Imagine having your wedding in a 12th-century abbey-cum-luxe hotel over sheer cliffs at the only Italian region that borders neither the sea nor another country. Think ancient esplanades, arched porticos, a 12-faceted tower established in 1103 A.D. a frescoed sacristy and one of the prettiest Romanesque churches to say I do, and you can pretty much understand why Tricia & Tom’s elegant wedding at La Badia di Orvieto can be officially be called “the dream”.

Wedding preps ticking all the right boxes? La Badia di Orvieto’s interiors recreate the hermitage’s legendary charm, harkening back to a time where noble souls roamed its halls. Can you think of a better ambiance to get all prepped up in? And while Anna Ushakova, from Ann Art Syle, was waving her magic wand over Tricia’s already stunning looks, we headed outside to meet Tommy and his lads getting ready. In the distance, the wild beauty of the Monti Sibillini with the gentle fall and rise of green hills and wildflower-flecked meadows became our backdrop and when everyone was ready we had one of the most impressive groom squad shoots of the summer with the gentlemen’s club looking as if they jumped out of an old-school flick.

The glamorous couple chose to have a first look session recreating the moods of their first official date when Tricia already knew he was the one. Let us say that their wit, sense of humor and superb chemistry had us clicking non-stop. We simply couldn’t have enough of them and their connection. Among the rough-hewn stone walls, vaulted ceilings and wrought-iron fixtures of their church the couple sat before their altar and enjoyed some quiet time together before we whisked Tricia away to have her enjoy some time with her bridesmaids.

After the ceremony cocktail hour began for the guests at the genteel courtyard, lit by flickering torches and we again had the opportunity to shoot portraits with our bride and groom. Roberta Torresan and Sartoria Floreale created the perfect setting for Tricia and Tom’s reception dinner with long Italian style tables inside a luxurious tent, strewn with candelabrums and elegant blooms, while after the bride and groom’s big entrance cocktails in hand everyone enjoyed a sublime Umbria-styled feast with tartufi neri (black truffles), fine cured meats and full-bodied local wines. You can’t have a wedding party begin unless you cut the cake. Our sweethearts thanked their guests with toasts of champagne and cutting a butterscotch tiered gateau created by Luciana Olimpieri, and had their first dance under massive standing ovations. And if you need to refresh your party moves for these holidays or get inspired for your upcoming destination wedding in Umbria, you better look at these party shots and let them carry you away!