Outdoor patio with two white chairs and a small wooden table set for dining, surrounded by large potted plants, with a reflective glass door and black lattice screens in the background.

Destination Wedding Photography in Umbria – A Beautiful Family-Home Celebration

Relaxed, natural destination wedding photography in Umbria – capturing a warm, intimate celebration at a family home near Orvieto.

People gathered on a patio with umbrellas and lush garden plants, under a clear blue sky.
A woman holding a baby in front of a light yellow house with a garden, open gate, and outdoor table and chairs, seen through tree branches and lush greenery.
A large twisted tree with green leaves in a garden with a path and flower beds leading to a house with a chimney and a porch, under a cloudy sky.
A cluttered kitchen table with bananas, green pods, and various bottles and containers, with a bright window in the background.

A Beautiful Family-Home Wedding in the Hills of Umbria

There’s something uniquely special about weddings held at a family home, especially in a place as captivating as Umbria. This celebration took place just outside Orvieto, among olive trees, warm terracotta walls and views that stretch endlessly across the valley. As an English photographer who often works in Italy, these are the days I love most — relaxed, personal, and full of genuine emotion. Nothing staged, nothing rushed, just a beautifully lived-in atmosphere that naturally shapes the photographs.

In summary: A warm and intimate family-home wedding near Orvieto in Umbria. A relaxed, sun-lit celebration captured in a natural documentary style, surrounded by olive groves, stone walls and Italian countryside charm.
Outdoor dining table decorated with flowers set for a meal, with wine bottles, glasses, and utensils, under string lights on a terrace with a scenic view of greenery and distant hills.
Person wearing blue gloves using tongs to serve marinated vegetables into small bowls on a kitchen countertop.
Reflection of a gathering of people having a meal indoors, with a scenic landscape of trees and hills visible through a window.
Close-up of pink and purple flowers with soft background.

The sense of calm at this wedding was unforgettable. Guests moved between the house, the terrace and the gardens without structure — just naturally flowing through the day. There’s something about a family home in Italy that instantly makes everyone feel welcome, and that atmosphere shaped the entire story from the very first moment.

A smiling young man and woman with light skin outdoors in sunlight, close together with the man’s hand on the woman’s shoulder, surrounded by trees and plants.
Chef slicing cheese on a cutting board in a professional kitchen.
A man wearing glasses and an apron, holding several bottles of alcohol and a beverage with fruit, appears to be in a kitchen or bar setting.
A table decorated with pink flowers in glass vases, glassware, and bottles, set outdoors with green trees and a wooden railing in the background.
Person trimming a green leafy plant with pruning shears on a sunny patio.
A split-screen photograph showing three men in conversation on a patio with greenery in the background. One man is smiling, wearing a white t-shirt and shorts, while the other two men are dressed in white shirts and pants, standing with their hands o
Two men in a kitchen preparing food; one wearing a chef's coat, hairnet, and gloves, and the other in glasses and casual clothing.
A bookshelf with travel guides and books about Italy, Greece, and other European destinations, along with a folded travel brochure/photobook showing a landscape with vineyards and a dirt road.
Sliced lemons and oranges arranged on a display with metal tongs

The windows let in soft, directional light. These spaces are a dream to photograph — quiet corners, warm textures, and the kind of honest moments you only get when people feel completely at ease. Outside, the garden was already alive with laughter and the smell of warm air rising off the tiles.

