Italian Countryside
As night fell, the celebration transitioned to the venue's breathtaking outdoor party cave, nestled in the hills of Villa Marsi. Surrounded by lush forest canopy, the dance floor transformed into a vibrant visual masterpiece with dynamic multi-colored light setups, professional DJ production, and atmospheric fog haze that set an incredible festival-style vibe.
Isa changed into a stylish white mini dress adorned with playful pearl fringe, perfect for dancing the night away. The newlyweds took center stage, showing off their salsa moves and bringing pure 1000-watt energy to the floor. The party instantly turned wild: friends and family of all generations danced, jumped, threw beer cans in the air, and celebrated without restraint. Live saxophone performances and non-stop hits kept the energy at an all-time high late into the night.
The unforgettable evening culminated in a magical grand finale. As the final song played, everyone gathered around Isa and Levi, lighting sparklers that filled the air with glowing, warm embers. Surrounded by their closest loved ones in a ring of sparkling light, the couple shared a tender kiss, the perfect close to an extraordinary destination wedding in Le Marche, Italy. As an Italy wedding photo and film team, documenting this unfiltered joy and high-octane celebration was an absolute dream.
Preserving the Raw Heartbeat of Italy
A wedding day isn't a series of staged poses, it’s a living, breathing experience that surges with raw emotion and unpredictable joy. Isa and Levi’s celebration in the rugged heart of Le Marche was defined by that genuine spirit. Every frame tells a piece of their story: the quiet tears shed over handwritten notes, the roar of the crowd waving napkins as they burst into the reception, and the quiet reverence of uncorking a long-saved bottle of wine. From sunset reflections on the rolling hills to the electric, haze-filled frenzy of the late-night dance floor, the energy never faded.
As storytellers behind the lens, our focus is always on how a moment felt, not just how it looked. We aim to document the genuine spirit of the day, the echoes of laughter across the valley, the clinking of glasses, the rhythm of salsa beats under the stars, and the vibrant shower of sparklers illuminating the night. These unfiltered memories are the soul of a destination wedding, captured so you can step back into that precise feeling for years to come.
Villa Merlo nero, Florence, Tuscany, Italy— sam & Alex
Curious about their destination wedding story?
Set in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, Sam and Alex's celebration at Villa Merlo Nero was a timeless gathering shaped by golden light, cypress-lined hills, and the effortless romance of the Italian countryside. Every part of the day unfolded naturally, from quiet, emotional moments amidst frescoed halls to vibrant celebrations under the festoon lights, surrounded by the people they love most.