Amalfi Coast to Florence: Kris and Ally wedding
My dear friend and business partner Pasquale has pulled off one of his classic stunts again—this time by inviting me to the wedding of a couple he did a photoshoot for last year. And it’s classic Pasquale because, as usual, the schedule is all over the place: wake-up call at 5 a.m. to catch a train from Salerno to Florence. After more than four hours of travel, we hop in a car and drive another 90 minutes before finally catching sight of our destination: Le Bolli farmhouse in Radicondoli, a stunning and picturesque village in the province of Siena.
We arrive way earlier than the scheduled appointment, so we decide to hunt down a bar—not for coffee, but for a nice glass of prosecco to set the tone for the wedding day ahead.
We stumble upon this charming little place—probably the only bar/restaurant open in the whole village—and order two glasses of Vermentino white wine and a mixed platter of cured meats and cheeses. One thing you’ve got to hand to the Tuscans: they really know their meat. “La ciccia,” as they call it—basically anything made from meat—is always outstanding. Their cured meats are something else entirely, worlds away from the ultra-processed stuff you find in supermarkets.
While Pasquale and I chat about everything from work projects to… well, far less serious stuff I won’t mention here, I can’t help but eavesdrop on the locals around us, soaking in that beautiful Tuscan dialect. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I absolutely love the Tuscan accent. I could listen to these “bischeri toscanacci” for hours—it just makes me smile every time.
Eventually, we wrap up the chit-chat and head over to the venue, where we’re greeted by Fran—short for Francesca—a top-notch wedding planner who specializes in organizing events for international couples, helping them navigate through what must feel like an endless sea of options. The place is magical: a rustic farmhouse nestled in a sea of olive trees, a pool shaded by a massive oak tree that whispers “come take a nap on this lounge chair,” and an incredible view of the rolling hills to the west, where Kris and Ally will have their symbolic ceremony.
Kris and Ally are absolutely gorgeous—not just physically, but in personality too. Kris is calm and composed, despite his friends’ best efforts to push his blood alcohol level into the stratosphere. Ally has this calming presence and a stunning smile that wins you over instantly. I hadn’t met either of them before that day, but within minutes we all felt like old friends.
And while Kris and Ally were the stars of this dream wedding, my team of adventurers grew from one to three: in addition to Pasquale, there were also two videographers, Sergey and Serena, tasked with turning this love story into a cinematic gem—something timeless, like a good old episode of Scrubs, worth watching again and again without ever getting boring. Serena and Sergey are from Perugia, which isn’t too far from Siena. Pasquale, by now, is basically a Tuscan resident (even if his Southern accent still gives him away). I was the only one coming from truly far away—over six hours of travel just to get there!
The wedding itself was incredible, made even more special by the intimate guest list—just 22 people, all close friends and family. That allowed me to connect with the guests almost immediately and get into my groove, capturing those candid, unguarded moments like a paparazzo on a mission. Sometimes you have to stake out the perfect spot and wait for that magical moment when a radiant smile cuts through the crowd of squints and silly faces—but when you catch it, it’s such a rush!
Here are just a few highlights from the day, otherwise I’d be writing for hours:
Besides Kris and Ally, I really hit it off with Evan and Madison -a recently married couple (since 2022) and the best man and maid of honor. They’re funny, down-to-earth people, and I hope to visit them soon in Arizona, where they live. They’ve already invited me!
Evan told me, “I trust people who know how to party hard,” and I couldn’t agree more. If you can go the distance, you’re someone I can trust. And I do trust Evan - I lost count of how many drinks vanished into his glass, and yet he stayed rock solid all night.
Right after the ceremony, Pasquale, the videographers, the couple, and I took a quick five-minute drive to a nearby hilltop for some portraits. Kris drove a vintage red Fiat 1200, which we used a lot -maybe too much. The trouble started when we asked Kris to turn the car around on a narrow road lined with cypress trees, and he ended up in a roadside ditch. Ten minutes of panic and one slipped disc later, we managed to pull the car out. Through it all, Kris didn’t lose his cool for a second - truly legendary behavior.
The biggest party animal of the night? Aside from Ally, it was her grandma, who danced with the energy of a teenager. Watching her tear up the dance floor to club music was unforgettable.
Between Pasquale and me, we took over 7,000 RAW photos - that’s a record! Usually, we shoot around 3,000 to 4,000 per wedding.
The cake was delicious - a deconstructed millefoglie with berries and strawberries. Unfortunately, I got the one slice without a single piece of fruit. Just my luck.
And a special shoutout to Davide, the sommelier at the venue, who made me a Gin Fizz that completely quenched my thirst just before we left - past midnight.
All in all, it was a day like no other, far from my usual routine on the Amalfi Coast. I got to spend time with a friend - before being my business partner - surrounded by the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. A real treat for the soul - a perfect break before going back to the coast, more recharged than ever.
I'll see you between the cypresses,
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