Several glasses filled with a chunky red-orange tomato-based appetizer, garnished with small green leaves, arranged on a dark surface.
A bright red poppy flower blooming among green grass and plants in a natural setting.
A man and woman standing on a balcony with lush greenery and hills in the background, smiling and holding drinks, dressed in summer attire with sunglasses.
Smiling men raising glasses of orange-colored drinks at an outdoor gathering during daytime.
A young child crawling on the floor with assistance, near a shallow pool of water, with water splashing around and a person supporting from behind.
Group of people having a backyard outdoor gathering with drinks and laughing, with a yellow wall, potted plants, and a citrus tree in the background.
A woman with short brown hair, wearing a white dress with colorful floral prints, holding a beer bottle, smiling outdoors among friends.
A man and woman sitting and standing in a lush garden with trees and flowers, with mountains in the background during sunset.
An elderly man wearing a light blue shirt and glasses around his neck is holding a green flower or plant, looking at it closely, with a blurred outdoor setting in the background.
Indoor orange tree with green leaves and ripe oranges hanging from branches.
People socializing outdoors under large umbrellas on a sunny day, reflected in a glass window.
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I had already photographed their ceremony back in London, a few days earlier, so this was a relaxed party and celebration. It was simple. The setting added to that sense of closeness: nothing formal, nothing corporate, just family, friends and the countryside.

Group of people gathered outdoors near a ping pong table under a large tree in a garden with rolling hills in the background.
Three people enjoying drinks outdoors in a garden setting on a sunny day, with greenery and trees in the background.
View from inside house looking out onto a patio with three women standing and talking, overlooking lush greenery and hills in the distance, with an umbrella and garden plants.
Long outdoor dining table decorated with floral centerpieces, glasses, and plates in a sunlit garden setting.
Outdoor patio with two white chairs and a small wooden table set with glasses, surrounded by potted plants, with a yellow wall and decorative black lattice panels in the background.
A man and woman relaxing outdoors on lounge chairs, with the man reclining and drinking a beverage, and the woman sitting upright holding a glass, with a scenic landscape of trees and mountains in the background during sunset.

Afterwards, drinks flowed in the garden as guests found shade beneath the trees or gathered near the pool. These unposed, in-between interactions — the hugs, the laughs, the small connections — are at the heart of how I photograph weddings. A family home gives space for these moments to breathe, and this day was full of them.

A woman with short blonde hair in a blue dress relaxing on a lounge chair outdoors among greenery and trees.
Two women sitting by a pool with their feet in the water, enjoying drinks, with outdoor chairs and greenery in the background.
An elderly man with gray beard holding a young child close, both with their foreheads touching, in a warmly lit indoor setting.
People gathered on poolside patio, some standing, some sitting, with large umbrella and lush greenery in the background.
A group of people standing outdoors among trees and purple flowers, with rolling hills and vineyards in the background during sunset.
A man wearing a white shirt, black sunglasses, and a white hat with a dark band smiling outdoors near a body of water, with trees and hills in the background.
Person's hand on gray textured surface, with a small bottle of red liquid nearby, and a shoe visible at the bottom left corner.
People sitting by a swimming pool with their feet dipped in the water, wearing casual summer clothing.

As the light softened, we took a gentle walk through the gardens for a few portraits. Just movement and conversation. In Umbria, the evening sunlight has a depth and softness that wraps around everything, and the resulting images always feel warm, calm and timeless.

A couple standing together in a courtyard, viewed through a large doorway with black metal grid decorations on a yellow wall, surrounded by plants and patio furniture.
Group of friends smiling and posing outdoors with a scenic background of trees and hills, some holding drinks.
A butterfly sitting on pink and purple flowers with a blurred green and yellow background.
Chef in a kitchen reflected in a window with outdoor landscape and sunlight
Person wearing gloves preparing bowls of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a kitchen.
A long outdoor dining table set with plates, glasses, cutlery, and floral centerpieces, overlooking a scenic landscape with trees and distant hills during sunset.
A woman smiling at an outdoor gathering, standing in front of a group of people, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Two women sitting outdoors, smiling and hugging each other. One woman is wearing a navy blue sleeveless dress and sunglasses, while the other is wearing a white sleeveless top, a beige sun hat, and a beaded necklace. They are in a grassy area with tr
A couple is kissing outdoors during sunset, with trees and greenery in the background.

Why I Love Flying to Italy (and Beyond) for Weddings

There’s a unique magic to destination weddings. I love arriving in a new place — different light, colours, architecture and landscapes all shaping the story in a way that feels fresh and inspiring. Whether it’s golden Italian sunsets, quiet French villages or dramatic coastlines elsewhere in Europe, every location brings something special to the photos and experience.

