Villa Grazioli Grottaferrata Rome

It’s a Nice Day for a Rome Wedding

Melanie & Russell’s wedding day, Park hotel Villa Grazioli Grottaferrata and church of St. Anna at the Vatican, Rome.

Another bitterly cold day but bright and sunny. I left the snow on the mountains in Acquasparta and headed for Grottaferrata just outside Rome. Villa Grazioli stands in all its glory, on top of a hill overlooking Rome, it is both old and modern and a fantastic backdrop for a wedding.

Melanie and her sister Michelle got ready together with Janita doing both hair and makeup. Lots of shiny dark tumbledown locks here, layers, frills and very high Jimmy Choo shoes!

Melanie also celebrated her birthday which made it an extra special day. The girls looked gorgeous and the bride did a great job of her wrap, which she made herself cover her shoulders for the church.

I managed to corner the boys before we jumped on the bus to the Vatican. Russell, his son Reece and the best man Chris looked very handsome in black tie. Daughter Isabella looked like a little princess in her warm wrap, also Grace, little Daisy and Jake looked fab.

We made it to the church of St. Anna at the Vatican in good time, I couldn’t help eyeing up the Swiss guards when waiting on the bride to arrive! I think it’s the tights! The crowd was small and the church was perfect nice and cosy and intimate.

After the ceremony we made a quick dash to St. Peter’s square for a few pictures, there was some event happening so many police and cars around. We made it to the Colosseum just as it was getting dark and it made a great backdrop. I was delighted we got both sites in before it got too dark.

Traffic was a bit slow coming back out of Rome probably because of rush hour, however, we landed safe and sound back at Villa Grazioli to a fantastic display of antipasti and Prosecco. We finally made it up to the Panini gallery for a few shots before dinner.

Thank you, Melanie and Russell for being so kind and patient, I wish you both the very best and hope you enjoy the following photos, more to follow … very soon.x

PS. Thank you Daniela from Italy Italian Weddings for all your help and guidance, much appreciated.

-SH xx

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