People gathered around a table for a meal, viewed through a window during sunset, with stacked plates and food on a table inside.
A woman wearing sunglasses and earrings, standing indoors near a window, with her shadow cast on the wall behind her during sunset.
People dining on a balcony with potted plants and string lights during sunset.
An elderly man and a young girl sharing a piece of food together in warm lighting.
An elderly man is holding a young girl in his arms while a woman looks on at a social gathering indoors during the evening.
People seated at a dining table with cutlery and glasses, illuminated by warm lighting, with shadows cast on a yellow wall behind them.
A male chef with a gray beard and wearing a white chef's uniform and hat, standing with his hands clasped together.
Man smiling and holding a glass bottle at a dinner party with people sitting around a decorated table.
People seated at a long outdoor dining table during daytime, smiling and enjoying a social event, with a woman in the center smiling directly at the camera.

Travelling also lets me step fully into your adventure, capturing the atmosphere and all the in-between moments that make the experience unforgettable. And with regular flights from Gatwick, getting me to your destination is usually far easier (and more affordable) than couples expect.

People gathered around a long dining table on a covered patio, raising glasses in a toast during a celebration, with string lights overhead and a view of lush green trees outside.
A man giving a speech or toast at a dinner party on a covered outdoor terrace with string lights, surrounded by seated guests.
A group of people sitting at a social event, with one woman with red hair and a big smile in focus, others in the background smiling and talking, in a bright setting with greenery overhead.
A man with dark hair and a beard sitting at a table during a social gathering, with blurred people and decorations in the background.
A man and woman sitting at a table, smiling and laughing together during a social gathering or dinner.
Group of people dining together at an outdoor restaurant during sunset, visible through a window with a grill pattern.
Person holding a bowl of potato salad topped with black pepper, with cherry tomatoes and lettuce on a dining table.
A two-story house with a tiled roof, a large balcony on the second floor filled with people, potted plants, and string lights. The house is surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with warm sunlight illuminating the scene.
Close-up of golden grass plants at sunset with blurred background.
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Dinner was held outdoors as lanterns were lit around the terrace. The speeches were some of the most heartfelt I’ve documented — intimate and emotional, the kind that stay with you. As night fell, music filled the space and the terrace became a little pocket of joy under the Italian sky.

Sunset over rolling hills with silhouetted trees in the foreground.
View of a house’s outdoor porch decorated with string lights, illuminated warmly in the evening. The house is surrounded by trees and plants, with a pathway leading up to it.
Four men at a nighttime outdoor gathering, one in a blue suit being kissed on the cheek by another in a white shirt, while two others hold drinks and watch.
Couple dancing at a party with guests watching, some holding drinks, in an outdoor setting at night.
A couple dancing at an outdoor evening event, surrounded by guests watching and smiling, under a dark night sky.
People dancing and enjoying themselves at a party or celebration, with a woman smiling and raising her hand in the center of the image.
People dancing and enjoying at a party, including a woman in a yellow dress with her arm raised and another woman in a polka dot dress.
People dancing and socializing on an outdoor patio at night, some wearing colorful dresses, with a dark sky in the background.
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Explore More Venues

If you’re exploring beautiful wedding locations and looking for more inspiration, you might also enjoy:

If you’re planning a destination wedding in Umbria or anywhere in Italy, and you’d like relaxed, natural photography that captures the atmosphere and real moments of your day, I’d love to hear from you. I regularly fly out to Italy (and other parts of Europe) from Gatwick, and it’s often far more affordable than couples expect to have me photograph their day abroad.

You can explore more of my work on the featured weddings page or get in touch through my contact page to check availability and chat about your plans.

Two women, likely at a wedding, are standing close together, holding hands and touching their foreheads gently, near a body of water with a cloudy sky in the background.

Natural, storytelling wedding photography by Paul Read – relaxed, romantic, and full of genuine emotion.

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